Conference tecrus::mormonism

On September 30, the following Declaration was given in the Semiannual General
Conference held in Salt Lake  City.

"In early June of this year, the First Presidency announced that a revelation
had been received by President Spencer W. Kimball extending priesthood and
temple blessings to all worthy male members of the Church.  President Kimball
has asked that I advise the conference that after he had received this
revelation, which came to him after extended meditation and prayer
in the sacred rooms of the holy temple, he presented it to his counselors,
who accepted it and approved it.  It was then presented to the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles, who unanimously approved it, and was subsequently
presented to all other General Authorities, who likewise approved it
unanimously.

"President Kimball has asked that I now read this letter:

"June 8, 1978
To all general and local priesthood officers of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints throughout the world:

"Dear Brethren:

"As we have witnessed the expansion of the work of the Lord over the earth,
we have been grateful that people of many nations have responded to the
message of the restored gospel, and have joined the Church in ever
increasing numbers.  This, in turn, has inspired us with a desire to extend
to every worthy member of the Church all of the privileges and blessings
which the gospel affords.

"Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church
who have preceded us that at some time, in God's eternal plan, all of
our bretheren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the
faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have
pleded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending
many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple suplicating the Lord for
divine guidance.

"He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the
long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may
receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and
enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the
blessings of the temple.  Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church
may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color.  Priesthood
leaders are instructed to follow the policy of carefully interviewing all
candidates for ordination to either the Aaronic or the Melchizdek Priesthood to
insure that they meet the established standards for worthiness.

"We declare with soberness that the Lord has now made known his will for the
blessing of all his children throughout the earth who will hearken to the
voice of his authorized servants, and prepare themselves to receive
every blessing of the gospel.

"Sincerely yours,

"Spencer W. Kimball
N. Eldon Tanner
Marion G. Romney

"The First Presidency

Ensign Magazine, February 1988, p. 74

"Church Issues Statement on Racial Equality

"In view of current public interest in the question of equality of men and
women of all races, the Church has issued the following statement:

"'The concern of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the
well-being and equality of all men and women was well defined by President
Ezra Taft Benson as he began his present responsibilities:

"''My heart has been filled with an overwhelming love and compassion for all
members of our Heavenly Father's children everywhere.  I love all our
Father's children.' (President Ezra Taft Benson, 11 November 1985, Church
News, 17 Nov. 1985, pp. 3,7)

"''We say again, as we have said many times before, that we believe that all
men are the children of the same God, and that it is a moral evil for any
person or group of persons to deny any human being the right to gainful
employment, to full educational opportunity, and to every privilege of
citizenship.

"''There is in this Church no doctrine, belief, or practice that is intended
to deny the enjoyment of full civil rights by any person regardless of race,
color, or creed.

"''We call upon all men, everywhere, both within and outside the Church, to
commit themselves to the establishment of full civil equality for all of God's
children.  Anything less than this defeats our high ideal of the brotherhood
of man.' (President Hugh B. Brown, 6 October 1963, p. 1058.)

"'We repudiate efforts to deny to any person his or her inalienable dignity
and rights on the abhorrent and tragic theory of the superiority of one race
or color over another.'"

    RE:1
    
      Now, what "CHURCH" are you talking about, the Body of Christ Church
    or the LDS Church? Being that, ALL that call upon the name of the
    Lord shall be saved, Why would God reveal that "REVELATION" to 
    only a small group of people *LDS*. God is not the auther of confusion.
    
    LORENZO
    

    "Now, what Church are your talking about, etc."
    
    What is your question?  I do not understand what you are asking?

    $ sarcasm on
    
    How convenient "progressive revelations" are!
    
    $ sarcasm off
    
    The LDS have a history of covering up "boo-boos" of their forefathers
    by experiencing timely revelations.  Brigham Young believed that
    man had to spill his own blood for certain sins.  LDS still has
    stinging memories of the day Young ordered his fellow Mormons to
    attack and slaughter 120 men, women and children of the Fancher
    party who crossed Mormon land on their way to California.  Modern
    Mormons have suppressed but not officially repudiated the doctrine.
    
    Young also taught that Adam was actually God and came to Eden with
    one of his "heavenly wives", Eve.  This Adam-God supposedly begat
    Jesus by sexually cohabiting with the Virgin Mary in a physical,
    flesh relationship.
    
    Then their is polygamy and racism.
    

    I am intriqued by some of the things you are saying about Brigham
    Young and Joseph Smith relative to their teachings.  I was a Church
    History Teacher for the LDS Church for 3 years, and in so doing
    never came across these doctrines you refer to.  Are you sure you
    are reading correct source documents?  

                                                      

    
    
    "There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive
    forgiveness... and if they had their eyes open to see their true
    condition, they would be perfectly willing to have their blood
    spilt upon the ground... (to do so) is to save them, not destroy
    them."                
    
    		-- Brigham Young
    		   "Doctrine of Blood Atonement"
    
    
    

    This note is beginning to fragment.  We would like to remind everyone
    that the topic of this note is "Racial Questions", and we would
    appreciate it if persons wishing to discuss other topics would open
    new notes.

    --- the moderators 

    Re: Note 50.5 by PNO::HEISER 

    Hi Mike,
        
>   How convenient "progressive revelations" are!
    
    God does not give revelations for reasons of convenience. But if
    we are to believe the Bible, He often gave revelations to resolve
    the sticky controversies of the day.
    
    Food for thought: Was it also "convenient" when Peter received the
    revelation that the gospel was for the Gentiles, and not only for the
    Jews (Acts 10)? This changed a fundamental practice and belief of the
    church at the time. Or how about the revelation to the Apostles that
    circumcision was no longer needed (Acts 15)? In the same fashion, we
    believe he directs the church today, by ongoing revelation. 
    
    Just as the members of the church in the New Testament rejoiced when it
    was revealed that the gospel was to be preached also to the Gentiles,
    the members of the church rejoiced in more recent times when the Lord
    revealed that the long promised day had come for the blacks to receive
    the priesthood.
    
    Witnessing of Christ,
    Rich
    

Small inner-city branch grows to fill its own home
By Lee Warnick, Church News, January 30, 1988, pp. 8-9

Birmingham, Ala.

Glen Robinson, a high councilor in the Bessemer Alabama Stake, vividly 
remembers the day when Stake Pres. Samuel Fletcher walked into a meeting
and announced: "We're going to create a branch in Ensley."

Ensley is a racially mixed inner-city district near downtown Birmingham.
The handful of Church members then living there attended one of the
well-established wards in other parts of the metropolitan area.

Robinson was skeptical, as were many of his fellow high councilors, because
he felt there were too few Church members in the area.  "We thought, 'No
way: it won't work,'" he said.

The high councilor told this story during the first sacrament meeting in
Ensley's sparkling new building, completed the week before Christmas and
just 2 1/2 hears after the branch's humble beginning.

