Responding to Mormon Prophets’ Racism

[@_KungFuBarbie_]

Kind of funny how God's unchanging views tend to change with the times.

[@faithlove824]

sharie mccraney just curious on the ark part?

[@_KungFuBarbie_]

@@shariemccraney6537 Uh, what

[@jaredb9523]

It's jus like the pearl of great price and the ensign with Brigham youngs Adam is god theory. U have a prophet who supposed talks to god directly says Adam is god then years later they say he ether jus theorized it or god doesn't yet want to reveal it fully but from what Brigham understood from it thats what he may of thought n the pearl of great price the meaning of the hieroglyphs many say God didn't want these revealed yet he must not of wanted to reveal that blacks are okay until the modern society accepted it .... Lol

[@GeorgeDemetz]

There are so many ignorant comments here, especially from the narrator of this stupid podcast! I have studied theology and Mormon doctrine for more than 60 years so I am not about to be sucked in by all the ignorance here! First of all, the curse is true scriptural doctrine and any theologian worth his salt knows that! It's scriptural! Guess what? God has even curse people with death,dummy! Secondly, prophets and apostles have many wrong opinions, and an even bigger problem is that even when concerning serious religious matters they sometimes make mistakes! This is nothing new, and I am not referring to Balaam or Judas, but Nathan told David to go ahead and build a.temple and the Lord had to correct him later! Also, Peter stated that the gentiles must be circumcized before baptism, and this had to be corrected later also! The priesthood ban was valid and based on scripture and revelation, but the Adam-God theory was wrong, and even though it was never official church doctrine, it was also corrected later! I will tell you frankly, my studies led me to the LDS church as it had everything set up exactly as Christ set it up as recorded in the NT just as Peter prophesied in Acts 3:19-21 and as the little stone that would grow and eventually fill the whole earth just as Daniel prophesied in the second chapter of his book! So, my advice to you all is start to REALLY learn these truths because you can either get behind that stone and push, or it will crush you!!!

[@OneLove-nx1mu]

This is one of the many reasons I hate living in utah. They think racism doesn't exist when its ingrained into their religion! No justice, no peace!

[@stephaniep1761]

God makes covenants and curses that do not change easily. Think about the Abrahamic covenant. Curse is not in a color of the skin, but sin ingrained into a CULTURE because of sin carried down through the generations.

[@stephaniep1761]

A sinner blapheming the word of God.

[@AenonEMoss]

Who wants Peace? Some of us want Absolute WAR....

[@juliehicks7858]

Utah is a really hard place to live. Been there, done that. We call them Utards.

[@shariemccraney6537]

Grow up

[@samjensen392]

“Never has one wrong been corrected by a second wrong.” Ummm.....what about that one time Nephi straight up murdered a dude, but it’s ok because Laban was evil?

[@btfielden85]

Preach!

[@stelladavis7832]

And kidnapped Laban's right hand man, and threatened his life if he did not go with them.

[@shariemccraney6537]

You obviously haven't read the Bible

[@tiannabusby8382]

@@shariemccraney6537 exactly. The bible is just as bad.

[@samjensen392]

Jason Hutchinson But that’s exactly the problem. The sixth commandment is “thou shalt not kill,” so murder is obviously wrong, but when God tells you it’s justified, that somehow makes it okay? It’s a bullshit argument and it contradicts the statement of the so-called “living prophet” that I brought up originally.

[@elowenrf]

Its crazy that in the articles of faith, it states that men are not responsible for Adam and eves transgressions, but Cain, who is their son, makes it so his so called “lineage” has to repent for his sins?

[@theephraimite]

It means salvation, not the priesthood ban.

[@GreenSockNinja]

Sweet, they’ve mingled with black people, they don’t actually have the priesthood. Checkmate, Mormies

[@spriteknight6082]

I love this. I grew up using the same arguments for why the catholic church didn't have the priesthood. Now I know priesthood is just a dumb concept in general.

[@sunsolstar]

A couple years ago I was living in Utah attending school, in the space of 3 years people called the police on me 6 times...6 times!...for the most stupid and insignificant reasons (like taking too long to unplug my computer, sitting in the wrong place, " looking suspicious" , waiting for a ride in the wrong place etc etc) , people in this state are obsess with calling the cops on people (specially if you do not look "white"). I lived in 4 different countries and 6 states in the USA and never ever, ever before people called the cops on me and in Utah it happen to me 6 times in 3 years....racists to the core with a smile...

[@ZelphOntheShelf]

!!!!!!!!

[@benfrank8649]

I’ve lived in Utah my whole life. That’s super fucked. I’m so sorry that happened. No excuses

[@jeff-8511]

to be totally honest, I experienced more racism in the church than outside of it!! Racism is still alive in the church!

[@bradbucc]

Yes! My Hawaiian cousin was in the temple his black friend and heard someone say to their spouse "wow they let every kind of brown in now." Da fuq?

[@christie8493]

Brad Bucc wtf? When was this? Pacific Islanders have been a major part of the Mormon church. Not that I’m surprised at the racism anyway.

[@EsculentWaffles]

As an ex-member, born and raised in that religion, any time these things were brought up we got fed the spiel of "oh those guys just had some wild things to say back in the old days, totally not actual doctrine," or "that's not what they really meant. you have to look at it this other way and then somehow these things make sense and aren't nearly as racist as they sound" (if they will even acknowledge what had been said). Which is weird, because we were also taught that if a prophet ever said something contradictory to God's will, or tried to lead the people astray, then God would strike that prophet down and remove them immediately. Since that didn't happen, according to the church's own teachings, those racist words were exactly what God meant to tell His people, and the path He wanted the Mormon church to follow. So yeah, long history of racism, contradictions, and history manipulation going on in the Mormon Church.

