Race and the Priesthood

The full title of the paper (actually a book) is The Consequences ­­of Mor­mon ­Teachings About Race: A Chronology. Part I looks at the actual teachings. The headings are: (1) Claims All Non-White Nations Inferior to Whites; (2) Claims the Black Race Cursed; (3)  Possible Reasons Why Blacks Denied Priesthood and Temple Access; (4) Choicest Spirits Assigned to House of Israel; (5) Sad and Wrong Conclusions Derived from Priesthood Ban. This section alone covers 32 pages. The numerous quotes are frequently offensive and crude in today’s world, but are carefully documented and were stated by high church leaders. Part II is Groups Affected. The first, and by far the largest, is Blacks, which looks at racial developments chronologically, up to 2017. It runs 250 pages, and is very comprehensive. Then follows, in order: Native Americans (27 pages); Polynesians and Asians (11 pages); Latinos (11 pages); and Jews (15 pages). This section chronicles racial implications of Mormon teachings on each of these racial and ethnic groups in chronological order up to the present. Part Seven looks at LDS Scriptural References to Race and Ethnicity. This is followed by Part Eight:  Patriarchal Blessings and the Blood of Israel. Part Nine is the Conclusion, and looks at such topics as: How could this have happened?; many members still hold racist views; leadership still very white and very American; God accepts all nations, and all are alike unto God; statements affirming equality; is the Church never wrong?; and many casualties of the exclusion. Size 365 pages

The full paper can be accessed on Google Drive by clicking here (accessible in read only format).