Just going to put this out there-I chose not to use *that* term after speaking to several POC and reading their opinions about it in many places online. The general consensus seemed to be that they were uncomfortable with the word being used in modern day. It’s not up to me to decide what is and isn’t offensive to POC. I’m just listening and trying to learn from them. You can disagree. This is just me doing what I think is right.

@theweirdmom

2 жыл бұрын

❤

@PrincessJamiG

2 жыл бұрын

Support you 100%

@ultraviolet257

2 жыл бұрын

Lex, are you deleting peoples responding comment to coddle some of the white fragility I'm seeing in the comments ?

@ExmoLex

2 жыл бұрын

@@ultraviolet257 haven’t deleted any comments.

@chrisoneill3999

2 жыл бұрын

What a wise decision. If a term offends the people it names, the sensible thing to do is normally to accept their choice.

My thoughts are that my black ass should never have been in that damn church. Like I'm so embarrassed.

@loraleepooley3669

2 жыл бұрын

I apologize. I’m embarrassed I ever participated in the church. I feel sick.

@shannonshawcroft4245

2 жыл бұрын

I get madder and madder i was forced to go….

@JonathanMulderMarston

2 жыл бұрын

I feel you. My family is mestizo and very dark. It always bothered me that my relatives, and my Dad especially - internalized the racism in UT/LDS church. It really messed with his head and sense of self worth (He is still a TBM). I just don't understand how my relatives can stomach all of it. Especially since more than one of them has encountered some pretty flagrant racism in that culture. Like, how could that not open their eyes to the creepy truth? The LDS "church" has a big ole' streak of white "supremacy" in it. BLET!!!🤢🤮 Edit: For whatever it's worth, I am glad you are out of the Mormon Matrix! I wish you peace and prosperity!🖖

@TacShooter

2 жыл бұрын

White or black, no one should have ever been so deceived by their fellow humans. We have all been embarrassed.

@rosegoldensun3818

2 жыл бұрын

I joined and I know the truth what does that make me

I have this book. When I first noticed that the church had a habit of whitewashing our history and ignoring past publications, I began going to estate sales and buying up any old LDS book I could find. I live in Utah so I have found many many old LDS books, including one owned by Brigham Young himself. The old church magazines (the Liahona, The Improvement Era, The Young Women's Journal, etc) from the late 1800's and early 1900's are also good because they quote past prophets on things that the church today distances themselves from. After a year long search into church history, I no longer believe. I do still collect old LDS publications specifically so when my believing family members say "the church never said that" or "that is just an anti-mormon lie" I am able to pull out the book, cite the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator's quote, when it was said, the publication date, etc.

@marksandsmith6778

2 жыл бұрын

Good luck Nick. Especially in dealing with your family.

@nickdipaolofan5948

2 жыл бұрын

@@marksandsmith6778 Thank you. Sadly my wife still wants to go to church. She and I have conversations and she is aware that it is highly unlikely that the church's claims are true. She wouldn't have any doubt if she read everything I read, but she is not as interested in that as me. She is tied to the social aspect of church still since most if not all of our friends are members and in our ward/stake. So I understand that leaving the church is more complicated for her (I don't care about the social aspect so I could leave anytime, but I am still active because I want to either leave as a family or stay until we are united in that decision). I do not advertise that I don't believe but I told my Bishop that I will not pay tithing ever again and I asked to be released from any assignments. I told my bishop and stake president that I had several concerns regarding the church history and both flat out said they would not discuss the history with me because they didn't know enough about my concerns. I said, that is why they need to meet with me, to learn the factual things I am aware of. They refused to meet with me to discuss my concerns. There is more to that story, but anyway. My family also doesn't bring it up much because the few times they tried to explain that I was being misled I pulled out the physical copies of church publications and showed them that the information was coming from the church. They know I know the history better than them so they don't even want to engage. One family member implied they just want to choose to believe regardless if it is a lie... How do you respond to that?

@apostatelizzy6836

2 жыл бұрын

@@nickdipaolofan5948 you can’t appeal logically to that kind of reasoning (believing in the church even if it’s a lie). Some people are more comfortable remaining ignorant, even if they know there is truth out there. 🤷‍♀️

@yourtanktopfriend777

2 жыл бұрын

These should be kept and preserved somehow I fear many have been discarded for controversial and outdated content. Thank you for saving them.

@tedgarrison8842

2 жыл бұрын

I have a first edition Mormon Doctrine. The one they asked for back and or for members to burn...

My mom told me she was super relieved when the temple ban was lifted, but that many other people left because they didn't agree with it.

I just heart you. I was never a Mormon in my life, but I think you are brave and inspiring.

@andrewfarrugia6072

2 жыл бұрын

I was Mormon back 2014 left that shit 2016 become coveted Christian September19 there is Satan and many doctrines off demons

@andrewfarrugia6072

2 жыл бұрын

Maybe they forgot ten virgins

@andrewfarrugia6072

2 жыл бұрын

Vatican scarlet beast also can’t wait bet for my rapture out this world Babylon gonna be destroyed tell that

@andrewfarrugia6072

2 жыл бұрын

All false church’s gonna be just like it be like days Noah all over

There are Christian churches in the US that still oppose interracial marriage. American religion and race relations are still problematic to this day.

@Ronin-tp4vx

2 жыл бұрын

@Kangaroo Mommy I would just use the term Churches rather than putting Christian before them, because their actions and behaviour' can be far removed from actual 'Christian Doctrine' i.e. Do Unto Others ....

@chrisoneill3999

2 жыл бұрын

Anyone who doubts the deep links between the US Evangelical movement and slavery should research how many Confederate leaders relied on Josiah Priest's Bible Defense of Slavery for their spiritual guidance (the book was often on Jefferson Davis' nightstand). They might also look at what year it was when the Southern Baptist Convention finally decided to apologise for enslaving their fellow citizens.

