Racial issues may remain for LDS members

Most Latter-day Saints probably believe race equality in their church to be an issue resolved more than 30 years ago, when men of all races became eligible to receive the church's priesthood. However, the consensus at two independent LDS conferences last week seemed to be otherwise.

A new film — "Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons" — was the focus of a session at the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR) conference at the South Towne Exposition Center in Sandy and another at the 2008 Salt Lake Sunstone Symposium at the Sheraton Hotel.

Also, two other sessions at Sunstone addressed blacks in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"Is the Mormon Church Still Racist? Theological Implications of the Priesthood Ban" was the official title of the presentation by Roy Whitaker, doctoral student of philosophy and religion at Claremont Graduate University, at Sunstone on Saturday morning.

He said the fact that Genesis, a group sanctioned by the church supporting blacks, still exists demonstrates the church is dealing with racism today.

"To most white Mormons, the race problem was solved in 1978," he said, explaining that a change in practice does not necessarily institute a change in attitude or belief.

"There is little change in the color of church leadership," said Whitaker, who is not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He stressed the rising generation must not forget past church history but not be crippled by it either. He said the repealing of the priesthood ban was not the "silver bullet."

Whitaker also said the LDS Church has a lot to offer, but "multiple things need to be done." He noted that many black members were faithful in the church while the priesthood ban was in place.

Margaret Blair Young responded to Whitaker's lecture.

On looks, "we are so white (in the church)," she said. "I long for the day when we are truly showing all complexions."

Young also doesn't buy what some espouse, that only Brigham Young wanted the ban on blacks holding the priesthood.

"If it had just been Brigham Young, it wouldn't have continued."

She stated some estimates have up to 1 million blacks as church members today. She also said the current church doctrine is that "we don't know why" blacks were ever banned from the priesthood in the church.

Worthy men of all races were able to receive the church's priesthood as of June 8, 1978.

The new film, "Nobody Knows," is a look at the story of African-Americans in the LDS Church.