[@h.r.9563]

And as recently as last year the prophet chastized everyone to not try and distinguish what is man's opinion and what is God's opinion.

[@AddisonDover]

I was raised mormon, and it literally makes me nauseous thinking that people thought that I believed these teachings at some point

[@zrosix2240]

The reason they will never apologize for past doctrine is because if they apologize, then it is proof they are false prophets. And if they’re false prophets, the entire validity church is gone. If they say “we were wrong” they can no longer hold the claim “we are the one true church”

[@flutterpaws]

“Emancipation and compensation.” -That sounds super progressive! We’re still working towards that. “Compensation for the slave owners.” - :/

[@hausofphid3966]

I thought the same thing. 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

[@luminousweb]

Literally my reaction though

[@colecurry2804]

For a church that is supposed to be ahead of the curve, the 1978 revelation conveniently coincided with their growth in Brazil where it was more difficult to know who to ban based on race. Seems like their omniscient/never changing/all loving God was more concerned with getting his 10% than he was with curtailing systemic injustices within his own church.

[@colecurry2804]

@@littlelad406 i think the tax exempt threat was in 1970, I believe the college boycott was the year before the change to your credit. Do you have a source that would suggest the tax exempt threat was later?

[@makay1116]

When I was Mormon we had 1 black family in my ward. The father would sometimes bear his testimony about being thankful for having temple rights but at the same time in conversation he was ALWAYS bitter about church racism. Rightfully so. Practically every conversation he’d bring it up. I empathized with his bitterness and hated that period of time where our black peers couldn’t have the “priesthood blessings”. I never understood why he didn’t just leave the church though. It also bothered me that ward leaders would just brush him off and say Brigham was inspired to revoke black priesthood but we don’t know why. I asked my black seminary friend in another ward how she felt about Brigham and the “mark of Cain” and she genuinely seemed unbothered. I never understood that either. Even as a kid it just felt slimey that that had even happened.

[@h.r.9563]

It's really easy to just put that info in a box and shut it away so you can focus on polishing your turd testimony

[@beehill9780]

As an ex Mormon, one of the biggest things that changed my worldview was realizing that nothing exists in a vacuum. It seems to me that that's at least part of why a lot of Mormons react the way they do to everything going on.

[@beehill9780]

@@korvaamiko66 I mean did you watch the video? Cuz the letter is basically a summary of at least how my family has reacted. *Edit for clarification

[@BJtheBassist]

I like how Nelson just threw it back on us like, “no you black people are all in the wrong!!” Immediately afrer claiming to be for all people…

[@Nepthu]

Kwaku: Everyone was racist back then and had child brides but it was ok because no one ever had sex -- sincerely FairMormon

[@staceyvanderlaan1905]

Tfw you thought "emancipation and compensation" might mean compensating the former slaves for their hardship 💀💀💀

[@abundanceofzoeys]

Almost forgot to repent for my skin of blackness today, thanks so much for the reminder!!!

[@kirklandmeadows]

You need to repent for accepting the philosophy of man lying on God, slandering God's good name with their racism. If you support and sustain these people you're just as guilty.

[@sk8er_90]

I grew up Mormon, no longer Mormon, and have always been deeply disturbed at how black members weren’t allowed the same rights as others from the beginning of the formation of the church.

[@michaelfinley6552]

I was raised Mormon and eventually became a high priest and a temple ordinance worker. A DNA test a few years ago showed that I'm 1% sub-saharan African. So my parents' temple sealing and my ordination to the Aaronic priesthood before the 1978 Official Declaration on the priesthood were totally invalid!

[@F2397-m4c]

I saw it from a repost from a relative. I was disgusted..and what’s even more horrifying is the members don’t even care lol. One member said “well it doesn’t bother the black members” 🤦🏻‍♀️🥴

[@ashleynorth5793]

Lol and I"m sure that came from a white person.... it's gonna be a yikes from me dawg

[@PrincessMicrowave]

Yep, my dad is convinced that Black people don't mind at all, and they're totally fine with it. Based on what?? Well, he knows a couple of Black Mormons, and they seem fine. 👍😕

[@bodaciousgaming9322]

I am currently a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, I'm 18 years old. I realize now that I've been brainwashed all my life.

[@agony3440]

im with you brother

[@Richard.Atkinson]

Be happy you discovered this so early! It took me 30 years!

[@SamanthaShelley]

Great work, Tan. Love you and your desire to help the world. 💜

[@shariemccraney6537]

You like weak "men."

[@josephsmyth832]

Samantha Shelley Weak men??? LMAO

[@josephsmyth832]

Samantha Shelley Do you still support vaccines and other mainstream nonsense after becoming a New Age woman? It looks like you joined a new religion

[@HopiBalzmi]

Brilliantly spoken

[@shelliecarlson7015]

Originally, it was "White and Delightsome". They changed it to "Fair and delightsome" around 86.

[@kristalcampbell3650]

Which...I mean its the same thing. If someone is "fair skinned"...

[@shelliecarlson7015]

@@kristalcampbell3650 Right. That why they can say they are not saying white.