@angelikaskoroszyn8495

2 жыл бұрын

And I suspect they quote Old Testament more often than New Testament. Because racism (or it's ancient equivalent) was something Jesus was very against. He shifted narrative from the Chosen Tribe being favored by God to anyone who's decent should be respected I'm an atheist and I know that. Which Biblie do those people read?

@azlizzie

2 жыл бұрын

@@Ronin-tp4vx in the US though they are Christian. “they’re not really Christians” is not a sufficient argument to invalidate the fact that many American Christian churches still oppose interracial marriage and are racist. (Perhaps differentiating between fundamentalist and progressive Christianity is your point, but please don’t use the no true Scotsman fallacy.)

@nickdipaolofan5948

2 жыл бұрын

I don't want to excuse racism of any kind, and that is why we need to acknowledge that many black churches also discourage interracial marriage and generally prefer their congregation be a primarily black church. I am not at all excusing what the mormon church did with priesthood. I condemn it. But all you "progressives" in the comment section should also condemn all the segregated black churches with just as much disgust as the LDS church's racist practices.

Lex, honey, when you said about your children playing in the background, “Usually when I’m filming videos I’ll give them tablets and stuff”, I thought you were making a joke. I’m middle aged; I’m so glad I finally tweaked that you weren’t saying you were out of sedatives for the kids.

@ExmoLex

2 жыл бұрын

Hahaha this made me laugh out loud 😂😂

@klarag7059

2 жыл бұрын

@@ExmoLex mission accomplished!

@mitsim

2 жыл бұрын

Oh, I love this comment, Klara G. That's hysterical!

@klarag7059

2 жыл бұрын

@@mitsim 😁

@Lucifersfursona

2 жыл бұрын

Holy shit 😂

In June of 1978, the "priesthood ban" was NOT "Revoked." It was "Doctrine," period, both before and after the day of the big announcement. The way the members took the announcement (I know because I was teaching at the MTC in the moment that we heard the announcement and jumped for joy), was that the "time had come" (as "prophesied") for the so-called "seed of Cain" to receive all the priesthood blessings. THAT is how we members of that era understood the announcement, and it was a thrilling time, because it seemed like a major milestone in the development of things leading to the second coming, which seemed to be imminent because of this announcement. That sure was exciting at the time for us TBMs. It is true, however, that the announcement was not specifically worded by the LDS leaders that the "time had come," but that is how generally we, the rank and file membership, took it to be at the time, and that previously the Priesthood had been rightfully restricted from the African race by the "will of God." That part never did change in the minds of the membership at the time, at least as far as I was aware, as I was a very active RM, BYU student, aware of what was going on in the Church, and teaching at the MTC. In retrospect now, however, it is clear that the vaguery in the official wording was intentional, opening the door for the eventual future recanting altogether of the doctrine (NOT POLICY!). It totally totally totally escapes me how ANY TBMs today can call the original doctrine only a "policy." It was in the Mormon scriptures, and was a part of the "unchanging " LDS doctrinal canon. So much for an unchangeable doctrine. Those LDS GAs are nothing but a bunch of lying, obfuscating, platitudenling, weasels. Woof.

@clarktaylor6919

2 жыл бұрын

Or, the church had its finger in the cultural/political wind of the 1960s and needed to get out in front of it.

@adiospobreza

2 жыл бұрын

That solemn assembly of 1978 by the god of this world church lol. And what does Isaiah say in Isaiah Chapter One about such assemblies?

Hello. The word "Negro" is generally accepted in academic discussions. Common pronunciations "Nee' gro" with a long E. Thank you for being sensitive enough to choose to just like, not say it. I look forward to finishing the video!

@TyronePerry

2 жыл бұрын

Negro is also "black" in spanish (not necessarily the person, but the actual color. But pronounced NAY gro... because... spanish.) So the same way we say Black or blacks as a noun - in spanish... it's Negro. As an english speaking person it does feel a lil dirty though.

@Zuzuboy1218

2 жыл бұрын

@@TyronePerry I'll take etymology for 400.

7:43 You know what’s crazy? They didn’t really start to not oppose interracial marriage until well after the priesthood ban. Even in the same “revelation” they put out that lifted the ban, they still discouraged interracial marriage.

I like how Mormons say that it was a policy, while the author uses word doctrine...

@kkheflin3

2 жыл бұрын

Spot on. That is just semantics. Brigham Young specifically said "it will ALWAYS be true that the Negro won't hold the priesthood." Take THAT LDS church. "ALWAYS" means FOREVER.

@exmodeadpool

2 жыл бұрын

@@kkheflin3 I noticed that Mormons use word "Eternity" all the time, but I do not think it means what they think it means... 😆 Usually, "Mormon Eternity" lasts till another leader cancels it.

@kkheflin3

2 жыл бұрын

@@exmodeadpool Priceless.

@nickdipaolofan5948

2 жыл бұрын

@@exmodeadpool Yes, it is clear that the church leadership (especially in recent years) wants to make the meaning of the words doctrine and policy to be interchangeable. They want this so they are not held to what past prophets said was doctrine. They also like to say the church is "an ongoing restoration" but last I checked, when you restore something, you are bringing it back to its original and pure form. If they are RESTORING the gospel truths, then the "revelations" would not contradict past prophets revelations (especially in this dispensation). In car terms, that would be like taking out the original engine and installing a brand new engine that didn't even exist when the car was made and calling it a restoration. But car guys know that this is blasphemy. A TRUE restoration would be to pull the original engine and clean and rebuild the ORIGINAL engine so the car is restored, not simply updated. The church leaders are updating and rebranding the church, NOT restoring what Jesus taught.