"But," Robinson continued, with a sweeping gesture directed toward the
100 people who filled the little chapel and adjoining side rooms to
capacity, "it sure has worked."

Indeed it has.  A branch once small enough to meet in the president's home
now has grown to have a home of its own.

The man chosen to be the Ensley Branch's first president is steel worker
Clement Biggs [black].  A warm and ebullient man, Pres. Biggs felt hesitant
about assuming the position because of a speech impediment and concerns about
his own abilities.  "I didn't think I was good enough to represent the Lord
in such an important way," he reflected.

But when Pres. Biggs accepted the call, the new branch gained a strong
leader who has become well-loved and respected by his people.

Pres. Biggs' speech impediment is still there, but now he conducts meetings
and speaks powerfully and with confidence...and love.  "I've really enjoyed
this position," he said.  "I love being with these people.  This is a group
of people who love the Lord, and love each other."

That cohesiveness has been needed to help the branch continue to grow
through some challenging times.

The path to the eventual construction of Ensley's new meeting house also has
been strewn with obstacles.  After meeting in Pres. Biggs' home for a time,
the branch moved to an aging American Legion hall.  It had long since outgrown
this facility when Pres. Biggs was instructed to look for a site to build a
chapel.

Such parcels of property are few in Ensley, and the search was long and
frustrating.  Finally, an attractive, heavily wooded lot in the heart of
Ensley was found, but it had been tied up with estate difficulties for 20
years.  "You can't have it," Pres. Biggs said he was told.

But Pres. Biggs felt strongly this was the right place for the building, and
after much praying, the legal entanglements were unwound and the property was
purchased.

The city of Birmingham then decided it also wanted to buy the property.  The
city first offered to purchase the lot, then threatened to condemn it and claim
it under eminent domain.

When local neighborhood leaders heard this, they rallied to the Church's aid.
One of them, Arlene Carboni, told the city that if it held a hearing on the
issue, she would gather hundreds of area residents to support the Church.
The hearing was never held, and the city allowed construction to begin.

Several of those supportive neighbors came to the Ensley Branch building's
dedication service Dec. 20, 1987,  During that meeting, Mrs. Carboni spoke for
them when she said, "How the angels of God are rejoicing that another group
of Christian people can gather together.  I hope every time the doors are
opened, this auditorium will be filled...."

It was a memorable day for the Ensley Branch, and emotions flowed freely as
members looked around in joyous disbelief at their new surroundings.
Prayers were filled with repeated thanks to their Father in heaven, and branch
members testified that it is only through His help that they were now meeting
in this new building.

The faith and dedication of the members in this unique branch continues to bear
fruit.  The new chapel is full each week for sacrament meeting.

And the Ensley Branch continues to prove that yes, indeed, it has worked.

    Re:< Note 50.10 by CACHE::LEIGH >
    
>                          -< Racially mixed Branch >-
>
>Small inner-city branch grows to fill its own home
>By Lee Warnick, Church News, January 30, 1988, pp. 8-9

    An interesting side note: My mother and father are currently serving as
    full time missionaries in the Birmingham, Alabama mission. Part of
    their assignment is to work with the Ensley branch, which this article
    is about. My father took some of the pictures in the Church News
    article you quoted.
    
    My parents speak of the great love and dedication of the people of the
    Ensley Branch. They have really enjoyed working there. They find good
    cooperation and love between the white and black members of the branch,
    and the black branch president to be loving and dedicated in his
    leadership of the branch. 
    
    Rich 
    

    
    	I came down kinda hard in the BLACKNOTES conference, on the
    	Mormons for the scriptural references in the Book of Mormon
    	regarding skin color (2 Nephi 5:23). I used the word "goofy"
    	to describe the notion that anyone's skin color is a curse from
    	God. I was rebuked, justly so, by the moderator of that 
    	conference and I apologize. I was upset when I wrote in
    	Blacknotes, and when one is upset in notes the only thing
    	one should type is "exit".
    
    	I DO feel that any person of thought SHOULD consider the racial
    	history of the Mormon Church, and the scriptures thereof. The
    	thing to decide, for a prospective member, is "does this bother
    	you? Can you live with it?".
    
    	I currently am attending the services (nowadays, not at this
	very moment 8^)) of the Lynnfield Ward. They call me an
    	investigator but I am really just trying to learn about them
    	so that I may understand them better. The Mormons get a lot
    	of bad press, and I seek to know if any of it is justified,
    	or if they are just being persecuted because they are different
    	(something I can relate to.)
    
    	At this time I have a big problem with 2 Nephi 5:23, and it
    	is not in my heart to join the Church. I do hope that the
    	Mormons will suffer me to attend their services and Home
    	Studies anyway, I would learn all about them just as I did
    	the Fundamentalists a couple of years ago. 
                                  
    {Neal_who_wants_to_live_Matthew_5:44_but_does_stumble_sometimes}
    

    
    
    Anyone who has read extensively,the writings of Joseph Smith,as
    i have,can see that he had a personal bias towards the black race,
    and let that bias become a part of the structure of the church.After
    all,Joseph was a man,and some of what he did was as a man,not a
    prophet.He made a lot of mistakes,and was rebuked many times by
    Jesus.A lot of the mistakes have been corrected by the church officials
    over the years,and more is to come.We cant expect perfection from
    anyone here on the earth,since if anyone was perfect,we woulnt be
    here in the first place.Even the leaders of the churches today make
    mistakes.We are here to learn and experience.Look for the good,for
    the good is of God,and resist evil,for it is of Satan.Satan laughs
    when he sees the good fighting against themselves.
    
    Peace
    Michael
    

Six new Book of Mormon translations
(Church News, January 9, 1988, p. 7)

Languages range from Akan to Zulu for teeming nations or island specks


Zulu

The Zulu people, numbering about seven million, are concentrated in the 
Natal province of southeastern South Africa.  Traditionally farmers and
ranchers through the centuries, many Zulu now leave their homeland to
work in mines in other parts of the country.  Though South African by
citizenship, they are strongly tied to their own culture and history,
which stretches back many centuries.

The Zulu edition's translation was coordinated by local resident Ray
Wilson, who was assisted by other native translators.  A copy of the new
Zulu edition has already been presented to Dr. Mangosuthug Buthelezi,
chief minister of the province and perhaps the most influential black 
leader in South Africa.

A Zulu branch of the Church is located in the town of Kwamashu, and the branch
president in the area is a native Zulu.  Natal Province is located in the
South Africa Cape Town Mission.

    
    A recent article in Ebony magazine stated that Eldridge Cleaver,
    the former Minister of Information for the (now defunct) Black
    Panther Party, is now a "devout Mormon". Just thought that might
    be of interest.
    
     The Church does seem to be experiencing an upswing
    in popularity, despite the controversial history. I salute the 
    church's ability to admit it's fallibility and dynamically right
    it's wrongs. Too many churches seem to just go on defending their
    ways and their abominations, refusing to change. 
    
