Top Mormon Leaders Blame God for Segregation | Ep. 1921
Jul 25, 2024
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Historian Matt Harris discusses Mormon leaders blaming God for segregation. Topics include segregated blood banks, Mark E. Petersen's controversial speech, racial discrimination in Salt Lake City, and internal struggles among church leaders over racial issues.
Segregation in Mormon Church included blood banks, Relief Societies, and generated backlash from critics.
Mormon leaders had internal disagreements on priesthood and temple ban, revealing diversity of perspectives.
Concerns raised about racial passing for privileges like priesthood and temple ordinances in 1954-1962.
Challenges faced by Black Mormons from church racism, segregation, and justifications for racial policies.
Controversial talk by Elder Peterson in 1954 sparked debates on race, lineage, and theological beliefs within Mormons.
Deep dives
Revelations of Segregation and Systematic Discrimination
The history of segregation and discrimination based on race, particularly focusing on the treatment of African Americans within the Mormon Church, is explored. The podcast delves into the book 'Second Class Saints' by Dr. Matthew Harris, shedding light on the struggles faced by Black Mormons. It discusses the inner workings of the Mormon church leadership in the 20th and 21st centuries, highlighting decision-making processes, handling of scandals, and the impact of public pressure on decision-making.
Evolution of Racial Policies and Practices
The podcast further analyzes the church's historical policies regarding race, particularly focusing on the period from 1954 to 1962. It highlights the issue of racial passing, where individuals of African ancestry were compelled to pass as white to gain access to certain privileges such as priesthood and temple ordinances.
Institutionalized Racism and Justifications for Discrimination
The discussion delves into the challenges faced by Black Mormons due to institutionalized racism within the church, revealing instances of segregation in church-owned properties and discriminatory practices. The podcast also addresses the church's teachings on interracial marriage, exploring the justifications provided for racial segregation and the implications of the one-drop rule on priesthood eligibility.
Challenges to Racial Equality and Disparate Treatment
The podcast highlights the struggles faced by Black individuals within the Mormon faith, particularly in relation to interracial marriage and racial purity. It discusses the theological justifications for segregation and discriminatory practices, shedding light on the internal debates and divisions within Mormon leadership regarding racial policies and doctrines.
The Controversial 1954 Talk by Elder Peterson
Elder Peterson delivered a controversial talk in 1954 to church educators. The talk discussed the lineage, curse, and racial purity of black individuals in Mormon theology. It suggested that black individuals would need to become white to be in the celestial kingdom. The talk was leaked, causing a stir within the church and the wider religious community.
Defenders of Elder Peterson's Views
Several individuals came to Elder Peterson's defense regarding his controversial talk. Religion professors, church educators, and even his wife supported his views on segregation and racial theology. They presented segregation as God's will, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the color line in line with religious teachings.
Reactions and Fallout from the 1954 Talk
Despite denying giving the talk, Elder Peterson faced criticism and scrutiny. This led to discussions around potential forks in history if the church had taken a different approach to racial equality. The talk's impact resonated within the church, causing debates and challenges to traditional theological beliefs.
Implications and Future Episodes
The talk raised questions around race, lineage, and leadership within the Mormon community. It highlighted the complexities of addressing racial equality within religious institutions. Future episodes will delve into the aftermath of the talk, exploring the individuals who challenged the prevailing racial narratives within the church.
Call for Support and Continued Engagement
To support the ongoing podcast series and the in-depth exploration of Mormon history and racial dynamics, donations to Dr. Matthew Harris can be made at donorbox.org/Matt-Harris. Engaging with the podcast and the book 'Second-Class Saints' can offer insights into a critical period of Mormon history and the evolving understanding of racial equality.
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.
We are thrilled to announce that we have reached our donation goal to compensate Dr. Matt Harris for his contributions to this series. We sincerely thank everyone who supported this effort. While the goal to pay Matt has been met, producing this series incurred significant costs for the Open Stories Foundation. If you find value in this content and want to help cover these expenses and support future productions, we encourage you to donate at https://www.mormonstories.org/donate/ Your generosity makes a difference—thank you!
