My Talk: Racism

We need to embrace God’s children compassionately and eliminate any prejudice, including racism, sexism, and nationalism. Let it be said that we truly believe the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ are for every child of God. -- Elder M. Russell Ballard, "The Trek Continues!, October 2017 General Conference

Yes, the conclusion is about the bigotry.

For what is mentioned in the rest of the talk, that admonition may seem a little odd; nationalism was not mentioned at all. Neither does it say anything about racism or sexism, except in that early on there is a mention of Jane Manning James, a Black woman and an early member of the church.  

She is not even specifically mentioned as Black, but being mentioned as the daughter of a freed slave implies it, even if you don't recognize the name. Elder Ballard calls her remarkable and mentions hardships she faced, but there are no stories, and only one quote from her. It seems like a non sequitur. 

The context is there: we are reminded that we still have things to work on. That includes the reminders that greed can lead us to dishonest behavior and ruin, and that seeking miracle cures or secret knowledge that comes from neither church leaders nor doctors is probably not going to help your health. Even though it is completely possible that the people who need to hear those messages most will not recognize themselves, probably everyone can still think of someone who should relate (maybe the same people for both financial and medical quackery if doTerra is involved).

But, whom at church would you think of as needing to eliminate prejudices like racism, sexism, and nationalism?

It was definitely an issue then. After the recent presidential campaign and the start of Trump's presidency (the Muslim ban happened in 2017, among other things), there is a reason why people would need reminders. So, early in the talk there is a reminder that Black people can be good and admirable, and then toward the end, a reminder that those -isms are bad, and that we can't afford them. 

It's all there, but in the mildest way possible.

Isn't it time that we start saying that part loud?

I have understood why we don't. People get very offended at being called racist, where they will say ridiculous things like that is the real racism. Many men in the church may theoretically be able to acknowledge that sexism is bad, but somehow their leadership role justifies a lot of things that sure sound like sexism. Nationalism actually made it a little more obvious than usual, but it is still so easy to discard.

Yes, if we speak out against the bigotry -- clearly and without equivocation -- we will lose people, but we are losing people anyway, including some really good ones.

Besides that, the bigots are really in need of repentance, which seems like a reason to call them to it. The gentle hints have been given plenty of time that seems to prove them ineffective.

I don't think it is all fear of offending, but also some embarrassment. One of the hardships of Jane Manning James' life was not being able to go to the temple or be sealed to her family in her lifetime. They made special arrangements to have her sealed to the Smith family as a servant. 

It is reasonable for the church to be embarrassed about its past racism, but avoiding that discomfort only results in continued racism, which we need to eliminate.

I don't deny those can be complicated, awkward conversations, but we need to have them. 

I know people whose faith was damaged by the essays, and others who reconciled their concerns by pushing them out of their minds, but that cuts off growth. It is possible to believe that Brigham Young was both a prophet and a racist. Our prophets are not perfect, but they can still do good, important things, just like the imperfect members that they lead.

I propose to you, though, that if there are times when change seems slow in coming, that it may be more the fault of the members than the leaders. 

Would Brigham Young have been called on his racism more quickly if the young church were ready for it? Perhaps.

And what is our intransigence preventing now? 

Because as much as we each need repentance and growth individually, we also all affect each other.