I was sort of baffled by the black guy that quoted John Taylor
 

he said there's a quote about how black people are here to represent Satan. What's that all about? I've never heard such a quote. Anyone else familiar with it? I can't fathom why he felt like that needed to be mentioned if it was true. Maybe so he could feel more persecuted? I thought for sure he was going to quote 1st edition Mormon Doctrine, but instead he came busting out with that one.

A lot of hurtful things were said in the past about blacks, by Mormon authorities. Brigham Young, in particular, comes to mind.

Unfortunately, some of that mindset also existed among members. The priesthood ban was like proof that God didn't like blacks either. It justified racism.

It's not hard to imagine how this might cause great hurt.

I heard from a member of my ward, growing up, that when the 1978 priesthood revelation was announced, that full page ads were taken in Salt Lake papers by individuals in protest.

Personally, I thought the segment on blacks and the priesthood was VERY generous. It could have been much more critical than it was.

There as a Ghanaian counselor in the bishopric in one of the wards I served in on my mission. He joined in 1975. He was a stud.

Darius Gray is one of the founders of the Genesis Group. He's a stand up guy who joined the Church before 1978. That John Taylor quote is bad. Sadly, there are plenty of other terrible quotes to choose from, some much more contemporary than President Taylor's.

I think it's awesome that those folks started the church out there without any approval from authorities.

Can you imagine the reation in SLC? "We have entire congregations of blacks who call themselves LDS and Mormon. What are we going to do?"

Thankfully, no cease and desist order.

Thank God for Spencer W. Kimball.

I know that, but the particular quote that he referenced doesn't sound at all familiar. I don't think I've ever heard it. Anyone else heard it before?

Remember, he was probably interviewed for at least a couple of hours and they took the most sensational portion. The portion they used provided little context and the average person would be asking themselves why he is still a member. Darius Gray has done a lot of terrific work for the church and I don't believe he was trying to hurt the work, but rather to explain the progress that has been made. Unfortunately they didn't get to the progress part.

Not to interrupt your conversation with yourself :) (being single must suck!)....there have been many reasons given over the years justifying the policy. Let's say none of them are particularly favorable to blacks.

It became one of those things where we have a practice, let's figure out the doctrine.

Oh yes. I have a list of the worst quotes on race from Church leaders. Brigham Young, John Taylor, Joseph Fielding Smith, Mark E. Peterson, Bruce R. McConkie...

Does having such a list serve any real purpose?