Suggestions for improving race relations in the Church

[Calm]

From the side bar of a Salt Lake City article that I think was referenced in another thread, but don't remember this being referenced.  Am curious about what people think of the suggestions.

Quote

 

How to enhance race relations 

Here are some suggestions that have been raised, mostly by black Mormons, for how the LDS Church could improve race relations within the faith. 

» Cast a black Adam and Eve (or an interracial couple) in the film shown to faithful members in LDS temples. 

» Use more African-American faces in church art and manuals and display more artwork depicting Christ as he would appear: as a Middle Eastern Jewish man. 

» Pick more blacks for highly visible leadership positions — if not an apostle, at least in the general authority Seventy or in the general auxiliary presidencies. 

» Repudiate and apologize for the faith’s past priesthood/temple ban on blacks, which the church lifted in 1978. 

» Show the documentary film “Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons” to every all-male priesthood quorum, women’s Relief Society class and Young Men and Young Women groups. 

» Quote from the church’s Gospel Topics essay “Race and the Priesthood” regularly at LDS General Conference and translate it into all the languages that the church uses to communicate with its global membership. 

» Direct that the essay be read from the pulpit in every Mormon congregation and mission in the world. 

» Have the Book of Mormon scripture found in 2 Nephi 26:33 — “All are alike unto God” — be a yearlong Young Women or Primary theme and make it part of the curriculum to talk about the sin of racism. 

» Bring more blacks to LDS Church-owned Brigham Young University as students and faculty, while providing sensitivity training for all students about racial issues and interactions with people of color. 

» Teach children about the heroic black Mormon lives, such as LDS pioneers Jane Manning James and Elijah Abel. 

» Expand the LDS hymnbook to include more diverse songs and styles. 

» Enlist more people of color in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. 

» Invite the choir from the Genesis Group — a longtime Utah-based support organization for black Mormons and their families — to sing at General Conference. 

» Use the Genesis Group to assist in improving relationships with the African-American community. 

» Give the Genesis Group greater authority to exist in all states and to visit wards and assist lay bishoprics in how to avoid and overcome racism in their congregations. 

» Create a church-sponsored Mormon and black website akin to the one found at mormonandgay.org.

» Treat the members of the Genesis Group’s presidency as an auxiliary, seating them on the stand with other high-ranking authorities during General Conference — and invite at least one of them to speak during the sessions. 

» Provide training on racial issues for newly called mission presidents. 

» Include a mandatory class at Missionary Training Centers that teach the “Race and the Priesthood” essay so missionaries are better prepared when they go out to preach.

 

http://www.sltrib.com/home/5371962-155/39-years-later-priesthood-ban-is

[Darren10]

"» Pick more blacks for highly visible leadership positions — if not an apostle, at least in the general authority Seventy or in the general auxiliary presidencies."

As long as God calls them, I do not care who they are.

"» Show the documentary film “Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons” to every all-male priesthood quorum, women’s Relief Society class and Young Men and Young Women groups. "

I've no idea what this film s so no comment.

"» Bring more blacks to LDS Church-owned Brigham Young University as students and faculty, while providing sensitivity training for all students about racial issues and interactions with people of color."

As long as they meet the same qualifications as any other student or faculty.

"» Repudiate and apologize for the faith’s past priesthood/temple ban on blacks, which the church lifted in 1978.  "

As we stand today, unless something new is revealed, I absolutely do not want the Church to apologize for this. Based on what I know, the Church did nothing wrong so far as organizational decision making goes. As for repudiating the black priesthood ban, I think it has been done already by church leaders, particularly by Bruce R. McConkie. If the Church as an organization wants to then so be it but any organization needs to be very careful repudiating its past if it wants credibility in the present.

My very last day in Spanish class this school year I gave my tablet to my students to use as I always did throughout the year. One student must have seen my LDS Library app and asked enthusiastically if I was LDS. I said yes. He said he was too. We never knew that since October to May. He was a black student. Why would he join and others take offense I do not know, nor did I ask, nor did I care to ask. He is my brother in the gospel and that was alI which was important to me at the moment.  I present this as an anecdotal situation just to say that all the other suggestions I honestly do not know if that'll change any minds or hearts.

