Kathryn Jean Lopez: Does a Mormon have a prayer in '08 race?

Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 30, 2007 Story appeared in EDITORIALS section, Page B7 Mitt Romney's religion keeps coming up on the presidential campaign trail.

[caedmon]

Religion is a divisive force in American and world politics. I would strongly oppose any religious “test” for a political candidate for any office. However, respectfully questioning how a candidate's religious beliefs might inform his or her decision making and actions is not necessarily out of bounds religious intolerance.

Romney has talked about his LDS mission as a character building experience and has stated that he believes the American people want a “person of faith” in the White House. If so, then the details of that faith are open to discussion.

The LDS church maintains a racist doctrine which teaches that blacks were “less valiant” spirits in what Mormons believe to have been a pre-existence. Church leaders have taught for 175 years that being born with black skin and features (the mark of Cain) was punishment by God for their “less than faithful” actions. Based on this doctrine, the Mormon Church prohibited blacks from holding the LDS Priesthood until 1978 when it lifted the ban following tremendous public pressure.

The text of the Book of Mormon equates righteousness with skin color:
“And it came to pass that those Lamanites who had united with the Nephites were numbered among the Nephites; And their curse was taken from them, and their skin became white like unto the Nephites;”(3 Nephi 2:14-15)

Romney has publicly stated that he is not a “cafeteria” Mormon who picks and chooses which doctrines he will accept. He admitted in NY Times interview that he never questioned or protested this racist doctrine and the policy it supported. Romney was 31 years old at the time the Church lifted the ban which means that for a significant portion of his adult life he accepted his church’s teaching that blacks are inherently inferior.

Does Romney still believe that he is more "valiant" or “worthy” than blacks by virtue of being born Caucasian? If he didn't believe that people of color were inferior during his adult life before the ban was lifted, then why did he remain a member – tacitly supporting the ban and its doctrinal underpinnings? Did he counsel members to not accept this church teaching when he was a church missionary, bishop or stake president? Did he lobby his church leaders to disavow the doctrine and change their teaching?

While the church has changed its policy of prohibiting blacks from holding its priesthood, it has never renounced the doctrine that led to the ban in the first place. It has never disavowed or removed from the church cannon the scripture that the doctrine is based upon (i.e. Pearl of Great Price). It has never renounced or apologized for racist statements made by its leaders. It is interesting to note that while nearly 30 years have passed since the ban was lifted, not a single black face appears in the upper echelons of Mormon church leadership.

“It is not the authorities of the Church who have placed a restriction on him [the black man] regarding the holding of the Priesthood. It was not the Prophet Joseph Smith.... It was the Lord!” Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, quoted in John J. Stewart, The Glory of Mormonism, 1963, p. 154

[GreenwoodGuy]

caedmon wrote:

Religion is a divisive force in American and world politics. I would strongly oppose any religious “test” for a political candidate for any office. However, respectfully questioning how a candidate's religious beliefs might inform his or her decision making and actions is not necessarily out of bounds religious intolerance.
Romney has talked about his LDS mission as a character building experience and has stated that he believes the American people want a “person of faith” in the White House. If so, then the details of that faith are open to discussion.
The LDS church maintains a racist doctrine which teaches that blacks were “less valiant” spirits in what Mormons believe to have been a pre-existence. Church leaders have taught for 175 years that being born with black skin and features (the mark of Cain) was punishment by God for their “less than faithful” actions. Based on this doctrine, the Mormon Church prohibited blacks from holding the LDS Priesthood until 1978 when it lifted the ban following tremendous public pressure.
The text of the Book of Mormon equates righteousness with skin color:
“And it came to pass that those Lamanites who had united with the Nephites were numbered among the Nephites; And their curse was taken from them, and their skin became white like unto the Nephites;”(3 Nephi 2:14-15)
Romney has publicly stated that he is not a “cafeteria” Mormon who picks and chooses which doctrines he will accept. He admitted in NY Times interview that he never questioned or protested this racist doctrine and the policy it supported. Romney was 31 years old at the time the Church lifted the ban which means that for a significant portion of his adult life he accepted his church’s teaching that blacks are inherently inferior.
Does Romney still believe that he is more "valiant" or “worthy” than blacks by virtue of being born Caucasian? If he didn't believe that people of color were inferior during his adult life before the ban was lifted, then why did he remain a member – tacitly supporting the ban and its doctrinal underpinnings? Did he counsel members to not accept this church teaching when he was a church missionary, bishop or stake president? Did he lobby his church leaders to disavow the doctrine and change their teaching?
While the church has changed its policy of prohibiting blacks from holding its priesthood, it has never renounced the doctrine that led to the ban in the first place. It has never disavowed or removed from the church cannon the scripture that the doctrine is based upon (i.e. Pearl of Great Price). It has never renounced or apologized for racist statements made by its leaders. It is interesting to note that while nearly 30 years have passed since the ban was lifted, not a single black face appears in the upper echelons of Mormon church leadership.
“It is not the authorities of the Church who have placed a restriction on him [the black man] regarding the holding of the Priesthood. It was not the Prophet Joseph Smith.... It was the Lord!” Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, quoted in John J. Stewart, The Glory of Mormonism, 1963, p. 154

Lets be honest....any white man in office will have a superiority complex over blacks...regardless of his religion. I am not running for any office or popularity contest so I have no need to be politically correct. It feels great to be able to state matter of fact.
I don't know why everyone wants to deny human nature.
The doctrine debate is a whole other thing....and you bringing it up shows you are an amatuer anti.

[squamous cell carcinoma]

"The LDS church maintains a racist doctrine which teaches that blacks were “less valiant” spirits in what Mormons believe to have been a pre-existence. Church leaders have taught for 175 years that being born with black skin and features (the mark of Cain) was punishment by God for their “less than faithful” actions. Based on this doctrine, the Mormon Church prohibited blacks from holding the LDS Priesthood until 1978 when it lifted the ban following tremendous public pressure."

