Comments about ‘LDS marking 30-year milestone’

Too bad they are not broadcasting it (At least on KBYU). I would love to see the meeting on sunday! I saw a "Pioneers of Africa" on BYU-TV and the members there sure make me feel humble at their faithfulness. I truly look forward to the day when there will be no "-ites" in the world like when the Savior visited the American continent.
Because we are all true sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father.

So when will the church lift its ban on Blacks becoming a General Authority?

With 1 million Black LDS members, shouldn't there be at least 1 Black Apostle?

As the Branch President in one of the newest branches in Africa I am humbled by the dedication of many of the members here. I am origanaly from Utah. We have one dedicated Brother that rides a motorcycle taxi and then transfers to a minibus taxi around 4 hours each way to church. He starts on Saturday and heads back as soon as church is over at noon on Sunday. It is true we could baptise many, but we must first grow into a strong branch before we can support a bunch of new members. The Lord gathers his people. Within weeks of being organized, without pre-knowledge, we had a former Stake RS President move in and a fine Brother who has been a former Branch President/District President/High Councilor move in from other countries. The Lord knew I needed help.

> With 1 million Black LDS members, shouldn't
> there be at least 1 Black Apostle?

Not necessarily. Think about experience. All the current apostles are old enough to have more church leadership experience than all the Church's black members. If there should be one black apostle, there should also be one apostle under age 50.

More importantly, and more spiritually, the apostles don't represent the members of the Church. They represent the Lord TO the Church, and He chooses based on His designs.

Finally, this is an anniversary of a joyous occasion. Celebrate, don't criticize!

There's a "ban"?

Soon, the LDS Church will have at least 10 million members in India and in China since the Elders are already there on the ground spreading the word. If we get at least 5% of the population in both of these countries, we could become as big as Islam in a few centuries.

Church callings are not based on the color of skin.

This is in response to both "Ban Lifting" and "Blacks": Apostles are called according to whom God wants. Period. He does not call them by color, language, race, ethnicity or country of origin.

don't ask the church, ask the lord. the leaders of the church never applied for their job. its a calling from on high. educate your self before committing.

There have already been and are General Authorities and General Officers of the Church who are Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. Men and women who are called to positions of General Authorities and General Officers of the Church bring decades of experience. The growth in membership of one group will be reflected in an increase in representation of that group in a couple decades. Give me patience and give it to me right now.

re.PROVO....Not true. there are not 10 million members in India. Nor will there ever be.
That's silly.

Never knew there was a ban on African's to be a General Authority. Can someone show me where that is in the doctrine? Don't forget that this church is directed and lead by our Heavenly Father and not by a vote of its members. When the Lord sees fit for anyone to serve in different callings, He will make sure that person is called to serve.

Oh I think there is a "Ban" on blacks in the GA look at the 70's for Africa, they're all white...

Apostles are called according to whom God wants. Why does God only want white men?

It astounds me when people play the 'when God sees it fit' card (see always something negative to say's rant) as a logical answer to thorny questions. You can use that in ANY instance at any time, just like suicide bombing Islams who believe they will be exalted in heaven and given a harem of virgins for their 'noble' act of killing themselves and others for 'the cause', as if it came directly from Mohammed (God) himself.
I think it's ludicrous to suggest there is a 'ban' on non-whites being GA's. However, there is still a ton of racism that exists in our society, period. It's not exclusionary to any one sect, religion, etc. Having prejudice and feelings of fear or apprehension towards others with different skin colors, ethnicities, social status, etc. is common in most people, even if we say we're not racist, prejudice, homophobic, etc. There are very few 'true' Christians in this world (I'm not even close).
I think the LDS Church should have allowed blacks to have the Priesthood long before they did - Hugh B. Brown suggested as much in the 60s but McKay was ultra conservative and allegedly thought otherwise.

Are you kidding me that the ban on blacks in the priesthood was the result of folklore? The ban was the result of Church doctrine and official teaching on the matter, which taught that dark skin was a sign of prior spiritual transgressions. The BOM makes specific reference to God darkening the skin of the Lamanites, and dark skin is referred to as a curse in the Pearl of Great Price and the Book of Moses. Both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young taught that blacks were descended from Cain, whose curse was to be darkened black. Brigham taught that those who married interracially should be killed. This isn't folklore, this is doctrine taught by the Church and its leaders. The doctrine changed in the middle of the civil rights movement in the midst of incredible external pressure. The fact that blacks were allowed the priesthood was the right thing to do, but 30 years later to dismiss the doctrine surrounding the ban and the reasons for lifting it are misleading and false.

In scripture,it says:
"As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise." Galatians

Everyone, who is 'baptized into Christ' is equal in ALL things (I see no restrictions)if your clothed in Christ!
So,are you saying that Blacks that are baptized 'in Christ' are unworthy? and why would that be? Just because they are Black? Why would God, who broke down the barriers between 'Jews and Gentiles' and "men and women" (who in the time of Jesus, Gentiles and Women were consider as unclean and as chattel)disregard a people because of their skin color? There is nothing....nothing in God's Word that says anything by the Lord or by the people in any culture that discriminates by color...so, why should we?
It is a extreme insult to all people of color. Whether your black or white, it is a sin to believe that the Lord would condict, Himself.

1 million black members....250,000 in Africa. Me thinks these numbers are some how inflated.

Individuals weren't baptized because there wasn't a basis for retention? Odd thought process. Mexico, Central & South America has only a 10%-25% retention. If 10% is acceptable now why not then?