@kkheflin3

2 жыл бұрын

@@nickdipaolofan5948 Excellent analogy and analysis. Very good vivid imagery (and that's coming from an English teacher! LOL)

this is just "doubt your doubts before you doubt your racism" lol

@matthewrichards8218

2 жыл бұрын

Doubt your doubting doubts whilst doubting the doubts that doubted your doubting doubt. Doubtingly. 🤣

I asked my mother how she could explain the reacism of the policy and she said "i think.......they just weren't ready yet. for the priesthood"....what in the oblivious racist hell

@nickdipaolofan5948

2 жыл бұрын

Don't be hard on your mom, this is what was TAUGHT back in the day. You mom isn't the racist one, she is just repeating what was told to her by people she thinks speak for God.

@adiospobreza

2 жыл бұрын

@@nickdipaolofan5948 which makes her a racist by virtue of not caring enough to dig deeper and find the Real Truth, because leaders teach blind obedience to them.

Revealing the less savory history is so important. I'm not Mormon, but I think it's important that all high-control religions have their less savory histories revealed.

When I was on my mission, that book is one of the church sanctioned, recommend books I read that got me out of the church. Best anti Mormon literature is their own literature.

I remember when I went to seminary there was a black investigator who decided they didn't want to join because of the church's past racism. I feel so bad now because at the time I remember us all kinda giving him a hard time about it because it was "In the past" I'm so glad that I can see just how messed up the church is and try to made better on what I did when I was younger

I left solely because of the priesthood ban. After heavy study and talking with my bishop and stake president, nobody cared. I got a few consistent answers from members "it wasn't doctrine, move on, it's gods timing, everyone was racist back then."

@mylesmarkson1686

2 жыл бұрын

"Everyone was racist back then" I can just see the lingo going on in the schoolyard... "Hey, you gotta be racist. All the cool kids are doing it!"

@mistyk.2152

2 жыл бұрын

Now that you’ve left and are looking at it from the outside, how to do you feel about previously wanting to be a priest and teaching these things to others?

@rafaelmackall598

2 жыл бұрын

@@mistyk.2152 Teaching that the priesthood ban was from God? If that's what you mean, I never did.

@mistyk.2152

2 жыл бұрын

@@rafaelmackall598 I mean do you still believe the teachings of the Mormon church? Would you be proud of yourself today if you were a Mormon priest?

@rafaelmackall598

2 жыл бұрын

@@mistyk.2152 No, I don't believe them at all. I think there are some good teachings but i believe religion is made up.

Epic Psychopathic Gaslighting: "You are being sanctioned for something you did or did not do, without any tangible evidence - *whatsoever* - during a time none of us can remember." Classic.

As you mentioned, members defer to the prophet's guidance when they don't understand, or can't explain doctrine. So why are most latter day saints defying the First Presidency's requests for the pandemic?

@ExmoLex

2 жыл бұрын

Excellent question 😂 we only care about free agency when we disagree with the prophet’s politics

Hearing about the racism was bad enough. Seeing the title of that book, and hearing the content and excuses, is shocking. Does the Church of Jesus Christ not realise that, historically, he could not possibly have been white. All the pictures of Jesus I saw as a child, showed a man of Middle Eastern appearance. Attack appears to be the best form of Mormon defence. Calling out other sects as unchristian, for not having living prophets when it's first,Joseph Smith, was a deviant lover of young women. He married many, with some as young as 14. No God of love would ban people of colour from having the Priesthood or attending Temple. It's a tragedy that so many "Christian" cults deny their past teachings. Growth will never follow unless there is a radical move to treat women and men, of all colours, equal and apologise for past practices.

@Lucifersfursona

2 жыл бұрын

There’s some interesting historical stuff with how the white Jesus depiction we have came into being, worth looking up. And if my phone were not about to die, I’d pause the video and go do it myself 😅

The church was against interracial marriage even as late as Spencer W. Kimball. I remember one of my seminary teachers trying to convince us god was a "white man"...... that was in the 90s :(

@stephlestrange1

Жыл бұрын

I don't understand how this church made it outside the US, the church is really strong in Mexico, if they only knew!

It just occurred to me that you’re basically Hermione and now I can’t unsee it.

@shesus3338

2 жыл бұрын

BEST COMMENT EVER!!!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😂

@PrincessJamiG

2 жыл бұрын

💯 🙂

My grandparents grew up in that time, I honestly don't know if they really knew, they lived in incredibly small towns. My grandma's town has 2 cemeteries, 2 farms, and 10 other houses and everyone were white mormons. It wasn't until my grandpa was nearly graduated and working with Utah State's basketball team that she even saw a black person. Edit: I forgot to include my favorite part that she adds to the story. She always comments on how attractive they all were. "So tall and handsome"

The whole "It's policy, not doctrine" argument is such a cop out and just a stupid semantics argument. I have yet to have someone explain the difference between policy and doctrine in a way that makes sense to me. And even if there were a difference, why would it matter? "Oh here's one word that expresses how our church operates, and here's another word that expresses how our church operates. And within only one of them, we're racist, but the other isn't." Makes zero sense.

@shawnbradford2243

2 жыл бұрын

It’s ex post facto policy when they decide later they don’t like it

@heidihansen2188

2 жыл бұрын

even being generous and allowing them that "excuse." There is STILL the scripture that God wouldn't let them lead the church astray, so why didn't God strike them down when the made that "policy?" A God that allows racism isn't a God worth worshipping.

I love this type of content. Thanks for reading a book to us while providing your thoughts. I’m always amazed to hear 20th century mainstream Mormon teachings that are shocking by modern standards. This is what my parents and grandparents were taught?! 😮

You are always such a joy to watch and listen to. Keep up the good work. You rock! 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

There is still vestiges of this racism in their current policies. Their current material on marriage states that interracial marriage is allowed but not preferred because it would make it easier for the "evil one" to sow division. I have mormon relatives who think that my marriage to my husband is abusive and they can't understand how I would be happy in a gay marriage.