[@franciscastar334]

Omg😳

[@haatpraat2993]

Gosh, I'm right in the crapper according to these lunatics! I'm a black man, born and raised in the UK of Caribbean heritage, now living in The Netherlands married to a white woman with whom I have 2 kids!!

[@nebraskamax1476]

Racism is so baked into Mormonism no matter their mental gymnastics to explain it away.

[@brookelyn4828]

This is powerful. You're spot on, so much of the white response to the madness has been "racism is bad, don't be racist" in one form or another & with the vibe that they themselves aren't racist now and never have been. We each need to acknowledge the racism within ourselves. Acknowledge our privilege & racist narratives & not ignore our contribution to the overall problem. Otherwise I can't see how anything would change.

[@killerbing11]

Well, you can be anti racist and not have racism in you. Meaning you do believe that people are equal, and that standing up to racism is good and calling it out. There are privileges in every race, and racial narratives exist in every race too. Becoming obsessed with pointing them out or focusing on the obsession that so many white liberals seem to have with finding fault, is on par with trying to make yourself feel guilty so you can then feel good about being self loathing,lol. It actually leads to many whites stopping there and then doing nothing thinking all they need to do is feel bad for privileges given at birth.

[@acronen]

I will take the Mormon church seriously in its efforts against racism when it no longer has multiple universities named after one of the most virulently racist people in all of history, and finally offer the apology they have owed for far too long.

[@coltonkerbs]

They're named after him because he founded them, and the U.S. as a whole has stuff like that everywhere. (Columbus day comes to mind) I also think asking the church to apologize now is a bit of a stretch, that's almost like asking a white man today to apologise for his ancestors slaves

[@acronen]

@@coltonkerbs It's nothing like asking a white man to apologize today. The Mormon church claims to hold repentance as one of its highest ideals. Step 1 in repenting is an apology, and there are plenty of black people alive that still feel hurt by the doctrine of the past. It would go a long way to helping heal those wounds. A lot like how the Catholic church apologizes for things from many centuries ago (Galileo etc.) If the institution cannot offer apologies for its wrongdoings and repent itself, it has no right to call anybody else to repentance.

[@LaurenVHamill]

Tanner, as you were reading the scripture from the BOM, I made a connection. I've been wondering where my subconscious fear / avoidance of people of color came from. Scripture verses like this just may be the source. ... I don't remember my parents saying much negative about people of color - only one or two comments about people of Hispanic ancestry - so I can see how these verses contributed to a pattern I've been seeing in myself. The idea that dark skin resembled sin and evil is quite the intense message. Great video!

[@ZelphOntheShelf]

💜💜💜

[@leeannk3052]

For a while in my childhood , I remember thinking that everyone who has dark skin is an "evil lamanite" and my enemy . So.... I feel you.

[@victoriashevlin8587]

@@leeannk3052 jesus, that's heartbreaking. To cause such awful correlation in the minds of anyone, let alone children... that's truly monstrous.

[@kristalcampbell3650]

Thank you for being honest about this bias so many people shy away from admitting these feelings when their actions show that they still feel that way. What are you doing now to unlearn those messages?

[@hausofphid3966]

This video is so important. It's so hard to convince members that there is ingrained racism in their doctrine, but here it is...

[@Avia2023]

I simply have to applaud you for trying to get the truth out. These are LDS records people. Free thinking is amazing everyone should give it a go.

[@ktthehuman7931]

Thank you for making this! This is so well said! Mormons who see this might feel uncomfortable and they need to think about why that makes them uncomfortable and confront their racist history! It’s insane that they act like this isn’t the reality of their church!

[@mizotter]

Thank you for embracing and promoting antiracism and illuminating the dehumanizing doctrines, policies, and practices of the LDS church. I always wondered what the leaders taught. The Flanderesque facade of Mormons doesn't allow them to say much beyond the "we're all god's children" schtick. Unlearning racism is a big part of recovery from religion. Racism is one of the main reasons I'm #Exvangelical.

[@christie8493]

May I ask what in evangelical churches promoted racism? Or what scripture did they use? I have a friend who was evangelical but never really got out of the bubble and trying to understand his thinking better so I can help him if possible.

[@aspenfrench2515]

"Evil has never been resolved by more evil." Does Nelson remember that one time when Nephi cut off Laban's head to retrieve the plates because "It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief?" Because that seemed like a morally nuanced situation to me.

[@nathangale7702]

Yes, I agree, but that doesn’t really contradict what President Nelson is saying. All people have to make pragmatic decisions for themselves based on how their conscience and/or God guides them, but Christian leaders have to promote forgiveness to be faithful to Christ’s teaching. Giving personal advice and world-wide advice have totally different demands.

[@jessicacummings3469]

They will never denounce or repent for anything because "an apology is an admission of guilt"

[@bigskypioneer1898]

Thanks for sharing Tanner. To some degree, the worst racists are the ones that don't even realize that they have a negative attitude about black people. You know, the people that cross the street if they see a black man walking toward them.

[@dillondavis4509]

The reason the lds doesn’t “confess its sin” is because although there are some true Mormon believers which I don’t believe in Mormonism at all the Mormon church particularly in Utah is a big white club and if the church said they were wrong, people would think the church has been compromised.

[@parkerplace2910]

Hey Tanner,.... do you think after "Apostle" Mark E. Peterson finally died, that he got his black celestial servant he used to talk about? At least he said it was ok for them to have a Cadillac back in 1954.

