When i saw the book of mormon, all i knew was that everybody loved it from oprah winfrey to jon stewart. Racism in the lds church statements about race in the book of mormon. Im guessing you were actually searching for articles that prove racism in the book of mormon. The charge of racism in the book of mormon book of. The racism of the book of mormon towards native americans is staggering. Paul reeve, author of religion of a different color. The history of racism and white supremacy in the mormon church. Sorry i couldnt comply, because i couldnt find any, and in fact found the opposite to be true. While the list of reasons why they arent christian is extensive, one of those reasons is our focus here today. There are four principle themes in the book of mormon.
Racism in the mormon church for almost two centuries now christians worldwide have questioned the validity of the lds churchs claim of being a christian church. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. By way of introduction, im an investigator who just finished reading through the book of mormon for the very first time. For answers to antimormon questions, visit out website at. Tom sawyer is a racist e book written by using a racist, mein kampf is a racist e. Some would say that these verses show racism in the book of mormon. Ive never heard this accusation before until yesterday. The nephites at least initially did think that the skin of blackness was loathsome and was the consequence of a curse, but there are passages. To support this argument, they selectively quote from the book of mormon, ignoring context and the overall message of the book.
The freshly trained mormons are sent on a missionary operation to uganda, africa. Book of mormons antiafrican racism is no laughing matter. As the book of mormon puts it, all are alike unto god. The book of mormon musical is not offensive for its portrayal of mormons. One can not incredibly prepare racist suggestions from the e book of mormon. Reeve is a historian and professor at the university of utah, where he specializes in utah history, page 192mormon history and the history of the american west. Over the past two centuries, the relationship between black people and mormonism has a history that includes both official and unofficial discrimination, but more recently it has become one of increased outreach and involvement. Since the earliest decade of the church, black mormons have been members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. The question of racism in the book of mormon is very close to me. The book of mormon fails to evolve, persisting racism in a controversial political climate. I asked her, in the past year, why her brothers did not join the church when she did. Is it time to pull the curtain on the book of mormon.
The book of mormon tells the story of two mormons, one elder price is a a bright, clever, highly motivated and handsome young man and the other elder cunningham is a fat, ugly and stupid geek who also happens to be a pathological liar. The nephite racism towards the lamanites last week we had a reader write in asking for an explanation regarding the meaning of the wording in the chapter heading of 3 nephi chapter 2. This is particularly true when the nephites describe the lamanites in pejorative terms, such as bloodthirsty, idolatrous, ferocious, idle, lazy, and filthy. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi, who claimed that it had been. If one quotes selectively, one can make any religious text look racist. The charge of racism in the book of mormon fairmormon. Its scriptures teach that dark skin is a curse and white skin is delightsome. Every major protestant denomination in history has taught that. Given the political climate in 2019 and the blatant racism in the book of mormon, it seems like it is past time for white americans to stop supporting the musical. Having said that, lets see what the book of mormon racism issue is all about. Racism in the book of mormon yep, its there rational. The digital book download link is sent to your email address used to place the order, usually within 24 hours or next business day. The mormon belief in black skin being a curse is found in uniquely mormon books they call scripture.
Racism in the book of mormon mormons in transition. The charge of racism in the book of mormon by john. Some antimormons claim that the book of mormon is a racist text. The book of mormon a secularliberal parody or a racist. The musical the book of mormon is hilarious, outrageous, and brilliant. The book of mormon musical is racist and homophobic. Converted lamanites become white and are called nephites. The book of mormon musical is extremely racist the carrier.
The south park creators musical was much lauded in the us, but its satirical sensibility may. I come from lamanite heritage that is my mother was born and raised in mexico. So it was real regret that i concluded that the gleeful depiction of traditional stereotypes about africa dead babies, warlord, hiv, etc reinforced rather than challenged general preconceptions. Given the political climate in 2019 and the blatant racism in the book of mormon, it seems like it is past time for white americans to stop. What follows is simply the text of book of mormon passages reflecting racist notions. One of them, jane manning james, was part of the first.
Over the past two centuries, the relationship between black people and mormonism has a history that includes both official and unofficial discrimination, but. Racist statement by leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The racism of the book of mormon towards native americans. Following is my response to the readers inquiry that paul and i thought might. There are several aspects of the book of mormon that can safely be ignored in contemporary mormon culture without much consequence. I spoke with mueller about his new book, race and the making of the mormon people, which focuses on a few important figures in mormon history. Even though it was written for a future audience, it was written in a time and manner that reflected the social constructions of the authors, not those of. I guess that doesnt sit well with you, but thats the facts in the book, right.
