The Role of Racism in Mormonism, Part 1

In Shawn McCraney's teaching on Heart of the Matter, he plans a series exploring how the LDS church uses the Bible to justify doctrines, contrasting them with what the Bible actually states, while highlighting the role of emotionalism in shaping beliefs. He emphasizes that feelings can be misleading, as they often lead to allegiance and convictions that may not align with truth, comparable to how patriotism and commercial marketing often appeal to emotions rather than factual correctness.

In Shawn's teaching, he critiques how modern portrayals of God in media and religious contexts often contrast with the harsher depictions in scripture, emphasizing that God's message is delivered through His word and truth, not worldly appeals. He also explores the historical role of racism in Mormonism, urging a critical examination of its doctrinal foundations and the ongoing trustworthiness of its leaders, while questioning if such biases persist in contemporary teachings.

Shawn's teaching explores the portrayal of skin color in Mormon scripture as a marker of righteousness and spirituality. Key passages from the Book of Mormon, among others in LDS texts, suggest that dark skin is associated with sin and rebellion, while fair skin aligns with purity and spiritual enlightenment, perpetuating a foundation for racial prejudices within Mormonism.

Shawn critically examines the historical teachings of the LDS Church, highlighting that racial discrimination was rooted in beliefs linking skin color to righteousness, as stated in the Book of Mormon and the Book of Moses, and perpetuated by doctrines about pre-mortal existence. Despite changes like the 1978 priesthood ban lift, Shawn argues that such teachings and their effects persist in the Church's culture and leadership, noting the lack of formal apology and ongoing racial biases within its doctrine.

Shawn critiques the racial doctrines propagated by Joseph Smith, pointing out the absurdity of attributing skin color changes to one's righteousness or behavior, and challenges the idea that such teachings reflect a reasonable view of God. He argues that these beliefs, influenced by societal prejudices of Smith's time, contributed to an ethnocentric religious system that promoted exclusion and pride, and calls for reevaluation and questioning of such ideologies by those affected.