Apostle of Color

[Calm]

Last I checked, WHITE is a color.

I am a honky and I consider myself to be a person of color.

Why does there have to be "whites" and then "people of color"???

Aren't we all people of color?

My legs may be white, but the world sees more of a peachy colour.

[Laban's Heparin]

What? pale ashen grey isn't a color? what about pasty white?

[MorningStar]

I have a pinkish hue.

[Pahoran]

Del,

I wrote:

They tell me that everything French is either illegal, immoral or fattening.  Does that mean that most French people who make it to Heaven will be on the portly side? 

And you responded:

Yep But so will you once we start teaching you the Art of Gastronomy

Oh, I'm glad to hear that.

That reminds me of a story I once heard about the different nationalities in Heaven and Hell. Apparently in Heaven all the cooks are French, the Police are English, the engineers are German, the lovers are Italian and the whole place is run by the Swiss.

Hell, we are told, is built around the same nationalities, but with different jobs. The cooks are English, the police are German, the engineers are French, the lovers are Swiss and the whole place is run by the Italians.

(Do you notice how everyone in that joke is European? What a Euro-centric world we live in.)

I'm not sure exactly who you are referring to, but if it is who I think it is, then I have to warn you that this term is terribly offensive nowadays.

Well there you are, you see. We all know what's offensive to the citizens of the Superpower because we see it on TV all the time. The cultural sensitivities of former superpowers (Charles de Gaulle notwithstanding) just don't impinge that much upon our consciousness.

But they would make good rugbymen for sure. Especially in the third part of the game

Sorry, the third part? I seem to have missed that.

Perhaps because I always go home after the second half?

Regards,

Pahoran

[Pahoran]

Yes, I saw from one of your other posts that you are in "West Island."  I was there for 17 years, currently in Ngaruawahia.

You live in Ngaruawahia! What a small world, is Willie still the Bishop and how are Dale and Kim and their brood going, Chris and Melissa? It seems almost a life time ago that I was in the Ngaruawahia ward, you got some terrific people there, all shapes and sizes, all colours and races, some rich and some poor. You must give me a run down on how everyone is going.

Did you live in Melbourne? If so where abouts, myself and my family haunt the halls of the Cranbourne Ward in the Braeside Stake, formerly of the Berwick Ward of the Pakenham Stake.

Kemara,

yes, Willie is still the Bishop. Dale and Kim are the YSA advisors. They and their brood have moved into their newly built house near the river. Chris Gibbs's oldest son is serving his Mission in Japan; Chris and Melissa themselves have moved away.

We've had a big run of returning missionaries. The first of the bunch was my niece Natasha, who's now married and living in Porirua. In just the last couple of months, Steve Higgins's youngest daughter has returned from the Cape Verde Islands (West Africa) and two elders have come back from the Philippines, much to the delight of my wife.

We have one missionary companionship serving in our ward: the senior companion is from Fiji, and the junior from Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Apart from certain highly specialised professions, I cannot think of anywhere outside of the Church where regular people get so much exposure to so many different races and cultures. I can't think of a better way to break down prejudices and misconceptions.

Who else do you know out here?

In Melbourne, we lived in Oakleigh, and attended the Waverley Ward. We had Christmas activities on the ground where the Temple now stands.

I'm trying to think who I'd know in Cranbourne. The only ones I know for certain are my non-LDS in-laws. Are any Ngawakas in your area?

Regards,

Pahoran

[kantgomo]

Solve the problem by getting one of those revolving colored lights that used to be used with aluminum Christmas trees.

[Del March]

That reminds me of a story I once heard about the different nationalities in Heaven and Hell.

I'd already heard that story, but I must admit that it gives me a strong shudder every time

I'm not sure exactly who you are referring to, but if it is who I think it is, then I have to warn you that this term is terribly offensive nowadays.

Well there you are, you see. We all know what's offensive to the citizens of the Superpower because we see it on TV all the time. The cultural sensitivities of former superpowers (Charles de Gaulle notwithstanding) just don't impinge that much upon our consciousness.

Agreed. I'm living in Slovenia right now, and I'm learning about the intricate relationships between all the former people of Yougoslavia. For me, the Serbs, the Croats, the Slovenes, the Bosnians and so on, they used to be all bundled-up together. Boy, was I wrong !

