Скачать или смотреть Discussion on the Doctrine and Covenants: Official Declaration 2

God loves every one of His children and wants all of us to receive His salvation. He doesn’t view us through labels like race, appearance, nationality, or social status. For 126 years, Black members faced restrictions on priesthood and temple blessings, and this has understandably caused deep and lasting hurt. In this discussion I try to approach this with care wanting to help provide information, thinking skills, and understanding.

People of every race and background have always been welcome to be baptized, and the Church has never had segregated congregations. Its lay ministry and local structure are meant to bring members together and help us worship side by side.

Today, the Church firmly rejects past theories that linked black skin to divine disfavor, premortal wrongdoing, or any form of inferiority, as well as ideas that discouraged mixed-race marriages. Church leaders now clearly and openly condemn all racism, in any form, past or present. Since the 1978 revelation, the Church has looked forward with hope, and membership among Africans, African Americans, and others of African descent has grown rapidly—now reaching into the hundreds of thousands worldwide.

I encourage all to study our questions and concerns and to do so like our seminary youth. They are so good at approaching things like this by acting in faith, examining concepts and questions with an eternal perspective, and seeking further understanding through divinely appointed sources. Ask them for help if you need to . They do this wonderfully and are so inspired. And also ask God. He provides peace that passes all understanding.