     By the way, does anyone know what the content of Mr. Kimball's
    prayer was, prior to receiving the 1976 revelation?
    
    {Neal}

>    I salute the 
>    church's ability to admit it's fallibility and dynamically right
>    it's wrongs. 

    
>     By the way, does anyone know what the content of Mr. Kimball's
>    prayer was, prior to receiving the 1976 revelation?
    
I'm afraid the Church does not warrant your salute.  The reference you
are alluding to is probably D. & C. Declaration 2.  In it, the leadership
indicates that there were many prayers by many leaders and members over 
many years.  It was not for a change in eternal principle as the revelation 
was something that was known would eventually happen.  The prayers were to 
make it happen in our time.  There was no question of fallibility or righting 
of wrongs.  Since it was a policy of the Lord in His Church, it would be a 
little presumptuous of the Church to tell the Lord that He was wrong.  But,
it is quite another thing for the faithful to persue blessings for their
brethren, especially when these blessings are promised to come some day.
I don't know His reasons for witholding the privileges for a time, but I 
believe that the intent was to test and to bless His children somehow.  I 
believe that the revelation was not unlike what happened nearly 2000 years ago 
when the Gentiles were finally allowed to hold Priesthood.  That, too, was 
fulfillment of prophecy.


Steve

    
    I see so many people who are unwilling to recognise that the leaders
    that they believe in,and even worship,whether it is in religious
    cirles,or others,are fallable.They are men and women,who have been
    given great responsibilities,and they are going to make mistakes.They
    also have the same hurtles to overcome as the rest of us,so we cant
    take everything they say and do,as being flawless,then we end up
    trying to defend or explain their actions,which may have been in
    error to begin with.Racism is wrong,it is an evil.It is a tool of
    Satan.When we die,we have no skin color,we are all from the same
    family,The family of God.
    
    Peace
    Michael
    

    I agree.  I don't see any conflict with what I posted.
    
    Steve

      If you were to know Joseph Smith,the person,i believe you would
    find a certain atittude toward the black race,which i believe was
    not of God or a Prophet,but of a man.Therefore,i believe the
    withholding of the priesthood from blacks was an error on his
    part,which i accept as such,knowing that he was not at all times
    acting as a prophet.I only wish it had been corrected sooner.But
    we must accept what comes from our own decisions,whether right or
    wrong.I am glad that the error was corrected.
    
    Peace
    Michael
    

    It is moot as to whether Joseph Smith had an attitude that was not
    favorable toward the blacks.  (I don't know whether he did or not.
    But, I know that a bad attitude would have been inconsistent, and
    if he did have a bad attitude I agree that this would be a fault.) 
    The implication is that he would have allowed a bad attitude to taint 
    the revelations he received from the Lord.  I do not believe that he 
    or other Church leaders tainted the revelations.  If such were the 
    case, they would all have had to have had racist attitudes and a 
    disregard for the sacred nature of revelations.  But, this is 
    inconsistent with the efforts that Church leaders and members have 
    made as indicated in Declaration 2, and would have been inconsistent
    with the teachings of the Lord.  The witholding of Priesthood from the 
    blacks was done so through revelation, not through error on the part 
    of Joseph Smith or any other Church leader.  The attitude of the
    Church has been one of anticipation to the day when blacks could
    hold the Priesthood.  Fallibility implies deception or error, and I 
    do not believe that Joseph Smith or the other leaders were in error or 
    were attempting to deceive.  The question is not one of Church leaders 
    making policy, it is whether they are truly receiving revelation from 
    the Lord regarding the policies of His Church.  The only way to
    find out whether what Church leaders say is revelation from the
    Lord is to ponder, pray and find out from the Lord through personal 
    revelation.  I know that is not what a person wants to do when they
    don't like what they've heard, but this is what I do and I know that
    the Lord supports the leadership of the Church.  (Isaiah 55:8-9,
    Jacob 4:8, D&C 11:25)
    
    Steve

      All one has to do is read all the material available on the prophet,
    as i have done,and his attitude towards the blacks is quite clear,and
    to my mind not arguable at all.I dont really see him having a real
    hate for blacks,since he was a very loving man.It was more an attitude
    of exclusion,feeling that blacks should be seperated from whites.He
    once suggested that all the blacks should be sent to Canada.The
    other church leaders,even though they felt uncomfortable with the
    idea,supported it,but hoped for a change.To be fallable is to be
    capable of making errors,but,certainly not deceitful ones.Joseph
    was capable of making errors,he would be the first one to admit
    this.
      When one receives revelation,it is through studying it out first
    and then asking the lord if it is correct.Our personal feelings
    can sometimes take control of this process,and we may think he is
    saying yes,when it is US that is saying it,not the lord.A good example
    of this is when two people pray about the same thing and get opposite
    answers.
      I also believe the lord supports the leadership of the church,in
    fact,i believe he supports the leadership of anyone who is doing
    his work,taking into account our imperfections.I believe he allows
    for error,and knows that in time,we will correct our mistakes.
      I guess we have a difference of opinion and beliefs concerning
    the revelation.Mine is based on study and the guidance of the holy
    ghost.But,i guess we do agree on the evil of Racism,which to me
    is the more important issue.To me it doesnt matter who you are,or
    what race.I love God,and that which is good,is of him,so i will
    love that which is good,reguardless of beliefs or color.This i have
    received through personal revelation.Also through personal revelation
    i know God wants me to love those who fall prey to Satan,through
    their own mistakes,and encourage them to follow him.
    
    Peace
    Michael
    

>      I guess we have a difference of opinion and beliefs concerning
>    the revelation.Mine is based on study and the guidance of the holy
>    ghost.But,i guess we do agree on the evil of Racism,which to me

    We are in agreement, here.  Even regarding personal revelation, which
    one seeks through study and and divine guidance.


    Steve

    What Was Joseph Smith's Attitude Toward Blacks?
    -----------------------------------------------
    
    Joseph Smith was quite progressive in his time in his attitude toward
    blacks. We must remember that Joseph lived in the period of the early
    1800's, when blacks were considered by many in the general population
    as property, and slavery was in full force. 
    
    One of the best indicators of his attitude is a document called "Views
    on the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States". But
    first a little background. 

    Many Latter-day Saints had been murdered, robbed of their property,
    denied rights of citizenship, and banished from the state of Missouri,
    with the full complicity of the governor. They had sought redress from
    the president of the United States, who responded, "Gentlemen, your
    cause is just, but I can do nothing for you. If I take up for you, I
    shall lose the vote of Missouri." They sought redress from the
    Congress, who referred the matter to a committee, which eventually
    advised them that they should seek redress from the state of Missouri. 
    