As for the Genesis Group. They're an excellent bunch. But placing them on par with General Authorities because they are black does not settle well with me. That is not what my view of what the Restored Gospel is about.

in the end these suggestions greatly politicizes the LDS Church. I for one think/know/"have a testimony that" the LDS Church's political neutrality is absolutely the correct decision for the Church. Despite this being a trail for me in certain circumstances, it is the correct path for the LDS Church. Taking the course that the Church has fallen short in its race relations and a Church-wide effort to elevate them from it more than it does now will, naturally, take away resources fro its primary mission to spiritually elevate all people by keeping the commandments, the same commandments for everyone, that Jesus Christ and His prophets, ancient and modern, have taught. If race problem takes precedence over other things then why not sexism? Race relations with Hispanic Americans? A world-wide gay sensitivity training for members? Sensitivity to take care of refugees? The Church touches on all these things, including race relations with African Americans, already so why this particular one needs to take more predominance I do not know and I am not convinced it will alter anything significant.

Edited June 8, 2017 by Darren10

[Glenn101]

 In my opinion, race relations should be handled on the local ward and branch levels that include warm fellowshipping of converts, and effective home and visiting teaching programs. This article was apparently more slanted towards relations with the Afro-American community, but should be expanded to include all races, i.e Hispanic, Japanese, Chinese, Afro-American, etc. I really believe that reaching out to all prospective members with sincere love and welcome will go a long ways towards racial relations. Fostering an atmosphere within the Ward or Branch where the Spirit will be able to work effectively.

I have a friend whose wife and step-son joined the church but he held back because of the priesthood ban history. (This was after 1978.) He attended regularly with his wife and children. I and my family usually sat behind during Sacrament Service. I really got some good feelings from him and just felt that he would eventually join the Church. He and his family were welcomed warmly by all that I saw and were actively included in the different social activities in the ward. My friend finally did join the church because the love and affection fostered such a welcoming environment that the Holy Ghost was able to work effectively. This brother has went on to be called to positions in the Bishopric and Stake High Council.

Glenn

[CV75]

11 hours ago, Calm said:

From the side bar of a Salt Lake City article that I think was referenced in another thread, but don't remember this being referenced.  Am curious about what people think of the suggestions.

http://www.sltrib.com/home/5371962-155/39-years-later-priesthood-ban-is

I think any of these suggestions could be appropriately addressed in the councils of any unit, quorum or auxiliary of the Church. What is the source of the "At A Glance" how-to's, a survey or focus group, the comments section, a blog, a conference? I ask because if a council discussion is going to happen, somehow these ideas and suggestions need to get into the process in the Lord's way, typically through inspired and willing individuals.

Making an improvement within the faith in general, globally, is a tall order, and as hot a topic as racism is, it is manifest in different ways according to relatively local conditions, and I use "relatively" broadly to include even the national levels. So, I'm thinking that the contributors of these how-to's could reasonably get their concerns and suggestions on the agenda of their most immediately accessible council.

[rpn]

I have lived in over 25 wards in my lifetime in six states, including in the NE, SW, PNW, and SE .  My family includes people of color from various heritages.  IME, there is more issues between those of spanish speaking heritages than those with african american within the church.   And a major divide is poverty (which happens to contain more people of color than whites proportionately in all regions).   I just don't see any uniquely Mormon racism.   And none of the black families that I've associated with and discussed racial issues with see it either.    The ward that I attend has a black bishop.  The last ward I attended had a black first counselor.   (This isn't to say that I've never met a member who said or did unkind things because of race or well-meaning things that were racist: of course I have.   But that is them, not the church nor the way mortals run the church IME.)   So I'm making my suggestions from the perspective of one who doesn't see a need to undo racism in the church.

1--- I think all members should pray regularly that Heavenly Father will prepare leaders to meet the challenges of our day including bring diverse viewpoints into organizational leadership.   I think members should go out of their way to help people of color in their wards become everything they can be so that they will be able and willing to answer the Lord's call to serve.   I have even prayed for a black Apostle calling.   But I will never be suggesting that God is somehow racist because we don't have enough different faces in headquarters leadership positions.  Either I believe God runs the church, or I don't.

