Blacks in Mormonism Today

The challenge for those who are living today is: how to judge and interpret the actions of the past. Detractors criticize Mormon Church leaders’ motives and question why God would allow unjust policies if this were His church. Believers assert that God interacts with people where they are, revealing truth as they become ready to receive it. Believers also know that people make mistakes, even in God’s Church. Regardless of any of these assertions, modern people should avoid the risks of presentism by applying current values to people of the past. 

Today, racist ideas are rejected regarding Blacks and Mormons as well as all other racist ideologies and practices. President Russell M. Nelson recently said, “Today I call upon our members everywhere to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice. I plead with you to promote respect for all of God’s children.” 

God’s standard for His children’s interactions with each other is clear: love one another. Some critics of Mormonism claim that the Book of Mormon supports racism or that Mormons racist. However, the Book of Mormon clearly states that God “denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female … and all are alike unto God.” Different races may have existed in the Book of Mormon, but racism was never condoned by God.