Yet Another Racist Mormon Prophet - Guess who

[_Tim]

"In about 1956 we recognized that our neighborhood was deteriorating. We observed this one Halloween by the nature of the people who came in the guise of 'Trick or Treat.' The minority elements were moving into the area where we lived, and many of the old-time families had long since moved away. Seeking counsel, I visited with Mark E,. Petersen, who for many years had been the General Manager of the Deseret News. O. Preston Robinson, my former professor of marketing at the University of Utah, had succeeded Brother Petersen as the General Manager at the News. As I mentioned to Mark my dilemma, wondering if it would be unfair for me to move, he said simply, 'Your obligation to that area is concluded. Why don't you build a house in my ward?'"
-Thomas S. Monson, On the Lord's Errand: Memoirs of Thomas S. Monson, 1985, p. 184

This is racism, but given the time and era, it's understandable. At least, I can make some sense out of moving in 1956. Publishing the sentiment in 1985 kind of boggles my mind. "All in the Family" had made fun of Archie Bunker for this kind of thing by introducing the Jeffersons into the neighborhood. . . and that was in 1975. The joke is only funny if just about everyone already recognizes it to be bigoted.

My question is this; given that this is a public sin (publishing racist sentiments in a church published book) when and how should Thomas Monson publicly acknowledge, repent and seek forgiveness for his racism? Given his prominence and example to Mormons he has to acknowledge this and correct it so that others don't follow suit.

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also, what's with all the name dropping?

[_DrW]

Just wanted you to know that I got it right - on the first guess.

[_Buffalo]

Mormon racism is in the past! Far, far in the past!

[_DarkHelmet]

Seeking counsel, I visited with Mark E,. Petersen

LOL. I suppose back then when a TBM had an issue regarding the "minority elements" the man to talk to was MEP.

[_MsJack]

Color me surprised. (No pun intended.)

Well, pre-1978 sentiments like this from Mormon leaders don't surprise me, but seeing them published after 1978 does.

[_DarkHelmet]

I suppose there is some wiggle room with the term "minority elements." He never actually says blacks, or hispanics, or any specific group. He could be referring to anything. I'm not sure what, but I have faith the apologists can come up with something.

[_Chap]

The minority elements were moving into the area where we lived

He means, like, Mormons?

[_son of Ishmael]

The minority elements were moving into the area where we lived

He means, like, Mormons?

Maybe he meant Catholics.

[_maklelan]

That is a dumb thing to publish in 1985. I don't see how "minority elements" can refer to anything other than some unspecified group of non-whites. I'm curious who published it. Monson was chairman of the board of directors of Deseret News Publishing Company in 1985, so it seems odd that he himself would publish it privately.

[_sock puppet]

Does TSM now live in an integrated neighborhood?