    The presidential election of 1844 was approaching, and the saints wrote
    letters to the various candidates for president asking what their
    position toward rectifying the wrongs done to the church would be, if
    elected. When they ascertained that none of the candidates could be
    relied upon for assistance in obtaining justice for the wrongs they had
    suffered in Missouri, Joseph Smith allowed his friends to put his name
    in nomination for the office of president of the United States; and
    promptly published his "Views on the Powers and Policy of the
    Government of the United States, a document which excited considerable
    comment from the press of the country, very much of which was
    favorable. 
    
    Part of this document dealt with the issue of slavery:
    
         Petition also, ye goodly inhabitants of the slave states,
         your legislators to abolish slavery by the year 1850, or
         now... Pray congress to pay every man a reasonable price for
         his slaves out of the surplus revenue arising from the sale
         of the public lands, and from the deduction of the pay from
         the members of congress. Break off the shackles from the poor
         black man, and hire him to labor like other human beings; for
         'an hour of virtuous liberty, is worth a whole eternity of
         bondage.' 
         
    The document from which this counsel is quoted was published in
    February, 1844. Eleven years later, namely, in 1855, Mr. Ralph Waldo
    Emerson declared that the question of slavery should be met in
    accordance "with the interest of the south, and with the settled
    conscience of the north. It is not really a great task," said this
    prominent writer, "a great feat for this country to accomplish, to buy
    that property of the planter as the British nation bought the West
    Indian slaves."  This plan suggested by Mr. Emerson in 1855, brought to
    him no end of praise as a sage philosopher and wise humanitarian. But
    what of Joseph Smith, whose suggestion preceded that of Mr. Emerson by
    eleven years?
    
    (The above historical background was taken from BH Roberts'
    Comprehensive History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
    Saints, various chapters.)
    
    Indeed, Joseph Smith was very progressive for his day in his attitude
    toward the blacks. He said: 
         
         Change [the blacks] situation with the whites, and they would
         be like them. They have souls, and are subjects of salvation.
         Go into Cincinnati or any city, and find an educated Negro,
         who rides in his carriage, and you will see a man who has
         risen by the powers of his own mind to his exalted state of
         respectability. The slaves in Washington are more refined
         than many in high places, and the black boys will take the
         shine off many of those they brush and wait on. 
         
         Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p269 

    Rich
                                                        

    Very nice, Rich!  Thanks!
    
    Steve

    Actually, I was told or read of at least one person of color that
    Joseph Smith ordained to the Priesthood. I forget the name, but I'm
    certain it happened. 
    
    What follows is my opinion on why the Lord withheld the Priesthood
    from blacks. I put it here for discussion. See what you think.
    
    The reason the Lord withheld the Priesthood from blacks is not that the
    Lord was displeased with the blacks, but that the Lord knew that the
    white mentality of the day was such that the *whites* could not accept
    ordination of blacks. The Church was unable to live the higher law of
    racial equality - which we have now - so he gave the lesser law of
    black exclusion: rather than permit prejudice to constantly fester in
    the Church, the Lord decided to simply exclude blacks until the
    day when prejudice was a lesser evil. 
    
    How the Lord must have grieved to withhold blessings from persons
    of color. He obviously wanted to grant them the Priesthood, otherwise
    He would not have eventually done so. The difference between pre-1978
    and post-1978 was that the level of intolerance of the *whites* was
    finally a lesser evil than the exclusion of blacks. 
    
    And make no mistake: intolerance, prejudice, and race hatred will
    have to be answered for one day, all the more so because it prevented
    the Lord from bestowing the fullness of His blessings on His children.
    
    /kevin

    
    If the lord was so concerned about giving the blacks the priesthood
    and what might happen because of it,why wasnt he equaly concerned
    about allowing the practice of poligamy,which brought about incredible
    persecution and hardships on the saints?
      I am not doubting the prophets humanitarian aproach to the blacks.He
    certainly understood the evil of slavery and would have liked to
    see them freed,in fact,white slaves as well,which there were.A bit
    of history not often talked about or even known.
      What about the prophets statement that the blacks should be sent
    to Canada?He also said they should have their own place where they
    could live together by themselves.Lets look at the whole picture,
    not just the one that leaves out his seperatist attitude.I am not
    going to take the time to look all this up,since i am stating by
    memory,but i know what i am talking about.If someone wants to look
    it up and print the exact statement,go ahead.I know it is there.I
    read everything i could get my hands concerning Joseph.
      The fact is,that in my opinion,the mistake was corrected and now
    we can go on.
    
    Peace
    Michael
    

    
>    The reason the Lord withheld the Priesthood from blacks is not that the
>    Lord was displeased with the blacks, but that the Lord knew that the
>    white mentality of the day was such that the *whites* could not accept
>    ordination of blacks. 

Interesting speculation, Kevin.  Maybe someday we'll know.
    
>    If the lord was so concerned about giving the blacks the priesthood
>    and what might happen because of it,why wasnt he equaly concerned
>    about allowing the practice of poligamy,which brought about incredible
>    persecution and hardships on the saints?

Don't confuse Kevin's comments with doctrine.  It is speculation.  Kevin
made it plain that it was just his own opinion and that he was just interested 
in feedback.  I feel (my own opinion) the Lord has patience with the Church 
when the world chooses to persecute it, but division within the Church tries 
His patience.  Kevin's theory takes into account the feelings of the members 
and the division that might occur within the Church.  The Lord indicated the 
reasons for institution of poligamy and the reasons for why it became no 
longer a practice.  Other notes in this conference continue that discussion.
History has shown that poligamy did not destroy the Church.  History cannot
answer whether giving Priesthood to blacks might have destroyed the Church,
which is what Kevin's theory implies.

>      What about the prophets statement that the blacks should be sent
>    to Canada?

What kind of answer is sought, or is this rhetorical?  Is it supposed 
that Mormons regard every word that Joseph Smith said to be scripture?
He certainly didn't think they should (D&C 68:2-4).  The statement 
refered to is not canonized scripture.  Shouldn't one consider looking at the 
whole of Joseph Smith's statements instead of just the ones that 
substantiate feelings that he had a bad attitude against blacks?
The previous replies have considered the context of the times and point
out that Joseph Smith publicly expressed a favorable feeling for blacks
at a time when expressing such feelings was highly controversial.
Joseph Smith made no mistake with regard to blacks and the Priesthood.  There 
was no correction of his revelations.  Declaration 2 was fulfillment of 
prophecy.  


Steve

     Yes,there was internal conflict concerning the poligamy question
    as well.Even the prophets wife had extreme difficulty with this.You
    can read the doctrine and covenants and see this.The church would
    have lost everything it had if they had not reversed the poligamy
    issue,since the goverment was prepared to take away all the church
    holdings.Many saints turned away from the church on the poligamy
    issue,and if the blacks were being given the priesthood,many more
    would have left.
      I made the statement about Canada to point out an attitude of
    a man.We know a person by what they say and do,and to know Joseph
    as a man,all we can do is read what HE has said,since he is not
    here to talk to us personally.It was merely to support my contention
    that the revelation could have been influenced by his personal
    feelings.Also to point out that sometimes revelation can be influence
    by personal feelings or wants.No one is perfect here,which includes
    prophets.
      
