Testing 1, 2, 3, testing 1, 2, 3, this is Radio Free Mormon on the air broadcasting

behind Enemy Lines.

Tonight's episode, Mormon Racism Revival.

This episode is being recorded on January 22, 2020.

Just a few days ago, an article appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune which brought national

attention to the fact that in a new church manual titled, Come Follow Me, produced by the

Church for Home Study of the Gospel, an official manual of the Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints, appears a quotation from past prophet and president of the Church Joseph

Fielding Smith that many see as racist.

Here is the quote from the manual.

The dark skin was placed upon the Lamanites so that they could be distinguished from the

Nephites and to keep the two people from mixing.

The dark skin was the sign of the curse.

The curse was the withdrawal of the Spirit of the Lord.

Dark skin is no longer to be considered a sign of the curse.

And in the references given for that quote, Joseph Fielding Smith answers to gospel

questions, 1960, volume 3 pages 122 through 123.

After all the manuals were produced and published but not yet distributed to the members of

the church, somebody pointed out the fact that this could be seen as problematic.

Now because of this, the church did take action.

Unfortunately, the church did not recall the manuals and republished them without the

offending language.

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