jkwilliams Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 Admittedly, I haven't been to the temple in about 9 years, but last I heard, the actors playing Adam and Eve were white Americans. I notice there's some controversy out there about the physical features of our earliest ancestors, who apparently came from Africa. A number of people have suggested that Adam and Eve would have been black. I wonder if having actors who are not Caucasian might be more inclusive to members around the world.
Popular Post busybee Posted August 24, 2015 Popular Post Posted August 24, 2015 (edited) Admittedly, I haven't been to the temple in about 9 years, but last I heard, the actors playing Adam and Eve were white Americans. I notice there's some controversy out there about the physical features of our earliest ancestors, who apparently came from Africa. A number of people have suggested that Adam and Eve would have been black. I wonder if having actors who are not Caucasian might be more inclusive to members around the world.I would suggest that anyone who is worried about the color/race of the actors portraying Adam and Eve while they are in the temple is probably not ready to be there. Just saying. Edited August 24, 2015 by busybee 5
jkwilliams Posted August 24, 2015 Author Posted August 24, 2015 I don't much care. I just had an LDS friend ask me that yesterday, and I thought I'd ask here.
HappyJackWagon Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 I would suggest that anyone who is worried about the color/race of the actors portraying Adam and Eve while they are in the temple is probably not ready to be there. Just saying. It doesn't bother me much, but then again, I'm white. White privilege can be blind to the feelings of our black, asian, polynesian, hispanic, and semetic brothers and sisters.Perhaps they don't always appreciate being a derivative or mutation of the original, pure, white children of God. 2
jkwilliams Posted August 24, 2015 Author Posted August 24, 2015 It doesn't bother me much, but then again, I'm white. White privilege can be blind to the feelings of our black, asian, polynesian, hispanic, and semetic brothers and sisters.Perhaps they don't always appreciate being a derivative or mutation of the original, pure, white children of God. I just thought it was an interesting question from a Mormon I know. Maybe I just have odd friends, such as the high priest who keeps begging me to go to priesthood so he has another "voice of reason" in the room with him. LOL
HappyJackWagon Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 (edited) I just thought it was an interesting question from a Mormon I know. Maybe I just have odd friends, such as the high priest who keeps begging me to go to priesthood so he has another "voice of reason" in the room with him. LOLI think it would be great to have a little cultural diversity in the temple movies just like I think it would be great to see it in top leadership. A lilly-white church sends messages (intentional or not) to the members who do not fit that group. A couple of years ago when I heard they were making new temple films I had hoped there would be better ethnic representation but no such luck. Adam was white and spoke English...I mean Adamic. Edited August 24, 2015 by HappyJackWagon
jkwilliams Posted August 24, 2015 Author Posted August 24, 2015 (edited) I think it would be great to have a little cultural diversity in the temple movies just like I think it would be great to see it in top leadership. A lilly-white church sends messages (intentional or not) to the members who do not fit that group. Our ward here in Virginia is definitely less white than any ward I've ever lived him. We have a lot of latino, Cambodian, Chinese, and black members (both from the USA and Africa). That's the context in which the subject of the all-white temple film came up. I just thought it was an interesting question, and one I honestly had never considered. Imagine the uproar, however, if they had a black actor play Satan. ETA: I should say I think the uproar would likely come from critics of the church. Edited August 24, 2015 by jkwilliams
jkwilliams Posted August 24, 2015 Author Posted August 24, 2015 (edited) Always a mole hill to find. Well, that's certainly a negative response to my fellow ward-member's question. I'll have to tell him he's making a mountain out of a molehill, or something. Maybe it will get him to stop trying to get me to go to high priests. Edited August 24, 2015 by jkwilliams 1
Tacenda Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 I haven't been to the newest movie, but heard from my neighbor that her husband got choked up in watching it. She said it was really good with the new Adam & Eve. In my mind I thought they would be more realistic. Sort of like the LDS videos of the Saviour getting more realistic.
strappinglad Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 . Imagine the uproar, however, if they had a black actor play Satan. ETA: I should say I think the uproar would likely come from critics of the church.I was about to suggest this. Boy that is weird to be thinking along the same lines as jk . I do remember seeing a black Christ in a Catholic church in Central America. I did note that He still had European features. Please remember that Adam and Eve came out of Missouri not Africa.
jkwilliams Posted August 24, 2015 Author Posted August 24, 2015 I was about to suggest this. Boy that is weird to be thinking along the same lines as jk . I do remember seeing a black Christ in a Catholic church in Central America. I did note that He still had European features. Please remember that Adam and Eve came out of Missouri not Africa. Well, before the continents separated, Missouri wasn't all that far from Africa, was it?
