African American Mormons
Black Mormon pioneer Jane Manning James finally gets her due
By Jana Riess — June 13, 2019
Jane Manning James was overlooked for much of Mormon history. Now she's finally getting her due in a feature film and a new biography by historian Quincy Newell.
Black Mormon students respond to LDS Church’s “Be One” celebration
By Jana Riess — June 6, 2018
"The Be One celebration is a step in the right direction for the LDS Church," says a young African American Mormon, one of three guest respondents today. But the bigger task is to take its message about countering racism to every single congregation.
Mormons celebrate African American members and 40th anniversary of historic announcement
By Jana Riess — May 31, 2018
June marks the 40th anniversary of the reversal of Mormonism's race-based priesthood/temple restriction, and the month is chock-full of events celebrating the importance of black Mormons.
The new face of Mormon racism
By Jana Riess — May 30, 2017
The social media hashtag #DearWhiteMormons was supposed to give Mormons of color a chance to share their experiences. But some angry white Mormons blasted back.
Watch the Mormon seminary curriculum transform before your very eyes!
By Jana Riess — September 3, 2016
Over the last two days, the LDS seminary lesson on prophets and revelation seems to have changed and then changed again, as the church apparently grapples with its understanding of race and revelation.
Attendance triples at progressive Mormon Sunstone Symposium, despite hiccups
By Jana Riess — August 3, 2015
Ed Smart bears his testimony while Kate Kelly has a diva moment; Denver Snuffer represents the unorthodox right and and young transgendered Mormons speak to life on the left. It was all at Sunstone ... and I missed it.
Mormon priesthood, racism, and following the prophet
By Jana Riess — March 23, 2015
Defending the priesthood ban as a righteous doctrine just so we can protect our need for to worship an idol that's predictable and in keeping with our own expectations is a violation of the first commandment.
African American Mormon convert: LDS Church needs to “make amends” for past racism
By Jana Riess — March 19, 2015
The LDS Gospel Topics statement about race should have laid to rest the folk doctrines that once propped up Mormonism's racist priesthood ban. But convert Bryndis Roberts says racism still exists, and asks the Church to help more Mormons get the memo.
African Americans and the Mormon experience
By Jana Riess — April 23, 2014
BYU professor Margaret Blair Young will speak in Cincinnati this weekend on black Mormon pioneers.
Mormons Officially Disavow Racist Folklore
By Jana Riess — December 9, 2013
The LDS Church has anathematized racist justifications that once propped up a ban barring African Americans from priesthood ordination and temple endowments. However, the Church stopped short of a formal apology.
New Mormon Temple Film: The More Things Change . . . .
By Jana Riess — August 5, 2013
Last week, the LDS Church unveiled a new temple film to be used at 139 of its 141 operating temples around the world. Why a new movie? Why now?
Black Mormons face a political choice like no other
By Peggy Fletcher Stack — June 11, 2012
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney. The matchup is both thrilling and complicated for one particular group - black Latter-day Saints. "I've been black my whole life and a Mormon for 30 years and never thought either of these (candidacies) would happen in my lifetime," says Utah attorney Keith Hamilton. By Peggy Fletcher Stack.
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