The Priesthood Ban

Interesting perspectives:

Race and the Priesthood: A Forum Discussing the LDS Church’s Recent Statement

Edward Kimball's history of the 1978 change, based on SWK's personal notes and letters, is a must-read for anyone interested in this topic:

https://byustudies.byu.edu/PDFLibrary/47.2KimballSpencerb0a083df-b26b-430b-9ce2-3efec584dcd9.pdf

An essay by Marcus H. Martins, the first black LDS member to serve a full-time mission after the ban was lifted:

Thirty Years After the Long Promised Day: Reflections and Expectations

This story makes me happy and sad at the same time.

Dear Diary: We’re black Mormon women and we have lots to say

Quote:

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Faith in God, Jesus and the Mormon gospel comes easy to Tamu Smith and Zandra Vranes. LDS culture? Not so much.You see, Smith and Vranes are black and were mostly reared outside the Beehive State. They were used to wearing hats to church and calling out "amen" when they agreed with a preacher. Their Jell-O never gelled or their funeral potatoes had too much kick. They were comfortable jawing in urban slang like "hooptie" (a junker car that still runs) and "boo" (a loved one)....

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I like this view:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/danpete...hy-blacks.html

I am sure that Southern Baptists generally would would prefer not to have anything in common with Mormons, and especially not charges of racism. But history is what it is, for both faiths.

Why Southern Baptists can’t shake their racist past

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.was...r-racist-past/

Database chronicles early black Mormons’ stories, contributions

http://saltlaketribune.ut.newsmemory...lDate=20180630

Glad this is being done.

Seems to fit in this thread:

‘They got a new walk, a new talk’ — Latter-day Saints, NAACP building upon their newfound ties

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2018...-new-walk-new/

I like the idea that the church might apply its organizational and volunteer chops to the needs of inner city folks.

This seems to belong in this thread. Looks like part of a long-term effort to normalize relations. Maybe to help make up for the past.

Church donates $2 million to the International African American Museum Center for Family History

https://www.deseretnews.com/article/...y-history.html