Congraualations!!
As an immigrant Christian from Horn of Africa ( That bibilican land of Abyssinia). I send my compliments of those black American
who became members of only restored true in America. While now
we, Christian and Jewish Africans were suprised when came to this
America. we expedted to find the people who we consider our
co-religionists but now in N. America Judeo-Christianity is fading
away, particulary to young generation of Western World, who take
evil illusive libarasim as their faith.
Now, it is not only black America , who needs to be saved by true
church in Utah and elsewhere in America. but , also, all other
parts who claim that they are Catholics or Protestants which really
became only meeting places as community centeres instead of
true like this serious church of Later Saints.
Anybody who wants to see if those people: who Americans calls
Mormons and I call ONLY REMAINING CHRISTIANS IN AMERICA
Look at their kids and young adults how they are clean spritually and even physical. Mormon parents never worry their kids to be addicts
of drugs or pronography. they will never endure to cruel needles of
tatoo shops. then look at kids of the other Americans. in other so
called main stream American church people go there every sunday
but, do whatever they want as soon as they step from door step of
the church. When I say this: I don't want to insult anybody but that is
truth. If you vist the all bad club in down town of every big American
city and ask everybody drank or doing bad business ask what
religion he/she confesses? if they say Christian ask again which
denomination. you will find all most all denominations, because
they churches has no tough restriction in steadfastness of their
teaching. but, you will never found any realy mormon!!! in evil
business. Why ? Why ? Why ?
I have done already that research myself. and I testify that Joseph
Smith was prophet of God. because I can see his holy trace, which
saved millions. who are clean and pure in their faith.
Truth will shine from its teller. As the leaders of the this true faith
shines in lifes of Saint s. Nobody can hide sun rise with hands.
say those who fabricate untrue about this church. we know those
so called clergy of other denominations who are jeleosy But said
to come to truth. if you are leader in an other Christian denomination
Mormon Church is not your enemy but this time of secular libaral
up rise, the Mormon is your colleague and alliances. make them
your friends. you share same thing.
Those sworn new of enemies of this Mormon Church: I say to you
this: This is true church of God, So, you are not hostile for the
Mormons but you are hostile for your maker. and don't forget the
history this church has much more more powerful enemies than
you are throught out its history since it was restored. the strongest
of those enemies is Lucifier. and mops, but, no one never have
succeeded to eliminate and will never succeeded to do that.
so, please it is good advice not to waist your time to something
that you can't accomplish.
Blacks, Whites, yellows, Brown all came to Zion.
If anyone has quetione for me or wants to talk with me
my Email: barrydiriye@gmail.com

DuWayne Anderson--May I strongly suggest that you purchase and view the documentary as well as its special features, since several of your specific notions and accusations are addressed in it? You are fighting a straw man--ironically so, since this particular documentary does not make up any history, but lets those who lived it speak for themselves. It's never a good idea to critique something you haven't actually seen. Your assumptions are really over the top.
ShelleyGirl--I'm impressed by your knowledge, though I've never heard that Brigham Young authorized Elijah Abel to receive the Endowment in 1846. Abel was living in Cincinnati at the time, and the only place he could've received the Endowment was in Nauvoo, Illinois. If you have documentation on that, I'd be very interested. The documentary (in Special Features) does indeed go into the histories of Q. Walker Lewis, Joseph T. Ball and several other African American men who were ordained to the LDS priesthood pre-1847. Connell O'Donovan, the interviewee for those portions of Special Features, is the real expert on these remarkable men. I have to say, however, that I think you're overstating Joseph Smith's position on Blacks. I'd be interested in hearing which historians think Joseph Smith had any influence on Abraham Lincoln. That seems far-fetched to me. Lincoln had a sort of "live and let live" approach to the Mormons. (Also, I think you mean "Civil Rights Act of 1964" rather than "Equal Rights Amendment" .)
Despite these quibbles, it is clear to me that you've done some research.

A couple of quiet but significant demographic changes have occurred in the Mormon Church in the last 40 years:
.
* More than half the membership was in Utah in 1965; now more than half is outside of North America
.
* With the growth of the Church in Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, and the U.S., members with African ancestry now number between 600k and 1.3 million of a worldwide membership of 13+ million. This means that BETWEEN 5% AND 10% OF MORMONS WORLDWIDE TODAY ARE OF BLACK AFRICAN ANCESTRY.
.
We have a higher percentage of black-african descendants in the Mormon Church than the world does in the total population and our percentage is growing.
.
This is beginning to show in our leadership, e.g. the call last April of Elder Sitati, a black african who joined the Church in 1988, to the governing councils of the Church.