@cindys9491

2 жыл бұрын

Wait...the church thinks that the union of two people from different races will sow division? Wouldn't it do the opposite?

@lynnpayne9519

2 жыл бұрын

I am part Native American. The book of Mormon calls my ancestors " loathsome" We make them want to puke. We are naturally evil. They call us tribe of Menessah . That was the evil seed of Joseph. It is beyond sick!

A long time ago in the 90's, my mom gave me this book to help me with my "faith crisis" as I began questioning the Mormon church's history with race and racism after encountering the idea that Race is a social construct in my college Anthropology class. It literally sealed the deal for me to leave the church. Such an awful, horrible book.

I have extended family related by marriage that are Mormons. I am half Native American, born and raised on an Indian Reservation and in the culture (my religion is different these days, but I still highly value my culture). It bothers me greatly their view on Native Americans. It's incredibly offensive. I also love you! Even though I am a religious person, can any of us REALLY know about God? No. No one on this earth can say they know for a fact, what we believe just helps many of us feel better at the end of the day about the chaos in the world....

@mylesmarkson1686

2 жыл бұрын

@@trevanon7450 I got the link for ya Trev... kzread.info/dash/bejne/q4toxq2fn9aoqsY.html (Apparently you have to go back and edit your comment for the link to post)

@dnt_vtepedr

2 жыл бұрын

I am white, grew up as a Mormon and a minority on an Native American reservation. I was lucky in that the whole racist Mormon mentality going on at the time never really took hold because I was too saturated with their idea that we were all one, all creatures, regardless of species or color. I've always been grateful for having that idea set in my mind as a young person growing up in the Mormon church. By the time I was 13 I was done because their ideas made far more sense than the Mormons.

Just FYI when I was a child in the 60s & 70s, the word in the title was the accepted reference; even people of color used it. Sounds really weird now! The history of the church and the "ban" is more of a hot topic now than it was while it was going on, but you will always find apologists (sigh...) For me, one of the nails in the coffin was that I was TAUGHT all the reasons for the racism, and all of a sudden the church's essay says NO, it was only people going along with popular beliefs of the time. No one saying the church was WRONG by teaching those reasons. They seriously now retract the Cain story, the pre-existence less valiant story, etc. Even though all these books gave those reasons, and it was taught in Sunday school, seminary, (so the Church Education System put those reasons in their manuals). And all of a sudden in 2014 they decided to say NEVER MIND. I'm glad you brought this book to our attention.

@tcdavid276

2 жыл бұрын

You are correct! The term that is being avoided in this message was the very term that “they” requested be used when referencing them at that time. Then a few years the preferred term became “black“. Now more recently it seems that “black“ is not kosher either and instead we are to use “African-American“. All this is to say that there was no harm intended nor received by the use of the word “Negro“ at the time of the writing of this book. I suspect that before long we will be asked to discontinue the use of the term “African-American”, and it will be replaced by something else. On a separate note, back in my university days I wrote a mini thesis on Mormonism. I’ve always loved the Mormon people and admired how community service minded they have always been. But in my studies I found shocking truths from Mormon history. When I shared them with my Mormon friends, they would vehemently deny these historical facts and declare that they were all lies. Now, these are the very topics that lds.org confesses to in their mini essays.

@nickdipaolofan5948

2 жыл бұрын

@@tcdavid276 Yup, the United Negro College Fund was established by many black people who at the time self identified as "united negros". So even if that word seems offensive now because it is similar to the "other N word" it was not an offensive word at the time this book was written.

@CadaverQT

2 жыл бұрын

Hey!! Small world! I used to call you aunt Becky :) your insight is valuable. Hope you're living your best life - V

@timnewman1172

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, the term was used in place of the term "colored" which had been in place until that time... Sadly, growing up in that era predjudice was very common and discrimination was routine...

@sugaree71

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Saved me a comment. She was referring to the standard, universally accepted reference as if the N word … NOT!! ;)

See, when I learned about the discouragement of interracial relationships that was my shelf’s final breaking point.

@jlcmsw

2 жыл бұрын

So that belief or doctrine still exists? Our neighbors have become demons since I married a man with darker skin. They seriously harass us terribly. My husband has been nothing but nice to them, but they treat my husband like he’s a leper.

@crescentmoonartist244

2 жыл бұрын

@@jlcmsw sorry for the late response, but yes it still exists to some degree.

By the way I am so tired of the reasoning that because Joseph Smith had enemies and was attacked that therefore means he was right and all his beliefs were pure. As if he didn't get tons of benefits for being a leader of a religion as opposed to a small time conman.

@matthewrichards8218

2 жыл бұрын

And he was killed for ordering someone's printing press burned down so they couldn't reveal his polygamy. Guy was as self centered as they come.

Sup Lex, like what you're doing here and love that you're trying to overall ultimately resulting in good stuff 😁

The adorable doggo was a great pallet cleanser for this topic.

Your work is just excellent. I’m so grateful. Keep it up!

Thank you so much for this Lexie! I only got to watch this now. I always appreciate your videos! They're entertaining, informative, and inspiring. I actually have this book in pdf, but I have already lost interest in reading exmo books around the time I got this. So at least I could just watch your videos and hear you read it and your commentaries. Again thank you so much for your work and for being an inspiring influence!

Wow! This is so interesting! It really shows how Mormons talk about people who criticize the church today the same way they did back then. I wonder if Mormons now would feel this books criticism of exmormons is valid or not. They should really consider whether they are making the same mistakes today as this writer did back then.

@chrisoneill3999

2 жыл бұрын

That's how you know a false god: He can't keep His story straight.