But anyway, you didn't offend me with the B word, but I had to warn you before you had an opportunity to use it in front of someone who would get shocked. It's an extremely racist term, that was widely used after the war, as you can guess, but now that we are such good political friends with them, it's become extremely rude to call them that way.

But they would make good rugbymen for sure. Especially in the third part of the game

Sorry, the third part? I seem to have missed that.

Perhaps because I always go home after the second half?

"La troisieme mi-temps" is supposed to be the time when they all get dead drunk together from drinking beer And our German friends (if I got your B---- allusion right) are great beer-lovers

Del

[Pahoran]

Samantha,

it is a curious fact to me that those who have the most time to wait always seem to be those least willing to use it; which is to say that youth and patience seem to be incompatible somehow.

You are, if I am following you correctly, somewhere in your early twenties, right?

Well, there was a song from the sixties (which I am old enough to remember, having not been stoned at the time) that celebrated being "young, gifted and black." By those standards, you've scored the hat-trick!

You wrote:

My family thought I should date black men solely because they were black.

Thank you.

Clearly the "monoracial dating" thing is not just something you've encountered in the Church.

Some may balk at me saying that I was (suicidal, not racist), if it behooves you to think I'm a nut, so be it.

I would hate to think anyone would call you a "nut." A lot of young people struggle with suicidal feelings.

I was told that in God's true church, ALL THE THINGS (including racism...which was reversed in black churches, they didn't take well to whites, and this infuriated me, not to mention that they considered me to be an outsider because I

[King Pagan]

Okay, for all you individuals who are hammering my Moksha for having the cajones to say what should be said, shame on you. Why not an apostle of color? Do we people of color not matter, or are we just supposed to continuously pay homage to the white man, ignore the fact that we are not "pure, white, and delightsome" (and never will be, I'm as white as I'm gonna get, and compared to many that's pretty white), and just stay silent because SLC is too afraid to face it's racial issues?

The church has been "dealing" with racial issues for a very, very long time. Don't expect that you have special credential to dictate terms.

[King Pagan]

Have you no idea what it would do for the self esteem of people of color everywhere to see one of their own helping to lead this church?

I'm guessing that you're probably a young person suffering the aftereffects of some government indoctrination center ("public school"). The good news is that you still have a chance to recover if you have a strong spirit and an open mind.

The church is not in the self-esteem business.

[Tanyan]

We have a "Black" general authority in the 70's, Quorum, can't remember his name ???.

[Refuge]

Pahoran,

Thank you for being the only person after I had posted my thoughts to actually reply with thought. But I pretty much give up on this. I see that to speak about this makes me a racist in the eyes of many, though they don't understand. Perhaps I shall speak to you privately. But I give up. People would rather insult than see. I have been praying all weekend about this, as I am not alone, and it is time for someone to look at us. I have been wrong in my assumption that the lack of understanding on the part of the saints is due to the leadership. Of that I have repented. It's just people not wanting to be anything more than the cruel natural man. So be it. But I know that if the authorities speak, those who cannot breathe without divine guidance will listen. Yes, despite what many think, this is important.

I doubt I'll be dating. We rarely do. I refuse to wait alone until my thirties to marry, when there are people out there who will love me as I am. There's one person that I've met recently, we talk most every day on the way to work. As much as I want someone who shares my faith, I'll settle for someone who respects it. I won't spend time alone just because there's no one who shares my faith who will so much as look at me.

I speak on this issue because others bring it up. I don't go around protesting for racial equality, in fact I don't speak of most issues in the church unless someone brings it up. I take my complaints to God, because usually He's the only one who cares.

As far as my age, I am going on 24. That means nothing more than 24 years without the love I deserve. I've been alone long enough. THis isn't just romance, it's having the family that has evaded me all my life. I have relatives, but they can't stand me. Why can everyone else have eternity with loved ones, but people like me stand in the face of having this compromised? Is this right? I was promised much upon entering this church, and the dream of finally having a family to love me coming true was one of them. I have been studying the topical guide on promises. I'm trying to keep faith in God, but I have none in man whatsoever. It amazes me how little people care that people who are supposed to be their own are being driven out of this church based on what they look like.

Taynan, Helvecio Martins, albeit a good man, is not African American. That doesn't make his calling any less "worthy", that doesn't make him any less of a person, but as his people can see him in action, there are African American LDS who would like to see African Americans in action helping to lead this church. I was touched to see people of Asian descent called to serve in the Relief Society Presidency, and the Seventies. The church is slowly growing in it's acceptance of other cultures, maybe one day when African Americans speak about wanting to belong and be more than just number boosters, someone will listen. I hope so.

