Has the Mormon Church Truly Left Its Race Problems Behind?

[Guest]

For your consideration:

Has the Mormon Church Truly Left Its Race Problems Behind? | The New Republic

[_Buffalo]

The church better get rid of that "don't date black girls" section in the YM manual quick, before the media get wind of it.

[_harmony]

Joseph Smith Jr., the founder of Mormonism, ran for president in 1844 as a moderate abolitionist; ordained a black man, Elijah Abel; and offered to adopt one young black convert, Jane Manning James, as his spiritual daughter

Jane Manning James. Anyone know her story? Looks to me like she dodged the bullet, knowing what we do about some of the other girls who were "adopted" by Joseph.

[_Willy Law]

Church leaders can cite exponential growth rates in Africa—some 320,000 (and counting) black Saints spread through dozens of African nations.

Of the 320,000 African converts, how many were told about the curse of cain doctrine and priesthood ban prior to baptism?

I have heard experiences from missionaries where they are specifically instructed not to talk about these things with blacks prior to baptism.

[_DarkHelmet]

Joseph Smith Jr., the founder of Mormonism, ran for president in 1844 as a moderate abolitionist; ordained a black man, Elijah Abel; and offered to adopt one young black convert, Jane Manning James, as his spiritual daughter

Jane Manning James. Anyone know her story? Looks to me like she dodged the bullet, knowing what we do about some of the other girls who were "adopted" by Joseph.

I'm sure Joseph Smith received a revelation that the only way to cure the curse of Cain was to have sex with a prophet of god.

[_harmony]

I'm sure Joseph Smith received a revelation that the only way to cure the curse of Cain was to have sex with a prophet of god.

Somehow that one didn't make it into the D&C... but then, neither did the one that restored the higher priesthood.

[_Fence Sitter]

I don't know if any of you have seen the documentary about Black Mormons referenced in the article. In one interview with a 20 something black girl she related an experience in the temple when an older white lady came up to her in the temple and said; "I don't know how I am going to recognize you in the next life when you're white". It understandably upset the black girl.

[_Buffalo]

I don't know if any of you have seen the documentary about Black Mormons referenced in the article. In one interview with a 20 something black girl she related an experience in the temple when an older white lady came up to her in the temple and said; "I don't know how I am going to recognize you in the next life when you're white". It understandably upset the black girl.

Yeah, you can't get rid of 150 years of white supremecy enshrined in God's word in only 30 years.

[_Some Schmo]

I don't know if any of you have seen the documentary about Black Mormons referenced in the article. In one interview with a 20 something black girl she related an experience in the temple when an older white lady came up to her in the temple and said; "I don't know how I am going to recognize you in the next life when you're white". It understandably upset the black girl.

Remember, it's not the church that's racist, just certain members.

Sort of like the KKK.

[_just me]

Joseph Smith Jr., the founder of Mormonism, ran for president in 1844 as a moderate abolitionist; ordained a black man, Elijah Abel; and offered to adopt one young black convert, Jane Manning James, as his spiritual daughter

Jane Manning James. Anyone know her story? Looks to me like she dodged the bullet, knowing what we do about some of the other girls who were "adopted" by Joseph.

Yes. I believe you can find it on the black LDS website.

She petitioned BY to be sealed to Joseph Smith as his adopted daughter while in Utah. She was denied and then they eventually decided to create a special ordinance where a proxy stood in for her and she was sealed to Joseph Smith as his servant.

She also asked for a marital sealing for herself. She asked to be sealed to one of the few black men who had been a priesthood holder before the ban was enforced, If I recall correctly.