Advice on the best way to deal with people like this?

[_Utah ohana]

But what about Brigham Young sending missionaries into Polynesia in the mid 1800's? Because considering Hawaii's history, the missionaries essentially saved many Polynesians from genocide. Which is what happened to Hawaiians. And Native Americans. And Africans. And......you get the point. And also, Deron Williams, when he was drafted by Utah (I was in Salt Lake City when the Jazz drafted him) said that he hoped that of all the teams that were in position to take him, he had hoped it would be Utah-and he was glad they did. He said that him and his wife had looked at places to raise a family, and he had loved Utah. Andre Miller (from Watts) stated the same thing about his time in Salt Lake City. Bryon Russell, Karl Malone, etc. Vai Sikahema-same thing. From what I saw during my time there, and also have read from others, many Polynesians are grateful for what the LDS Church has provided them. If Southern Baptists and other denominations are so much more open minded-then why aren't they, and didn't they, send their missionaries to save them (along with Native Americans and Africans) from genocide? Because from what I've read in both the Bible, and Book of Mormon, stomping people unconscious, shouting racist names, excluding them from using public bathrooms and shotuing, "You f'n Californian!" isn't Godlike. And all of this, from "God fearing Christians. But that's what they seem to think here. I was unaware that hanging people from trees was "Godlike." If indeed actions do speak loder than words that is.

The church does have a checkered history of racism, and it's not hard to find rather ugly racist statements from Mormon prophets and apostles from the days of Brigham Young well into the 1960s and 1970s. That said, most Mormons I know are not racists, and I'm convinced that the vast majority of Mormons were relieved and happy when the priesthood ban was rescinded, though some members continue to make excuses for the policy. I know my family celebrated when the ban was lifted, as did most members of our ward.

In the end, whether you join the church is your decision, not mine or anyone else's. Equality's advice is good: whatever you do, make sure you've looked at all sides carefully. If Mormonism brings you happiness and fulfillment, I congratulate you and am pleased for you.

Thanks Runtu. The ban was on anyone of Sub-Saharan descent holding a priesthood position until 1978, wasn't it? And Gordon Hinckley lifted it at that time? That's good that it was. Anyone who wants to find out how to better fulfill their life, and thinks the LDS Church is the way to slavation and fulfillment shouldn't be denied that opportunity.

[Guest]

Don't listen to this non-sense. Gladys Knight is a very prominent, successful black woman and a Mormon and leads a choir that sings Gospel music across the country. (http://www.suvchoir.org/) Mormonism has nothing to do with racism. What Equality is saying is akin to stating that Christianity is racist and false because members of the Southern Baptists held African slaves and were white-supremacists. Please note that the civil-rights protests were carried out in the Southern United States into the 1960's where this brand of Christianity is overwhelmingly practiced.

One at a time:

1. Gladys Knight. Yes, there are a few (very few) African-American members of the church. This fact is irrelevant to the church's history of racism. The OP mentioned racism as an issue; I merely suggested getting more informed on the issue. Many people join the LDS church without knowing the church's history on the issue.

2. Mormonism has nothing to do with racism. An astonishing claim, either based in ignorance (which I doubt) or a desire to obfuscate, deflect, and deny. I suggest you read this page from Mormon Think all the way through and then revise your statement. http://mormonthink.com/blackweb.htm#racistcomments

3. Southern Baptists. A red herring. That mainstream non-Mormon Christian sects also have racist legacies is completely irrelevant to Mormonism's own unique history and doctrines regarding race. I am not defending Southern Baptists. That other religious sects are ignorant, racist, etc. does not mean that Mormonism is not. That members of other religious sects may act in uncharitable ways while many Mormons act charitably is irrelevant.

4. The Civil Rights movement. Nice that you brought that up. What did Mormon church leaders--"apostles and prophets" have to say about the Civil Rights movement? That it was a Communist conspiracy; that Martin Luther King was a Communist tool; that the Civil Rights Act was unconstitutional; that the Jim Crow segregation laws should be allowed to stand without federal interference. Apostle Ezra Taft Benson was asked to run as George Wallace's running-mate in 1968. Here's a nice graphic from a book to which Benson wrote the Foreword:

[_Utah ohana]

I'm not a member of the LDS Church-yet. But I will be.

Greetings Utah O,

If you're converting do you then believe that the Book of Mormon is a historically accurate story of ancient America?

I haven't read the entire Book yet. Currently I'm in the 10th chapter of Ether. But yes, I do. I find that statement from charity ironic, considering the Book of Mormon is a work in addition to the Bible, the difference being, just like you said, a history of ancient America.

