August 15 – Racism still exists in Mormonism. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
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Mr. Richards’ comments may have been made 70 years ago, however, in 2016 the Church’s canon still shows evidence they support this line of thinking. There’s simply no other way to phrase what this man has said, other than to call it what it is: racism.
Legally speaking, in 1978 the Church had to change their ways to be amenable to societal demands, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out their canon still carries the telltale signs of Mormonism’s ugly underbelly. You’ll notice in the title of Richards’ speech how he’s referred to black people as evil.
I can say from personal experience that listening to this montage of lies in the first twenty years of life can produce low self-esteem, misconception of God’s creative abilities, and builds an overall mistrust of all races, including your own.
Ironically, while the title of his speech isn’t reiterated in other speeches, the effects of what they do teach, are still the same.
As kindly as possible, ask the Mormon you know for their thoughts on the race issue in Mormonism. Does it concern them that Mormon canon hasn’t changed even though they now accept blacks into the priesthood? Also ask for their opinion about our bible verse today! Does it cause them concern the Church won’t use this in their teachings?
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Conference Report, ‘Punishment of the Wicked,’ October 1947, p. 57 “The Negro race have been forbidden the priesthood, and the higher temple blessings, presumably because of their not having been valiant while in the spirit. It does not pay to be anything but valiant.” – George F. Richards
If you want the true ugly underbelly of how religious people treat others, look up Jim Crow and compare and contrast that to an orginisation that says if you join us you can only do some of the things that others do. In the real history of how blacks were treated, you are making a big to do over an inconvenience.
And remember, Brigham Young, in 1852, saw it was only temporary.
“In two speeches delivered before the Utah territorial legislature in January and February 1852, Brigham Young announced a policy restricting men of black African descent from priesthood ordination. At the same time, President Young said that at some future day, black Church members would “have [all] the privilege and more” enjoyed by other members.”
( https://www.lds.org/topics/race-and-the-priesthood?lang=eng. )