[@AenonEMoss]

"Race Relations--As It Affects The Church" by Elder Mark E. Peterson, talk given to teachers of religion in the Church Education System. Talk given at BYU. Even the other Apostles thought that Peterson had a few bolts loose. Peterson was one of the founders of the Strengthen the Members Committee which was established to "spy" on polygamists in the Church. One of the founders of that Committee was the Founder of Granite Furniture (last name Richards), and used to POUND HIS FIST on coffee tables and point his finger at anyone who disagreed with him the slightest (Richards, not Peterson). Richards was a BIG BULLY, but he paid MASSIVE amounts of tithing so the Church generally did what he wanted. I don't mean LeGrand Richards. I mean the founder of Granite Furniture.

[@GoatlikePersonality]

Hi mormons 😉 Where can i find the racist quote in the bom? The one of changing the colour for them not to "entice" us White people? I am studying with missionarys right now. Greetings from exjw Norway 🤠🇧🇻

[@ZelphOntheShelf]

2 Nephi 5:21

[@GoatlikePersonality]

@@ZelphOntheShelf thank you. I will ask them about it. I live in a part of Norway were there never have been missionarys... And I am nagging them for a visit. Come on mormons, you have been preaching in europe for 150 years and still not reach all of Norway? The lds holy spirit is lazier then the JW holy spirit... 😂

[@anyastrauss7300]

Oh my goodness! If one of the missionaries is sister Wilson you gotta say hey. She was a friend in high school and has always been desperate to convert me. Serving in Norway right now lol

[@lizh4715]

I may have been yelling yes at my screen the entire time. Thank you so much. I needed to see someone intelligent speak on this. Thank you.

[@christie8493]

There was also a lot of victim blaming to justify racism in Mormonism back in the 90s when I was a kid. “Oh look how poorly black people are treated it must be a curse.” (The curse of cain etc). 😖🤦‍♀️

[@santoslimon306]

Thank you for bringing this topic to light! I saw people reposting what Nelson said and the church’s video on their IG feed. And this was my first thought!! The church has been racist for so long!!! And they ALSO need to be held accountable.

[@joetaylor8687]

Nelson is right on target in one way: No injustice of social inequity is justification for rioting, assault, looting, arson, etc., regardless of what the rattle heads contend. It just reinforces the idea that the rattle heads don't understand reality, justice, equity, or anything else. Every stupid criminal act just supports the critics who contend that these perpetrators are irretrievably stupid. Yes, it's rather rich that Nelson scolds people on "racism," given the history of "the Church," but he's 100% right that anarchy and chaos are not the answer and won't lead to real productive change.

[@zrosix2240]

As an ex member, many things Brigham young said are controversial and horrid.. but not always contradictory. The church justifies his statements by saying when he said mixing with the seed of Cain is sin, he was referring until the time the curse is lifted. Many interpret it as Brigham young believing they would literally turn white, and then justify it by saying “many ancient prophets believed the earth to be flat, and made statements that show these assumptions. However, the doctrine they set never changed. Just as they falsely believed the earth to be flat but preached true doctrine regarding the earth, Brigham young believed color would be lifted with the curse, yet this false belief does not change the truth in his doctrine.” Insane stretch right? But anything goes in religion I guess. If it’s possible, then you can make a religion out of it. The only way to disprove these guys is to give absolute undeniable evidence with no possibility of explanation.

[@kenzeeharmon4162]

Thank you for making this video! Most of my friends and family are Mormon and I've seen this spread around for the last weekend has been bothering the hell out of me. I've been dying to say something every time I see a post about this but I know that would not go over well unfortunately 😓

[@mikeoyler2983]

Oh ya, "The Way to Perfection," is one of the most telling artifacts of how earlier generations of Mormons truly felt. It was not just Joseph Fielding Smith. It knocked my socks off when I found an old copy of it.

[@leahmarett8779]

Great video!!! Just wanted to add that as a Christian - the Bible absolutely does NOT say or insinuate that Cain's curse had anything to do with skin color. That's something mormonism wrote into the story 🙃

[@05EWalker1]

I've seen so many people sharing his statement. It's taken everything in me to not point out the sheer hypocrisy

[@huffpappy]

Somehow there are black members of the LDS church. I can't understand it. The church was founded on a racist book, and racism was its doctrine for almost 150 years.

[@kingsik5332]

Honestly I don't know bro...as a black person it just beats me.

[@kingsik5332]

@kiwibrown 🤣🤣🤣... probably!

[@Ennbra]

Incredible. Thank you for articulating what I’ve been thinking all week!

[@southernbawselady7092]

Keep exposing the Real Truth Tanner! 💪🙌👏👏 ExJW Solidarity! 💙💚❤️

[@wildhorse2084]

Love it when 'prophets' use 'revelation' to justify racist arguments 🙃🙃🙃

[@joelgoldsmith4747]

So-called prophets buddy !! 🤔🤔🤔

[@pleasepleasethebees]

Thank you! Clean the skeletons out of the closets - all of them, and then *maybe* the church could be a healthy organization. Right now, it's clearly a church that only serves a specific group of people, and even then their service is debatable.

[@Phobic42]

A bunch of my family members have shared the prophet's statement on Facebook, and every time I see it I just. I gotta scream.

[@santoslimon306]

Same we need to share this video 😊😊

[@scottj.kimball8527]

I love you Zelf on the Shelf, keep up the good work exposing Mormonism for what it really is!