@alrenobenjamin6566

2 жыл бұрын

The same is with Jehovah's witnesses they made pretty racist material in the early 1900s-1950s

@celiamartin2907

2 жыл бұрын

Just like the Koran.

I thonk it is great that you are reading this! I have been wondering about thisbook for quite a while. This is unique content!

Kudos to you for letting POC weigh in on how to proceed with that word. Really enjoying your take on this book. Man that thing aged like milk... as is the case with most church history...

Mental Gymnastics gold metal winner 1960! 🏆 🤣🤣🤣

@denz4133

2 жыл бұрын

Lol 1960 to present, still undefeated!

Thank you so much for this resource and breakdown, even though it hurts to listen to Slightly unrelated, you’re really good at naming dogs

My dad served a mission in the Bible Belt right before the ban was lifted and has wondered how many members left the church after.

@Riverrstone

2 жыл бұрын

South Carolina exmo here. I was in the church 1977 to 1985. I suppose some members left on that issue. I.knew of maybe four black men in the LDS Church. At the same time, I heard some church members and missionaries say some fairly racist things even after ban ended.

@nickdipaolofan5948

2 жыл бұрын

If I was alive back then it would have made me question the church also. I would have been extremely happy that blacks were no longer discriminated against, BUT I would have no choice but to question the inspiration of Brigham Young, Joseph Fielding Smith, McConkie, etc since they all said those horrible things regarding why they would NEVER get the priesthood until every white man had received it. So, although I am sure many were happy it happened, they still could have left the church because they were convinced that the prophets were just making things up and making changes based on political pressure, not Devine inspiration.

YOU ARE A BAD-ASS! I ALL THE WAY SUPPORT YOU IN THIS!!!!!!!!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Thanks for doing these videos and being real about your life and fact your following what's right for you and yours. I wasnt raised in any religious and (I'm old old now) but live in a area we get several LDS ladies and a few men that come into my work. It helps me understand them a bit also.

Lex. Do not feel embarrassed because you believed in the church. We should never be ashamed of factors like being raised in situations we cannot control. You should be proud that you broke through their programming and the fact that you are advocating for those negatively affected by the church and other communities shows that you are a good person. I don't feel embarrassed for the fact i served a mission. In fact it gave me perspectives that aided in my leaving the church later on. Love ya girl. Keep doing what ya doing.

I'm a Never-Mo and my ex was baptized in 2005. I attended just to be civil and was surprised to see a few African-Americans there. At the time, I did know that they were excluded that way until 1978 and I remember fighting the urge that day to approach them and ask them how they reconcile their faith and religion.

Thanks for all you do Lex!!

Oh...btw I loved you're coffee video. You are so cute. LOL

Mupppeeeeet!!! So cute!!! This book is fascinating and terrible. I really appreciate you sharing and also showing respect to those who have been harmed the most.

That’s such a great point about being happy about changes. I never really looked at it that way. But it’s so true, everyone was so happy that church wasn’t so long anymore.

This is the first topic that went on my shelf in the late 70’s. I had gone through my first 15 years of life not knowing how racist my church was. I overheard my bishop telling a lady of color, in front of her 4-5 yo son, that he would never be able to hold the priesthood because he was black. My 15 yo self was shocked, repulsed even. My testimony was so strong before that day, and forever after my eyes and ears were open. It all just went downhill from there. But hey, let’s not forget how my former cult was started. A guy with his face buried in a hat with magic rocks. Really nothing after that should be believed.

I love that you are reading this. A big part of my decision to leave is tied to when the church recently said

I want to see the next part!

The level manipulation going on in this book matches that of the book of mormon. Thank you for the mental health warning at the beginning. This does reaffirm the toxicity within the groups I was subjected to growing up. Thank you so much for your channel. It helps to validate the experiences of those of us who have/are still experiencing this. We are worthy of happiness whether we believe in the religion or not! 💕

I was there when the ban was lifted. At the very same time that this was being talked about in the nation was that the Mormon Church should not receive a tax exemption as a church. It was a very difficult situation when POTUS Jimmy Carter was weighing the tax exemption when “PREST’O CHANGE’O” and the ban disappears. It is impossible to evaluate to look at the Ban without also understanding the political environment at the time, that resulted in the Affirmative Action, the War on Poverty, and the Civil Rights laws. My view is that money through the tax exemption, was the primary reason for the ban being lifted!

@dreibel

2 жыл бұрын

The big thing that caused The So-Called Church to blink was a Supreme Court Ruling against Bob Jones University in 1974, which upheld that they, as a religious university, discriminated against black students, and therefore lost accreditation. You can see that how The Brethren being concerned about similar actions being taken against BYU. Likewise, the Brazil Temple - before it was opened, someone suddenly realized that many citizens in that country had African descent.

@wt460

2 жыл бұрын

@@dreibel Thanks for the information, as I didn’t know of the ruling, but rather just that the climate was ripe for this decision. I guess the ruling to the Mormons would be called prest’o change’o revelation! 😂

@lynnpayne9519

2 жыл бұрын

Also they were opening a Temple in Brazil. That nation was upset because many people in the nation have African roots. If all could not partake, the building could not be approved.

@OuttaMyMind911

2 жыл бұрын

As far as I can see, the Jimmy Carter/tax exemption claim is more "urban myth" than anything else. When looking up any actual evidence or comments from the administration, it simply doesn't exist. Problem is, I'm not even sure that they could do that in the first place. Look at it this way; the church right now, denies women to hold the priesthood. Obvious gender discrimination right? Yet they are still tax exempt.

Thank you so much for exposing this. My mother joined in the 60s and I was born in the 70s. Books like this were in my home and members felt completely comfortable talking about black people, and all POC, this way. Young Mormons and non Mormons have no idea how bad this was and how it persists in many households today.