2  ---   In order to be a member of MoTab Choir, you have to live close enough to attend rehearsals and sing well.  Utah's population isn't particularly diverse.   If the church wants to provide funding to develop singers in high schools in Utah or give more vocal music scholarships to attract people who might stay in Utah or bus in elementary school students to MoTab concerts (or MoTab to elementary schools that have high percentages of persons of color, that could eventually produce more qualified persons of color to be considered for the choir, but why is that specific expenditure as important as a hundred other ways to spend God's money?

3 ---  Church magazines have been doing a much better job including diversity since about six months after I told them I couldn't give my children the church magazine without a single picture of anyone who looks like them in it any more.  (Coincidence?)  Yes, there should be a conscious effort to include more diversity in the art the Church sells and uses.

4 --- Yes the video is a good one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0S4gOqkxPQ   So is Blacks and the Scriptures   http://blacksinthescriptures.com/   But both are also commercial ventures.   The best the Church could do is to negotiate and pay for their use in Church meetings.   I agree that both could be very helpful.   So could having Margaret Young and Darius Gray's fictionalized because historical dialogue is hard to come by, but heavily footnoted trilogy "Standing on the Promises" available in ward libraries for check out, as well the video and the DVD mention earlier.   And there is a new book in the works about Black Mormon history by Amy Tanner Thiriot, updates at  http://theancestorfiles.blogspot.com/

5--- And I do agree that there should be encouragement to adapt all lesson manuals to include the stories of people of color in the history of the church and incorporate Green Flake's story in every pioneer day celebration, and Jane Manning story into every talk on what being steadfast in the Gospel looks like.   But I dare say that I hope the day comes when their inclusion is because their stories are just so very inspiring rather than that we have to have some stories about black church members.  

6--- If I were in the Genesis Group, I'd be royally ticked that someone was asking me to be the token Blacks to sing in GC so white americans could feel better about not being labelled racists.

Edited June 8, 2017 by rpn

[CV75]

13 minutes ago, Glenn101 said:

 In my opinion, race relations should be handled on the local ward and branch levels that include warm fellowshipping of converts, and effective home and visiting teaching programs.

I agree, and would only add that they should be handled at any level where the problem is occurring. For example, if the Seventy or Area Seventy feel racism in their organizational midst, they have a venue to address it through their respective councils.

[CV75]

18 hours ago, rpn said:

I have lived in over 25 wards in my lifetime in six states, including in the NE, SW, PNW, and SE .  My family includes people of color from various heritages.  IME, there is more issues between those of spanish speaking heritages than those with african american within the church.   And a major divide is poverty (which happens to contain more people of color than whites proportionately in all regions).   I just don't see any uniquely Mormon racism.   And none of the black families that I've associated with and discussed racial issues with see it either.    The ward that I attend has a black bishop.  The last ward I attended had a black first counselor.   (This isn't to say that I've never met a member who said or did unkind things because of race or well-meaning things that were racist: of course I have.   But that is them, not the church nor the way mortals run the church IME.)   So I'm making my suggestions from the perspective of one who doesn't see a need to undo racism in the church.

1--- I think all members should pray regularly that Heavenly Father will prepare leaders to meet the challenges of our day including bring diverse viewpoints into organizational leadership.   I think members should go out of their way to help people of color in their wards become everything they can be so that they will be able and willing to answer the Lord's call to serve.   I have even prayed for a black Apostle calling.   But I will never be suggesting that God is somehow racist because we don't have enough different faces in headquarters leadership positions.  Either I believe God runs the church, or I don't.

2  ---   In order to be a member of MoTab Choir, you have to live close enough to attend rehearsals and sing well.  Utah's population isn't particularly diverse.   If the church wants to provide funding to develop singers in high schools in Utah or give more vocal music scholarships to attract people who might stay in Utah or bus in elementary school students to MoTab concerts (or MoTab to elementary schools that have high percentages of persons of color, that could eventually produce more qualified persons of color to be considered for the choir, but why is that specific expenditure as important as a hundred other ways to spend God's money?

3 ---  Church magazines have been doing a much better job including diversity since about six months after I told them I couldn't give my children the church magazine without a single person of anyone who looks like them in it any more.  (Coincidence?)  Yes, there should be a conscious effort to include more diversity in the art the Church sells and uses.

