Scott Ugras, in his “Religion in 2008” Wespeak (March 4, vol. CXLIII, no. 34), asserts that the Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) was “officially” racist because it refused “black people” membership.
Actually, African Americans and people of any race or ethnicity have always been able to be baptized into the church. Prior to 1978, African-American males were not ordained to the church’s priesthood (few churches in America at that time, except the black Protestant churches, had ordained African-American ministers). Most importantly, there is no doctrine or belief in the church, nor has there ever been, that African Americans or any other person is without a soul. In fact, the church teaches that every human being is a spiritual daughter or son of God.
African Americans in the church today lead congregational prayers, speak from the pulpit and teach classes. African-American men serve as bishops and in other priesthood positions and lead and direct entire congregations. Useful information about race relations in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including official statements, can be found at the church’s “Newsroom” web site at http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/background-information/race-relations.
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