[@kevinbutler1114]

I don't understand why some people are able to look at quotes and actions from former secular leaders (such as early presidents and the founders of the United States of America) that are blatantly racist and understand that those people were a product of their time and place, yet they are not able to apply that same understanding to early leaders of the Mormon church. Russell M. Nelson doesn't need to confess and repent for the sins of former church leaders, just as you don't need to confess or apologize for the sins of a distant ancestor. The only person who needs to confess and apologize for Brigham Young's statements and actions would be Brigham Young. I don't see anyone clamoring for the current POTUS to confess and apologize for Truman's decision to create Japanese internment camps during WWII, or Thomas Jefferson's ownership of slaves. Leaders of the church, just like everyone else, are fallible people with a finite understanding of the world. Just like you and I, their views on a lot of things are formed and influenced by the society that they live in. Do you expect your descendants to apologize for your thoughts, words, and actions a century or two from now when social norms inevitably change and some of your now-mainstream views to fall out of favor? I get that some people think that a prophet or apostle is supposed to have a godlike understanding of anything and everything regardless of what their society's customs are, but that is simply not the way that it works. All throughout the Old and New Testament, you see examples of prophets or apostles discussing the norms and rules of their society. There were prejudices and inequalities back then just as there are now. They said and did a lot of things that would fly in the face of the social views of Western culture today. Nobody is asking anyone who believes that the Old or New Testament is the word of God to apologize for Abraham or Moses' views on polygamy, homosexuality, slavery, etc. It's the same concept here. As it says in the scriptures, God's thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are God's ways your ways. And that would be just as true today as it would have been two hundred or two thousand years ago. We're still figuring everything out just as they were thousands of years ago. All we can do is be the best that we know how to be and EVERYONE needs to change and repent and grow as they go through life and gain more understanding. So cut the Mormons a little slack because, like it or not, they are just like you.

[@ZelphOntheShelf]

Because early presidents weren’t God’s mouthpieces on the earth. What’s the point of having a prophet/church led by God if he can’t even get them to follow something as basic as “don’t be racist”? People were literally excommunicated for opposing racist teachings. Why would God bother restoring his church if those who ACTUALLY followed Christ’s teachings by not being racist got excommunicated? Did he want people to get excommunicated? If not, why not? Do black people not matter enough? Why were the racist teachings taught as being DIRECTLY from God by endless prophets and apostles? What does that say about the legitimacy of prophets? Some questions to encourage you to think more critically.

[@ZelphOntheShelf]

Also the Bible is incredibly racist too and LOTS of people refuse to tolerate that.

[@kevinbutler1114]

@@ZelphOntheShelf The point of having a prophet or apostle is to guide people through their particular challenges. Moses guided the people of Israel from Egypt to their promised land. And he was certainly was not perfect as he wasn't even allowed to go in with them. Brigham Young, for all of his faults and erroneous views on a lot of things, guided the early Mormons as they fled from persecution in Nauvoo to their new home in the West and built up a society out there. God didn't just tell the Israelites to excommunicate those who were not of their people. He told the Israelites to destroy them and drive them from their land. That's not very tolerant but it did come DIRECTLY from God. And the Israelites didn't do what Moses directed them to do and it caused them a lot of problems later. So if Moses is considered to have been a legitimate prophet, a mouthpiece of the Lord, why are you saying that early Mormon leaders could not be because of their teachings about race? I don't know why God would allow people to get excommunicated for opposing early teachings about race, but I do know that He will ultimately be the one who judges everyone so any injustice that has been done through malice or ignorance will be rectified. And everyone is going to have the chance to accept the gospel and receive those covenants in this life or the next So it doesn't really matter that a certain group of people weren't able receive those covenants for the space of a few decades because of their race, especially when you consider that NO ONE received those covenants for centuries beforehand. Are all of those people less important? Also, the fact that LOTS of people consider the Bible to be racist is irrelevant. I was stating that THOSE WHO BELIEVE in the Bible are not expected to confess and repent for the sins of the prophets and apostles in the Bible. Thank you for your encouragement to think more critically. I likewise encourage you to be courteous and respectful to others even when they don't share your views.

[@cherylloveless2320]

Church: Today, the Church disavows the theories advanced in the past that black skin is a sign of disfavor. Dictionary: Disavow (verb) to disclaim knowledge of, connection with, or responsibility for; disown; repudiate.

[@ZelphOntheShelf]

what do you call a prophet that makes false prophetic statements?

[@jakehate]

What happened to your face :(

[@mstringham]

On his Instagram page he said bike accident right after it happened with his bloody face. He recommends wearing a helmet 😳

[@annamara3982]

Matt Stringham I think it’s because God is punishing him for leaving the church.

[@Kralisedra]

@@annamara3982 you're... you're joking, right?

[@bradbucc]

@@Kralisedra Of course she is. The real answer is his porn addiction caused god to humble him

[@miguelthealpaca8971]

Nah, you're all wrong. It's the Mark of Cain!

[@jy285]

Comment to help the algorithm

[@annamara3982]

That’s awesome

[@mjp2palmtree]

Same

[@AenonEMoss]

I am the one who inspired Gordon B. Hinckley to renounce racism. I was watching KBYU in 2003 when I saw Hinckley being asked by a reporter "Is there racism in the Church"? And Hinckley said: "I don't see it". I told that to Darius Gray, former head of the Genesis Group, and he told Hinckley (yes;..they spoke often). Gray told Hinckley many examples of black Mormons being insulted etc., by Members (usually children or older Mormons, over 70). Gray told me Hinckley was SHOCKED and promised Gray he would do something about it. Then, at the General Priesthoood meeting, Hinckley said: "Anyone who says that another man cannot hold the Priesthood because of the color of his skin is not a Disciple of Christ". Of course, all Mormon leaders said that before Hinckley! Hinckley was a nice guy, but basically an idiot.