[_Drifting]

Thanks Runtu. The ban was on anyone of Sub-Saharan descent holding a priesthood position until 1978, wasn't it? And Gordon Hinckley lifted it at that time? That's good that it was. Anyone who wants to find out how to better fulfill their life, and thinks the LDS Church is the way to slavation and fulfillment shouldn't be denied that opportunity.

Sadly, Bishops prior to 1978 used skin colour, rather than checking a persons sub-Saharan lineage, as a means of determining worthiness to enter the Temple or hold the Priesthood.

Spencer W Kimball was the Prophet who announced the reversal of the policy. He also famously stated that he could literally see the skin of native Americans turning lighter as they became more righteous in Mormonism.

Mormon scripture still equates dark skin with unrighteousness and white skin with righteousness.

Still, you pays your money (quite literally) and takes your choice....

[_Drifting]

I haven't read the entire Book yet. Currently I'm in the 10th chapter of Ether. But yes, I do. I find that statement from charity ironic, considering the Book of Mormon is a work in addition to the Bible, the difference being, just like you said, a history of ancient America.

When you get to the story of the Jaredite barges try and figure out where all the pooh went.

[_Bond James Bond]

I haven't read the entire Book yet. Currently I'm in the 10th chapter of Ether. But yes, I do. I find that statement from charity ironic, considering the Book of Mormon is a work in addition to the Bible, the difference being, just like you said, a history of ancient America.

There actually is some difference between the Book of Mormon and the Bible. There has been quite a bit of archaeology done to confirm Biblical locations while the locations in the Book of Mormon have not been found. Furthermore the Book of Mormon has been shown to have numerous anachronisms that defenders of the Book of Mormon can't explain (at least not without appearing ridiculous).

[_Tobin]

2. Mormonism has nothing to do with racism. An astonishing claim, either based in ignorance (which I doubt) or a desire to obfuscate, deflect, and deny. I suggest you read this page from Mormon Think all the way through and then revise your statement. http://mormonthink.com/blackweb.htm#racistcomments

Oh, I'm very comfortable with the statement that Mormonism has nothing to do with racism. Has Mormonism had members that were racists? Yes. Were some prophets of the church and promoted policies and man-made doctrines that were racist? Most definitely. But as I stated, Mormonism is NOT racist. Just because there were some prominent bad actors in Mormonism in the past doesn't mean Mormonism itself is racist. The same can be said of Christianity. Even though there were many prominent Christians that were not only racists, but members of the KKK or slave holders and guilty of vicious attacks and murders of African Americans and other races - this does not mean Christianity is racist either. Mormon racists were never so callous or murderous towards others and yet you claim Mormonism is racist.

[_Drifting]

2. Mormonism has nothing to do with racism. An astonishing claim, either based in ignorance (which I doubt) or a desire to obfuscate, deflect, and deny. I suggest you read this page from Mormon Think all the way through and then revise your statement. http://mormonthink.com/blackweb.htm#racistcomments

Oh, I'm very comfortable with the statement that Mormonism has nothing to do with racism. Has Mormonism had members that were racists? Yes. Were some prophets of the church and promoted policies and man-made doctrines that were racist? Most definitely. But as I stated, Mormonism is NOT racist. Just because there were some prominent bad actors in Mormonism in the past doesn't mean Mormonism itself is racist. The same can be said of Christianity. Even though there were many prominent Christians that were not only racists, but members of the KKK or slave holders and guilty of vicious attacks and murders of African Americans and other races - this does not mean Christianity is racist either. Mormon racists were never so callous or murderous towards others and yet you claim Mormonism is racist.

How do you rationalise the racist themed scriptural verses?

[_Tobin]

There actually is some difference between the Book of Mormon and the Bible. There has been quite a bit of archaeology done to confirm Biblical locations while the locations in the Book of Mormon have not been found. Furthermore the Book of Mormon has been shown to have numerous anachronisms that defenders of the Book of Mormon can't explain (at least not without appearing ridiculous).

Fictional books that take place in real places or use real people's names do not make them historical.

[_Equality]

I haven't read the entire Book yet. Currently I'm in the 10th chapter of Ether. But yes, I do. I find that statement from charity ironic, considering the Book of Mormon is a work in addition to the Bible, the difference being, just like you said, a history of ancient America.

When you get to the story of the Jaredite barges try and figure out where all the pooh went.

Yes, and use the following as a study guide:
http://packham.n4m.org/ships.htm