Join us today as we discuss the priesthood and temple ban with historian Matthew Harris. Today we will discuss Hugh B. Brown and his attempts to lift the priesthood and temple ban for black members of the church. Hugh B. Brown was an attorney and joined the First Presidency in 1963. He made countless efforts to convince the Brethren that the ban on blacks should be lifted and even told the New York Times that there was a strong possibility the ban would soon be removed. This response caused a great deal of problems at Church Headquarters.

Show Notes

Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality

Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox

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• Insta: @mormstories

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In the 1950s and 60s, the Mormon church faced internal turmoil as a group of intellectuals known as the "Swearing Elders" challenged orthodox doctrines. This clash between free-thinking scholars and conservative leaders like Joseph Fielding Smith led to attempts at excommunication, spy infiltration, and the firing of liberal educators. Amidst this tension, Church President David O. McKay emerged as an unexpected protector of intellectual freedom. The period also saw the church grappling with civil rights issues and racial policies, as public pressure forced leaders to confront their teachings. This tumultuous era set the stage for decades of struggle between faith, scholarship, and authority in Mormonism. Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/fired-for-opposing-racism/

Join with us today as we continue to discuss the history of racism in the Mormon church with historian Matt Harris. We will discuss segregation in Utah, including blood banks, hotels, in Relief Societies, etc. In the 1950s a talk was given by Mormon leader Mark E. Petersen that generated a lot of backlash from critics. Matt Harris gives an insider's view into the minds of these Mormon leaders and how they were not all in agreement with the priesthood and temple ban.

Mark E. Peterson's Talk: Race Problems As They Affect The Church : Internet Archive

Show Notes

Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality

Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox

_________________________

• Mormon Stories Website

• YouTube

• Patreon

• Apple Podcasts

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

• Insta: @mormstories

• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast

• Join the Discord

Join us today as we discuss Mormon the priesthood and temple ban with historian Matt Harris. We will be talking about missionary work in South Africa, patriarchal blessings for black individuals, the removal of church leaders because of their ancestry, and the notes from the top secret meeting that came to be known as the Bennion report. Nate Byrd of the Black Menaces is joining us today to share his perspective.

Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality

Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox

_________________________

• Mormon Stories Website

• YouTube

• Patreon

• Apple Podcasts

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

• Insta: @mormstories

• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast

• Join the Discord

Today we are joined by Dr. Darron Smith, Summur-Rayn Barrett, and Nate Byrd of Black Menaces to react to the first three episodes with Matt Harris. Their commentary unpacks Joseph Smith's complex racial attitudes, Brigham Young's implementation of the priesthood ban, and the painful legacy of racist doctrines. Their candid discussion highlights the urgent need for accountability within the Mormon church and grapples with the lasting impact of this racial discrimination.

Join us today as we discuss Mormon the priesthood and temple ban with historian Matt Harris. We will be talking about missionary work in South Africa, patriarchal blessings for black individuals, the removal of church leaders because of their ancestry, and the notes from the top secret meeting that came to be known as the Bennion report. Nate Byrd of the Black Menaces is joining us today to share his perspective.

Show Notes

Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality

Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox

_________________________

• Mormon Stories Website

• YouTube

• Patreon

• Apple Podcasts

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

• Insta: @mormstories

• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast

• Join the Discord

Join with us today as we discuss the priesthood and temple ban with historian Matt Harris. Joseph F. Smith and Joseph Fielding Smith, both Mormon leaders, could not find any doctrinal bases for the priesthood and temple ban and yet it still remained for decades. Members of the church performed blackface and wrote racist poems published in church periodicals. Many of the Mormon leaders did not agree with the ban and some were even removed from their callings because of their different opinions.

Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality

Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox

_________________________

• Mormon Stories Website

• YouTube

• Patreon

• Apple Podcasts

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

• Insta: @mormstories

• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast

• Join the Discord

In this new series on Mormon Leadership, historian Matt Harris discusses Mormonism's early racism, focusing on the priesthood and temple ban for Black members. He explores the church's opposition to civil rights, the experiences of Black Latter-day Saints like Jane Manning James and Elijah Abel, and the evolving theology around race. Harris challenges misconceptions about prophetic revelation and the origins of the ban, shedding light on this complex and painful history.

Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality

Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox

_________________________

• Mormon Stories Website

• YouTube

• Patreon

• Apple Podcasts

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

• Insta: @mormstories

• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast

• Join the Discord