[@ZelphOntheShelf]

Wow!

[@AenonEMoss]

"With the Power of the Melchizedek priesthood, I COMMAND YOU TO LIVE!" eh....(person dies). Yep, no Priesthood here.

[@carly5040]

Also, great video Tanner! Thank you for sharing the history

[@carriegarrett1340]

But if they denounce the horrific acts and doctrine, that means they have to admit that they are wrong. As if that will happen! 😂

[@slamdunk406]

I’m an active LDS member weighing in here: The church’s history isn’t perfect and I agree that the denial of the priesthood to black people was wrong. That’s clear. Also, there’s nothing wrong with what President Russell M. Nelson said in his statement. Just because the church has had issues with racism in the past doesn’t mean it can’t improve and become a voice for good in this area. That’s my two cents.

[@ZelphOntheShelf]

Ben Parker do you think the church ought to practice what it preaches by completing the repentance process with actual admissions of guilt, etc?

[@slamdunk406]

Kathryn Fornoff Thanks for your thoughtful reply, Kathryn! What I would say is we believe God restored his church through imperfect men and that prophets are not perfect. Brigham Young said a lot of things that could certainly raise some eyebrows to say the least, haha. But, once again, the truthfulness of their gospel doesn’t hinge on the prophets being perfect. It hinges on our faith in Christ and his atonement. As an extension of that, it hinges on the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. If the BoM is true, then Joseph Smith was a prophet. If not, then the church is just one of many other churches that doesn’t have the fullness of truth. That’s why the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. Hope that makes sense!

[@slamdunk406]

Zelph On the Shelf I think the church would certainly benefit from being more open about its history and admitting that the ban was an act of racism. The church should be as transparent as possible. No question.

[@slamdunk406]

Kathryn Fornoff Great question, Kathryn! The reason why I believe the Book of Mormon is true is the simple fact that I have a really hard time believing Joseph Smith could have made it up! It’s 531 pages packed with all sorts of biblical references and historical references that I don’t believe Smith could have known. The Isaiah chapters in 2nd Nephi, the fact that ancient Americans wrote on metal plates (including gold), the fact that they used cement, and also the fact that there was indeed an ancient kind of barley in the Americas. If the BoM wasn’t true, I don’t believe Joseph Smith would have included such details or known such things. Finally, you have the fact that millions of people bear spiritual witness as well and that it draws them to Christ. When you add all that up, while it doesn’t definitively prove the BoM to be true, I have an easier time believing it’s true than the other way around. It’s a good question. I hope I answered it for you!

[@Callisto74]

I was raised Mormon and I left quite deliberately left the church for the reasons you outline in your video, together with many other issues. I agree that President Nelson’s words are absurd given the history of the church. The whole church, including prophets apostles and the entire membership of the church for the first 140 years then needs to repent. This includes black members since they conceded to the racist position. If the entire church needs to repent then what does that say about the ‘only true church’ status? Of course, the entire thing is a tissue of nonsense. However, hard to judge Joseph Smith. He didn’t talk to God anymore than anybody else. However, in his defence, he was pretty progressive for his time. This is true even if he had political motives. You could argue the same for Lincoln.

[@heyporcelain]

You forgot to include the riots that literally helped to found our country- the Boston Tea Party!

[@Binks584]

This speech is appalling, thank you for covering it Tanner- gotta keep up to date with what my parents unfortunately believe

[@annamara3982]

I went to a place on my mission where I met a church member who was also openly a KKK member. I can also say that as a kid in Utah there was definitely racism on the playground. It’s so sad. Because they adamantly deny that racism still exists.

[@AenonEMoss]

How I explained BOM racism when I was a Mormon Apologist: 1) Israelites commanded to be separate 2) sons of Lehi were white skinned like Jews and Arabs 3) Lamanites intermarried with native Americans, in violation of God's command "be ye therefore separate". I'm glad I don't defend Mormonism anymore. It was a tough thankless job. I did tell Brethren to "inoculate young Mormons" to "prepare" them for Anti-Mormon information, way back in 1981. They didn't. They are now (somewhat).

[@nickkraitor6560]

The LDS church is not racist, you just have to completely forget the past, then everything is sweet.

[@makay1116]

Hearing about David O’McKay made me REAL uncomfortable about my name. I’m named after him 😭😲 I never knew he said all those awful things or thought like that 🤮 it was also really weird to hear him and my name talked about like that considering I grew up hearing David O’McKay glorified and when people found about my namesake they would jitter over me like I was an extension of him. I’m an atheist now but always felt guilty for not living like my namesake as a kid (inactive rebel). Now that I know the kind of person my namesake actually was, all I can do is make sure I’m doing my best to live and support my POC peers like he SHOULD HAVE DONE!

[@lindameade3553]

So what is Russel Nelson saying now? Paying slave owners for released slaves was in fact what the Brits did in order to push the abolitionist movement forward. It was not a Mormon idea to pay slave owners.

[@Jonafave]

So, because the Church did that in the past, we cannot change, we cannot repent? Is that what you're saying?

[@FrankieNeedles323]

Jonathan Farias There has been no effort on the churches part to really address this and make amends. It's either whitewashed or simply not discussed.

