Official Statement: LDS Church and race

A Florida Pastor, Reverend O'Neal Dozier, held a press conference Monday to get US Presidential candidate Mitt Romney to renounce Mormonism and its apparent racist aspects.  In light of this, The Mormon Eagle here posts the LDS Church's official statement on race within the Church:

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone.  The Book of Mormon states, “black and white, bond and free, male and female; . . . all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33).  This is the Church’s official teaching.

"People of all races have always been welcomed and baptized into the Church since its beginning.  In fact, by the end of his life in 1844 Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opposed slavery.  During this time some black males were ordained to the priesthood. At some point the Church stopped ordaining male members of African descent, although there were a few exceptions. It is not known precisely why, how or when this restriction began in the Church, but it has ended.  Church leaders sought divine guidance regarding the issue and more than three decades ago extended the priesthood to all worthy male members.  The Church immediately began ordaining members to priesthood offices wherever they attended throughout the world.

"The Church unequivocally condemns racism, including any and all past racism by individuals both inside and outside the Church.  In 2006, then Church president Gordon B. Hinckley declared that 'no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ.  Nor can he consider himself to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church.  Let us all recognize that each of us is a son or daughter of our Father in Heaven, who loves all of His children.'

"Recently, the Church has also made the following statement on this subject: 'The origins of priesthood availability are not entirely clear. Some explanations with respect to this matter were made in the absence of direct revelation and references to these explanations are sometimes cited in publications. These previous personal statements do not represent Church doctrine.'"

Getting it right

The Mormon Eagle's motto states, "It is better to represent ourselves than to be represented by others".  Media outlets of all kinds have had their fill of Mormon stories this year, what with the high-profile candidacies of Governor Mitt Romney and Ambassador Jon Huntsman, Jun. for President of the United States.  But, alas, some still intend to feel it is right for others to represent the Latter-day Saints than for the Saints to represent themselves.

At a conference held in Washington, D.C, on Thursday, Michael Otterson, managing director for LDS Church public affairs, said, "Define us by who we are and by our central beliefs rather than who we are not or by obscure or irrelevant beliefs" ("Journalists urged to let Mormons define selves", Deseret News, Friday 9 December 2011, A1)."  He said that getting it right will be difficult, especially when covering the religions of the world.  However, he said "it is possible to get it right if we acknowledge two things: the importance of going to the source, and the pitfalls of stereotyping" (Ibid., A10).

If one wants information about who Joseph Smith really is, he should go to the Book of Mormon; if one wants to know about the inner-workings of the House of the Lord, let him go to many of the Temple Visitor Centers scattered throughout America; if one wants to know our policy on education, look no further than www.byu.edu.  And so it is with a myriad of other topics.

If one wants to know in Whom Mormons believe, the importance of making the Source of Righteousness the defining standard in our lives cannot be overemphasized.  If He is our example in all things, then our non-Mormon friends will come to the active Latter-day Saints for information concerning The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Better than mankind drink from the Fountain of Life than to drink from the sordid, misinformed, and often bigoted stereotypes of the world.

Religion in the Public Square

Independent Senator Joseph Lieberman spoke at Brigham Young University on Tuesday 25 October 2011 about the necessity of religion in the public square.  He also spoke of Governor Romney and Mormonism.  Senator Lieberman made telling remarks concerning those who try to alienate religious freedom from the public square.  Said he, "Anybody who tries to separate faith from America's public square is doing something unnatural and ultimately bad for our country" ("A test of fairness", Deseret News, Wednesday 26 October 2011, A6).

Indeed it is foolish for those who are non-believers to say religion should stay out of the public square.  Well did Elder Neal A. Maxwell, then of the Quorum of Seventy but later a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, prophesy of the rise of the irreligious sentiment when he said,

Your discipleship may see the time come when religious convictions are heavily discounted. . . . In its mildest form, irreligion will merely be condescending toward those who hold to traditional Judeo-Christian values.  In its more harsh forms, as is always the case with those whose dogmatism is blinding, the secular church will do what it can to reduce the influence of those who still worry over standards such as those in the Ten Commandments. . . . But there is occurring a discounting of religiously-based opinions.  There may even be a covert and subtle disqualification of some for certain offices in some situations. ("Meeting the Challenges of Today", 10 October 1978, p. 2).

