Chapter 4 (BOMC)

A contradiction in the Book of Mormon when compared to the Bible, comes from 2 Nephi, chapter 5. Reading the following verses will help you know how the God of Mormonism is racist. It is written, “wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled which he spake unto me, saying that: Inasmuch as they will not hearken unto thy words they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And behold, they were cut off from his presence. And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them. And thus saith the Lord God: I will cause that they shall be loathsome unto thy people, save they shall repent of their iniquities.” (2 Nephi 5:20-22) So black people are wicked in God’s sight?

The God of the Bible cares about our inner person and motives, unlike the racist God of Mormonism. He doesn't care about the outside appearance.  He is not a respecter of persons.  Every person of every race is important in his sight.  It is written, “but the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” (Acts 10:34,35) “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) Surely, the God of the Bible is not racist, unlike the God of Mormonism. It is important to see the problems with racism in this book, as it is a contradiction to the Bible.

The God of the Bible has a no racism policy. He is a respecter of all people, no matter their skin color. However, the God of Mormonism is very racist. He even caused a skin of blackness to fall upon people who were wicked in the Book of Mormon. It was later on that the black people could return to being white if they repented of their sins. This is very sick and wrong.  Black lives matter, just as all other skin colors do. It is written, “and the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them; wherefore, they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers. And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a pure and a delightsome people.” (2 Nephi 30:5,6) This contradicts the Bible, but goes right along with what Joseph Smith taught as well about black people. The Bible says, “judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24)

The Bible says that “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) However, Mormonism started off with being racist. Joseph Smith said the following. It is written, “having learned with extreme regret, that an article entitled, Free People of Color; in the last number of the Star has been misunderstood, we feel in duty bound to state, in this Extra, that our intention was not only to stop free people of color from emigrating to this state, but to prevent them from being admitted as members of the church.” (History of the Church, 1:378-379) “Had I anything to do with the negro, I would confine them by strict law to their own species and put them on a national equalization.” (History of the Church, 5:218-219) Does this sound like someone who is a respecter of people of all colors? Absolutely, not.  However, it makes sense that we have these racist undertones in their Book of Mormon also.  The writer was racist, so it makes sense. This is in comparison to the Bible.

It is written, “but the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) So the God of the Bible doesn’t look at the outside appearance, But what does the God of the Book of Mormon judge us on? This god punishes white people who sin against Him with black skin. This is a curse given to people who wrong Him. The same god of Mormonism is able to separate the righteous from the wicked depending upon their skin color. So white being righteous, and black being wicked. This is blasphemy! But what happens if someone repents and is black skinned? Their white skin would return to them like before. Does this sound like the same God of the Bible? Of course not. So how come people believe in the Book of Mormon when its contents are racist and the Bible is not?

Mormonism began with people who were racist, and their thinking made it into their Book of Mormon.  The church may not be racist today, but what I see in their book still leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I see a racist god every time I read from the pages. But let’s read for ourselves what the Book of Mormon says. “And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph, and Sam, who were just and holy men.” (Alma 3:6) As these people repented, “their curse was taken from them, and their skin became white like unto the Nephites.” (3 Nephi 2:15) Does this sound racist? It sure does. Reading this makes me wonder why people of other races are part of this cult.  Can they not see this dilemma?

The God of the Bible is not the same as the god of the Book of Mormon. We are told by Jesus to not judge according to the skin color of people. it is written, “judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24) How God treats everyone equally no matter their skin color. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” (Acts 10:34-35) Skin color doesn’t matter in the sight of God. We are all one in Christ, no matter what we look like. Paul said, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) People who treat people differently because of their skin color are sinning in the sight of God. James also said, “but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” (James 2:9) The true God of the Bible would never make someone become black or another skin color due to their sinful nature. This is outright racist.