Whenever I hear or see the word "Negro" it sounds out of place. It is like it belonged back in the 1950s. When I was at a house for dinner in Atlanta about 15 years ago, the grandmother used terms like "colored" and "negro" to refer to blacks. It seemed odd then and same today. I'll have to check to see my church library has this book. They always get donations from various people who have old LDS books.

@RolandHutchinson

2 жыл бұрын

Still, while both terms sound horribly outdated and even offensive now, they were considered neutral and respectful at the time this book was written. Martin King regularly used the word "Negro", for example, and both of those words can still be found in the names of organizations with long histories of concern for the African-American people, such as the NAACP and the UNCF. My point is that the author of this book was attempting to put on the appearance of reasonableness in part by using the most polite terms that he knew. His hypocrisy may have been evident to many even at the time and it is certainly all the more evident now, but a lot of people in the church at the time totally bought what he was selling and accepted his teaching as sound and reasonable and his vocabulary as respectful. (They had better grounds for the latter than for the former!)

Thank you for this! 👍

Solid analysis and response.

Does he ever get around to explaining why the Church could pick and choose about Polygamy but not the priesthood ban?

Also I think the church pays KZread a bit to be higher in searches.

Respects to u for not wanting to use the word. Massive respect 💯🎯

You made it further than I did! I only made it through the introduction.

Hi there again! Ok so at about 17:30-17:45ish, you had mentioned that the Priesthood isn’t true in mormonism. I agree with that, and it popped what I felt like is a SUPER depthy and important question about mormonism. I left the church last thanksgiving, and I’m so thankful I did. When I left, of course everyone around me took it hard. My dad took this especially hard. Long story short, he would ask me “If mormonism isn’t true, how do you explain healings and miracles in the name of Jesus?” (such as when my dads best friend saw my grandpa (who has passed) in the temple telling my dads friend that he can’t wait until he sees my grandma again) I thought this was a good question to dive into with how the mind can make us perceive things and I wanted to see what your take on it might be and what some resources might provide conclusions to. Thank you if you do choose to answer this question!!!

@ChemAndAdrenaline

2 жыл бұрын

They're fables. It's really that simple.

I went along with the mormon missionaries who came to my house on the Southside of Chicago. I was well versed in the Book of Mormon (that I own). Long story short our chaperone for Bible study was an older black man. I was intrigued and asked him why he was a member. He acknowledged that it's weird but they gave him money in his time of need. I asked if he had to pay 3x more in tithing. His said he didn't have to pay, a church that has been racist for so long treats its only black member like a king.

@ginamariedemeo

2 жыл бұрын

What’s the 3x more thing about?

I love how the author immediately sets up the paradigm that if you don’t fully believe and support the church , that if you have any questions about its racist teachings at all, you are not actually a true member of his church you just "profess’ to be one. That is the paradigm that still exists today if you don’t believe 100% you don’t fit in, you don’t belong there it doesn’t matter what’s being taught you must believe it. The shaming begins right away, and the morally sensitive are immediately alienated from the followers who follow without question. what a sick cult.

Wait church is only 2 hours now?! I’ve been out of the loop too long!

I remember in the 60’s as a child getting a comic book for children that illustrated and told that basic Cain and racist doctrine. It bothered me then and I resented being forced into baptism when I was 8. I requested excommunication as soon as I could. That’s just the tip of the iceberg with their twisted doctrines. Thanks for doing what you do! I had to return for my dad’s Mormon funeral and your other video on that was so right on.

I read this!!! It was wild!!!

@Excultbaby

2 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/pWqdyrKrmJvfm6w.html

I would love to see you do an "on the flip side" video of these same quotes but directed at boys and men from a leader woman, just to show how outrageous this would sound to the men! As an ex-mo male who grew up just taking all this for granted it is striking how little is EVER said about boys dress/behavior compared to how often girls are/were "counciled" on their appropriate roles etc. The crazy thing is all these men from the local men all the way to the top have been inculcated and marinated in these beliefs/attitudes pretty much from birth so they really believe it. SAD!

God made us in all colors & loves all of us. This hurts my heart!

The part where you described reincarnation but with a twist of skin color REALLY hit hard, I had never thought of it that way before and now I can’t get this grimy feeling off of me. That teaching is so incredibly harmful and hateful and comes from a place of such evil. To hear it as a white person and have a physical reaction… I cannot imagine any “darker,” as if that matters in the slightest. It also implies that the world treats you worse if you are black (which it unfortunately does) but most importantly, that that is the way god intended it. Which is absolutely untrue. First of all, they made up the idea of god. So to put that hateful speech inside such a trope is literally the devils work.