    
    PEACE
    MICHAEL
    

    RE: < Note 50.27 by ECADSR::SHERMAN >

    Oooh! Feedback! I love it.  :^)  :^)  :^)  :^)  :^)  :^)  :^)  
    
    >History cannot answer whether giving Priesthood to blacks might have
    >destroyed the Church, which is what Kevin's theory implies. 

    Interesting. I only had in mind that giving the Priesthood to blacks
    might have caused serious divisions and, in turn, fostered
    un-Christ-like behavior, delaying or crippling some parts of the
    mission of the Church. 
    
    One could suppose that such divisions would be severe enough to destroy
    the fledgling Church, which had enough other challenges to worry about.
    But I doubt it. For one thing, I imagine the reason the Lord waited
    until 1830 to restore the Church to the earth was that conditions were
    not right before that date for the restored Church to survive and grow.
    Therefore, conditions must have been right in 1830, despite the
    prevailing prejudice of the time. 
    
    For another thing, in D&C 90:35-37 the Lord is chastening some of His
    servants for something or other, and then He adds: "But verily I say
    unto you, that I, the Lord, will contend with Zion, and plead with her
    strong ones, and chasten her until she overcomes and is clean before
    me." 
    
    So regarding internal threats to the Church, i.e. sinfulness, the Lord
    is willing to work with us even though we are not perfect servants. He
    pleads and chastens until we learn, overcome, and become clean. Under
    my 'theory', this is what He must have had in mind when He
    reestablished the Church, even though we had (have) a lot to learn, eg.
    about prejudice. He would work with us nonetheless. So long as we harken
    unto the Lord, therefore, no internal threat or imperfection could
    prevail against the Church. 
    
    What do you think?

    Hmmm.  Well, I guess the key is that maybe the time was delayed
    because somebody (either the whites or the blacks or both) was not 
    ready for having blacks hold Priesthood.  That makes sense to me.  
    I know that the reason we don't live the United Order is because 
    we aren't ready for it yet.  There are other examples of laws not 
    being given until people are ready to live them.  Don't have time 
    right now to look them up, but I don't think there is controversy 
    over this.
    
    Steve

I did some research last night in "History of the Church" and found Joseph's
statement about sending Blacks to Canada.

The date was March 1844.  There was a lot of discussion concerning the
annexing of Texas.  Many people were opposed to it because Texas would be a
slave state.  Joseph said that Texas should be annexed, the Negro slaves set
free, and their owners indemnified.  Because the political and social climate
in this country would not let the Negroes live as free citizens, Joseph said
they should be sent to Mexico where they could live in freedom, and that if
there wasn't room in Mexico for them, he would annex Canada and send them
there.

    As soon as Texas was annexed, I would liberate the slaves in two or three 
    States, indemnifying their owners, and send the negroes to Texas, and
    from Texas to Mexico, where all colors are alike.  And if that was not
    sufficient, I would call upon Canada, and annex it.
    (History of the Church, Vol. VI, p. 244)

Y Students Protest Racism
(BYU Today, February 1988, p. 12)

"Believing that the Aryan Nations, a white supremacist organization that
recently announced its plans for opening a Utah branch office, thrives in
silence, BYU students sought to educate the public about the group's
ideology.

"By Carri P. Jenkins, Assistant Editor

"On a cold Saturday morning in November, nearly 250 BYU students stood in
the drizzling rain in a park two hours away from Provo to protest the Aryan
Nation's plans to set up offices in Ogden, Utah.

"Despite the fact that a football game was being played at Cougar Stadium,
these students listened to speeches and sang songs while holding signs that
read, 'America is for Everybody' and 'Racism, Just Say No.'

"The demonstration was prompted by an announcement earlier this fall from
the Rev. Richard Butler, leader of the Idaho-based white supremacist
organization, who said that the group was exploring the possibility of
opening a branch office in Ogden.

"'In the past, the Aryan Nations have moved into an area very quickly and
quietly,' said Mike Otto, president of the BYU College Democrats, the group
credited with spearheading the Ogden protest.  'These people thrive on the
ignorance of their members and of the public.  And this ignorance thrives in
silence.

"'We were concerned that this issue not fade into the woodwork.  Our goal
was to move quickly and to show these people that the students at BYU and
the citizens of Ogden do not condone their violent methods and do not
approve of their racist ideology.'

"It was Jennifer Phillips, vice president of the College Democrats, who
suggested the idea of sponsoring a demonstration.  The club's officers then
obtained a permit from the Ogden City Council to hold the meeting at Ogden's
Municipal Park.

"The BYU College Republicans, the off-campus newspaper 'Student Review' and
the student group Response also participated in the demonstration.

"'We really put a premium on doing things in a responsible fashion,' says
Otto.  'We didn't want anyone to think we were radicals.  We didn't want
the news stations to show 250 students being dragged away.  We just wanted
to expose people to the philosophy of the Aryan Nations.'

"Other students and student groups at BYU have also been involved in
peaceful protests.  Zeric Smith, a senior majoring in political science, helped
plan a prayer vigil at BYU, where the issues and doctrines taught by the Aryan
Nations were discussed.

"The BYU Honors Student Council prepared a statement, which Scott Cromar,
science chairman of the Honors Student Council, read at the protest in Ogden and
at a demonstration in West Jordan, Utah.

"'More evil has been caused by hatred than by any other single force,' the
statement reads.  'Hatred never leads to solutions, only to more problems.
That is why thinking people everywhere must oppose hatred and the organizations
that espouse it.  The Aryan Nations group is one such organization.'

"Cromar said he has been surprised how little people know about the Aryan
Nations Church.  'People don't know about the violent history of this group.
All over the country Aryan Nations members are being tried and convicted of
criminal activity.'

"The Aryan Nations, also known as The Church of Jesus Christ Christian, teaches
white supremacy.  Its goal is to expel all minorities from the Northwest United
States and secede from the union.

"Too many people just pass this organization off as another extremist group,
says Otto.  'But if you talk with anyone who has been around this group or has
been involved in it, you know that it is not opposed to using violence to
obtain its goals.'

"With the theme, 'Aryan Nations: We Don't Want Them and Here's Why,' the
students at the Ogden protest sought to educate anyone who would listen about
the radical teachings and goals of the organization.  Leaders of the different
student groups delivered prepared speeches, followed by comments from those
in attendance.

"'Our whole purpose was to get people thinking and to get the ball rolling.  I
mean who cares if Mike Otto doesn't like Aryan Nations, but people do care
if Governor Norm Bangerter opposes the group', said Otto.

