Overview

1. A full chronology of the issue is found on my web site.
   
2. An excellent site can be found at http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/blackmormon/homepage.html   Another version of the same information is found at http://missionaryhelper.com/blackmormon.htm 
   
3. An historical look at the issue, and well done, can be found at http://www.ldshistory.net/1990/embry.htm  
   
   
4. The Los Angeles times reported on May 18, 1998 that the Mormon church was about to disavow their past discriminatory policy.  That article can be found at http://www.lds-mormon.com/t0000467.shtml .  For the Mormon Church First Presidency comment on the article, see First Presidency Statement.  At the time, Steve Benson, a world famous cartoonist, published the comic to the right.  Other articles were posted about the same time.  Mormons Deny Black Doctrine Report By MIKE CARTER, Associated Press Writer SALT LAKE CITY, Copyright Los Angeles Times.  LDS Leaders Haven't Discussed Racial Disavowal by Peggy Fletcher Stack the salt lake tribune.  MORMON PLAN TO DISAVOW RACIST TEACHINGS JEOPARDIZED BY PUBLICITY BY LARRY B. STAMMER, TIMES RELIGION WRITER Los Angeles Times May 24, 1998 Copyright 1998 Times Mirror Company
   
5. A large apologetic Mormon book ( 150+ pages ) about the topic is online.  It can be found at http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/blackmormon/mainpage.htm .  Though it contains many egregious errors, it is a an example of information that is believed by many Mormons.
6. For stuff just as error filled, but on the other side of the above, go to http://www.watchman.org/15_3.htm   Some of the articles are 
   
   Residual Racism in Modern Mormonism - What is the current LDS doctrine regarding Blacks and the curse of Cain?
   
   "The Long Promised Day Has Come"  - Brigham Young proclaimed that giving the priesthood to Blacks would result in the priesthood being removed from the earth.  Has it?

   A Parallel History - Numerous similarities in Mormon history between the ending of polygamy and the offering of the priesthood to Blacks raise serious questions.

   Foundation for Discrimination - LDS scripture is the foundation for racism in Mormonism
   

7. Just as Joseph Smith ordained blacks to the Priesthood ( and after him Brigham Young ), James Strang, leader of a large (at the time ) group of Mormons openly ordained blacks.  For a brief historical look at the Stangite historical position on blacks, see http://www.strangite.org/African.htm  While the Strangites are little known today, in 1850 they were almost as large as the the group who followed Brigham Young to Utah.
   
8. ERIN ELIZABETH HOWARTH wrote a college paper on the topic of blacks and the Mormon priesthood.  It can be found at http://www.geocities.com/solmes.geo/african_american_mormons.html   There are minor mistakes, but the writer did an immense amount of work. She has another work at http://www.geocities.com/solmes.geo/response-lds-truth-blacks.html which is worth your read. Her list of links are
   
   My senior thesis: African American Mormons and the Evolution of Church Policy
   
   Brigham Young’s statement to the Utah legislature regarding race, 1852
   
   Elridge Greaves, first African Canadian Mormon to receive the priesthood, 1978
   
   Interview with LeGrand Richard regarding the revelation on the priesthood, 1978
   
   Bruce R. McConkie’s testimony of the revelation on priesthood, 1981
   
   
9. A brief apologetic look at the issue can be found at http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/previousyears/aa021898.htm 
   
10. A talk by a black member named Marlin Perkins is found at FAIR's site at http://www.fairlds.org/apol/misc/misc19.html  This talk is very well done and very well researched.  I highly recommend it.
    

11. Eldridge Cleaver, a prominent 1960s member of the Black Panther party ( considered an American radical group ), joined the Mormon church.  His story can be found at http://www.ldsconversion.com/Eldridge%20Cleaver-Feature-African%20American-Protestant.html 
    

12. EXCERPTS FROM MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE AND OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY, 1879-1947  This is good historical research.  It can be found at http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/chorg2.htm and here.  
    
13. After the rights to the Priesthood was restored to all worthy men, Bruce R. McConkie traveled the church to try to correct some of the things he formerly taught on this topic.  Here is a copy of his talk
    
    

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Last modified: March 19, 2006