Windy Sydney

Gordon B. Hinkley brushed aside the thought that Mormons were racists. He told reporters that racism "was behind us," yet he never once admitted that the ban was wrong.

Is it really behind us? Should it be that easy to "put it behind us?" Lets not forget that the LDS Church has hundreds of quotes saved by its former apostles and prophets. These are men who supposedly speak with God. Would a prophet of God say this?

Conference Reports, CR April 1939, Second Day-Morning Meeting: Elder George F. Richards

"The negro is an unfortunate man. He has been given a black skin....But that is as nothing compared with that greater handicap that he is not permitted to receive the Priesthood and the ordinances of the temple, necessary to prepare men and women to enter into and enjoy a fulness of glory in the celestial kingdom....What is the reason for this condition, we ask, and I find it to my satisfaction to think that as spirit children of our Eternal Father they were not valiant in the fight. We are told that Michael and his angels fought, and we understand that we stood with Christ our Lord, on the platform, "Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever." I cannot conceive our Father consigning his children to a condition such as that of the negro race, if they had been valiant in the spirit world in that war in heaven. Neither could they have been a part of those who rebelled and were cast down, for the latter had not the privilege of tabernacling in the flesh. Somewhere along the line were these spirits, indifferent perhaps, and possibly neutral in the war. We have no definite knowledge concerning this. But I learn this lesson from it, brethren and sisters, and I believe we all should, that it does not pay in religious matters, matters that pertain to our eternal salvation, to be indifferent, neutral, or lukewarm."

If it were behind us, wouldn't the church make a formal apology for the way they treated black people? African Americans were not allowed to hold the priesthood until 1978, one year before I was born.

Anyone with dark skin was considered to be "cursed." Mormons were taught that people with darker skin color were not as valiant in the pre-existance. They were not as good as everyone else. If a person with dark skin were to accept the gospel, it was also taught that their skin would grow lighter as the curse was lifted.

It's sickening.

Many people still claim that the ban on allowing black men to hold the priesthood was only lifted due to pressure from the political climate at the time. Was it really revelation, or was the church about to face an extreme hardship if they didn't conform?

Everyone now knows that having dark skin has nothing to do with any stupid curse. Why hasn't the church apologized for this? Why won't they? Do they not follow their own rules of repentance? Don't they feel they should make things right?

Guess not.

They would rather pretend it didn't happen. They would rather ignore it all together. They want people to forget about it. Instead of facing the reality that their supposed prophets were wrong, and not speaking with God, they make excuses for them. There is no excuse. They want to set up their websites and other media to show men and women of all different races being a part of the Mormon Church. Is that really honest?

People of all races are now welcomed to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. More needs to be done. All they have to do is admit they were wrong. All they have to do is admit that the prophets that were supposedly getting these supposed messages from God were not really getting squat from God. That is why they won't do it.

Shame on them.

It goes beyond racism in my eyes. It goes to sexism. Women can't hold the priesthood, women can't bless their own children, women are not allowed to pass the sacrament, women can't hold callings like Bishop. Why?

I have heard this excuse that "women are so spiritual, they don't need the priesthood." There are comments that men and women in the church are separate but equal (That sound familiar?) In reality, there is no equality. I was groomed to be a wife and mother. Nothing more.

Why is it that all men are asked to go on missions at the age of 19, but only certain women are able to go? Why is that? If women are just as spiritual as men, why are women not being sent out with the same frequency as men? Why are women's missions shorter?

Will Women some day get an apology for this? No. We won't. They believe they are right, and nothing anyone says will change their mind. They will do whatever mental gymnastics they need to in order to ease the confusion in their minds. It makes no sense. None of it does. God loves everyone equally, why doesn't the Mormon Church?