Does that mean that in the next life I will be black since I did not faith in the LDS church?

[Veteranraver]

All statements made in Mormon scriptures declaring that dark skin is the result of a curse of God; (“And he had caused the acursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity… the Lord God did cause a dskin of eblackness to come upon them.” Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 5:21,22,). HAVE NEVER BEEN REMOVED NOR RENOUNCED.

Presently, early Mormon theology is openly reaffirmed every Fast Sunday and on other occasions. Members of the Mormon faith stand and begin (or ends) the testimony with this statement “I know the (Mormon) church is true” and “I know Joseph Smith is the true prophet”.

The statement (“…all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color” June 9, 1978 press release to the Deseret News), IS INADEQUATE.

Combined, the statements articulate;
“YOU ARE STILL INFERIOR BUT YOU MAY HOLD THE PRIESTHOOD.”

Black skin as a curse was taught at BYU after the June 9th,1978 aforementioned statement. As of the 1984 Winter Semester at Brigham Young University, in the Genealogy 263 class, the instructor Brother Bloxham explained the curse to a student. The subject came up when Brother Bloxham was explaining the Mormon concept that a spirit in heaven selects the body to live within. A student asked “Why would a spirit select the body of a baby who was born to starvation in Africa?” Brother Bloxham gave the explanation of the curse. The same student asked “Why would a spirit choose the body of a white baby who is born addicted to crack?” Brother Bloxham’s answer was; “Poor choice”. I was a student in that class at the time Brother Bloxham made that above mentioned statements.

Mormon scriptures,(Pearl of Great Price-Book of Moses 7:8; Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 5:21,22, Alma 3:6, Mormon5:15) and many statements made by Mormon church presidents that Blacks are inferior STILL STANDS.

The foundation of Mormon theology (stating people of dark skin people are inferior), is not erased by as simple statement that blacks can now hold the priesthood. Stating that blacks can hold the priesthood does not equate and is immaterial to the Mormon scriptures and the Mormons racist beliefs.

Go to the below referenced website (Institute for Religious Research) for further information.
http://www.irr.org/mit/skin-color.html

I refuse to accept any defensive rationalizations. Until the scriptures are renounced and statements regarding people of color have been cursed by God is removed, I see Mormon theology as white supremacy.

[Jay]

"Thanks for Asking".
"OBITUARY NOTICE"
MUTT ROMNEY - JAN 15, 2008
Do you really want Mormon "Supreme Court Judges"? They are "On The Bench For Life" after being nominated and confirmed. Mutt, if elected, would have 4 years of opportunities to nominate these Supreme Court Judges, along with other Federal Judges? Don't think they could get confirmed, it only takes a little political "wheeling n dealing".
Mutt & his (5) sons have "NEVER" served in the military. Could Mutt be "less qualified'' for Commander and Chief?
It is physically, fiancially, unrealistic, to send back 12 million illegal aliens. You may "wish for it", but it cannot be done.
Mutt Romney is "UN-ELECTABLE" as President of the United States. Make your vote count!

[Raspberry]

Jay wrote:

"Thanks for Asking".
"OBITUARY NOTICE"
MUTT ROMNEY - JAN 15, 2008
Do you really want Mormon "Supreme Court Judges"? They are "On The Bench For Life" after being nominated and confirmed. Mutt, if elected, would have 4 years of opportunities to nominate these Supreme Court Judges, along with other Federal Judges? Don't think they could get confirmed, it only takes a little political "wheeling n dealing".
Mutt & his (5) sons have "NEVER" served in the military. Could Mutt be "less qualified'' for Commander and Chief?
It is physically, fiancially, unrealistic, to send back 12 million illegal aliens. You may "wish for it", but it cannot be done.
Mutt Romney is "UN-ELECTABLE" as President of the United States. Make your vote count!

"VOTE FOR JAY"

[ALL VOTERS PLEASE READ]

IMPORTANT IF YOU CARE ABOUT OUR COUNTRY:
Let me begin by stating that if the opposite of what the following website puts forth were true, I'd feel the same. Any form of division in this country is wrong. Please look through the following website:

http://tucc.org/about.htm

The website is the site of Trinity United Church of Christ, the one that our Presidential candidate Barack Obama belongs to, attends and states is the very core of his beliefs and spirituality. He states that the Pastor there is his personal friend and religious mentor. He was married in this church, and his children were baptized there as well. Having said that, and realizing that this is an important campaign for many reasons, I decided to research what makes up the core of Obama.

After you have read the site, please watch the you-tube video that the church provides. If you have any question whether this is truly his church, look for him in the video. He is one of the men sitting at the table shaking hands. I also suggest you "google" Barack Obama's church and see what comes up.

I felt it was important for people to see something that the media won't touch. I also feel that this type of church is fine provided you are not running for President of the United States of all people.

Linda

[EdO]

Veteranraver wrote:

I refuse to accept any defensive rationalizations.

The dark skin was not the curse you dumb $shit. The curse that was placed upon the Lamonites was separation from God. But since you refuse to accept defensive rationalization, then as far as I am concerned, you're nothing more than a horses A$$.

[wants truth]

The Mountain Meadows massacre involved a mass slaughter of the Fancher-Baker emigrant wagon train at Mountain Meadows in Utah Territory by the Mormon militia in September 1857. It began as an attack, quickly turned into a siege, and eventually culminated on September 11, 1857, in the execution of the unarmed emigrants after their surrender. Local Paiute tribesmen recruited by the militia also participated in the attack and massacre

[Mohan Lives]

I pray that Mohan comes back to the forum soon.