The god in the Book of Mormon is so different from the God of the Bible. The Book of Mormon god says that those who are black are wicked, while those who are white are righteous. This sounds pretty racist to me.  So why do Mormons like to write this off like it is not an issue? I am speaking of four different places in this book that says that God cursed the white skinned Lamanites with black skin. As they were once white and delightsome, they became dark and loathsome in this god’s sight. But it gets worse. Every black person who repented and came back to him became white once again. You can read this here. “And it came to pass that those Lamanites who had united with the Nephites were numbered among the Nephites; And their curse was taken from them, and their skin became white like unto the Nephites; And their young men and their daughters became exceedingly fair, and they were numbered among the Nephites, and were called Nephites. And thus ended the thirteenth year.” (3 Nephi 2:14-16) Again, would a true God change black people to be white skinned if they repented and came back to Him? Absolutely not. This is racist.

Let’s talk about the one true God of Israel. Our God is the creator of every person on earth. And as the creator, He is the Father of our spirits. It is written, “and Moses spake unto the Lord, saying, let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation.” (Numbers 27:15,16) This means that there is no prejudice with God. He even calls the human race very good in His sight. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Genesis 1:26,27) “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:31) This includes every person of every race and color. The color of our skin is insignificant in God’s sight, for He looks upon the heart. The God of the Bible differs greatly from the god of the Book of Mormon.

Racism was prevalent among the early church leaders in Mormonism.  This same prejudice towards blacks made it into the Book of Mormon. This is made evident as we read the quotes from the leaders at that time, including Joseph Smith. This needs to be brought to light, as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has a haunting racist past.  Thankfully, these discriminatory beliefs towards black people do not exist today except for the passages in this book and previous books of the past. We will see how racism made it into their Book of Mormon.  It was Joseph Smith who authored this book with the help of some of his associates. His racist quotes are below, along with a variety of prophets and apostles in their church…

Joseph Smith
“Having learned with extreme regret, that an article entitled, “Free People of Color; in the last number of the Star has been misunderstood, we feel in duty bound to state, in this Extra, that our intention was not only to stop free people of color from emigrating to this state, but to prevent them from being admitted as members of the church.” (History of the Church, 1:378-379)

“Had I anything to do with the negro, I would confine them by strict law to their own species and put them on a national equalization.” (History of the Church, 5:218-219)

Brigham Young
“We must believe in slavery. This colored race have been subjected to severe curses, which they have in their families and their classes and in their various capacities brought upon themselves. And until the curse is removed by Him who placed it upon them, they must suffer under its consequences; I am not authorized to remove it. I am a firm believer in slavery.” (The Teachings of President Brigham Young, Volume 3: 1852-1854)

“You must not think, from what I say, that I am opposed to slavery. No! The negro is damned, and is to serve his master till God chooses to remove the curse of Ham.” (New York Herald, May 4, 1855)

The First Presidency
“From the days of the Prophet Joseph even until now, it has been the doctrine of the church, never questioned by any of the Church leaders, that the Negroes are not entitled to the full blessings of the Gospel.” (Letter from the First Presidency to Dr, Lowry Nelson, July 17, 1947)

“The attitude of the Church with reference to the Negroes remains as it has always stood. It is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct commandment from the Lord, on which is founded the doctrine of the Church from the days of its organization, to the effect that Negroes may become members of the Church but that they are not entitled to the priesthood at the present time.” (Statement of the First Presidency of the LDS Church, August 17, 1949)

Mark E. Petersen
“If that Negro is faithful all his days, he can and will enter the celestial kingdom. He will go there as a servant, but he will get a celestial resurrection. He will get a place in the celestial glory.” Therefore, do Mormons consider God to have an “equal heaven” for all races?” (Speech at Brigham Young University on August 27 1954)

Bruce R. McConkie
“The negroes are not equal with other races where the receipt of certain spiritual blessings are concerned…But this inequality is not of man’s origin. It is the Lord’s doing.” (1966 edition of Mormon Doctrine)