People, the reason why it is so important for some (not all) African American LDS to see their own helping to build this kingdom, is because ever since our ancestors were brought here against our will, we have been fighting for the right to be human. How many of you have recorded words about your people being "less than valiant" by church leaders of old? How many of you know that it would be hard for someone to take you home to mom? Honestly, how many?

Pahoran, if you do not mind, I'd like to email you personally about how to contact the first presidency. For those who laugh at the thought of someone taking something of importance to them to the head of the church, know that many laughed at me when I came back into this church, over this very same issue. They see what you refuse to, and they think I'm stupid for putting up with it. Well, I have a testimony of this Gospel. I wish more people could see that it's for everyone, and ACT LIKE THEY KNOW THIS.

Kemara, the comments about letting go of racist dogma and embracing Christ is what got you shut down and barred from my personal email. Please do not twist the truth and make it seem like I have abused you. I am not like that. People may not like what I say, but be honest.

[koakaipo]

Wow, this is always a very emotional topic, and as a newbie, I will tread as lightly as possible:

a)Please help me understand the very strong reactions the initial post caused. While I understand someone disagreeing with the sentiments, I did feel that the emotional reactions were quite strong and quite personal in terms of how people characterized the poster. If someone could explain that to me from their perspective, that would be great.

b)It sounds like most of us are members.That makes us as a sort of family. In my family, we tend to be quite frank. I think the initial post was a very frank opinion that has been voiced before and will be voiced again-I wonder if we could attempt to discuss the opinion in a more rational light for the most part because it have alot of implications that I think would be healthy to mull over.

c)Self esteem isn

[Tanyan]

Gimr, Thanks for sharing your thoughts again. I wish I could take away your inner pain and suffering, I can't. Only THE LORD OF LIFE CHRIST JESUS can. Continue to pour out your Heart/Mind/Body/Soul to our Heavenly Father, He listens continuasly to all that come to him. Peace and Grace To You And Yours. In His Eternal Debt, Tanyan.

[Refuge]

Thank you, Tanyan. You echoed what a friend once told me. "Man will always disappoint you, but the Lord never will." I just wish my affairs were not so entangled within man's. I kinda miss my isolation of old. It was a cool, quiet solitude...much different than now.

I guess this is just THE growing experience for my life at this time. I think about running away all the time, but I know that it wouldn't be wise. There's nothing out there. Been there, done that. It helps to know that there are those who can relate, I was reading an interview on the Group's website, where Darius Gray related a situation one sunday before the "revelation" where he wasn't even allowed to touch the sacrament plate, let alone pass it. If he can endure, so can I. I'm just selfish enough to wish I didn't have to right now. (I'm sure someone will take that and run with it, but I'm past caring)

I'm grateful for, and many others who have burdens they wish to be lifted are grateful for TRUE disciples of Christ, those who reach out and aren't just taking up the attendance rolls. Thank you.

[Tanyan]

You are always welcome to my Home [28 miles east of L.A Calif.] Lets do lunch !!!. In His Grace,Love, Tanyan.

[Refuge]

*packing her bags*

Beware, I'm clingy.

[Magyar]

Two things need to be done in our church, IMHO:

Those of us who are Caucasian need to reach out and invite our brethren and sisters of color into our friendships and social groups, not just our Sacrament meetings.

Those of us who are "of color" need to stay in and be strong. My ward in the Southern U.S. has baptized probably about 40 or more people of color/African-Americans since it was formed, yet you don't see more than one or two of them around on Sunday. If ten little white children grew up with ten little black children side by side in Primary, instead of nine white children occassionally exposed to a new black child whose discouraged parents drifted away after a few weeks, time after time, maybe attitudes would change more rapidly.

[Refuge]

Magyar,

I am attempting to "stay and be strong". I'm tested to the limit regularly, but only HF knows my breaking point. I've often thought, when told that He will not put me through more than I can endure, that He must have great faith in my resilience! LOL

I agree wholeheartedly with what you are saying and say to it, AMEN! There are many on here who just don't want to see, and it grieves me.

There's an investigator by the name of Antoine that has been attending our meetings and this past conference he was there with a group of friends and acquaintences. I remember being a bit startled at seeing him (you just don't see anything other than clean cut, predominantly caucasian individuals in my ward and the ones I've been to...he's thuggish in appearance, wild hair, baggy pants, jeans to church. I don't care, but many sadly do). I wonder to myself how long he'll last, before someone comes up and tells him he can't pass the sacrament until he cuts all his hair off, before someone tries to correct his speech, or tell him how to dress.

