APPENDIX: TOPICAL GUIDE

The following is a list of topics of interest. We have gathered materials from the study guide on a few topics so you can find them all in one place. There are no new materials here that aren’t already elsewhere in the study guide.

Racism and the Scriptures

“How We Misinterpret ‘Black’ and ‘Curse’ in the Scriptures: Insights from an African American Convert”
LDSLiving article by Danielle B. Wagner about insights from Marvin Perkins, a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints currently serving as co-chair for Genesis Public Affairs.
https://www.ldsliving.com/How-We-Misinterpret-Black-and-Curse-in-the-Scriptures-Insights-from-a-Black-Convert/s/88562

Lamanite Identity
Church history essay from “Church History Topics” on churchofjesuschrist.org
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/lamanite-identity

“He Denieth None That Come unto Him – A Personal Essay on Race and the Priesthood, Part 3”
This essay is interesting—written by Ahmad Corbitt (currently in the Young Men General Presidency) and his understanding of race and the Book of Mormon. Some like this explanation—some don’t. See what you think!
https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/personal-essay-on-race-and-the-priesthood-he-denieth-none

“I Know that He Loveth His Children”
LDSLiving podcast with Michalyn Steele. Ms. Steele is a Native American BYU law professor. The host asks her about racism in the Book of Mormon at minute 7.
https://www.ldsliving.com/pages/allin-e89-michalyn-steele-i-know-that-he-loveth-his-children

The Priesthood Ban

“Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness”
Watch Paul Reeve speak at BYU. The David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies is the heart of international engagement for the BYU community. They have hosted several speakers that have addressed different aspects of racism. See links to their speeches in unused materials.
https://kennedy.byu.edu/events/religion-of-a-different-color/

2-Part podcast by the Maxwell Institute (BYU)
#22—Race and Mormonism in the 19th century, with Paul Reeve and Ardis Parshall (part 1 of 2) – https://mi.byu.edu/mip-22-reeve-parshall-p1/
#23—Race and Mormonism in the 19th century, with Paul Reeve and Ardis Parshall (part 2 of 2) – https://mi.byu.edu/mip-23-mormonism-race-reeve-parshall-p2/

Be One – A Celebration of the Revelation on the Priesthood
Re-watch the “Be One” Celebration of 2018. The First Presidency presents the 40th anniversary celebration of the 1978 revelation on the priesthood, “Be One.”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2018-06-1000-be-one-a-celebration-of-the-revelation-on-the-priesthood

“I say unto you, BE ONE”
Visit the Church’s “Be One” website with information on black pioneers as well as other information.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/blacks-in-the-church?cid]=rdb_v_beone

“Be Not Weary in Well-Doing”
Quentin L. Cook BYU Devotional August 24, 2020
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/quentin-l-cook/be-not-weary-in-well-doing/

Official Declaration 2, 1978
Revelation that removed all restrictions with regard to race that once applied to the priesthood.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/od/2

Spencer W. Kimball and the Revelation on the Priesthood
Edward L. Kimball discusses the former Mormon policy of restricting Church members of African descent from receiving the priesthood. Footnoted in the Gospel Topic on “Race and the Priesthood” on churchofjesuschrist.org.
https://byustudies.byu.edu/content/spencer-w-kimball-and-revelation-priesthood

The Long-Promised Day
Additional context behind excerpts from Official Declaration 2
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2018/06/commemorating-the-1978-revelation/the-long-promised-day

LDS Living “A Black Mormon Man’s Thoughts on Race, Priesthood, and the Church’s essay”
by Devan Mitchell. June 8, 2017
https://www.ldsliving.com/A-Black-Mormon-Mans-Thoughts-on-Race-Priesthood-and-the-Churchs-Essay/s/85553?page=2#story-content

The Native American Experience in the Church

Included below are resources and perspectives shared with and recommended to us by Native American saints.