"Since the protest in Ogden and West Jordan, Utah government officials and
the LDS Church have made official statements concerning racial equality.  
'It is very unfortunate that a small group of people would use their
constitutionally protected freedom of speech to promote hatred and bigotry,'
said Gov. Bangerter at a recent press conference.

"LDS Church Director of Public Communications Richard P. Lindsay also issued
a statement.  'We repudiate efforts to deny to any person his or her inalienable
dignity and rights on the abhorrent and tragic theory of the superiority of
one race or color over another.'

    ALLEN,
    
    Thank-you for extracting the imfo on the Canada comment.Was the
    historical background part of the piece or was it from another source?
    Was the political or social climate better in Mexico or Canada towards
    the blacks?
    
    We could probably go on and on with this,but,i think my intentions
    have been satisfied,that is,to bring up the possibility that errors
    can be made,and that we must study things out and seek the guidance
    of the holy ghost,to know what is evil and what is good,and then
    if we choose,to hold to that which is good,even if it is contrary
    to what we have been taught.We cannot follow leaders blindly,for
    this slows our own progression,we must follow wisely,with a realistic
    understanding of those who lead us,and question when needed,to get
    answers.
    
    Peace
    Michael
    

Hi Mike,

My reply about the Canada statement contained two parts.  The first part
was my interpretation of Joseph's statement, and the second part was the
statement.

Notice in the statement that Joseph said that he would "send the negroes to
Texas, and from Texas to Mexico, where all colors are alike."  The "all
colors are alike" refers to Mexico and Canada and indicates that Joseph felt
the Blacks could be free people in those two countries.

Allen

    Just a comment about the origional note. I have been a subscriber
    to a newspaper called "The Latter Day Sentinel" It comes in three
    editions, one for Arizona, one for California and one for Southern
    Nevada.
    
    the Sentinel covered the conversion of Eldredge Cleaver. It has
    been a few years, so I am going from memory. As I recall, Brother
    Cleaver was in self imposed exile from the US to avoid prosecution.
    He eventually decided that it would be better for him to return
    to the US and face trial. He did so, and during that time he met
    Cleon Skousen. By this time Bro. Cleaver had decided that the
    constitution of the US was really a good document. He then started
    traveling with Bro. Skousen to promote this. This association lead
    him to look at the Church, eventually deciding that he wished to
    join.  
    
    All of this activity looked good to the courts and so his sentence
    was short on prision time and long on "Public Service" time.  The
    last report said that he would be baptized when the service time
    was completed so he was no longer a "felon".
    
    In short, I am quite sure that he is in fact a Member in Good standing.
    
    Len
    

"Jane Manning James

"Black Saint, 1847 Pioneer

"By Linda King Newell and Valeen Tippetts Avery

(Ensign, August 1979, pp. 26-29)

"Thousands of new converts arrived in Nauvoo with eagerness and anticipation
in the early 1840s.  But probably none came with more urgency than the
exhausted band of nine black Saints who entered the city late in 1843.  They
were led by a free black woman, Jane Elizabeth Manning, and had walked over
800 miles.

"They could not know, however, that Nauvoo would be a temporary stop.  The 
respite there would be broken when Jane, with the body of the Church, would
be driven from Illinois.  She would endure the hardships of pioneer life to
become part of the first black community in the Salt Lake Valley.

"As the nine travelers made their way through Nauvoo in 1843, Orson Spencer
was kind enough to direct them to the home of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Jane's 'Biography' records the events and conversations of her first meeting
with the Prophet's family.

"As Jane and her followers neared the newly completed Mansion House, they saw
a tall, dark-haired woman standing in the doorway.  'Come in, come in,'
welcomed Emma Smith, who guided them into the house.  The Prophet gave a
warm greeting and placed extra chairs around the room for his new guests,
and for Emma, John Bernhisel, and other members of the household.  After a
round of introductions, Joseph Smith took the chair next to Jane.

"'You have been the head of this little band, haven't you?'

"'Yes, sir,' answered Jane.

"'God bless you! Now I would like you to relate your experience in your
travels.'  The Prophet sat back to listen."

The article continues with the story of Jane's conversion to the Church and
their 800 mile walk to Nauvoo.

"'We walked until our shoes were worn out, and our feet became sore and cracked 
open and bled until you could see the whole print of our feet with blood on
the ground.  We stopped and united in prayer to the Lord, we asked God the
Eternal Father to heal our feet and our prayers were answered and our feet
were healed forthwith.'

At the completion of her story, the Prophet said

"'God bless you.  You are among friends; now you will be protected.'

"They were invited to stay at the Mansion House until other homes could be
found for them.  Within a week all, with the exception of Jane, were settled
and had secured work.  On the morning that Jane's family left the Smiths for
their new jobs, the Prophet Joseph came in to say his usual good morning to her.
He found her weeping and inquired as to the cause of the tears.  'The folks
have all gone and got themselves homes, and I have got none.'

"'Yes, you have,' he said, 'you have a home right here if you want it.  You
mustn't cry, we dry up all tears here.'  He left the room and returned 
shortly with Emma.  'Sister Emma,' he said, 'here is a girl that says she has
no home, haven't you a home for her?'

"Emma offered Jane the same warm hospitality she had given scores of others
in similar need.  Satisfied that the tears were over, the Prophet left Emma
and Jane to arrange the details."

The article reviewed the trek west and Jane's life in Utah.  I think Jane
gave a beautiful tribute to the kindness of Joseph Smith:

"Jane revered Joseph as 'the finest man I ever saw on earth....He was a fine,
big, noble, beautiful man!'"

Nigeria Marks Twin Milestones

New 'first' for western Africa: stake is formed in Aba, Nigeria
The first stake in western Africa--the Aba Nigeria Stake--was created May 15,
emerging from an alliance of faith and work.

The stake was created less than a month before the 10th anniversary of the
June 9, 1978 revelation making it possible for all worthy male members to be
ordained to the priesthood.  The stake's formation is a milestone in Church
history not only because it is the first stake in western Africa, but also
because it is the first stake in which all priesthood leaders are black....The
new stake has six wards and three branches, and some 300 Melchizedek Priesthood
holders....

New mission is formed in Nigeria; now 222 in Church.
A second mission will soon be created among the rapidly growing Church
membership in Nigeria, the First Presidency announced this week.

The Nigeria Aba Mission will be created July 1 from a division of the Nigeria
Lagos Mission....Other African missions are in Ghana, Zaire, Zimbabwe, and
South Africa. 

In less than 10 years since the Church was established in Nigeria, the country's
total membership is probably approaching 10,000.

 -- Church News, May 21, 1988, p. 6

LDS blacks hoping to become 'generic' in growing Church

Church News, June 18, 1988, pp. 4,10)

By Kevin Stoker
Church News staff writer

Provo, Utah

The revelation extending priesthood blessings to all worthy male members
of the Church opened the way for the Church to fulfil its responsibility
to take the gospel to all the world, said Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Council
of the Twelve.