We have a long way to go in the area of LOVING PEOPLE AS THEY ARE.

I was taking a walk during lunch today, and I listened to Christina Aguilera's reflection on my discman. The lyrics really touched me, as I feel it applies to the plight of people of non-caucasian descent in this church who don't have many around them like them. I almost cried listening to it, but it only spurs me on.

Some think that "all is well in Zion", but even President Hinckley warned AGAINST complacency. Just because someone isn't making you feel "less than" because of how you look, past sins, or any reason doesn't mean that it doesn't happen.

Let's wake up! I have a bright hope for the future of this church....including ALL people equally and without reserve.

Reflection

Look at me

You may think you see

Who I really am

But you'll never know me

Every day

It's as if I play a part

Now I see

If I wear a mask

I can fool the world

But I cannot fool my heart

Who is that girl I see

Staring straight back at me?

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside?

I am now

In a world where I

Have to hide my heart

And what I believe in

But somehow

I will show the world

What's inside my heart

And be loved for who I am

Who is that girl I see

Staring straight back at me?

Why is my reflection

Someone I don't know?

Must I pretend that I'm

Someone else for all time?

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside?

There's a heart that must be

Free to fly

That burns with a need to know

The reason why

Why must we all conceal

What we think, how we feel?

Must there be a secret me

I'm forced to hide?

I won't pretend that I'm

Someone else for all time

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside?

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside?

[BlueDreams]

Samantha,

I thought I should write you my story, I did have a litlle blurb speaking out my own opinion (which agrees more toward your opposing side) but changed my min deciding you've heard enough of that. you see, I see a lot of similarites between your experience and mine, yet also expansive differences. So let's see...

Background

I was born mormon...no I wasn't a BIC, my mother had me out of wedlock with a nigerian born man who had seen divides worse than i'll ever know or care to. Needless to say, my mother's pre-marital relations, subsequent birth, and her inability to give me up wasn't exactly taken well by a family of mormons who could mark their heritage back to the 1st Jewish convert of the chuch and in which their motto seemed to be marry and marry young (which my mom failed on both counts). My mother, in essence, was the first screw up for at least her immediate family. Sometimes I wonder who I would be if I had bee adopted to that nice Lds black farming family LDS services had found for me. But that wasn't my path as my mother could not have me go and kept me in her arms. She named me after my Great-grandmother (to show that she hadn't forgotten where she came from)and a name she held an affinity to and lo-and-behold Merle Natasha was born on a may day in 88, the 1st of a multitude of half sibling soon to be numbering 9 other sibs from both my mother and father's side (forget family tree...I have a family bush). Merle (not mer-lee but mer-el...yeah, like the guy name) was never used, my mom called me Natasha from day one. As a prelude to our many opposing opinions to come I insisted on being called Tasha once I could talk for myself.

As a whole, my childhood was happy, despite the fact that we were basically poor. My happiest brightest time was when I was 7-8 in Provo Utah. Everything seemed just wonderful there, a normal childhood of friends, adventure, petty enemies and few real grown up problems. It was my first years as a latch key kid (my mom tired of bbsitters, placed us (now my brother, also an out-of-wedlock child) in after day school...though we still made it home before she did usually), My first time climbing a mountain, my first time on grandma's farm in which I rode a horse. We moved to the east coast again and it would never be the same innocence as I had there...still I was not introduced to this concept of color differences until 8th grade.

Middle school is a terible insecure two years of life to begin with and that year was the first time I met up with rejection. I was basically too white (not physically...but culturally) and probably too ugly for the black and Hispanic kids that dominated the school I found myself in. It was a bad area to begin with, but the alienation made it terrible. The only other place in the school for me were the punks and the kids in my neighborhood...neither of them the greatest role models unless your desire was to become the future addict or bum of America. Church was no better, I was unaccepted by the older girls because of my friendship with a girl who became enemy numero uno for these people (for petty teen reasons)...the ostracizing of my friend grew so bad that she went to another ward and the bishop came in and chewed the girls out. I was a submissive acceptance seeking kid and the rejection was painful. Anywho, it was my first brush with race, beforehand it had never occurred that I might be different... I was never treated so in church or affiliations. They never asked if I might enjoy such and such better since I was mixed and they treated me like any other kid.

