Black and Mormon

by Newell G. Bringhurst (Editor)

The year 2003 marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the lifting of the ban excluding black members from the priesthood of the Mormon church. The articles collected in Newell G. Bringhurst and Darron T. Smith's Black and Mormon look at the mechanisms used to keep blacks from full participation, the motives behind the ban, and the kind of changes that have—and have not—taken place within the church since the revelation responsible for its end.

This challenging collection is required reading for anyone concerned with the history of racism, discrimination, and the Latter-day Saints.

Genres: Religion, History, Nonfiction, Mormonism

184 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN EXCEPTIONALLY-INSIGHTFUL VOLUME ON A DIFFICULT SUBJECT

Newell Bringhurst is a past president of the Mormon History Association who teaches history and political science at the College of the Sequoias in visalia, California. He is also the author/editor of 'Saints, Slaves, and Blacks: The Changing Place of Black People Within Mormonism,' 'The Persistence of Polygamy: Joseph Smith and the Origins of Mormon Polygamy,' 'Brigham Young and the Expanding American Frontier,' 'Fawn McKay Brodie: A Biographer's Life,' etc. Darron Smith is a black convert to the LDS church, and author of 'White Parents, Black Children: Experiencing Transracial Adoption' and 'What Matters Most: A Story of Human Struggle and Potential."

The authors write in the Introduction to this 2004 book, "The primary goal of this volume is to inform the reader about the current situation of African-American Latter-day Saints as it has evolved over the past quarter century. But it is hoped that these essays will also stimulate continual open discussion concerning persistent problems involving race and racism, along with prospects for future progress."

Here are some quotations from the book:

"The church's position on interracial marriage was also problematic at the time of the (1978) black revelation... a church spokesman, stated that 'interracial marriages have been discouraged in the past and ... that remains our position.'" (Pg. 5)
"For example, the LDS apostle Bruce R. McConkie, now deceased, affirmed that blacks were not to hold the priesthood because they were not equal with people of other races." (Pg. 8)
"Despite the strained history of Mormon relationships with blacks and a studied avoidance of black proselytizing by the church before 1978, American blacks have occasionally joined the church from the very beginning, but especially since World War II." (Pg. 84)
"(I)t is possible to infer some of the reasons for an apparently large drop-out rate among black Mormons in the United States. These reasons included ... discomfort over class and cultural differences with white Mormons in most congregations... continuing undercurrents of racism in such popular LDS beliefs as the curse of Cain; white resistance to interracial marriage or even dating; and in general a level of white acceptance that was considered civil but not warm." (Pg. 86)
"...even as the church was getting some credit for its generous dealings with blacks, its unrenounced racist teachings about a 'divinely cursed' lineage were still available to be cited again and to cloud an otherwise successful encounter." (Pg. 93)
"In this regard, the example of the Genesis Group is important... this unit was organized ... to meet some of the social and spiritual needs of marginalized members of color... No doubt many felt that the 1978 revelation allowing priesthood ordination for black men eliminated the need for the Genesis Group altogether, but its members still felt that it met needs that their geographic ward did not." (Pg. 162)

[A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic collection of essays about the experience of being both Black and Mormon. Definitely recommend to all Latter-day Saints--especially white ones.

[Gofita · Rating 4 out of 5]

These articles were so insightful on being African American in a society that runs everything by white standards and then it delves deeper into how that affects African Americans in the Mormon church. How do they deal with the racist policies of the Church before the Priesthood ban was lifted in June of 1978? Many talk about how hurt they were, but how through their own personal experience with God they've been able to work through it.

Other articles talk about how since most of the church in America is white how they don't want to talk about race, but how it really needs to be addressed and that a lot of people in answer to why there was a priesthood ban continue to spread false folklore like "they weren't valiant enough in the preexistence or they are descended from Cain and thus cursed." These are completely false and yet are still used as reasons which truly impact negatively African American members.

Black Americans have huge insights and ideas and culture to bring to the Church...I would really love to see more active hymns in the church, saying a few amens in agreement during sacrament meeting would be great!

I think it's very important to be aware about who we are and how we relate to others. Let's embrace all cultures over the world and incorporate their beautiful traditions into ours as well and truly become a worldwide church.

I really recommend this book for all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It helps us see ourselves in a new light and to change what we didn't know what ignorant or insensitive before.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part, I really liked this book. The chapters flowed from one idea to the next and did a great job at covering the issue throughout history.

I liked everything except for the last chapter--it was too emotion, seemed unresearched and created new jargon for personal viewpoints and considered that "academic."

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight into how African-Americans were restricted. Also what had to be changed to life the priesthood ban. The restrictions were far deeper than the priesthood and general LDS opinion vaired widely. Great read for anyone interested in LDS history/doctrine and the racist begining of the LDS Church.

[Elliott Petty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting collection of essays. I was searching for a book with more facts, doctrine, explanations. At the end of the day I don't think is a lot of facts, doctrines, or explanations, so what you end up with is an interesting book, not deeply satisfying on the issue, but one that get's this reader's mind thinking.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because it gave several insights into the issue of being black and Mormom; past, present, and future.

I am really bad at reading right now -- no motivation. So it has taken me months to finish, but it is an easy read.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many leaps of faith (and logic) I will never understand.