4 --- Yes the video is a good one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0S4gOqkxPQ   So is Blacks and the Scriptures   http://blacksinthescriptures.com/   But both are also commercial ventures.   The best the Church could do is to negotiate and pay for their use in Church meetings.   I agree that both could be very helpful.   So could having Margaret Young and Darius Gray's fictionalized because historical dialogue is hard to come by, but heavily footnoted trilogy "Standing on the Promises" available in ward libraries for check out, as well the video and the DVD mention earlier.   And there is a new book in the works about Black Mormon history by Amy Tanner Thiriot, updates at  http://theancestorfiles.blogspot.com/

5--- And I do agree that there should be encouragement to adapt all lesson manuals to include the stories of people of color in the history of the church and incorporate Green Flake's story in every pioneer day celebration, and Jane Manning story into every talk on what being steadfast in the Gospel looks like.   But I dare say that I hope the day comes when their inclusion is because their stories are just so very inspiring rather than that we have to have some stories about black church members.  

6--- If I were in the Genesis Group, I'd be royally ticked that someone was asking me to be the token Blacks to sing in GC so white americans could feel better about not being labelled racists.

This brings up two points for me. One, the primary driver for change mustn’t be the spirit of anti-racism, as noble as that is, but a spirit of Zion or a spirit of pro-Christ. Darius Gray as quoted in the article alludes to this in his reference to transforming us into brothers and sisters [in Christ], which I take to be his number one priority. Two, just as racism (as evil-intended as it is) has a component that is based in ignorance, so does the mindset engendering some of these solutions  suggestions shared in the article (as well-intended as they are).

Edited June 9, 2017 by CV75
To clarify the object of critique, as requested

[Calm]

"Church magazines have been doing a much better job including diversity since about six months after I told them I couldn't give my children the church magazine without a single person of anyone who looks like them in it any more"

Bravo for doing this because it needs to be done.  I suspect if more people use what feedback avenues that are in place more, they will expand feedback to make it more efficient and effective.

There are avenues out there that can be found with some effort.  If one chooses to complain while making no effort to find out how to get that complaint heard, why should I believe the complaint is much more than to feel good about themselves or some personal issue?

[cinepro]

2 hours ago, Darren10 said:

As for the Genesis Group. They're an excellent bunch. But placing them on par with General Authorities because they are black does not settle well with me. That is not what my view of what the Restored Gospel is about.

 

I think in church-speak they're saying "make the Genesis Group an auxiliary."  The leadership of other auxiliaries (Primary, RS, Young Men, Young Women) sit on the stand too, and they're not "on par" with General Authorities.

[Calm]

On par with General Officers then...

[Darren10]

44 minutes ago, cinepro said:

I think in church-speak they're saying "make the Genesis Group an auxiliary."  The leadership of other auxiliaries (Primary, RS, Young Men, Young Women) sit on the stand too, and they're not "on par" with General Authorities.

They are on par with General Authorities in terms of optics. The RS, Primary, Young Men, Young Women were all established for the building of the kongdom of God on the earth. They were not established to serve as a political means to reach out to a specific race. They have always been open to all races; not to appease to one. 

[CV75]

1 hour ago, Darren10 said:

They are on par with General Authorities in terms of optics. The RS, Primary, Young Men, Young Women were all established for the building of the kongdom of God on the earth. They were not established to serve as a political means to reach out to a specific race. They have always been open to all races; not to appease to one. 

I think your point about the purpose of the offices/auxiliaries gets to the point that as members of the church of the fallen world, every saint also has some cultural baggage. One might go so far as to say, “Yes, the Church at every level in every clime and country is racist because of the fallibility of her leaders under Christ but let’s remember that she has the keys and a fullness of the Gospel and the genius of the inspired council system, and that each member has the Gift of the Holy Ghost with attendant responsibility. What can I do with that?”

I think that however exaggerated or down-played the charge of racism can be made to be, every other point addresses the solution, and the same can be said for every human imperfection that gets reflected in Zion, only to get smoothed out (eventually).

[The Nehor]

Well, we could give them the Priesthood.

[Darren10]

22 hours ago, CV75 said:

I think your point about the purpose of the offices/auxiliaries gets to the point that as members of the church of the fallen world, every saint also has some cultural baggage. One might go so far as to say, “Yes, the Church at every level in every clime and country is racist because of the fallibility of her leaders under Christ but let’s remember that she has the keys and a fullness of the Gospel and the genius of the inspired council system, and that each member has the Gift of the Holy Ghost with attendant responsibility. What can I do with that?”

