Saints, Slaves, and Blacks: The Changing Place of Black People Within Mormonism

Saints, Slaves, and Blacks examines the history of Black people within the Mormon church from its 1830 founding through the late 20th century. The book traces shifts in LDS doctrine, policies and cultural attitudes regarding race over this period. Drawing on primary sources and historical records, Bringhurst analyzes how early Mormon views on race and slavery compared to other American religious groups of the time. The text explores the evolution of priesthood restrictions and temple ordinance policies that impacted Black members. Bringhurst documents the experiences and roles of Black Mormons throughout different eras of church history. The narrative covers both prominent individuals and broader demographic patterns within LDS communities. The work provides context for understanding how religious institutions navigate questions of race, doctrine and social change. This scholarly examination raises broader questions about the intersection of American religion, racial ideology and institutional transformation.

Readers describe this book as a thorough historical examination of racial attitudes in early Mormonism, with extensive documentation and primary sources. Multiple reviewers note its academic, scholarly approach. Readers appreciate: - Detailed research and citations - Balanced handling of sensitive topics - Clear chronological organization - Focus on both institutional policies and individual members' views Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Some repetitive sections - Limited coverage of post-1978 developments - High price point for a relatively short book Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (38 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 ratings) One reader on Goodreads notes: "The author maintains objectivity while tackling difficult historical facts." An Amazon reviewer states: "Important scholarly work but not an easy read for casual readers." Library Thing lists it as recommended reading for Mormon history studies, with particular value for researchers and academics.

Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness by W. Paul Reeve This historical analysis traces how Mormons shifted from being viewed as a racially suspect group to achieving mainstream white status while examining their evolving policies toward Black members.

Black and Mormon by Newell G. Bringhurst This collection of essays examines the experiences of Black Latter-day Saints before and after the 1978 priesthood revelation.

For the Cause of Righteousness: A Global History of Blacks and Mormonism by Russell W. Stevenson This work documents the relationship between Black people and Mormonism through primary sources, including letters, newspaper articles, and church records from the 1830s to present day.

The Mormon Church and Blacks: A Documentary History by Matthew L. Harris, Newell G. Bringhurst This compilation presents key historical documents that shaped the LDS Church's policies regarding Black members throughout its history.

Black Pioneers: An Untold Story by Jane G. Manning This history chronicles the lives of early Black Mormon pioneers and their contributions to the development of the LDS Church in Utah Territory.

🔹 The book was one of the first comprehensive academic studies examining the LDS Church's historical relationship with Black members and race relations, originally published in 1981. 🔹 Author Newell Bringhurst grew up in a Mormon household but began questioning the church's racial policies during his college years, which inspired his decades of research on this topic. 🔹 The work traces evolving Mormon attitudes toward Black people across three distinct periods: an early era of relative inclusion (1830s), a middle period of increasing restrictions (1850s-1890s), and a long period of formal priesthood denial (1900-1978). 🔹 Despite being controversial when first published, the book is now considered a foundational text in Mormon studies and has been cited in official LDS Church essays about race and priesthood. 🔹 The second edition, released in 2006, includes new material examining the aftermath of the 1978 revelation that extended priesthood rights to all worthy male members regardless of race.