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Transcript: Mormon Church and African-Americans
- Article from:
- NPR All Things Considered
- Article date:
- June 8, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightProvided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: Twenty years ago today, the Mormon Church made
an historic announcement granting black men the right to become lay
priests. Until 1978, Mormon Church policy banned black men from the
priesthood, and forbade black women from taking part in some temple
rituals.
Although the church abolished those barriers, it has never repudiated
racist theories used to justify them, theories stating that blacks
were cursed by God.
Now, as NPR's John Biewen reports, Mormon Church officials may consider
making new statements on race.
JOHN BIEWEN, NPR REPORTER: Darius Gray (ph) joined the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, better known ...