[@TheStudioEternal]

Let’s be honest, the modern church has simply evolved to a racism-lite, given its heavy foundation on white, Puritan, Eurocentric culture. edit: forgot Puritan

[@javannal.5339]

Does anyone know of any way to contact church officials in order to demand an apology from the lds church for all of the racist acts they've taken against poc? Like, are there any petitions going around to sign or does anyone know the emails of church officials that people can use to contact leadership?

[@techwithbec]

The hypocrisy is astounding.

[@martinandersen9810]

It is such a blessing to live in this day and age and to have a prophet of God on the earth. What a wonderful post to the world by this prophet. Pres Nelson is such a wonderful leader. It was so encouraging to hear his words but to also see how he has reached out to help. I love being a part of this church and holding a testimony of its truthfulness.

[@martinandersen9810]

@kiwibrown I think Brigham Young has been dead a while now.

[@Ray-xt8ff]

I didnt realize the church released a statement, that explains it. I've spent a lot of energy trying to get mormon family members to stop shitting on the protests bc of the property damage bits and recognize that the violence in rioting is complicated and to just denounce it as evil is ahistorical and unempathetic. They've not been having it Thanks for the video, I didnt know how deep the churches awful history here went

[@Purpleelephant13]

When do we tell them that Jesus wasn’t white

[@brucetumanuvao6760]

Why don’t you just enjoy the present Prophet words, instead of going back in 1836.

[@Tyler-2839]

The doctrine informed the culture and the culture informed the doctrine. Both were conditioned to justify the practice of slavery. That's how I understand it.

[@ivonna.tinkle]

The church will make an excuse that "it is not canon" but I'm sure that mormons will say if a prophet says it, it's canon and true.

[@sergiorei4355]

Thank you Zelph for reading the LDS words of “God”. Does anyone else see the ridiculous stance of anyone knowing what “God” wants and says?

[@exmodeadpool]

Maybe I am missing something. Did you get in a fight?

[@ZelphOntheShelf]

Who? Haha

[@exmodeadpool]

@@ZelphOntheShelf Well, you have a few scratches on your face. That lead me to think that you either had a fun kinky night or got in a fight. I chose to go with the safer option... :)

[@kennethd.9436]

Alexander Titorov you should see the other guy. Jk. Lol

[@Stoxks]

1. Mormonism has a deep history of racism disguised as spirituality. Mormon prophets claiming to be hearing from God prophesied that black people for ALL ETERNITY were never allowed to be part of the priesthood. However at the turn of the century, with civil rights taking centre stage in the Us and becoming a society issue, the Mormon prophets suddenly claimed a new revelation from God that black people were now allowed the priesthood. Did the Mormon God change the meaning of ‘all eternity’. The Mormon prophets were just false racist prophets. As black man, you should not submit to the process of your own victimisation. It is historically documented that Mormon church leaders owned black slaves and supported slavery as an American institution promoted by God. In fact they provided additional revelation (wrote new scripture) to justify slave ownership. 2. There is a documented Mormon case of a black slave who was eternally bound by a Mormon slave master in order to secure him as a slave in the after life. 3. It is a historical record that Joseph Smith himself taught that black people were a race cursed by God. He too, including Brigham Young referred to the Curse of Ham to justify slavery. In April 1836, Joseph Smith reaffirmed Mormon pro-slavery sympathies through a lengthy discourse published in the official Latter-day Saints Messenger and Advocate. A) Smith raised the specter of “racial miscegenation and possible race war” if abolitionism prevailed. In other words Joseph was against mixed race marriages and relationships, and black people asserting their black rights and equality with whites. Racial equality, with the black race no longer being subservient to the white race would create social conflict he believed. B) Joseph Smith further stated that the people of the North have no “more right to say that the South shall not hold slaves, than the South have to say the North shall.”[3] He referenced the Old Testament, specifically the “decree of Jehovah” that blacks were cursed with servitude. Joseph Smith did not agree with the universal right of free black men as purported by the North but rather he believed the South had a right to maintain the slavery of black people B) In this same document Joseph Smith referenced the Old Testament, specifically the “decree of Jehovah” that blacks were cursed with servitude. Smith justified his racial prejudice against black people under the cover of divine revelation from God. Was Joseph Smith, a so -called prophet correct that black people were cursed to serve others in slavery or was he just making up prophetic revelation to support his own political views? 4. In 1985, in the wake of Brigham Young’s appointment as Utah Territorial Governor, Young is on record saying “my own feelings are that no property can or should exist in slaves” A) This shows a continued history of subsequent racist Mormon leaders in Mormonism. It is clear that these were Youngs personal racist views. If we went further to believe his words were to be counted as prophetic and not that of a mere racist, we would then have to conclude that the Mormon God was also against blacks owning property or having ownership rights of any kind. In that case, jumping to modern day Mormonism, we would also need to conclude that the Mormon God has also supposedly changed his mind since the current Church leaders doesn’t mind black people having property so long as they pay their tithes and give their fast offerings. B) Two weeks later, addressing that same body, Brigham proclaimed himself “a firm believer in slavery,”[11] urging legalization of the Peculiar Institution.[12] On February 4, 1952, the Utah Territorial Legislature passed “An Act in Relation to Service” which Young signed into law, making Utah the only Western territory to adopt laws and practices that would disenfranchise blacks in the labour market. We see a Mormon leader not only expressing racial prejudice but creating and supporting legislation that harms black lives, rights and economics.