Thank you so much for your video! Brigham Young and his devotion to the god of this world. He had been a key person involved in the plotting and subsequent murder of the Smith brothers, Brigham Young forfeited any priesthood authority himself and caused the same for all who followed him. Who has true priesthood? Only them who can minister angels just as Joseph Smith did. Has there been anyone else since Joseph Smith who ministered angels? Not one member nor leadership. Not a single one. Hence Brigham Young was the reason the church committed crimes against the United States. Brigham Young caused the total dissolution of the church by the United States in 1887: Edmunds Tucker Act. That effectively caused the church to be nonexistent and turning the Brigham Young followers into just a group of cult subjects. False priesthood, or priestcraft evolved from Brigham Young to President Nelson. Why does the church obscure the fact that Heber J. Grant is the Founder of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints? In 1923 Heber J Grant founded today’s church. The church today teaches precepts and sells religion for money, just as depicted by the endowment play after satan, the god of this world answers the prayers of Adam. No other being in the endowment play is seen dressed with emblems of priesthood than satan himself, and Joseph Smith effectively taught Real Truth in the play that participants miss to recognize and capture. The church has been the fallen one since, and today it seeks to take away all agency from everyone “so that not one soul shall be lost” Today the church took upon itself to receive God’s glory and honor [for the praise of this world and its god] Lastly: which church is the true church? The one that: 1. Has one mind 2. One heart, And the key of all keys, the true token of Real Truth: 3. NO POOR AMONGST THEM. That is the true Zion. Are there poor and homeless in Salt Lake City? Are there poor and homeless in the wards and branches of this church? Then it is not the true Zion, because it has no true priesthood nor any authority as Enoch or Joseph Smith had. The church’s satanic teaching of eternal families: DNA based [god of this world] and that’s how it turns away the poor to seek public help and go first to their DNA family [instead of their eternal and spiritual family, the church members] to help them, processes never taught by Jesus the Christ, but by the god of this world. Too difficult? What does Isaiah say about churches and their meetings in Isaiah Chapter 1 ? Jesus teaching of the Real Truth eternal family: EVERYONE IS ONE BIG FAMILY: “Mother, behold your son…behold your mother…” and there are many other examples. Today we have one apostle who is almost a billionaire: Gary Stevenson If he had the real priesthood authority, wouldn’t apostle Gary Stevenson have taught the entire church every single step he took so that every member in the church would become financially independent over the last thirty years? He did not and neither any of the twelve, whom are all multimillionaires, which is the sign that they follow and worship the god of this world unto carnal security. Tithing: the Lorenzo Snow video and story is fiction created by BYU. The rain actually destroyed their crops. Could go on…

Was the Community of Christ less racist since they broke off and didn't follow Brigham Young?

@ExmoLex

2 жыл бұрын

Good question! I’ll need to look into this.

Awesome assessment. Leaving the L.D.S. church...and dogma...around twenty-five years ago was a great life-changing event for me.

I have this book on my bookshelf right now. :)

Hey EXMOLEX and other anti cultists! Just thought Id mention this: Laura Prepon has left Scientology and theres strong indicators that John Travolta has also left

I was done with the Mormon church as a young child when I heard people of African descent were allowed to hold the priesthood. An alarm bell went off in my head. I thought, "what?", they weren't allowed to before??? I was totally shocked, and knew in that moment there was no way the church was true.

I was a young child the Sunday the ban was lifted. People had to be escorted out. The security was at every door. A few sects formed over that. They were sure women getting priesthood next. The hate overflowed.

That is one of the cutest dogs I've ever seen.

i find it very interesting that there was an elder who was "african" in Smith's tenure... and he was so committed to abolitionism... and then everything took a 180 with Brigham Young.

You have terrific hair!

The Author was a respected LDS Professor, John J. Stewart. Here is bio from his obituary in 2014. After graduating, John was hired by USU as a professor of journalism and English. He later earned his master's degree from the University of Oregon. His master's thesis on the life of Joseph Smith Jr. became the groundwork for one of his earliest published books. John was a prolific writer and enthusiastic researcher. Over his life, in his spare time, he wrote and had published over two dozen historical, religious and biographical books. John's heroes were Joseph Smith, Thomas Jefferson, Tom Mix and other individuals noted for courage and productive service to humanity. The family still has possession of other manuscripts unpublished. John joked about leaving an incredible inheritance of rejected manuscripts to his family. One of his books, The Life of Joseph Fielding Smith, was the authorized biography of President Smith and is used as subject matter for the current gospel doctrine course of study. John had the opportunity to personally know and associate with many noted and fascinating individuals. John was a master of time management. He was a full-time professor for over 30 years, wrote books, magazine articles and newspaper columns.

I'm always cautious when people talk about the past with modern thinking. For me to understand the past understanding using modern context/thinking distorts the thinking of that time. So, did the church makes changes or change to work in current times.

In the 1950's when I wasa teenager, I had many issues with the church, but racism was the defining reason for my rejecting it ultimately. In my mid-twenties, I fell in love with a medical student in San Francisco. My mother was delighted until she found out he was African-American. She turned the entire family against me and continued her attacks for ten years until she destroyed the relationship. He was a kind and loving person who could not deal with being the wedge that kept me from all interaction with my nieces and nephews.

@catherinenesbit5446

2 жыл бұрын

I should add, my sister told me when the ban was lifted in 1978 that mother, who was cult level invested in the church, nearly left over that issue. She lived in an all white area, so with no black members in her ward, she was able to block it out. To her dying days, she hated blacks.

I've spoken with a few exmos about this book who were growing up around this time. I spoke with one person whose parents got her this book IN 1978 because, as a teenager, she had problems with the racist doctrines. That said, I don't know if her parents bought it in 1978 or got it off a friend or something. I'd be curious to know. Thanks for talking about this. It's ugly, but it needs to be talked about. The YOUNGEST current apostle was 20 years old when the ban was lifted. Russell M. Nelson was 54. The adults who were such a huge part of my life in my ward growing up were teenagers or adults when the ban was lifted. This isn't ancient history. Looking forward to your next installment.

It was totally Brigham Young who implemented this doctrine. JS gave the priesthood to at least one African American man during his lifetime.

I first learned about this when I was a small child. It was still church policy at the time. I honestly believe that's when I stopped believing in prophets. Even then I felt like God would never treat ANY of his children like this. I did stay in the church until I was about 35. I really felt like it was the only way to connect to God. Weird I know. It wasnt until I left the church that I finally felt fully connected to God.

I'm not a Mormon, never have been a Mormon, but I find the LDS Church interesting. I mean, I find all organised religion interesting, but especially "new" religions like this one. Turns out Smith wasn't the awful racist...but the CHURCH is (was/is)still awfully racist.

@matthewrichards8218

2 жыл бұрын

And sexist, and bigoted, and discriminatory, and toxic, and ignorant lol. The list goes ooooonnn.

