Race and the Making of the Mormon People

Race and the Making of the Mormon People examines how racial ideologies shaped the early Mormon church and its sacred texts. Mueller analyzes records from the 19th century to trace the development of Mormon racial theology and its impact on Native American, Black, and white members. The book focuses on how early Mormon leaders and writers constructed narratives about race through their interpretations of scripture and revelations. Through archival research, Mueller reconstructs the experiences of Native American and Black Mormons who left behind their own accounts and writings during this formative period. Primary source materials, including letters, diaries, and official church documents, reveal how racial categories became embedded in Mormon theology and practice. The text examines key figures in Mormon history and their roles in establishing racial hierarchies within the church. This historical analysis explores broader themes about American identity, religious authority, and the power of written narratives to shape racial understanding. The work demonstrates how religious institutions both reflected and influenced 19th century racial ideologies.

Readers emphasize the book's academic rigor and thorough research into early Mormon racial doctrine and history. Many note Mueller's unique focus on how Mormon record-keeping and writing practices shaped racial narratives. Readers appreciated: - Detailed analysis of primary sources and archival materials - Examination of Black, Native, and white Mormon experiences - Clear explanations of complex theological concepts - Neutral, scholarly tone on sensitive topics Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Some repetitive sections - Too much focus on literary analysis vs historical events - Limited discussion of modern implications Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (31 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (13 reviews) Sample reader comments: "Offers fresh perspectives on Mormon racial history" - Amazon reviewer "Sometimes gets lost in theoretical frameworks" - Goodreads user "Important contribution but challenging read for non-academics" - Dialogue journal review

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📚 Mueller argues that early Mormon record-keeping practices helped create and reinforce racial hierarchies within the church, as white members controlled most of the narrative-writing and documentation 🏛️ The book explores how the Book of Mormon's description of dark skin as a "curse" influenced the church's racial theology and policies for over a century 👥 The author examines three specific groups' experiences: Black, Native American, and Mormon converts from the Pacific Islands, showing how each group's story was recorded and interpreted differently 📖 The work draws heavily from the Jane Manning James autobiography—one of the few surviving nineteenth-century Mormon texts written by a Black member 🗓️ Though published in 2017, the book's research became particularly relevant in 2018 when the LDS Church officially disavowed all previous theories about race being connected to spiritual worthiness