Racism in the Book of Mormon is evident from the attitudes of Joseph Smith and the church leaders during that time. You will notice while reading different verses that the racism in the 1800s ended up in the passages. The verses teach us that God punishes white people who sin against Him with black skin. This was a curse given to people who transgressed against Him. These people are then separated from the righteous because of their black skin. However, if they repented, their white skin would return to them like before. How racist is this? Does this sound like the God of the Bible? Absolutely not. See for yourself how racist the Mormon god really is by reading the different verses below…

“Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled which he spake unto me, saying that: Inasmuch as they will not hearken unto thy words they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And behold, they were cut off from his presence. And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them. And thus saith the Lord God: I will cause that they shall be loathsome unto thy people, save they shall repent of their iniquities.” (2 Nephi 5:20-22)

“And the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them; wherefore, they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers. And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a pure and a delightsome people.” (2 Nephi 30:5,6)

“And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph, and Sam, who were just and holy men.” (Alma 3:6)

“And it came to pass that those Lamanites who had united with the Nephites were numbered among the Nephites; And their curse was taken from them, and their skin became white like unto the Nephites; And their young men and their daughters became exceedingly fair, and they were numbered among the Nephites, and were called Nephites. And thus ended the thirteenth year.” (3 Nephi 2:14-16)

What does the Bible say about racism? Is the God of the Bible the same as what we read in the Book of Mormon? Absolutely not. God loves people of all skin colors equally and does not discriminate based on race. As you will see below, God does not differentiate people when it comes to their outward appearance. He already knows who is for Him and who is against Him. This is because all colors of skin are the same in his eyes.

This is in comparison to the Bible below: 
“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24)

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” (Acts 10:34,35)

“For there is no respect of persons with God.” (Romans 2:11)

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

Here is the truth about racism.  It was not part of God’s church. So, seeing it in Mormonism makes me wonder why they claim to be the true church. Even if in 1978, racist slurs were removed, and blacks began to receive the priesthood, this doesn't change the past.  What was said about blacks over a hundred and fifty years ago was still wrong. If I was a member of the church and I saw how racist it was, I would doubt that the church had any revelation from God. And if God was not leading them, I'd be finding a new church immediately.  All this needs to be considered since the god they believe in said that blacks would never hold the priesthood.  Did their god change his mind? The God of the Bible doesn’t change his mind on what is sin, and who is cursed.  People of every skin color deserve to be part of God’s church, and also receive His blessings. Too bad this didn’t happen in this church from the beginning. It claims to have the truth of God, but you can tell they are far from it. Please think about this.

The Book of Mormon is racist and not of God.  Its racist slurs are from the pit of hell and uncalled-for. If I was part of this church, I would run as fast as I could in the opposite direction. Only then can Jesus save me. This is not something that people want to hear, but it must be said, nonetheless. Exposing the racism found in the Book of Mormon, and among the church leaders at the time, is not to judge this church wrongfully.  This is making a righteous judgment call. Let me ask you a question. If you saw someone in a burning house, would you just allow them to suffer and die in it?  I hope not.  As for me, I would go into the house and pull them out of the flames. This is exactly what God has called all of us to do. Mormons are on the path of destruction and leading them off that path to Jesus is the least we can do. I do this out of love for every person in this false religion. If God has saved you from the pit of hell, praise God. The Lord Jesus is worthy of our praise. Thank Him this day for saving you, and for leading you on the path to heaven. Amen.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that more people will be led by You and Your truth, and not the things people think are true. What we see in this world can appear to be good on the surface, especially certain beliefs. On paper, things can look very appealing and good for our families. Especially when it will impact us in this life and the next in a positive way.  This is why I remain steadfast in prayer that You may show me the truth on a daily basis. Help us to be cognizant of the evils in this world and not dive into things without going to You first in prayer and Bible study.  Investigating things that appear to be for You is the least I can do. Lest I fall into believing the doctrines of men.  Help us follow You and not what our flesh wants. The times I get out of line is when I try to do my own things and not follow Your will. Often, I have fallen flat on my face when I am not seeking You. Therefore, I ask that You will lead me in all things. Keep me on Your righteous and holy path that leads to heaven. I am Yours and You are mine. I trust in You, Lord. I love You. Amen.