In 9th grade we moved...I had spent no more than 7 months in that new neighborhood, yet I had changed drastically. I was angry, hostile, volitile, cursing, bitter, and all around rude. Not to mention I was a walking fashion disaster...after having bushes for eyebrows I had a friend in the old neighborhood pluck them till they were nothing more than a thin line and shaved off the hair that grew back (I had a fear of eyebrow pluckers...let's just say the first experience hadn't been pleasant)...my wardrobe consisted of four colors: black, dark blue, darker purple, and dark brown...I wore foundation three shades lighter than my actual skin tone making me look like the living dead and it had been only a recent discovery that bright dark red-violet lipstick was not a flattering color. Anyways it was this wreck that entered a church building in Texas where everything seemed...well...bubblish, an oblivious Utopia. It was that wreck, that a girl involuntarily hugged; the first real hug I had had in two or threes years that was not forced or that held some sort of possessive/sexual connotation to it and I was absolutely shocked. 9th and 10th grade became a readjustment of my attitude as I changed, became spiritually seeking and active, became a new person, a mixture of the old gentler personality and the fireball that I had become. No one judged me then in the church...they loved me and uplifted me and it was their acceptance that I wished the most, fore they were good people, good friends. I held new goals in life, I wanted to become things, hold a worthwhile future, and to live passed the moment and into a large scheme of existence. The women about me never seemed to judge, they quietly helped the girls that were less active or less accepted, helping and always empathetic. One day I woke up and read my Patriarchal Blessing, which I had gotten in the beginning of 9th grade, and realized that the traits that I thought I could never fit, were beginning to look more like me. Truly, I was happy once more.

Not everything was paradisiacal and race was once more an issue. Only in reverse to what you have had. The blacks here, are not exactly world-class citizens (in fact most could be candidates for the Chapelle show)...for the most part, blacks as a whole had never been the greatest role models. Most of them that I had met were exclusive and steeped in racial identity. Here was no different. The first few days on the bus I had sat with an intelligent Indian girl in the front of the bus. For the black kids in the back of the bus, maybe they found it somewhat unacceptable. At any rate, after a few days, the loudest guy shouted "all negros in the back, calling all blacks" I was the only person who somewhat fit that description who sat in the front...they were calling me. They would later state that they weren't discrimative that they wanted the upper classmen in the back...but I was a freshman and the only person who didn't have ties with African race, who sat back there was a hispanic 9th grader who had belittled this kid in the back of the bus and had us laughing so hard that it only seemed right he sat with us. That was my only real affiliation with black people at school, the blacks were for the most part very popular, only popular white kids hanging out with them. I was the bus

[koakaipo]

Dreams-I just wanted to compliment you on your post-it's so nice to read someone's opinion with some background to understand where that came from. Sometimes it's harder to understand one's angle without a some sort of snapshot of who they are.

I am of Latina and Polynesian descent. I was met with racism in the secular culture, most definitely. I also dealt with racism within the church community, and that sorta messed me up for a time because a)I was was being alienated for being Mormon for by non Mormon kids(I grew up in a neighborhood where a couple churches had their panties all in a twist of that film the Godmakers) and I would then be met some alienating tendencies within my ward for being a brownie. I mean, it was like some excellent setup for a situation comedy-let's put a brown Mormon, in an anti-Mormon and prejudice neighborhood and see what happens!

I don't bear alot of wounds at this point though about-it was a little tough growing up, but I sorta learned how to value my individuality and uniqueness as a result, and it really did teach me how important it is to not judge a book by its cover and not to make such rash judgements of others. Everyone is so much more than the superficial brands we put on them. So, all in all, it was valuable lesson-not all gifts are wrapped with pretty pink bows.

But as I mentioned earlier, alot of what I experienced was not necessary either for my growth. It was wounding to me as a youth, and wounded one of my sisters much more deeply(she's a little less sturdy than me in terms of handling such behavior). It made me feel cracked in terms of my identity-in some ways like the two conflicting identities that W.E.B. Dubois spoke of as being simultaneously conflicting-black and American. And I feel it's very important for the ADULTS to really monitor this possibility spiritual abuse as a result-I think back at how some adults sorta just let things go when I was being treated badly and didn't jump in when I could have used them. I'm mainly very passionate about this subject today because I've got kids now and want them to experience things in a more positive way-that's where my motivation comes from.

