Mormon Prophets Hired Snipers for 1967 General Conference w/ Dr. Matt Harris | Ep. 1948

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!

Purchase Matt Harris' book here! “Second Class Saints” by Matt Harris https://www.amazon.com/Second-Class-S...

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Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/mormon-...

00:00:00 Introductions
00:02:30 Quick review of past episode
00:05:45 Darron’s academic interests
00:15:22 Setting the stage for the BYU protests
00:26:12 Photo from the book, student protestors raising their fists
00:29:15 When did other sports teams integrate black athletes?
00:35:10 Rethinking racial policies and public image of the school/church
00:44:30 Creating an image where the church can look diverse
00:50:14 An awareness in the history department, acknowledgement of lack of black history
00:51:20 Fear of the Negro Twist and Black culture
01:05:55 Black sexuality is what’s driving this
01:13:20 The Conference (snipers on the roof of the tabernacle)
01:25:47 Statement that the church is not racist
01:32:38 Who was Darius Gray?
01:45:50 Students had to take religion classes learning about Mormon racism
01:51:59 In Mormonism, everyone was white in heaven
01:56:50 BYU’s first black faculty member
02:03:28 Woman being asked if she change her skin to white if you could?
02:09:07 The IRS and it’s Mormon leader at the time
02:19:34 Setting the stage for a white student named Sharon Pugsley
02:24:28 Fawn Brodie gave a talk on race
02:29:09 BYU is also targeted for not hiring women
02:35:15 Darron’s final remarks
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