 

I think that however exaggerated or down-played the charge of racism can be made to be, every other point addresses the solution, and the same can be said for every human imperfection that gets reflected in Zion, only to get smoothed out (eventually).

 

If anyone wants to apply this suggestions on a personal level, have at it. As an organization I see lots of resources expended for very little results towards the Church and race relations. I also see the Church as deviating from its true purpose which is to bring souls to Christ, not to not be racist. As far as I can see, when one truly cones to Christ, being racist naturally takes a back seat so far as priorities go. The closer one is to Christ the clearer one sees all as children of the same Heavenly Father. Race thus means very little so far as feeling superior or diminished compared to others of other races. 

Edited June 9, 2017 by Darren10

[Thinking]

10 hours ago, Darren10 said:

any organization needs to be very careful repudiating its past if it wants credibility in the present.

Failure to repudiate what should be repudiated destroys credibility.

[BlueDreams]

20 hours ago, Calm said:

How to enhance race relations 

Here are some suggestions that have been raised, mostly by black Mormons, for how the LDS Church could improve race relations within the faith. 

» Cast a black Adam and Eve (or an interracial couple) in the film shown to faithful members in LDS temples. 

» Use more African-American faces in church art and manuals and display more artwork depicting Christ as he would appear: as a Middle Eastern Jewish man. 

» Pick more blacks for highly visible leadership positions — if not an apostle, at least in the general authority Seventy or in the general auxiliary presidencies. 

» Repudiate and apologize for the faith’s past priesthood/temple ban on blacks, which the church lifted in 1978. 

» Show the documentary film “Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons” to every all-male priesthood quorum, women’s Relief Society class and Young Men and Young Women groups. 

» Quote from the church’s Gospel Topics essay “Race and the Priesthood” regularly at LDS General Conference and translate it into all the languages that the church uses to communicate with its global membership. 

» Direct that the essay be read from the pulpit in every Mormon congregation and mission in the world. 

» Have the Book of Mormon scripture found in 2 Nephi 26:33 — “All are alike unto God” — be a yearlong Young Women or Primary theme and make it part of the curriculum to talk about the sin of racism. 

» Bring more blacks to LDS Church-owned Brigham Young University as students and faculty, while providing sensitivity training for all students about racial issues and interactions with people of color. 

» Teach children about the heroic black Mormon lives, such as LDS pioneers Jane Manning James and Elijah Abel. 

» Expand the LDS hymnbook to include more diverse songs and styles. 

» Enlist more people of color in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. 

» Invite the choir from the Genesis Group — a longtime Utah-based support organization for black Mormons and their families — to sing at General Conference. 

» Use the Genesis Group to assist in improving relationships with the African-American community. 

» Give the Genesis Group greater authority to exist in all states and to visit wards and assist lay bishoprics in how to avoid and overcome racism in their congregations. 

» Create a church-sponsored Mormon and black website akin to the one found at mormonandgay.org.

» Treat the members of the Genesis Group’s presidency as an auxiliary, seating them on the stand with other high-ranking authorities during General Conference — and invite at least one of them to speak during the sessions. 

» Provide training on racial issues for newly called mission presidents. 

» Include a mandatory class at Missionary Training Centers that teach the “Race and the Priesthood” essay so missionaries are better prepared when they go out to preach.

It's a cool brainstorming list. Some of them I would love to see some derivative to. Some of it, I'm not as sure about. Some I'm neutral to. The first 3 I would love to see. With Adam and Eve, I wouldn't care what color either were, as long as they were visible minorities of some sort....any sort. Maybe a couple of varying minorities sense there's no reason it has to be just one. That honestly has to be one of my biggest let downs in recent memory as a member. I was really really hopeful that it would happen. It didn't. And I'm still a little sad about the bleached blonde Eve when I see that video. It was the last one to come out, so it represents the last nail in the coffin for my little hope in this round of videos.

I've never cared one way or another if there was an apology. Other's do, I just don't have strong feelings about it.

On the Gospel Topics essay, I get a little why it's been done gently. I was in a group composing largely of brown/black members when I first read it and then later my professor had our class read it. He noted a person who struggled with it when he had discussed it in church and in this class another student struggled with it as well. Both white. One older, one not. I think it's a struggle that needs more local settings to grapple with, where people can talk more within groups than from a pulpit setting. But that's just me. But I do agree with the basic notion that they be more universally used in some significant fashion and that it be available in all languages. 