Fact 1:
In 1829, the Book of Mormon was published and these doctrines were published with it:
“2 Nephi 6:33:
“For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.”
Fact 2:
In 1836, Joseph Smith was the first bible-believing/Jesus-following religious leader IN AMERICA to ordain a black man (former slave) into the priesthood of an all-white Church. His name is Elijah Abel.
Facts 3:
In December of the same year Elijah was ordained a Seventy and became a "duly licensed minister of the Gospel" for missionary work in Ohio. He also served missions in New York and Canada.
Fact 4:
In 1839 Elijah Abel is made a member of the Nauvoo Seventies Quorum, at the request of Joseph Smith.
Fact 5:
By 1840 Joseph Smith became a great advocate for the rights of black people. He was one of the first white men to call for the end to black slavery, and he called for the education and granting of equal rights of black people in America, back in 1843. Some historians believe his pro-black teachings influenced Abraham Lincoln, who lived not far from Joseph Smith in the 1840s.
Fact 6:
Walker Lewis, of Massachusetts, a black man was also ordained to the priesthood. Walker Lewis was one of the founders of the American Abolitionist Society which sought to end slavery in America.
Fact 7:
From 1844 until 1845, Joseph T. Ball, an African-American, was the Presiding Elder of the Church in Boston, Massachusetts.
Fact 8:
Brigham Young gave permission to Elijah Abel to receive his temple endowments in 1846. (14-15 years before the Civil War.)
Fact 9:
On November 27, 1900, Elijah’s son, Enoch, a black man, was ordained an Elder.
Fact 10:
Enoch’s son, Elijah, was ordained a priest on July 5, 1934 and an Elder on September 29, 1935.
Gladys Knight: Renowned black singer and entertainer said:
“Since I joined the Church, I desire to be more and more obedient to God. As I do so, many people say to me, ‘I see a light in you more than ever before. What is it?’…During one performance at Disney world…[a member of the audience asked,] ‘Could you please tell us…how you got that light?’
“The question was direct. So I gave a direct answer: ‘I have become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Thurl Bailey: Black musician, former NBA star said:
“I had an opportunity to really delve into and learn in-depth what the Church was all about….So, here I am. It hasn’t been an easy process, but I’ve learned a lot about patience and forgiveness. A lot of people I’ve encountered insist on telling me this is a racist Church, but I say, ‘Hey, there’s racism everywhere in the world. You can’t spend your time blaming imperfect people.’ I searched for my answers with an open heart, without blame, and I got them. Anyone can do the same.”
Further, it is a well known fact that Romney’s Father, George, and Governor of Michigan, was a complete and full supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment years before 1964. He’s the one that got it rolling in Michigan – a white Mormon no less.

There's Duwayne again promoting his junk book.
Did you forget at the turn of the century over 4 million evangelicals were registered with the KKK? Did you forget that there are still segregated churches in the south still today? Racism if still a stain today, and the Mormons only denied them the priesthood for a time period. The LDS have huge baptisms in a country (Africa) that no one else wants to enter. They even have two temples there now. Your never ending "punishment" for people in the past is your way of rewriting history today. Stick to children's books....you might have a bigger audience.

The article suggests that the only stance taken by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with regards to Blacks was to deny them the priesthood. The church’s leaders, however, were actively opposed to the Civil Rights movement, and marshaled members of the church to oppose it:
"Now we are generous with the Negro. We are willing that the Negro have the highest kind of education. I would be willing to let every Negro drive a Cadillac if they could afford it. I would be willing that they have all the advantages they can get out of life in the world. But let them enjoy these things among themselves." LDS "Apostle" Mark E. Petersen, "Race Problems - As They Affect the Church," Address delivered at Brigham Young University, August 27, 1954.
The LDS Church has never apologized for its racism, and it is disturbing to see the church – so unrepentant – now trying to rewrite history.
Duwayne Anderson
Author of "Farewell to Eden: Coming to terms with Mormonism and science"