Mormonism and race
I’m the collateral damage of Mormon racism and homophobia
By Jana Riess — January 19, 2024
(RNS) — 'Everyone knew before I did that the church was white on purpose,' writes guest columnist Carlene Fraser. 'The Saints they were 'perfecting' didn’t look like me. Think like me.'
New Mormon apostle is a bridge builder, and a Brit
By Jana Riess — December 11, 2023
(RNS) — The LDS Church didn't wait until April's General Conference to fill the vacancy, appointing British convert and longtime Church leader Patrick Kearon as its newest apostle.
What does a Mormon Pioneer Day look like in the context of Black Lives Matter?
By Jana Riess — July 23, 2020
(RNS) — Instead of congratulating ourselves about how we're no longer actively racist, how about spending this Pioneer Day thinking of changes we can make to be anti-racist in the future?
‘Stranger Things’ sees Mormons as ‘super-religious white people’
By Jana Riess — July 8, 2019
(RNS) — Unfortunately, the 'Stranger Things' characterization of U.S. Mormons as predominantly white is spot on.
Is race really “trivial” and “temporary” in Mormonism?
By Jana Riess — April 10, 2019
Pres. Oaks this weekend seemed to suggest that race is a temporary and trivial matter. Guest blogger Emily Jensen says that's white privilege talking.
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.
Fake Mormon news story goes viral, claiming the LDS Church has apologized for racism
By Jana Riess — May 17, 2018
The LDS Church issued a statement on racism today -- but that statement was not the one that briefly proved a flashpoint of joy, then betrayal, among Mormons on social media.
Who’s not watching Mormon General Conference
By Jana Riess — November 7, 2017
The typical Mormon General Conference viewer is a church-going, older, white, college-educated Republican living in Utah—not surprisingly the exact type of person most likely to be seen on the TV screen during Conference sessions.
The Book of Mormon and racial reconciliation
By Jana Riess — September 27, 2017
(RNS) — The Book of Mormon both challenged and reinforced 19th-century ideas about race — and set the stage for a religion's controversial subsequent history, says historian Max Perry Mueller.
Staying Mormon: “Planted” with Patrick Mason
By Jana Riess — January 15, 2016
Patrick Mason's new guide speaks to Mormon doubters and those who love them . . .. and it's co-published by Deseret Book.
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.
Will Mormon missionaries lead the way out of racism?
By Jana Riess — February 13, 2015
“'My' missionaries were part of an experiment," says guest blogger Margaret Blair Young. "Previously, Anglo missionaries had been paired with Anglos. Now, they were paired with Congolese and other Africans. How would they all fare?"
Was Brigham Young a racist?
By Jana Riess — April 16, 2014
Mormons today believe and teach that "all are alike unto God," but have to reconcile that with racist teachings from past leaders they regard as prophets.
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.
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