I would love to see the hymnbook expanded. But It may also be nice if there was simply more say in local settings for music to be added to the roster in some way. Some gospel music and the means of worship that surrounds that is....well, a culture shock. I've seen that from time to time when I've invited some friends to firesides where that happens. It's not everybody's cup of tea. But If there was more flexibility as to what was sung to better match local demographics, I think that would be less of a thing. And more fun period. It wouldn't have to even be a part of the hymn book. It could simply be more flexibility for local choirs or an allowance of a smaller accompanying hymn book to be used. It would just be nice to see how we do music revamped just a little. 

The ones in blue are all the ones I completely agree with, with little/no caveats. I think the MTC thing would be good....though it would also be good for that to be expanded to the other gospel essays as well. Though I could see why the race one would be particularly important. If the hold any of the folk doctrine or myths about the ban they could do more harm than good when teaching people who may have concerns with it. And the mormon and black may be more helpful if it could incorporate other racial/ethnic minority concerns as well...though the history is probably part of the reason that black members particularly would be specified and need specific outreach.

I think having genesis groups expanded outside of UT would be super helpful and would love to see that. But it would only be in that setting that it would make sense to maybe have them in the general officers of the church. As they are that doesn't make sense to me. I think it could also really help open up the work a little more for African-american members and conversion rates. 

Lastly, I would LOVE to see the Genesis choir perform at GC. That would be so awesome! 

 

With luv,

BD

[halconero]

53 minutes ago, Darren10 said:

If snyone wants to appky this suggestions on a personal level, have at it. As an organizer zation I see lots of resources expended for very little results towards the Church and race relations. I also see rhe Church as deviating from its true purpose which is to bring souls to Christ, not to not be racist. As far as I can see, when obe truly cones to Christ, being racist naturally takes a back seat so far as priorities go. The closer one is to Christ the coearer obe sees all as children of the same Heavenly Father. Race thus means very little so far as feeling superior or diminished compared to others of other races. 

I'm trying to figure out the code in this, but can't, so I'll just chalk it up to covfefe.

Anyways, a lot of these ideas are good! I like the one about temple actors, art ,the documentary, and instruction on the essays. The Young Men's/Women's theme is good. Same with the education, highlighting early black saints, expanding the hymnbook, and missionary instruction. I wouldn't necessarily have a Office called "Genesis Group" as part of the General Officers, but having an dedicated to binding together members on the cultural/racial level by understanding historical wrongs, cultural practices, and more is a decent idea. I'm trying to think of a name for it that doesn't sound too wordy but gets the name across. General Cultural Presidency?

[BlueDreams]

9 hours ago, rpn said:

6--- If I were in the Genesis Group, I'd be royally ticked that someone was asking me to be the token Blacks to sing in GC so white americans could feel better about not being labelled racists.

Hehe...you've obviously haven't attended Genesis ever. It doesn't take much to join, for one. You just go and you're automatically part of the group. And the other reason is that the group tends to be more flexible and accepting of people sharing what they want, how they want. They would allow that person to share their idea, several would say "amen!" if they agreed. Someone else may verbally disagree or shoot a joke at them...while they're still on the stand sharing their idea. This is not your normal sunday meeting. 

But to this one, I can't imagine any really disagreeing about it. I did not read into the suggestion what you apparently did at all. 

 

With luv,

BD

[Rivers]

I made the mistake of reading the comments section for the article.  I am astonished at the vitriol these people have against the church.  If the church did everything on this list, they wouldn't be satisfied.  Though much of the list is pretty reasonable.  Except whole thing about getting more blacks in the MOTAB and Quorum of the Twelve is delving into too much into affirmative action territory IMO.

I agree with Darren10 that the best way to defeat racism is with the gospel of Christ.  There is a lot of things we can try to do to change society but think real change comes from betterment of individual character.  

 

Edited June 9, 2017 by Rivers

[RevTestament]

23 hours ago, Calm said:

From the side bar of a Salt Lake City article that I think was referenced in another thread, but don't remember this being referenced.  Am curious about what people think of the suggestions.

http://www.sltrib.com/home/5371962-155/39-years-later-priesthood-ban-is

Here are some suggestions that have been raised, mostly by black Mormons, for how the LDS Church could improve race relations within the faith. 