Sevenbak Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 Well, according to Joseph Smith, Jesus had blue eyes. So I think it might be reasonable to assume that he inherited his fathers looks as opposed to the semitic traits of the Middle east through Mary. Either way, we do know the father and the son look the same. Now, given that, depending on what one believes about Adam-God, either Adam looked the same as Jesus, or they both had the same physical father. Just saying...
jkwilliams Posted August 24, 2015 Author Posted August 24, 2015 Well, according to Joseph Smith, Jesus had blue eyes. So I think it might be reasonable to assume that he inherited his fathers looks as opposed to the semitic traits of the Middle east through Mary. Either way, we do know the father and the son look the same. Now, given that, depending on what one believes about Adam-God, either Adam looked the same as Jesus, or they both had the same physical father. Just saying... I don't remember ever hearing that Joseph said Jesus had blue eyes. Very interesting. Reference?
strappinglad Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 Well, before the continents separated, Missouri wasn't all that far from Africa, was it? True. I am willing to bet that Adam and Eve have been of various ethnicities when represented in the live portions. As one who experienced many live sessions, I recall quite a few swarthy apostles and the occasional sun ravaged farmer playing the Antagonist. 1
Sevenbak Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 It's in one of his First Vision accounts. I'll see if I can find it.
jkwilliams Posted August 24, 2015 Author Posted August 24, 2015 True. I am willing to bet that Adam and Eve have been of various ethnicities when represented in the live portions. As one who experienced many live sessions, I recall quite a few swarthy apostles and the occasional sun ravaged farmer playing the Antagonist. I went through the Salt Lake temple a couple of weeks before I entered the MTC. One day I was in line in the MTC cafeteria behind an older couple. I couldn't figure out why they looked so familiar until I realized they were Adam and Eve from that day in Salt Lake.
thesometimesaint Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 I think it would be great to have a little cultural diversity in the temple movies just like I think it would be great to see it in top leadership. A lilly-white church sends messages (intentional or not) to the members who do not fit that group. A couple of years ago when I heard they were making new temple films I had hoped there would be better ethnic representation but no such luck. Adam was white and spoke English...I mean Adamic. As we are to consider ourselves individually as Adam and Eve skin color is absolutely immaterial. OTOH knowing LDS and the negro relations I don't expect to see a mixed skin color Adam and Eve for several generation from now. BTW There are Spanish and other language versions of the ceremony.
sdc999 Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 Well, according to Joseph Smith, Jesus had blue eyes. So I think it might be reasonable to assume that he inherited his fathers looks as opposed to the semitic traits of the Middle east through Mary. Either way, we do know the father and the son look the same. Now, given that, depending on what one believes about Adam-God, either Adam looked the same as Jesus, or they both had the same physical father. Just saying...That sure would have made it easier for the guards in the Garden of Gethsemane if Judas would have just said, "get the guy with the blue eyes".
HappyJackWagon Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 As we are to consider ourselves individually as Adam and Eve skin color is absolutely immaterial. OTOH knowing LDS and the negro relations I don't expect to see a mixed skin color Adam and Eve for several generation from now. BTW There are Spanish and other language versions of the ceremony.Aren't the other language versions dubbed from the English film? All I'm saying is we need to recognize there is great diversity within the church and that our monochrome version of the gospel can hurt people who don't fit the idealized temple version. People still feel and even teach (I've heard it taught at church but not conference) that everyone in the celestial kingdom will be white. When people hear that kind of thing and then they only see white representation in the temple and in the top quorum of the church, it could cause some pain. And that is not immaterial.
jkwilliams Posted August 24, 2015 Author Posted August 24, 2015 Aren't the other language versions dubbed from the English film? All I'm saying is we need to recognize there is great diversity within the church and that our monochrome version of the gospel can hurt people who don't fit the idealized temple version. People still feel and even teach (I've heard it taught at church but not conference) that everyone in the celestial kingdom will be white. When people hear that kind of thing and then they only see white representation in the temple and in the top quorum of the church, it could cause some pain. And that is not immaterial. That was basically my friend's position, though I can't say I've ever had any church member of color say they were unhappy about the white temple film cast. You never know.
Gray Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 Admittedly, I haven't been to the temple in about 9 years, but last I heard, the actors playing Adam and Eve were white Americans. I notice there's some controversy out there about the physical features of our earliest ancestors, who apparently came from Africa. A number of people have suggested that Adam and Eve would have been black. I wonder if having actors who are not Caucasian might be more inclusive to members around the world.As Adam and Eve are metaphorical rather than historical persons, I think any color for the actors should be fine. 2
jkwilliams Posted August 24, 2015 Author Posted August 24, 2015 As Adam and Eve are metaphorical rather than historical persons, I think any color for the actors should be fine. I would imagine so. I just had never even considered the question until my friend brought it up.
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