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Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Episode 621: Dr Paul Reeve, LDS Historian, New Book “Let’s Talk about Race and Priesthood”

Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Richard Ostler

Religion & Spirituality

4.8839 Ratings

🗓️ 9 March 2023

⏱️ 93 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

My friend Paul Reeve (active Latter-day Saint, Simmons Chair of Mormon Studies at University of Utah, author, married father of six) joins us to talk about his new book (published by Deseret Book) called “Let’s Talk about Race and Priesthood.” This book (forward written by Darius A. Gray) shares the historical facts and personal stories around this important topic. Paul has divided the book into three sections: Phase One: Universal Priesthood and Temples Phase Two: Segregated Priesthood and Temples Phase Three: A Return to Racial Inclusivity Paul talks about why this book is needed, how racism still is a challenge in our Church, how understanding our history—even the difficult chapters—is essential to healing and coming together to create Zion. In addition to the historical facts, Paul humanizes this topic by sharing stories of black Latter-day Saints impacted by priesthood and temple restrictions. I believe it is the responsibility of Latter-day Saints to know our history. I encourage all of us to read Paul’s book and reflect on what we can do in our circle to better support black Latter-day Saints and root our racism—following the charge extended by President Nelson. Deseret Book writes about this series of books: “Each is written by a trusted, faithful scholar who thoroughly explains the topic including key issues to consider. Designed for people who have sincere questions and are seeking answers, the series provides access to some of the best thinking in the Church.” Thank you for Paul for your life work to help us understand this issue—and bring to light the heroic and often painful stories of black Latter-day Saints. Podcast Links: Deseret Book: https://deseretbook.com/p/let-s-talk-about-race-and-priesthood Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1639931198 Black Latter-day Saint database: www.CenturyOfBlackMormons.org Paul Reeve bio: https://faculty.utah.edu/u0033169-W._PAUL_REEVE/hm/index.hml

Transcript

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0:00.0

Welcome listeners to another episode of Listen, Learn, and Love hosted by Richard Osler.

0:09.6

I have a returning guest, my friend, Dr. Paul Reeb.

0:13.7

Welcome to the podcast, Paul.

0:16.4

Thank you, Richard. It's a honor to be with you again.

0:20.9

Paul was on the podcast way back in episode 278, and he is now on the podcast to talk about a new book that's a desert book.

0:31.1

It's called Let's Talk About Race and the Priesthood. And it's just a terrific book. In fact, listeners, this is the first time I was almost late to start a podcast because

0:42.4

I was consumed with one of the chapters of the book.

0:45.9

And then I looked at the clock.

0:47.5

I thought, oh, no, we need to do a podcast about this book.

0:51.1

Just a little bit about Paul.

0:52.7

Paul, W. Paul Reeve is the Simmons Chair of Mormon Studies in the history department

0:59.4

at the University of Utah, where he teaches courses on Utah History, Mormon History, and the

1:05.4

history of the U.S. West.

1:07.5

His book, Religion of a Different Color, Race, and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness, has received multiple awards.

1:15.3

And that's what Podcast 278 was about listeners.

1:19.6

He is the project manager and general editor of a digital database, century of black Mormons, designed to to identify all known people of black African descent

1:30.8

baptized in the faith between 1830 and 1930. This database is found at Century of Black Mormons.org.

1:40.2

Paul and his wife, Beth, are the parents of six children. And I believe you got your Ph.D. in history from the University of Utah, where you're at now.

1:48.9

Yeah, that's correct.

1:50.7

So I have just, I'm going to let Paul talk about this, but it's kind of a book that talks about phase one is universal priesthood and temples where black Latterday Saints had

2:05.3

full access to the priesthood and temple. And then phase two, segregated priesthood and temples.

2:11.8

And then phase three, and I love the way you've named this, a return to racial inclusivity.

...

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