Delivering the keynote address at BYU's LDS Afro-American Symposium June 8,
Elder Oaks declared, "We must proclaim the gospel, redeem the dead and
perfect the saints, and this responsibility applies to all peoples everywhere."

The symposium, the first of its kind at BYU, coincided with the 10th anniversary
of the priesthood revelation.  Symposium topics focused upon the blacks'
experiences in the Church, but the overall theme seemed to point toward the
hope that Church members would accept blacks as "just good, faithful Latter-day
Saints."

"I hope that in the future that blacks in the Church would lose the feeling of
being exotic and just become generic," said Alan Cherry, director of the LDS
Afro-American Oral History project of the Charles Redd Center for Western
Studies at BYU.  The Redd Center sponsored the symposium.

Cherry was one of 10 LDS blacks from diverse backgrounds and areas of the
country participating in the symposium.  Among them were Burgess Owens, New
York businessman and former pro football player, Jonny McKay, brick mason
and high councilor from Greensboro, N.C.; Cathy Stokes, former relief Society
president from Illinois; and Robert Stevenson, the first black student body
officer at BYU and now a businessman in Georgia....

Elder Pinegar [LDS Church official], in an interview with the 'Church News',
said of the symposium, "We're learning a lot.  This information will be
worthwhile as we work with an increasing number of blacks joining the Church
in the Southeast.  We're hearing their [LDS blacks'] feelings.  They seem to
be saying, 'I just want to be seen as a member of the Church.'"

Elder Pinegar praised the symposium because it focused on the culture of the
gospel as the solution to national, ethnic or racial differences within the
Church.  The culture of the gospel, he said, overcomes all other cultural
differences.

"To me that has been the key to this whole thing," he said.

Eight of the symposium participants had been interviewed by Cherry as part of
an Afro-American Oral History project.  Since 1985, he has interviewed 225 LDS
blacks nationwide.

"Most interviewees possessed unrehearsed, unprompted enthusiasm for their
membership in the LDS Church despite whatever negative experience they
encountered," Cherry said.  "They seemed to enjoy the same associations,
enthusiasm and expectations as white members and interacted freely within the
Church.  Their integrational experience within the Church appeared to be
superior to anything they experienced outside of it."

Cherry referred to the challenges faced by LDS blacks as "gathering pains"
incident to an expanding membership blending various cultural elements into
a unified group.

Sister Stokes, who works for the Illinois Department of Health, said, "The
Church is the only place I know where I can sit down with a member of
another race and talk about what's important to me in my life."

    RE .12 and 2 Nephi 5:23
    I'm kinda new to this conference, and I know this is an *old* topic.
    But reading through it, I was curious what the content of 2 Nephi
    5:23 is.  (I'm not Mormon and am quite unfamiliar with the church's
    books.)  Could someone post the text in a reply???
    -Peter G.
    

    2 Nephi 5:23
    
    And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their seed;
    for they shall be cursed even with the same cursing.  And the
    Lord spake it, and it was done.
    

    Re: .39
    
    Welcome to the conference, Peter!
                                                                
    I would like to present a little background to this passage, first. The
    Lord had commanded Lehi to depart from Jerusalem about 600 BC and take
    his family and some others to a "promised land". One of his sons was
    named Nephi, who was righteous, and two others were Laman and Lemuel,
    who were not. This group of people were eventually led to the American
    continent. 

    Shortly after they left Jerusalem, the Lord spoke to Nephi, and told
    him: 
         
         Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast
         sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart. 
         
         And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall
         prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a
         land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is
         choice above all other lands. 
         
         And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they
         shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. 
         
         And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt
         be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren. 
         
         For behold, in that day that they shall rebel against me, I
         will curse them even with a sore curse, and they shall have
         no power over they seed except they shall rebel against me
         also. 
         
         And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a
         scourge unto they seed, to stir them up in the ways of
         remembrance. (1 Nephi 2:19-24) 
                                                                           
    Several years later, after they had arrived in the promised land,
    this statement of the Lord's is fulfilled:
    
         And behold, the words of the Lord had been fulfilled unto my
         brethren, which he spake concerning them, that I should be
         their ruler and their teacher. Wherefore, I had been their
         ruler and their teacher, according to the commandments of the
         Lord, until the time they sought to take away my life. 
         
         Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled which he spake
         unto me, saying that: Inasmuch as they will not hearken unto
         thy words they shall be cut off from the presence of the
         Lord. And behold, they were cut off from his presence. 
         
         And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a
         sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had
         hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like
         unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceeding
         fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my
         people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come
         upon them. 
         
         And thus saith the Lord God: I will cause that they shall be
         loathsome unto they people, save they shall repent of their
         iniquities. 
         
    *** This is the verse you asked for ***                 
         
         And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their
         seed; for they shall be cursed even with the same cursing.
         And the Lord spake it, and it was done. 
                                           
    ***
       
         And because of their cursing which was upon them they did
         become an idle people, full of mischief and subtlety, and did
         seek in the wilderness for beasts of prey. 
         
         And the Lord God said unto me: They shall be a scourge unto
         they seed, to stir them up in remembrance of me: and inasmuch
         as they will not remember me, and hearken unto my words, they
         shall scourge them even unto destruction. (2 Nephi 5:19-25) 
    
    The curse that came upon these people that were known as the Lamanites
    consisted of two parts: a) being cut of from the presence of the Lord
    (no divine revelation) and b) a 'skin of blackness' to discourage the
    righteous Nephites from intermixing with the unrighteous Lamanites. The
    cause of the curse was their willful rebellion against God. 
    
    They were also to serve as a scourge to the Nephites, to cause them to
    remember the Lord. In fact, the Book of Mormon describes many wars
    between the Nephites and the Lamanites, and when the Nephites
    themselves become very wicked, the Lamanites succeed in scourging 'them
    even unto destruction'. 
    
    It is interesting to note that the 'skin of blackness' does not refer
    to black skin as we think of it today, but to the dark skin that the
    American Indians have. 
    
    It is also interesting to note that some of the Lamanites became
    righteous and the curse was lifted from those who became righteous. 
    
    Rich

    Re: .40
    
    That's what I get for being long winded! (Your's got in while mine
    was still taking a deep breath!)
    
    Rich
    

In .38 I referred to an oral history of LDS Blacks that was
conducted by Alan Cherry.  I am giving in this reply some extracts from an
article Alan wrote about that project that describe the interaction between
black and white LDS.  The article was published in "This People", Vol. 9,
No. 2, Summer 1988.

******************************

For years I had been made to feel my enthusiasm for my membership was
unusual, that blacks took no interest in the Mormon Church.  But as I
interviewed these 225 people, I realized the kind of commitment I felt
was far more universal than I had supposed.  Many of those interviewed had
been members long enough to prove their commitment.  In hundreds of hours
of interviews, probing the depths of feelings, I witnessed an overwhelming
response to the LDS church.  Whether a great-grandparent in Louisiana or
a teenage girl in Pennsylvania, each expressed the same sincere enthusiasm for
membership.

