That Ye May Not Be Deceived, pp. 9-10, 13; “…Also, the gospel was not carried to this segregated black group… the Negroes tread the earth with black dishonorable bodies as a judgment of God because at the time of decision in the pre-existence they were faint-hearted and exhibited an infirmity of purpose – they were not valiant in the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, they were entitled to no better earthly lineage than that of the first early murderer, Cain. They were to be the ‘servant of servants.’ They were to be segregated. No effort was made to carry the gospel to them as a people. …
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has no call to carry the Gospel to the Negro, and it does not do so.” – Elder Arthur M. Richardson, 1955
1 Samuel 16:7; “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Our reference today came from a 15 page Mormon pamphlet written by Mr. Richardson c. 1955. It’s been referenced in multiple papers, but finding the complete work is difficult. It’s also included in Cursed with a Skin of Blackness, a lengthy report, published by a student at the University of Utah that’s well worth the read.
The point to all this?
Because of the chronic racism shown in Mormon doctrines, we have a few questions.
When did our Lord ever say someone wasn’t worthy of sharing the gospel with because of their skin color? The Bible is replete with God’s warnings not to judge people based on outward appearances!
Moreover, it looks as if they missed Jesus’ memo to go out and make disciples of all men in Matthew 28:18-20…
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 ¶ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” [emp. mine]
If you’re LDS and the comments above from your leaders aren’t acceptable, why was it okay for them to teach it at all? Please know that we’re praying for you, and if you have questions, drop us a line!
With Love in Christ;
Michelle
When the LDS changed their doctrine to meeting the negroes in their church, etc., did they ever explain that they were wrong? Or, rather, did they say the old doctrine was wrong and the new doctrine supercedes it?
Yeah, and how does Gladys Knight justify this???
Well, her answer is that the Church is no longer racist because they let people into the priesthood now, and back in the day, everyone was racist, not just Mormons. 🙁 WRONG!!! Not everyone was racist. If that was a true statement there never would’ve been a push to eradicate it.
Yeah, and how does Gladys Knight justify this???
Hey there Sue!
Well, the Church gave an explanation, but they never apologized, nor was it really an explanation like you, or I, might think.
Bruce McConkie, their go-go-apostle at the time told everyone to just forget everything they’d previously taught on this subject matter because it was in the past and it ‘didn’t matter anymore’. WOW!
Here’s an excerpt from an article on our sites, along with the link for the ‘official’ statement from the Church –
Revelations; Past Revelations don’t Matter
All Are Alike Unto God, Bruce McConkie Speech at BYU, June 1978; “We get our truth and our light line upon line and precept upon precept. We have now had added a new flood of intelligence and light on this particular subject, and it erases all the darkness and all the views and all the thoughts of the past. They don’t matter any more. It doesn’t make a particle of difference what anybody ever said about the Negro matter before the first day of June of this year, 1978. It is a new day and a new arrangement, and the Lord has now given the revelation that sheds light out into the world on this subject. As to any slivers of light or any particles of darkness of the past, we forget about them.”
https://lifeafterministry.com/2012/09/20/false-prophecies-of-the-mormon-church-53/
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/bruce-r-mcconkie_alike-unto-god-2/
Well, that’s interesting. He also says in the paragraph before your quote:
“We have read these passages and their associated passages for many years. We have seen what the words say and have said to ourselves, “Yes, it says that, but we must read out of it the taking of the gospel and the blessings of the temple to the Negro people, because they are denied certain things.” There are statements in our literature by the early Brethren which we have interpreted to mean that the Negroes would not receive the priesthood in mortality. I have said the same things, and people write me letters and say, “You said such and such, and how is it now that we do such and such?” And all I can say to that is that it is time disbelieving people repented and got in line and believed in a living, modern prophet. Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or President George Q. Cannon or whomsoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation. We spoke with a limited understanding and without the light and knowledge that now has come into the world.”
This is as close to a refutation as I’ve seen them get yet. Before this, McKonkie goes in great detail as to how they get these revelations. Typical of the LDS, it twists and turns, adds a few Bible passages (out of context, of course), and say people should repent …believe in living prophet. Thus he turns it to the person questioning their change.
It’s the same line the LDS uses all the time; a subtle, truth-sounding statement but to discerning ears it says: Falsehood.
Thanks for this.