The structure and organization of the church encourage racial integration. Determined to read the book of mormon in purely naturalistic nineteenth century terms, rather than as an ancient text, recent criticisms of that volume of scripture are offended by some descriptions of lamanites in the text. Remarks by president brigham young, delivered in the tabernacle, great salt lake city, october 9, 1859. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint. The history of racism and white supremacy in the mormon. As the show debuts in london, mark lawson asks its american stars. Racism is belittlling and inflicting injury to others, the e book of mormon isnt racist in any incredibly experience of it belittling a race. The book of mormons references to dark skin being associated with a curse have confused and offended many readers. The book of mormon punches down, racist tropes remain the. Opinion racism and the mormon church the new york times. I understand brians argument that racism is central to the book of mormon story. Book of mormon s antiafrican racism is no laughing matter book of mormon is currently on stage in toronto at the princess of wales theatre for a second time until april 16.
Remember that the mormon version of god is not the god of the bible. The book of mormon is, in fact, racist, although not at all in the usual sense of the term. Mauss, a president of the mormon history association, the churchs racist beliefs originated within protestant denominations from which many mormons converted. Those with negro blood were allowed to attend the temple, and worthy black men could also hold the priesthood. A historian looks at the legacy of racism in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Changes the lds church wants to promote now are incompatible with the status accorded to their book of scripture as the most correct book on. But i know for sure that at a time when there is no doubt about the racism that has festered in this country for centuries, its time for a rewrite of the book of mormonsat least the musical version.
I believe that in 1978 god changed his mind about black people, sings elder kevin price in the broadway musical the book of mormon. Home mormonism, race and priesthood racism in the book of mormon. There is a lot that i could say about it, but what was most shocking to me was the incredible depth of its racism towards native americans. This analysis looks at what these things might mean in context. Mcconkie, 19151985 touched on the black issue in his book mormon doctrine. You see some classes of the human family that are black, uncouth, uncomely, disagreeable and low in their habits, wild, and seemingly deprived of nearly all the blessings of the intelligence that is generally. You cant talk around the book of mormons racism the salt. The book of mormon musical is extremely racist the. Theological foundation for racism in the lds church. Interpreting the physical differences between nephites and lamanites as due to sun exposure is a recent development. A mormon recantation of its racist foundation cannot happen because racism is directly hardwired into the source code of the entire program. If you want this digital book download link sent to a different email, please indicate in the comments section at checkout purchasing grants one user license for the digital book.
Not unlike the book of mormon musical, andersens musings aim to initiate rather than alienate, to. Learn more about the blacks and the priesthood in the lds church lds scripture and basis for their doctrine, policies and beliefs until 1978. She converted to the church as a young woman after being raised as a catholic. Why british critics dont get the book of mormon oliver. The charge of racism in the book of mormon book of mormon. What does the book of mormon mean by skin of blackness. Taboobusting musical the book of mormon isnt antimormon. For behold, the lord shall curse the land with much heat, and the bareness thereof shall go forth forever. Its offensive because of its portrayal of black people. While it does seem that there is some unambiguous racism portrayed in the book of mormon, i think its important to note that the message is not that white skin good, black skin bad.
The mormon church has a long history of institutionalized racism. The book of mormon musical is racist and homophobic addresses the churchs racism and homophobia via humor. However, with the change of the negroes receiving the priesthood in 1978, mormon leaders are attempting to cover up this embarrassing teaching concerning skin color. One of the most successful musicals of all time, the show has won nine tony awards and. By 1978, increased social repudiation of racism, coupled with mormon evangelization in areas with large populations of racially mixed ancestry, led to one of the most drastic reversals in mormon belief and practice. The nineteenthcentury history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, max perry mueller argues, illuminates the role that religion played in forming. I listened to the racism for the first twenty years of my childhood in a. As an african american woman and one of only a handful of people of color in the audience at the overture center in madison during a recent. The new face of mormon racism religion news service. Racism in the lds church racist statements by lds leaders. Book of mormons antiafrican racism is no laughing matter book of mormon is currently on stage in toronto at the princess of wales theatre for a second time until april 16.