Category: Blacks and the Priesthood
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Changing World of Mormonism (newsletter article)
By Jerald and Sandra Tanner January is a month we are anxiously awaiting, for this is when Moody Press plans to release our new book, The Changing World of Mormonism. This is a condensed and updated version of Mormonism—Shadow or Reality?—a book which has sold over 32,000 copies and which Bible scholar Norman L. Geisler…
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Blacks Receive LDS Priesthood
Pressure Forces Mormon President to Issue New “Revelation” By Jerald and Sandra Tanner Bruce R. McConkie, who now serves as an Apostle in the Mormon Church, made these remarks concerning blacks in his book Mormon Doctrine: Negroes in this life are denied the Priesthood; under no circumstances can they hold this delegation of authority from…
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Mormonism and Watergate
Mormon Credibility Gap Widens as Joseph Smith’s Suppressed 1831 Polygamy Revelation Comes to Light. This Revelation Commands Mormons to Marry Indians to Make Them “White” and “Delightsome.” By Jerald and Sandra Tanner Recently a revelation given by Joseph Smith, which has been suppressed for over 140 years, has come to light. Although Mormon leaders have…
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Genesis Group
By Jerald and Sandra Tanner Because of the anti-Negro doctrine there are not many blacks in the Mormon Church, and there is reason to believe that some of the blacks within the Church are almost at the point of rebellion. Recently a group was organized within the Church which is known as the “Genesis Group.”…
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Important Document on Negroes
By Jerald and Sandra Tanner A very important document concerning the anti-Negro doctrine of the Mormon Church was found in the George Albert Smith Papers at the University of Utah Library. George Albert Smith served as President of the Mormon Church from 1945 to 1951. His private papers are preserved at the University of Utah…
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“Forfeiting the Game”?
By Jerald and Sandra Tanner In an article published in the New York Times, May 3, 1970, Wallace Turner wrote: SAN FRANCISCO, May 2 — The “Book of Abraham,” which provides the theological basis for the Utah Mormon churches excluding Negroes from its priesthood, has been described as “simply the product of Joseph Smith Jr.’s…
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Led By Revelation?
While the LDS church edged towards changing its ban on priesthood for African Americans under the pressure of cultural pressures, one could wonder whether it was revelation at work or just cultural convenience.
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Papyri Undermines Negro Doctrine
By Jerald and Sandra Tanner The Mormon Prophet David O. McKay made this statement in a letter dated November 3, 1947: I know of no scriptural basis for denying the Priesthood to Negroes other than one verse in the Book of Abraham (1:26); however, I believe, as you suggest, that the real reason dates back…
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A Testing Time?
By Jerald and Sandra Tanner The following statement appeared in an article in Time Magazine: Outwardly secure and successful, the unique religion created by Joseph Smith and carried to Utah by Brigham Young is none the less at a testing time. Much as in the churches of mainstream Christianity, Mormonism is being prodded out of…
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Negroes in the Priesthood
By Jerald and Sandra Tanner For many years the Mormon Church leaders have taught that a Negro cannot hold the Priesthood. Bruce R. McConkie, of the Council of the Seventy, stated: Negroes in this life are denied the priesthood; under no circumstances can they hold this delegation of authority from the Almighty. (Mormon Doctrine, page…