In a day when the zeal of the 1960s civil rights movement appears to have
stalled in many ways, here are black people involved in what many Americans
called an "all-white church".  They feel that they enjoy the same associations,
enthusiasm, and expectations as white members.  They feel they can interact
freely within the Church.  With the almost legendary problems of America's
black inner-city communities, why aren't experts studying how these black
people can live exemplary lives without cost to state and nation?  Why
aren't all Latter-day Saints quick to cite them to other Americans as
stunning examples of black American values?

The Traumas of unwed mothers, crime, substance abuse, unemployment, broken
homes, and a host of other problems afflicting so many black Americans are
not of critical concerns among Latter-day Saint Afro-Americans.  The same
moral values for which white Latter-day Saints receive some renown are at
work in the lives of these black LDS people, yet they receive virtually
no media attention.

Few Americans realize that LDS blacks enjoy integration far superior to
anything they encountered outside the LDS church....

Nathleen Albright, a California member, spoke of her relations with white
members.  "When I bring up the fact that I am black, some of them do a
double take, 'Oh, yes, you are.'  People accepted me, and it was what I had
been looking for, especially during my adolescence, because when you are an
adolescent you like to belong to a group and I never did.  I finally found
home, so to speak, when I joined the Church."

Derail Gaines, from South Carolina said, "It is like being a part of their
family.  Two of the families (white members) in particular have taken me in
as one of theirs.  It feels good.  It is like I am just one of their older
kids."....

Speaking of her relationship with white members, Janis Garrison, an interviewee
from Provo, Utah, said of a friend in Orem, Utah.  "I was able to go to her
home and be a part of her family.  By the time I got to meet everybody and
work with her for a while (Janis was employed by her friend) and interact with
her family, I felt like a part of their family.  They would take me on trips
with them and the kids.  Even when I moved into an apartment in Campus Plaza,
I knew they were there and they would invite me for dinner.  They are all
married and some have children of their own.  We are still able to talk, which
is nice."...

As scholars, educators, the media, and observant Americans examine LDS
Afro-Americans, Latter-day Saints and Americans will gain a greater awareness
that something unusually admirable is occurring in their lives that does not
happen outside of the Church.  A greater awareness of brotherhood within the
LDS church may give America much more than that.  It may provide a prescription
for a serene society.

******************************

The following are partial quotes from an article by Jay Mariotti of the
Scripps Howard News Service that I found in today's paper.  It's entitled
"Cougars called racists."  Are some of the members of this conference in a 
position to comment on its truth or falsity?  Is this just the press trying
to sell papers by exploiting a minor incident or is there a deeper story?
I've seen some good things said in previous replies about BYU.  If the reports
about the players' conduct IS true, were they disciplined?  What measures
were taken to correct the situation?             

"...It is the cruelest of ironies that a maligned program from Boulder,
its minority members claiming to be exposed to racist attitudes at an
overwhelmingly white university, would conclude a current year by playing
a team accused of making racial slurs during a game last month.

...Go back to the night of Nov. 5 in San Diego's Jack Murphy Stadium.  After
lowly San Diego State had handed Brigham Young a stunning 27-15 defeat,
several SDSU players said members of BYU's team directed racial epithets
at SDSU players.

   'They were yelling all kinds of racial stuff at our black players throughout
the game,' said center Kevin Wells, a white member of the San Diego team.

   This came as shocking news to those who had formed positive images of
the Mormon-affiliated university...
   
   The BYU student promises to...treat equally those of any race, color,
creed, or national origin.          

   A few days after the game, Glen Tuckett, the Brigham Young athletic
director, said that BYU members were 'provoked.'  Without saying it, he
was more or less admitting his players had made the comments.

   The developments were not well-received among black players at CU, several
of whom have experienced conflicts they say were initiated by racial slurs..."

    Don't know anything about it.  But, sounds to me like somebody needs
    some help.  I would have very little tolerance of such behavior,
    especially from team members who should be living higher standards.
    Racial discrimination has and has had no place in the Church.  I was
    one of many who rejoiced in 1978 when Priesthood was made available to 
    all men.  Provoked or not, racial slurs are uncalled for.
    
    Steve

I know several people on the BYU team and I don't believe it.  If (and
    I emphasize IF) the remark were made, I feel it was an isolated
    incident during the heat of the game.  The entire team has to be
    credited with playing clean football and if a racial slur were made
    I agree it was in poor judgement.  But as a team, the BYU Cougars 
    have always played with the highest of standards.
    
    Why is BYU the only team selected to criticize for such slurs.
    Probably because people are always trying to find fault when they
    know this particular college has such high standards against such
    behavior.  If you look hard enough, you can find a couple of bad
    apples.  I still think that overall, there kids are the best behaved
    and most moral in the nation.  But on the other side, I have heard
    slanderous remarks made about BYU's team which challenged the parentage
    of players.  Why is it that when a rough and tough team such as
    SDSU makes filthy degrading remarks about BYU, everyone seems to
    think that it is OK because this is a TOUGH sport and they are just
    a bunch of all American college kids having a good time.  But because
    of a possibly frustrated remark made by (also an all American College
    kid) a frustrated BYU player, it hits the paper and everyone is
    screaming racism.  Funny, but I believe there are some black players
    on the BYU team.  I didn't hear them scream slander.
    
    This sounds like a typical plan for a local paper to physic up the
    team (CSU) before the big bowl game.  It's too bad that they would
    have to resort to this type of journalism to sell newspapers.
    
    I watched the bowl game last night and as always, the BYU Cougars
    played with integrity and were above reproach.  I, for one, am proud
    of them.     

    re: -.1
    
    I think that you hit the nail on the head as to why BYU gets criticized
    if they (even only apparently) step out of line.  When somebody
    lives by high standards, people tend to judge them by those standards
    and not by their own.  Mormons, for example, are expected to live high 
    standards, not just by themselves but by others.  This can be bad
    and good.  Bad if we are accused wrongly of not living up to our
    standards.  Good if the pressure helps us to live by our standards.
    
    We all tend to want to help each other live by the standards
    we set.  For example, if one of my Jewish friends were to order
    an egg bagel with sausage and cheese for breakfast, I might suggest to 
    him that it would be inappropriate for him, given his standards.  I
    might even go so far as to encourage him to order something else.  
    Similarly, I've been at parties where the hosts made it a point to provide
    un-spiked punch for me in an effort to encourage me to live by my
    standards.  I've always appreciated this kind of unsolicited support
    and fellowship.
    
    Steve

I agree with Steve's description of why people expect BYU to live up to
it's standards. I hope that such things didn't happen, but I don't feel
we should try to excuse them.  Apologies should be made and statements to
the effect that such things are against  our standards should be made.

Agreed that we are all humans, but that is no excuse. (half :-)

Chad