» Cast a black Adam and Eve (or an interracial couple) in the film shown to faithful members in LDS temples. 

I don't view Adam and Eve as the genetic parents of all humans. While I am not opposed to this suggestion - I'm not strongly in favor of it either. However I see nothing wrong with such a movie for Native Americans, Asians, Hispanics, blacks, etc. And they ought to cast Satan as a Vulcan -- hey just kidding Star Trek fans.  

» Use more African-American faces in church art and manuals and display more artwork depicting Christ as he would appear: as a Middle Eastern Jewish man. 

Definitely for this. As I have mentioned I grow tired of seeing Yeshua depicted as a white European male. Not only African- American faces, but Asian, Hispanic and others should be used.

» Pick more blacks for highly visible leadership positions — if not an apostle, at least in the general authority Seventy or in the general auxiliary presidencies. 

This is a role for the Spirit. We should not usurp it. However, I have seen blacks in the Bishopric and as Bishop, so I believe this is priogressing.

» Repudiate and apologize for the faith’s past priesthood/temple ban on blacks, which the church lifted in 1978. 

Should we ask the Jews to repudiate their faith's nonselection of Gentile prophets, etc? Although I have strong personal suspicions that the black priesthood ban was somewhat politically motivated, unless the Church actually knows this, an apology may not be warranted..

» Show the documentary film “Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons” to every all-male priesthood quorum, women’s Relief Society class and Young Men and Young Women groups. 

Sure.

» Quote from the church’s Gospel Topics essay “Race and the Priesthood” regularly at LDS General Conference and translate it into all the languages that the church uses to communicate with its global membership. 

Sure.

» Direct that the essay be read from the pulpit in every Mormon congregation and mission in the world. 

Sure.

» Have the Book of Mormon scripture found in 2 Nephi 26:33 — “All are alike unto God” — be a yearlong Young Women or Primary theme and make it part of the curriculum to talk about the sin of racism. 

Yes. And I would add some art or photos from different ethnic groups all around the world - getting baptized, etc.

» Bring more blacks to LDS Church-owned Brigham Young University as students and faculty, while providing sensitivity training for all students about racial issues and interactions with people of color. 

Sensitivity training? I am from the south.

» Teach children about the heroic black Mormon lives, such as LDS pioneers Jane Manning James and Elijah Abel. 

Yes.

» Expand the LDS hymnbook to include more diverse songs and styles. 

Actually long overdue.

» Enlist more people of color in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. 

Sure, but as a practical matter they have to live nearby to practice with the choir.  i think all those who have good voices and want to join, are already invited to audition.

» Invite the choir from the Genesis Group — a longtime Utah-based support organization for black Mormons and their families — to sing at General Conference. 

Sure.

» Use the Genesis Group to assist in improving relationships with the African-American community. 

Seems like a great idea.

» Give the Genesis Group greater authority to exist in all states and to visit wards and assist lay bishoprics in how to avoid and overcome racism in their congregations. 

Sure.

» Create a church-sponsored Mormon and black website akin to the one found at mormonandgay.org.

Sure.

» Treat the members of the Genesis Group’s presidency as an auxiliary, seating them on the stand with other high-ranking authorities during General Conference — and invite at least one of them to speak during the sessions. 

Sure.

» Provide training on racial issues for newly called mission presidents. 

Sure, if that helps converts.

» Include a mandatory class at Missionary Training Centers that teach the “Race and the Priesthood” essay so missionaries are better prepared when they go out to preach.

Seems like a great idea.

 

11 hours ago, Glenn101 said:

 In my opinion, race relations should be handled on the local ward and branch levels that include warm fellowshipping of converts, and effective home and visiting teaching programs. This article was apparently more slanted towards relations with the Afro-American community, but should be expanded to include all races, i.e Hispanic, Japanese, Chinese, Afro-American, etc. I really believe that reaching out to all prospective members with sincere love and welcome will go a long ways towards racial relations. Fostering an atmosphere within the Ward or Branch where the Spirit will be able to work effectively.

