Thoughts on Race in Mormon History
Posts related to the history and doctrines related to race in Mormonism.
I too have been born of goodly parents
Lowry Nelson Exchange
Letters exchanged between sociologist Lowry Nelson and the 1st Presidency on race over 25 years before the ban was lifted. Required Reading.
Cuba Report of Heber Meeks
Informative report from Heber Meeks to the 1st Presidency on race in Cuba. The response is even more remarkable.
Jeff Nye - Memo from Mormon
A young student writes to a national magazine about Mormon racism. His words have impact.
The Stewart Udall Sequence
A remarkable story of conscientious dissent.
Joseph Smith an Abolitionist?
A letter from Joseph gives us insight into his view of race and slavery. Compare with other contemporary Christians.
Racism in the Book of Mormon?
Looking at the gold standards of racism and racial equality – how does the Book of Mormon compare?
Blacks in the Scriptures
Some black LDS apologists explain why the Book of Mormon is not racist. Does it hold up to scrutiny?
The First Estate: Mormon Ring of Power
The doctrine of the First Estate was considered the justification for why some spirits were born to other races. Did the policy change eliminate this doctrine?
George Romney and the Delbert Stapley Letter
A letter LDS Apostle Delbert Stapley sent Presidential hopeful George Romney which admonished him for his civil rights efforts.
Does History Matter - Parable
Church history matters. A parable about a fictional “Church of the KKK” illustrates why.
Race and the Priorities of Revelation
The order of revelations tells us something about priorities. What had a higher priority than racial equality?
If you could hie to Kolob - would you want to?
A singular LDS hymn with a subtle message of race. What are the implications?
The Humble Pie of Racism
Informative comparison of the messaging about racist pasts between Mormonism and the Southern Baptist Convention
Mormon Handicaps
The same doctrine which justified why some souls are born into minority races was used to justify other challenges in life.
LDS Leaders on Race
Quotes by LDS leaders, past and present, on issues of race.
Truth is like a Fractal
If truth is as constant and reproducible as mathematics, what does it mean for things like the doctrine on race to have changed? An apologetic rationale turned upon itself.
