During Black History Month, the BYU library screened a film called Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons. It was produced by a BYU professor, Margaret Young, and Darius Gray, one of the founding leaders of the Church’s Genesis Group (a support group for black LDS members). The film addresses the difficult topic of black Mormon history and does so in a wonderful way. Far from being speculative and controversial, the film is inspiring and enlightening. It sheds light on the prejudices that existed and still exists among members of the Church, but also highlights the faithful black members.
It specifically addresses the different reasons for the denial of the priesthood to blacks, debunking myth after myth to suggest that the practice was not in actuality based in true doctrine as many assume. Instead, it was a policy put in place by Church leaders who were influenced by societal racist feelings of the time and religious ideology concerning the “curse of Cain.” The film reaches the conclusion that we do not know the reason that the policy was allowed to remain in place until direct revelation ended the practice with Spencer W. Kimball.
In the movie, filmmaker Darius Gray shares his personal conversion story. He had a baptismal date, but the night before he was to be baptized the missionaries told him that he would not be allowed to hold the priesthood. He thought to himself that there was “no way in hell” he would join that church. But that night he prayed and received a confirmation, on no uncertain terms, that he was to join the church the next day. And so he did. He has remained a faithful member of the church since that time. He has faced many questions about his adherence to a church that appears so racist, but he faces such accusations with strength and faith.
After the screening of the film, we were privileged to have a short question and answer session with the filmmakers. Darius Gray was especially interesting to hear from. Someone asked him, since he works so closely with church leaders and general authorities, if the brethren had ever given an actual reason for the priesthood ban. It seemed like the audience waited with bated breath to see how he would answer. He hesitated, and then proceeded, prefacing his answer with this disclaimer: what he was about to say is not doctrine, but it is consistent with scripture and he has been given permission from the brethren to teach it. He then went on to say that the priesthood restriction was not set in place by God, but it was allowed by God as a test to see how we would treat each other. It was lifted by revelation when it became too much of an impediment to the spread of the gospel through the world, ending a practice that had been set in place by men.
When I heard his explanation, everything suddenly fell in place for me. I was filled with so much peace, and I felt that what he’d said was true. I had finally reached a point where I no longer felt like the priesthood ban was a difficult topic. I felt no more embarrassed about the subject, either. The uncertainty I had felt about the issue had been a burden I hadn’t realized I was carrying until that moment. But now, I was liberated. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
On my way home from the film screening, I called my mom because I was just so excited about what I’d just learned. I wanted to share my excitement and relief with someone. Since this time, the topic has become one that I don’t shy away from because I am no longer ignorant.
You, too, may be carrying around ignorance-induced burdens that you don’t even recognize. Maybe it’s about blacks and the priesthood, or maybe it’s about another aspect of history, or something else entirely. Don’t be afraid to confront those uneasy topics. You might be surprised what you will learn if you do confront them, as I was.
If you are interested in watching the film for yourself, the BYU Harold B. Lee library has copies available for check out. For more information, you can visit the film’s website here. (http://blackmormonfilm.com/).
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