I have a friend whose wife and step-son joined the church but he held back because of the priesthood ban history. (This was after 1978.) He attended regularly with his wife and children. I and my family usually sat behind during Sacrament Service. I really got some good feelings from him and just felt that he would eventually join the Church. He and his family were welcomed warmly by all that I saw and were actively included in the different social activities in the ward. My friend finally did join the church because the love and affection fostered such a welcoming environment that the Holy Ghost was able to work effectively. This brother has went on to be called to positions in the Bishopric and Stake High Council.

Glenn

While I generally believe it appropriate to be addressed on the local level, some things just can't be handled at the local level. Like Church art distributed throughout the world through SLC. Inclusivity at the local level is not going to get rid of the white, Gentile Jesus art distributed throughout the Church - at least not anytime soon.

Edited June 9, 2017 by RevTestament

[Rivers]

45 minutes ago, RevTestament said:

 Inclusivity at the local level is not going to get rid of the white, Gentile Jesus art distributed throughout the Church - at least not anytime soon.

I know that Jesus probably looked different that the way He is portrayed in a lot of our art.  But He has been portrayed as white person with brown hair for centuries.  This is just the way most members have become accustomed to visualizing the Savior.  I know its probably not historically accurate but I have never seen it as something to make a big fuss over.

Edited June 9, 2017 by Rivers

[CV75]

7 hours ago, RevTestament said:

 

While I generally believe it appropriate to be addressed on the local level, some things just can't be handled at the local level. Like Church art distributed throughout the world through SLC. Inclusivity at the local level is not going to get rid of the white, Gentile Jesus art distributed throughout the Church - at least not anytime soon.

I think this gets to the operation of councils in decision-making. Is artwork experienced at the local level as a vehicle for effectively undermining faith in Christ through racist messages? Where it is, the issue would be addressed in councils along the way until it reaches the general level. And I would also say that where it is, other, more interpersonal manifestations of racism would (should) have been addressed long before artwork.

[CV75]

7 hours ago, Rivers said:

I know that Jesus probably looked different that the way He is portrayed in a lot of our art.  But He has been portrayed as white person with brown hair for centuries.  This is just the way most members have become accustomed to visualizing the Savior.  I know its probably not historically accurate but I have never seen it as something to make a big fuss over.

I agree. I think we should have a lot of gratitude for those gentile artists in gentile nations who, without the advantages of being chosen people (yes, that could come across as racist) or enlightened (yes, that could come across as pompous) however imperfectly preserved the remnants of an apostate religion in artwork. Just as we should be grateful for their contribution to the reformation and restoration, acknowledging that is is only God doing His work through them. The Book of Mormon is full of promises to and prophecies about the gentile role in the Restoration and the Last Days. I think a person carrying the light of Christ with him would appreciate the worshipful sentiments of the artwork, and where racism causes harm to these worshipful feelings, address them.

[RevTestament]

7 hours ago, Rivers said:

I know that Jesus probably looked different that the way He is portrayed in a lot of our art.  But He has been portrayed as white person with brown hair for centuries.  This is just the way most members have become accustomed to visualizing the Savior.  I know its probably not historically accurate but I have never seen it as something to make a big fuss over.

 

24 minutes ago, CV75 said:

I agree. I think we should have a lot of gratitude for those gentile artists in gentile nations who, without the advantages of being chosen people (yes, that could come across as racist) or enlightened (yes, that could come across as pompous) 

Exactly. That is the point. For all visitors to our ward buildings they see Jesus portrayed "in our image" assuming you are white, Gentiles - apologies if not. Is that really what we want to portray in ward buildings in Africa? or Asia? With deference to our Renaissance kin artists, times have changed, and the Church has represented it is an international Church - not a "white, European Gentile Church." Maybe it is time to start acting like that. I shrink at the thought of Kimball expecting Native skin to turn whiter. If I were Native I think I may have been offended. The Church has some rethinking to do. The countenance of all who come to Jesus is white or pure no matter the pigmentation of their skin nor ethnic background. 

Edited June 9, 2017 by RevTestament

[HappyJackWagon]

10 hours ago, BlueDreams said:

Lastly, I would LOVE to see the Genesis choir perform at GC. That would be so awesome! 

 

With luv,

BD

Me too. That would be fantastic. Not only would it be fun and inspiring, it could help to change some cultural limitations we place on ourselves regarding music a church. IMO the church would benefit greatly by embracing a more eclectic and energetic musical style.