The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (often often referred to simply as the Mormon Church) has a lengthy history of race relations. This is particularly true for Blacks within Mormonism. This article will present an accurate account of the way Black individuals were treated historically within the Mormon Church. We will examine the restrictions on policies which were imposed, and the Church’s evolution to abandon previous beliefs and practices of racism.
Blacks and Mormonism A Historical Review
Between 1851 and 1897 In the years between 1851 and 1852, the Mormon Church had a doctrine which prohibited blacks from ordination to the priesthood. The policy was a result of racial and religious beliefs during the time. Black individuals were denied certain Church rites and obligations and resulted in a segregated Mormon community. This discriminatory behavior wasn’t exclusive to Mormonism. It was a reflection of the widespread prejudices based on race in American society at that time.
Mormon Black People and 1978 Revelation
The year 1978 was a major turning point in the Mormonism’s history. Spencer W. Kimball was the Church’s president at the time, and was the recipient of what Mormons believed to be a “divine revelation” regarding the exclusion of blacks from Priesthood. The revelation, considered to be a pivotal moment, lifted the policy that had been in place for over a century. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints confirmed that Black individuals could now hold the priesthood and be fully involved in all facets of the Church.
Today, the Church has rejected the notion of racism and welcomes everyone, regardless of their race, to believe in Jesus Christ. The doctrine is now announcing the equality of all individuals by stating that God will accept everyone regardless of race, gender or social standing. For more information, click Mormon Black People
Joseph Smith’s Fair Treatment of Black Individuals
Despite the prejudices against racial minorities of the time, the Mormon Church’s founder, Joseph Smith, demonstrated relatively fair treatment of Black individuals. Joseph Smith may have ordained Black men to the Priesthood during his lifetime, as per documents from the past. This practice was consistent with Smith’s teachings on equality and inclusivity within the Church. But the leaders who followed Smith’s guidelines enacted policies that banned Black people from clergy, a reflection of the changing attitudes towards race in society during the early 19th century.
Affronting Racism and moving Towards Unity
In current times in the present, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has taken substantial measures to confront the effects of racism, and to strive for unity among its members. The Church leadership has released statements which denounce the past racial practices and beliefs. They insist that racism, in any form, is a violation of the doctrines and the fundamental beliefs of the Church.
The Church actively promotes acceptance, love and acceptance among its diverse members, affirming the value and worth of each individual. The Church is working to educate members about the importance of acceptance, diversity, and the denial of the discriminatory beliefs.
Conclusion
Knowing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ evolution in dealing with racial issues and the past of Blacks within Mormonism is essential to promoting unity and equality. This unpopular policy, which prevented Blacks’ ordination into the priesthood for more than 100 years, is a crucial part of the Church’s history. The revelations concerning this policy were a turning-point, indicating an intention to be inclusive.
The current stance of the Mormon Church rejects racism, promotes equality and stands for love and respect among the members of the Church. By confronting its historical discrimination against racial groups and taking steps toward improvement The Church is moving forward along a path of unity and understanding in order to ensure that everyone feels loved and respected in the Mormon community.