Elder Dallin H. Oaks spoke of the need for religious freedom's defense as well as religion's place in the public square and political debate.  Said he,  

We are fortunate to have such a guarantee [of religious freedom] in the United States, but many nations do not.  The importance of that guarantee in the United States should make us ever diligent to defend it. . . . The extent and nature of religious devotion in this nation is changing.  The tide of public opinion in favor of religion is receding, and this probably portends public pressures for laws that will impinge on religious freedom. . . . Such forces — atheists and others — would intimidate persons with religious-based points of view from influencing or making the laws of their state or nation. . . . We should never be reticent to declare and act upon the sure foundations of our faith.  The call of conscience — whether religious or otherwise — requires no secular justification. ("Religious Freedom", speech given at BYU-Idaho, 13 October 2009).

I know that God has established the Constitution of the United States of America to protect the rights of all people.  In addition to the establishment of the Constitution, He also established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - and no other religion whatsoever.  The Church of Jesus Christ - and all Americans - have a mandate, as stated in the Constitution, to ensure all people receive God's gifts of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".  Religion must have a place in the public square - along with all other reasons why one maintains the political beliefs he does - in order for the United States to function correctly.  I know this is true.  I know what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches regarding the Constitution is true.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Mormonism and the Christ no. 1 - Declaration of Belief

To Pastor Robert Jeffress and the First Baptist Church Dallas, greeting:

As Pastor Robert Jeffress, a Baptist from Texas, recently called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a "cult" and that we are "not Christian", The Mormon Eagle must, by Divine mandate to preach the Gospel of Christ to all mankind, as well as to confound the wise and otherwise, publish the beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints concerning it's Namesake, the Son of God Christ Jesus.  The following is a refutation of such ignorant, foolish bigotry using both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, the which Holy Books The Church of Jesus Christ believes as scripture.

Jesus Christ's Own Sonship Declared by Himself
John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life".  In companion with that, Christ also taught in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ , "And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil" (3 Nephi 27:14).  Is this not an evidence that Latter-day Saints believe in Christ Jesus as the Savior of the world?  Thus it is so.

Old Testament Saints and the Son of God

The forcefulness of the teachings of Christ is taught beautifully by Abraham and Isaac.  We read, "And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.  And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of" (Genesis 22:1-2).  It must be understood through the light of revelation that all the Prophets (both before Christ and after Him) worshiped the Father in the name of His Son Jesus Christ.  Jacob, the brother of Nephi, explained the meaning of the passage heretofore quoted: "Behold, they [the Saints before Christ] believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name.  And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son" (Jacob 4:5).  Yet another evidence Mormons are Christian in word and in deed.

A Witness of Two Prophets

The Prophet Joseph Smith further taught, "The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 121).  Even the purpose of the Book of Mormon itself is made plain by Nephi.  Saith he, "And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews, that Jesus is the very Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God; And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith" (2 Nephi 26:12-13).

The Mormon Eagle's Witness

The Mormon Eagle boldly yet humbly declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  As the ancient Saints worshiped His Father in His name, so do the Latter-day Saints worship Him in His Father's name.  Indeed must the fact that Jesus is the Christ be published to the world, the which duty the Eagle does unflinchingly.  Jesus Christ is the Savior of the author, as well as the Savior of all mankind, even of those who do not believe in Him, both living and dead.  I know He, Jesus Christ, is indeed the Son of God and my Savior and Redeemer.  I leave this witness in Christ's name.  May it be condemnatory to those who preach bigotry against the Kingdom of God, and a proclamation of approbation to those who do believe in the Son of God and in His Restored Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In the name of Jesus Christ my Savior, amen.