In the 1960s, Mormon Apostle Hugh B. Brown made significant efforts to lift the priesthood and temple ban for Black members of the church, even speaking with the media about the possibility of change. President Harold B. Lee, however, demanded that Brown stop speaking to the press and removed him from the First Presidency. Lee also forced Brown to sign a statement reaffirming the church’s racist doctrines. Join us with historian Matthew Harris as we explore the impact of Brown’s release, his faith journey, and insights from Harris's book Second Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality.

Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality

Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox

_________________________

• Mormon Stories Website

• YouTube

• Patreon

• Apple Podcasts

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

• Insta: @mormstories

• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast

• Join the Discord

Join us as we uncover what drove change within the Mormon Church, from government pressure on BYU to admit more black students to the church’s troubling response. We’ll dive into shocking letters sent to black prospective students, a five-step plan to keep them out, and the protests that followed. Learn how government intervention eventually forced the end of discrimination and explore why Mormon leaders were so uneasy with black students. This episode, featuring historian Dr. Matthew Harris, is part of our series on his book Second Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality.

Show Notes

YouTube

Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality

Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox

_________________________

• Mormon Stories Website

• YouTube

• Patreon

• Apple Podcasts

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

• Insta: @mormstories

• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast

• Join the Discord

Join us as historian Matthew Harris returns to discuss what happens when members of the Mormon Church First Presidency go rogue. We explore George Romney's support of Civil Rights versus Ezra Taft Benson's involvement with the John Birch Society. We'll also dive into the impact of white church members marching in the Civil Rights Movement and how figures like Stewart Udall, Cleon Skousen, Robert Welch, and Hugh B. Brown challenged the Brethren at Church Headquarters with their views and publications.

⁠Show Notes⁠

⁠YouTube Episode⁠

Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality

Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox

_________________________

• Mormon Stories Website

• YouTube

• Patreon

• Apple Podcasts

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

• Insta: @mormstories

• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast

• Join the Discord

Join Nate Byrd, Summer-Rayn, Dr. Darron Smith, and John Dehlin as they tackle the uncomfortable truths of Mormon leaders supporting racial segregation. This episode dives into topics like the European origin theory of the lost ten tribes, the discovery of black ancestry in those who appear white, patriarchs’ treatment of the “Curse of Cain,” and a shocking statement by Mormon prophet Harold B. Lee about closing BYU rather than admitting black students. Featuring clips from the episodes with historian Matthew Harris.

⁠Show Notes⁠

⁠YouTube⁠

Purchase Matt Harris’ book, ⁠Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality⁠

⁠Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox⁠

_________________________

• ⁠Mormon Stories Website⁠

• ⁠YouTube⁠

• ⁠Patreon⁠

• ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

• ⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠

• ⁠Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠

• ⁠Join the Discord⁠

Join us today as we discuss the priesthood and temple ban with historian Matthew Harris. Today we will discuss Hugh B. Brown and his attempts to lift the priesthood and temple ban for black members of the church. Hugh B. Brown was an attorney and joined the First Presidency in 1963. He made countless efforts to convince the Brethren that the ban on blacks should be lifted and even told the New York Times that there was a strong possibility the ban would soon be removed. This response caused a great deal of problems at Church Headquarters.

Show Notes

Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality

Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox

_________________________

• Mormon Stories Website

• YouTube

• Patreon

• Apple Podcasts

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

• Insta: @mormstories

• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast

• Join the Discord

In the 1950s and 60s, the Mormon church faced internal turmoil as a group of intellectuals known as the "Swearing Elders" challenged orthodox doctrines. This clash between free-thinking scholars and conservative leaders like Joseph Fielding Smith led to attempts at excommunication, spy infiltration, and the firing of liberal educators. Amidst this tension, Church President David O. McKay emerged as an unexpected protector of intellectual freedom. The period also saw the church grappling with civil rights issues and racial policies, as public pressure forced leaders to confront their teachings. This tumultuous era set the stage for decades of struggle between faith, scholarship, and authority in Mormonism. Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/fired-for-opposing-racism/

Join with us today as we continue to discuss the history of racism in the Mormon church with historian Matt Harris. We will discuss segregation in Utah, including blood banks, hotels, in Relief Societies, etc. In the 1950s a talk was given by Mormon leader Mark E. Petersen that generated a lot of backlash from critics. Matt Harris gives an insider's view into the minds of these Mormon leaders and how they were not all in agreement with the priesthood and temple ban.

Mark E. Peterson's Talk: Race Problems As They Affect The Church : Internet Archive

Show Notes

Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality

Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox

_________________________

• Mormon Stories Website

• YouTube

• Patreon

• Apple Podcasts

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

• Insta: @mormstories

• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast

• Join the Discord

Join us today as we discuss Mormon the priesthood and temple ban with historian Matt Harris. We will be talking about missionary work in South Africa, patriarchal blessings for black individuals, the removal of church leaders because of their ancestry, and the notes from the top secret meeting that came to be known as the Bennion report. Nate Byrd of the Black Menaces is joining us today to share his perspective.

Purchase Matt Harris’ book, Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality

Donate to Matt Harris directly for this series with Donorbox

_________________________

• Mormon Stories Website

• YouTube

• Patreon

• Apple Podcasts

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

• Insta: @mormstories

• Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast

• Join the Discord