Today we are discussing pivotal moments, from the Church’s “Race and the Priesthood” essay to public statements on racism, and the ongoing struggle for meaningful engagement on these issues. Highlights include racial inequities, discussions on the lack of diverse representation in leadership, and the emotional impact of past and present racism on Black members. We are also covering controversial events like the fake apology prank, the “Be One” celebration, and Elder Oaks’ and President Nelson’s statements on race. Conversations extend to BYU’s Race Equity and Belonging Report, Brad Wilcox’s remarks, and efforts to make the Church and its institutions more inclusive. Join us as we examine how the Church addresses racism, the call for accountability, and the path forward for healing and equity.

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Join us as Matthew Harris returns to discuss Gordon B. Hinckley's efforts to address lingering racism in the church, the push to remove Bruce R. McConkie's Mormon Doctrine from shelves, and members' calls for an apology for the church's past racism. We also explore Elder Holland's attempts to rebrand these doctrines as "folklore," the continuation of racist teachings by BYU professors like Randy Bott, and the creation of the Gospel Topics Essays.

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Join us today as we meet again with historian Matt Harris to discuss his new book “Second Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality.” Matt Harris talks about the relationship between the Church and the John Birch Society and how the church changed its mind on supporting the Martin Luther King holiday. Additionally, Harris discusses how the harmful teachings of Bruce R. McConkie’s book “Mormon Doctrine” lived on even after his death. Professors Eugene England and Steven Epperson were pushed out of BYU for their more liberal views. How the Strengthening the Church Members Committee keeps these members in check.

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The priesthood and temple ban began when Brigham Young learned that Black Saints were marrying white women, fearing interracial marriage. When the ban was finally lifted it was only with the caveat that they continued to warn the members against interracial marriage. Church members have received mixed messages since then, with warnings against interracial marriage still found on the Church's website and in manuals. How should members make sense of these conflicting messages? Today, we're joined by Matt Harris and Summur-Rayn to discuss this topic.

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In this episode, we join Matt Harris to discuss the aftermath of lifting the priesthood and temple ban in the LDS Church. We explore how Bruce R. McConkie's account of the revelation was embellished and the damage control efforts by top church leaders. We also examine President Kimball's controversial remarks about Native Americans and his later regret over those comments. This discussion focuses on chapter eight of Matt Harris’ book, "Second Class Saints."

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What were the events and who were the key characters that led to the lifting of the priesthood and temple ban for black people? In this episode Matt Harris will answer those questions. Rumors have gone around that the ban was lifted due to the IRS threatening to take away their tax exempt status, or because of the lawsuits involving the NAACP, etc. Matt Harris puts many of these rumors to rest and answers the real reason why (and how) the ban was lifted.

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In today's video, we dive into the protests at BYU during the 1970s, including threats from black activists and government pressure to increase diversity in hiring and recruitment. We'll also discuss a shocking incident during a basketball game where a Molotov cocktail was thrown into the crowd, narrowly missing the BYU sports announcer. The church's response to these threats (mostly fabricated by the Birch Society) included heightened security measures, with snipers stationed on the Mormon Tabernacle during General Conference. Joining us is Dr. Darron Smith to discuss Matt Harris’ new book, Second Class Saints. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation!

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!

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

Show Notes

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In the 1960s, Mormon Apostle Hugh B. Brown made significant efforts to lift the priesthood and temple ban for Black members of the church, even speaking with the media about the possibility of change. President Harold B. Lee, however, demanded that Brown stop speaking to the press and removed him from the First Presidency. Lee also forced Brown to sign a statement reaffirming the church’s racist doctrines. Join us with historian Matthew Harris as we explore the impact of Brown’s release, his faith journey, and insights from Harris's book Second Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality.

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!

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

_________________________

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PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Join us as we uncover what drove change within the Mormon Church, from government pressure on BYU to admit more black students to the church’s troubling response. We’ll dive into shocking letters sent to black prospective students, a five-step plan to keep them out, and the protests that followed. Learn how government intervention eventually forced the end of discrimination and explore why Mormon leaders were so uneasy with black students. This episode, featuring historian Dr. Matthew Harris, is part of our series on his book Second Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality.

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!

Show Notes

YouTube

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

_________________________

[email protected]

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Join us as historian Matthew Harris returns to discuss what happens when members of the Mormon Church First Presidency go rogue. We explore George Romney's support of Civil Rights versus Ezra Taft Benson's involvement with the John Birch Society. We'll also dive into the impact of white church members marching in the Civil Rights Movement and how figures like Stewart Udall, Cleon Skousen, Robert Welch, and Hugh B. Brown challenged the Brethren at Church Headquarters with their views and publications.

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!

⁠Show Notes⁠

⁠YouTube Episode⁠

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

_________________________

[email protected]

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117