[@joelgoldsmith4747]

How can a man claim to a prophet, and be surrounded by oppression and injustice and not stand up for this cause ? Is this a genuine man of the divine, or an outright egotistical maniacal mad man, who claims to have seen the "Divine" ??

[@kennethd.9436]

Mormons who think racism was only as recent as 150 years ago can find more recent racist quotes here: www.missedinsunday.com/race/

[@alyxandrianicole7058]

Thank you for making this and thank you for speaking out. I didn't know some of this... yikes

[@VitalikKort]

Unfortunately, you don't understand correctly the Holy Scriptures, doctrines of the Church and the reasons some doings of God. There are no any racism. You just need to see whole picture not pieces of the doctrines and Scriptures. With your approach to understanding the gospel, Jesus must also be a racist (Matt 15:22-26), when he compered people of Canaan with dogs and did want to help them..

[@mahonrymauigoa8049]

My religion is not racist. I'm colored my self and I have seen the president of the church he is very kind.

[@ultimadeplete8299]

And yet if you were a member before 1978, you would not have been allowed to be ordained or sealed to your family for eternity, purely because of the colour of your skin. And just a few decades before that, your religion taught that the reason you are coloured is because you're such a sinner.

[@maneevent1508]

Lmao. Cultist sheep

[@killerbing11]

Guys, Mormons have always stood against racism. Jesus never spoke to any Gentiles, only Jews. Would you say Jesus was racist? And yeah, Peter did have a vision of all being made clean to receive the priesthood/ gospel but then the church fell into apostasy and everything needed to go back to Old testament times, and it just so happens it took 150 years to let black people have the priesthood. And pretty sure early Mormon leaders felt really bad denying Black people the priesthood but they would have been scared to go against God's command, like angel with a flaming sword threatening their destruction scared. In fact, we and God cared so much for Black people that we/ he didn't want to burden them with having a harsher judgment from God, because more would have been expectant of them if they had the priesthood. Mormons withholding the priesthood from blacks was actually making their test in life easier because they wouldn't have the hardships of leadership or doing all that taxing temple work. Faithful black members never questioned white leadership either and were blessed for their extra faith. And no, I don't have any citation to back up that claim, but I just feel it is true, and faith is on par with facts and knowledge. And Brigham Young wasn't racist. He was a product of his time. In fact, he was super progressive. He could have declared Utah a slave state but he didn't. See he was super not racist. And besides everything he said was just opinion, he could be wrong. Except all the other stuff about paying tithing and following the church and how the church is the only true church, well, that's all correct. And the church has apologized for what some of their leaders/ prophets/ appointed by God to tell the Members what is on God's mind/ rule makers, said as men. Well, we didn't really say, you know, we are sorry, but the LDS leaders totally decried racism. They said they didn't know why they had a priesthood ban on blacks, but that it was a commandment from God so they had to follow it and had nothing to do with the pre mortal existence and how it was preached for years by Mormon leaders that blacks were fence sitters in the war in Heaven. That's just Ex Mormons being picky. And besides, Brigham Young is just a prophet from the past, sure, he has a church tithing funded university named after him, his statues are everywhere on temple square and his picture hangs up in the conference room where the first presidency resides for board meetings, but he was just a man, and sometimes spoke as a man. So yeah, totally not racist.

[@cassiesmyth5085]

Thank you for this. I have been getting WOUND up at mormon mommy bloggers saying fuck all and quoting the prophets. Like..... you're complicit.

[@theDyingAtheist]

Okay, So I guess I am the only person that doesn't know what happened?

[@ChristopherSalisburySalz]

President Nelson is one of the more arrogant prophets the church has had in a while. Self-awareness is not a trait most TBMs seem to have.

[@byereality7492]

I want to comment to show that I agree with these points--the ones that you are making, not the ones originally said by 'prophets' n crap--but dear god I'm too angry to try and formulate a comment that'll spark thought. Like, congrats, you're trying to put the racism behind you. The bar for human decency is higher than that you old windshield wipers

[@christie8493]

Windshield wipes 😂 thank u I needed that. Hosanna!

[@newjerseylion4804]

Jesus had skin of copper and had hair wool. So ......

[@mm4884_fp]

Im sorry for you brother. Come back when you've come to yourself.

[@annamara3982]

I’m sorry for you sis. Step away from them to come to yourself.

[@rootintobeing]

Thanks for this, Tanner.

[@thuggie1]

i do think they are trying to change but when you take the literal writings and statement of people as something that is set in stone it really screws with over all apology it is the ultimate dilemma for them do they say the past statements where wrong messing with their direct divinity claims or do what they are doing. they might actually be genuine in their individual statement while at the same time been held prisoner to the lds gospel doctrine that was laid down by the original founders which in itself creates a cognitive dissidence. by no means it excuses what has been said and done in the past but as they hold to it as unchangeable doctrine they are trapped by it , instead of doing what the community of Christ did and said what was said was just plain wrong and set out a framework of apology which has helped in the parties in that situation to grow and move forward .

[@patriciawinn3869]

Thanks for this!

[@elemirion]

Great post! What did you do to your face? Are you okay?

[@juliehicks7858]

The church admitted that they were wrong for that.

[@ZelphOntheShelf]

No they didn’t. They belittled and whitewashed what actually happened and claimed it was just the opinions of men-never confronting how extensively it was taught as “thus saith the Lord” doctrine.