Thanks for your content you share Lex and hopefully more mormons leave and think for themselves about the destruction the church does. My dad still thinks black people are cursed and are the descendants of Cane and Abel. Shits so stupid. I'm 40 an atheist and married to my black wife (together since 2007). Raised in a traditional mormon upbringing. Over the 2020 protests I gave a complete history of the United States to my dad and asked if he still thought that. Because 20yrs ago my first girlfriend was black, and he sat me down and read from the bible and another book about mormon doctrine, about black cursed skin. I was shocked, had never heard this and said you can't be serious. When I asked him again in 2020 he said the same thing. I have no relationship with him. All religion is so oppressive and even more so with the LDS church. It's the worst of the worst religions. Corruption, hypocrisies, racism, end of the world preaching constantly. I left the church when I was 13yrs old and (moved out at 17yrs old) came from a typical Mormon family. 8 kids, giant trampoline and a suburban. My youngest sister came out gay in her 20's (about 6yrs ago) and my dad didn't even speak to her for years. Friends as a kid when I grew up would say, "Mormons are a cult." I'd defend it saying no it's not. Then as I got into my teenage years, I knew exactly what it meant. The church is a cult. Just because its full of millions of members doesn't mean it's not a cult. It means it's a really, REALLY BIG CULT. Mormon religion is a cult. My new favorite quote from a book called 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenace' by Robert M. Pirsig referenced from 'The God Delusion' by Richard Dawkins - "When one person suffers a delusion, it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called Religion."

@pennydavis9494

Жыл бұрын

Im truely understanding your feelings. Alot of pain and rejection because you thought for yourself. I see that happing a lot. The system doesn't like people who think for themselves

I HAVE this book 😶 i found it while going through my moms things.

Dunno why youtube didn't notify me

@ExmoLex

2 жыл бұрын

This video has been getting a lot less views than normal! I think it may be suppressed because of the heavy topic. :/

This is crazy crazy town that so many people of all “Christian” sects were like this. Mormonism was just more standardized across the nation than most other non/Catholic sects, so it’s more OBVIOUSLY terrible. However this kind of racism was/IS pervasive across denominations. I feel like all these Protestants gets away with so much because of the lack of standards. Like when Protestants don’t agree, they literally will open up a new church (sometimes RIGHT NEXT to the old one!) and go on with their religion. Is this making any sense? I feel like Mormonism gets such a deservedly bad rap for things that are widespread across denominations. So I’m thankful to Joseph Smith and Brigham Young for coming up with the sect of Christianity that kind of exposes the rest of them. I hope any of that blathering on made sense.I love you!🎶🖤

I had the book when in Stake Mission Presidency in 1960.

Yes the book William E Barrett wrote that was our seminary text book in 1969-70 is the book title "The Restored Church". To this day I remember the strong dissing language he used to describe Gov. Lilburn Boggs. He painted gov Boggs as evil.

Literally the only way I can think the church could justify its past is if they did this: 1. Paint Joseph Smith as a King David kind of figure. He was meant to restore all truths, including eternal marriage, but he succumbed to earthly temptation and misused the doctrines given to him as the years went on. Due to this, he was cut off from the presence of God for a time which is why he was killed by the mob. His main goal was to restore the priesthood, which he did. This would allow the church to disavow the actions of Joseph Smith while simultaneously explain the sketchy history while still making the church "true". Joseph would still be venerated but also seen in a more realistic light. 2. Brigham did have the priesthood but was never meant to be the president of the church. They need to admit that the members made the decision without actually counseling God, and so none of the presidents up until Joseph F. Smith held the actual role of Prophet. Essentially, they need to throw Brigham under the bus, even though they'd have to explain the name of BYU. But this would fix the Adam- God stuff, etc. 3. The gift of seership and prophecy is not inherently given to the president of the church. All presidents have the gift of moral foresight but not physical foresight. That is an individual gift. This is why they should make a bigger emphasis on personal revelation. This would explain why the president never makes any prophecies about future events, but rather moral ones. Only some presidents have the gift of prophecy. 4. Joseph Smith had the spiritual gifts of seership and prophecy and the stone was a way for him to harness the power he already had. The stone didn't actually do anything, it was just a placebo. Oliver Cowdrey had the same gift but in a lesser form, and it could be accessed by Oliver via the dowsing rod he used. Once again, a placebo. 5. Even though God did eventually begin speaking to the church again during the days of Joseph F Smith, there were still some old traditions that pervaded the church, hence the Priesthood ban and mistreatment of gays. The restoration of the gospel is still in process, due to Joseph Smith's and Brigham Young's actions and setbacks. 6. The Book of Abraham should be viewed similar to that of the Apocrypha. As in, they tell people that there are truths in it, but that a lot of it was created from Joseph's own subconscious that he mistook as prophecy. 7. Acknowledge that Joseph Smith took the temple rituals from the masons. They need to alter the idea that the handshakes and "ordinances" actually do anything, and instead go for the route that they are simply symbolic, and that the COVENANT in the temple is the only thing that matters in regards to the Celestial Kingdom. They could also go with the idea that God doesn't need you to memorize handshakes, but that the angels need you to. They could say that when the Second Coming happens, the church members must have the handshakes memorized so that the angels know who should be saved and who shouldn't. They could come up with some story as to why the masonic rituals are being used.

I was born in '59 and raised in the 60's and 70's. Therefore I saw and heard the attitudes and teachings of that time. When I read this book in 2001 it was simply a reminder of my childhood and teenage years of indoctrination before the church's change in '78. This book was a part of my early questioning and deconstruction.

The church talks its greatness up so much but ultimately always fails to deliver. What a joke.

I didn’t see this for some reason!

The worst is that they even convince black people of this non sense and keep baptizing people in Africa without mentioning this very important part of the church s history and beliefs. So upsetting. I should find a way to translate these videos in French so they can understand how these people are manipulative