“I Know that He Loveth His Children”
Michalyn Steele [BYU Law School faculty] has devoted her life to civil rights work. On today’s episode, Michalyn shares her thoughts on how we can better “mourn with those that mourn” amidst current discussions surrounding racism. She resonates with a well-known scripture in 1 Nephi 11:17, stating that while she does not understand the meaning of all things, she knows God loves His children. He wants us to be one. He wants us to not just feel empathy but to do the things that will bring some relief for those burdens.
https://www.ldsliving.com/pages/allin-e89-michalyn-steele-i-know-that-he-loveth-his-children

“Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness”
Watch Paul Reeve speak at BYU. The David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies is the heart of international engagement for the BYU community. They have hosted several speakers that have addressed different aspects of racism. See links to their speeches in unused materials.
https://kennedy.byu.edu/events/religion-of-a-different-color/

Larry Echo Hawk – “An Unexpected Gift”
BYU Devotional from former member of the Seventy
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/larry-echo-hawk/unexpected-gift/

This is the Gospel | E57 – Fitting In
The first part of this podcast is an interview with Jalynn,  a Native American sister.
https://www.ldsliving.com/pages/this-is-the-gospel-e57-fitting-in
If you prefer to read there is also an article with her story here: “A divine Indigenous heritage: How one Latter-day Saint family combines Cree and gospel teachings”

“I Know that He Loveth His Children”
LDSLiving podcast with Michalyn Steele. Ms. Steele is a Native American BYU law professor. The host asks her about racism in the Book of Mormon at minute 7.
https://www.ldsliving.com/pages/allin-e89-michalyn-steele-i-know-that-he-loveth-his-children

Lamanite Identity
Church history essay from “Church History Topics” on churchofjesuschrist.org
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/lamanite-identity

American Indians
Church history essay from “Church History Topics” on churchofjesuschrist.org
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/american-indians

What can I DO?

This study guide is only the beginning. You may be wondering what you can do now. The following is a collection of resources (from the study guide) that show examples of actions that we can take as members of the church to make a difference. 

Essay by the Reverend Theresa Dear
From Deseret News, originally published June 2020.
Read the entire essay here: “America’s tipping point: 7 ways to dismantle racism”

Healing the Wounds of Racism
“As we acknowledge racism in the world around us and seek to overcome it in ourselves, we can move together as brothers and sisters toward our divine potential.”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/healing-the-wounds-of-racism?lang=eng

“Creating Justice“
Bryan Stevenson BYU Devotional. “Our hope is our superpower. Hope is what gets you to stand up when other people want you to sit down. Hope is what gets you to speak when others tell you to be quiet. Hope is the way the world changes.”
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/bryan-stevenson/creating-justice/

“Driven in Detroit: Bridging the Eight Mile Divide“
Watch a 12 part series of the story of how ward boundaries broke the eight-mile divide—a very real boundary that divides Detroit.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2016-02-1100-driven-in-detroit-bridging-the-eight-mile-divide?lang=eng

Black 14 Partnership
Latter-day Saint Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is partnering with the Black 14 Philanthropy to bring 180 tons of food to nine cities throughout the United States to help people in need.
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/black-14-partnership

BYU Political Science Department Statement on Racism
Includes suggestions on further reading.
https://politicalscience.byu.edu/political-science-departments-statement-on-racism

Ministering Is Seeing Others as the Savior Does
Liahona article on “Ministering Principles”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2019/06/ministering-is-seeing-others-as-the-savior-does?lang=eng

How Can We Create a Culture of Inclusion at Church?
Ensign article on “Ministering Principles”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2019/07/how-can-we-create-a-culture-of-inclusion-at-church?lang=eng

“What (and What Not) to Say to Black People at Church”
Tamu Smith and Zandra Vranes for LDSLiving.com
https://www.ldsliving.com/What-and-What-Not-to-Say-to-Black-People-at-Church/s/85230

BYU Race, Equity, Belonging Report
Brigham Young University: Report and Recommendations of the BYU Committee on Race, Equity, and Belonging, February 2021
https://brightspotcdn.byu.edu/12/58/d61b3164487da5946d13471e7567/byu-race-equity-belonging-report-feb21.pdf?fbclid=IwAR17qLS28DpebDlv_yriNQsMqd3UaInVK3Jp5LCPzoSK5RqdW9T6sFVrCuk

5 things 2 Latter-day Saint moms with children of color want you to know
LDSLiving article from June 4, 2020
https://www.ldsliving.com/5-things-2-Latter-day-Saint-moms-with-children-of-color-want-you-to-know/s/92951