I personally think a GA of color is something to look forward to and one I anticipate soon. Not because we need to fill quotas, not because it's the sensitive thing to do(man, what a cynical view to take on this subject too). But because simply it's the logical thing to do. The beauty of the gospel is universal-the opening page of the BOM speaks to that universal nature. It can't be contained, as the growth of the church shows. And with this universal appeal comes members from all different parts of the globe, with different gifts and insights and views to share within the leadership-and consequently with the rest of the members. It's a great thing how the leadership of our church focus on consensus and counsel among them. And to have that counsel be enhanced by people of very different backgrounds will simply be advantageous and wonderful thing as well. Take care.

[Moksha]

Thank you for lending a voice of reason to this thread, Koakaipo. I am certain that talking about this topic can serve as a lightening rod for discharging any racial fears that may arise if there ever was to to be an Apostle of Color. I got a bit zapped with the initial discharge.

I still believe that having an Apostle of Color would benefit the Church. The Church crosses boundaries of nations, language, ethnicity and culture in its pursuit of members. It seems only fitting that what is crossed has some degree of access in the reverse crossing. The presence of a whites only section on the Conference dais stands out.

[koakaipo]

Yeah, I was trying to better understand the initial reactions you got, because I kept thinking I was missing something!

I agree too about why an apostle of color matters. I don't think saying that an apostle of color is important means you are dissing on the present apostles at all.

It also isn't some insecure need to have someone of color for window dressing purposes either-I think that's such a cynical way of trying to interpret the importance of having one. To interpret it in such a way is demeaning to those of color-as if you have to pacify them or something, and that there are not those among their ranks who wouldn't make great ones. I think the reality is that every community and region has very worthy folks who would be wonderful apostles-there's alot of good members out there.

Where an apostle of color would be very important is the very real fact that our church is in a transitional phase-an internationalizing phase. Having leadership that actually reflects this internationalizing is just priceless on many levels. It's just common sense I think, and it's also common sense that there are very able members in different parts of the world who would make great apostles.

And I also agree with GIMR that it does say something to members, both white and non-white really, when the leadership reflects the beautiful diversity of our church and all of those touched by the gospel. It does say something-I've wondered that since I was a child looking at the Ensign center foldout, why I didn't see anyone like me. It's a pretty natural reaction to have really, and I don't quite understand people attempting to paint such a reaction as unnatural.

[Pahoran]

Moksha,

you wrote:

Thank you for lending a voice of reason to this thread, Koakaipo.

You mean the thread you started for purpose of race-baiting? The thread in which you accused everyone who disagreed with you--because they, unlike you, were humble enough to wait for the Lord to decide when it is "time"--of "unresolved racism?"

What an extraordinary display of sanctimonious self-righteousness!

I am certain that talking about this topic can serve as a lightening rod for discharging any racial fears that may arise if there ever was to to be an Apostle of Color.  I got a bit zapped with the initial discharge.

Not only is that completely untrue, it is not even clear to me how you can convincingly claim to believe that it is true.

As you very well know, you were not "zapped" in any "discharge" of "racial fears." No such "fears" have been expressed, either in this thread or otherwise.

You were "zapped" because of your (1) arrogant presumptuousness, and (2) established track record of Mormon-bashing.

Do not delude yourself that the response you received came from any other source.

And do not try to deceive anyone else on that point, either.

The presence of a whites only section on the Conference dais stands out.

There is, of course, no "whites only section on the Conference dais."

Actually if you look at the biggest section of "the Conference dais," you will notice that it is occupied by the Tabernacle Choir.

This is a group that is selected entirely on musical merit.

And it is a fairly white group. The few non-white faces are conspicuous by their rarity.

The fact that it isn't very racially "diverse" does not reflect any bias; it simply reflects the reality of LDS demographics in Utah.

When we compare the "diversity" of the choir with the "diversity" of the Church leaders, the latter group are not obviously less "diverse" than the former.

The significance of this fact should be clear to every thoughtful person; but I don't expect a race-baiting stirrer to have anything in common with thoughtful people, so please don't strain yourself.

Regards,

Pahoran

[Moksha]

So as you can see, I am now sanctimoniously self-righteous, arrogantly presumptuous, an established Mormon-basher, and a race-baiting stirrer for saying an Apostle of Color would benefit the LDS Church.

And yet, I don't feel that way when I go to Church on Sunday.