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. A historian looks at the legacy of racism in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Every major protestant denomination in history has taught that. Racism in the lds church statements about race in the book of mormon. What follows is simply the text of book of mormon passages reflecting racist notions. 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. To support this argument, they selectively quote from the book of mormon, ignoring context and the overall message of the book. Some would say that these verses show racism in the book of mormon. Opinion racism and the mormon church the new york times. Having said that, lets see what the book of mormon racism issue is all about. Racism is belittlling and inflicting injury to others, the e book of mormon isnt racist in any incredibly experience of it belittling a race. 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. I understand brians argument that racism is central to the book of mormon story.
One of the most successful musicals of all time, the show has won nine tony awards and. This analysis looks at what these things might mean in context. Why british critics dont get the book of mormon oliver burkeman. Mauss, a president of the mormon history association, the churchs racist beliefs originated within protestant denominations from which many mormons converted. Following is my response to the readers inquiry that paul and i thought might. One of them, jane manning james, was part of the first. While the list of reasons why they arent christian is extensive, one of those reasons is our focus here today. If one quotes selectively, one can make any religious text look racist. 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. Its scriptures teach that dark skin is a curse and white skin is delightsome.
About halfway through the book of mormon musical, i finally admitted i was totally offended and there wasnt a damn thing funny. She converted to the church as a young woman after being raised as a catholic. When i saw the book of mormon, all i knew was that everybody loved it from oprah winfrey to jon stewart. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint. 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. The book of mormon punches down, racist tropes remain the. As the show debuts in london, mark lawson asks its american stars. The book of mormon fails to evolve, persisting racism in a controversial political climate. Over the past two centuries, the relationship between black people and mormonism has a history that includes both official and unofficial discrimination, but.
It was one of the best nights out that ive had for a long time. Mcconkie, 19151985 touched on the black issue in his book mormon doctrine. The freshly trained mormons are sent on a missionary operation to uganda, africa. Book of mormons antiafrican racism is no laughing matter. Is it time to pull the curtain on the book of mormon. The book of mormon musical is racist and homophobic. 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. 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. Interpreting the physical differences between nephites and lamanites as due to sun exposure is a recent development. I guess that doesnt sit well with you, but thats the facts in the book, right.
I come from lamanite heritage that is my mother was born and raised in mexico. 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. The charge of racism in the book of mormon book of. Learn more about the blacks and the priesthood in the lds church lds scripture and basis for their doctrine, policies and beliefs until 1978. As the book of mormon puts it, all are alike unto god. Tom sawyer is a racist e book written by using a racist, mein kampf is a racist e.
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. The digital book download link is sent to your email address used to place the order, usually within 24 hours or next business day. This is particularly true when the nephites describe the lamanites in pejorative terms, such as bloodthirsty, idolatrous, ferocious, idle, lazy, and filthy. I view human beings as a spectrum, with a wide variety of skin colors and other physical features. By way of introduction, im an investigator who just finished reading through the book of mormon for the very first time. One can not incredibly prepare racist suggestions from the e book of mormon. 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. Since the earliest decade of the church, black mormons have been members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. I listened to the racism for the first twenty years of my childhood in a. 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. Taboobusting musical the book of mormon isnt antimormon.
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. 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. What does the book of mormon mean by skin of blackness. The question of racism in the book of mormon is very close to me. Im guessing you were actually searching for articles that prove racism in the book of mormon. The book of mormon a secularliberal parody or a racist. The charge of racism in the book of mormon by john. Theological foundation for racism in the lds church. Posted on october 19, 2015 january 1, 2020 by scott thormaehlen this is part 3 of a 9part series on the topic of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and race relations. Remarks by president brigham young, delivered in the tabernacle, great salt lake city, october 9, 1859. 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. Remember that the mormon version of god is not the god of the bible. The racism of the book of mormon towards native americans is staggering. The racism of the book of mormon towards native americans.
The nineteenthcentury history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, max perry mueller argues, illuminates the role that religion played in forming. The mormon belief in black skin being a curse is found in uniquely mormon books they call scripture. For answers to antimormon questions, visit out website at. Racism in the book of mormon mormons in transition. Paul reeve, author of religion of a different color. The musical the book of mormon is hilarious, outrageous, and brilliant. Racist statement by leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The book of mormon musical is extremely racist the carrier.
Home mormonism, race and priesthood racism in the book of mormon. Mormons confront a history of church racism the mormon church is still grappling with its pastshares. The book of mormon musical is not offensive for its portrayal of mormons. 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 charge of racism in the book of mormon book of mormon. Let me begin by noting that, as one trained in anthropology, i abhor the term race and have tried to avoid using it for several decades. Some antimormons claim that the book of mormon is a racist text. 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. 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. Racism in the book of mormon yep, its there rational. Why british critics dont get the book of mormon oliver.
The book of mormon musical is racist and homophobic addresses the churchs racism and homophobia via humor. You cant talk around the book of mormons racism the salt. 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. The south park creators musical was much lauded in the us, but its satirical sensibility may. 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.
These books, known as the book of mormon and pearl of great price published by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints are racist as the list of verses below show. 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. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi, who claimed that it had been. The book of mormons references to dark skin being associated with a curse have confused and offended many readers. There are four principle themes in the book of mormon. Those with negro blood were allowed to attend the temple, and worthy black men could also hold the priesthood. 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. The book of mormon musical is extremely racist the. Ive never heard this accusation before until yesterday.
Sorry i couldnt comply, because i couldnt find any, and in fact found the opposite to be true. The mormon church has a long history of institutionalized racism. There are several aspects of the book of mormon that can safely be ignored in contemporary mormon culture without much consequence. Its offensive because of its portrayal of black people. 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. Racism in the lds church racist statements by lds leaders. I asked her, in the past year, why her brothers did not join the church when she did. Not unlike the book of mormon musical, andersens musings aim to initiate rather than alienate, to. The history of racism and white supremacy in the mormon church. The book of mormon is, in fact, racist, although not at all in the usual sense of the term. The charge of racism in the book of mormon fairmormon.
612 1463 710 1444 435 1219 790 1410 1053 1222 1217 75 660 714 105 1254 994 181 350 514 892 395 966 766 208 156 393 209 426 86 636 1183