Mormonism and White Supremacy: American Religion and The Problem of Racial Innocence

Mormonism and White Supremacy examines the historical relationship between the Mormon Church and racial ideology in America. Brooks traces how Mormon religious practices and teachings intersected with white supremacy from the church's founding through the present day. The book investigates key moments and doctrinal developments that shaped Mormon views on race, including policies of racial exclusion and segregation. Primary sources and archival materials document the experiences of Black members and the evolution of institutional responses to racial issues. Through analysis of Mormon theology, culture, and policy decisions, Brooks demonstrates connections between religious identity and racial power structures in American society. The work challenges assumptions about religious institutions' roles in perpetuating or dismantling systems of racial inequality. This scholarly examination raises questions about accountability, reconciliation, and the complex interplay between faith traditions and social justice movements. The book contributes to broader discussions about religion's influence on racial attitudes in American history.

Readers note this book presents a critical examination of Mormon racial history with extensive research and primary sources. Reviews frequently mention the author's direct confrontation of difficult topics while maintaining academic rigor. Liked: - Clear documentation of institutional racism within Mormon history - Accessible writing style for non-academic readers - Thorough examination of "racial innocence" concept - Strong sourcing and footnotes Disliked: - Some readers found the academic tone dry - Mormon readers felt the criticism was harsh - A few readers wanted more discussion of contemporary issues - Some wanted more exploration of potential solutions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.29/5 (56 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) "Brooks doesn't pull punches but backs everything with evidence" - Goodreads reviewer "Important but uncomfortable reading for LDS members" - Amazon reviewer "Could have done more to address current racial dynamics" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔹 Author Joanna Brooks grew up in a Mormon family in Orange County, California during the 1970s and 1980s, giving her both personal insight and academic perspective on the subject matter. 🔹 The book examines how Mormon leaders actively worked to position their faith as a "white" religion in the 19th and early 20th centuries to gain acceptance in American society. 🔹 Brooks analyzes previously unpublished documents from the LDS Church History Library to trace the evolution of racial teachings in the Mormon church. 🔹 The term "racial innocence" in the title refers to the tendency of white religious institutions to deny or minimize their role in perpetuating racial inequality while claiming racial neutrality. 🔹 The book was published in 2020, just as the Mormon church was beginning to formally address its history of racism, including a 2013 essay disavowing previous racial restrictions on priesthood ordination.