For the Cause of Righteousness: A Global History of Blacks and Mormonism, 1830-2013

by Russell Stevenson

From the Preface:

“This volume seeks to explore the story of blacks and Mormonism through an intimate lens, focusing not only on the experiences of church leaders but also the ordinary Latter-day Saint: the day laborer nervous about his African ancestry, the West African woman establishing her own ‘Mormon’ congregation, the Pat Boone-loving Mormon missionary in Africa and the Black Panther musing on the Mormons’ wasted potential. Robert Orsi has argued that religion ‘comes into being in an ongoing, dynamic relationship with realities of everyday life.’ Race was both a spoken and lived experience. The Mormon people witnessed it, felt it, and absorbed it. But for the Mormon people, racism was also a conscious decision—and one that exacted a heavy toll during their epoch in the wilderness.”

http://gregkofford.com/products/histo...

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Mormonism, Lds, History

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Kristopher Swinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It could have done without much of the tone, editorializing on how racist the author felt leaders and members were instead of calmly allowing the reader to perceive how things were. Dissidents are given some undue weight here, as well.

It is regrettable that no faithful presentation had taken up the task with the same sources, for the array is impressive and--for the prepared--beneficial. However, I confirmed my suspicion there was subtle stacking of the deck when I looked up a First Presidency member's journal entry on one date for myself to find the snippet lacked a bit of friendlier context. It makes one wonder, with all the unfavorable references, what was left out which might have left a more savory impression.

Every member should have full exposure to Joseph Smith's humanity and the depiction of Elijah Ables exercising priesthood with clear power and worthiness.

[Greg Diehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not incredibly well-written, but still informative. I loved the notion that "Religion is made on the ground as well as it is revealed from Mount Sinai." Stevenson provides a good overview of how Mormon Culture interacted with Mormon Hierarchy (and vice versa) to perpetuate the priesthood ban for well over a century. His work also provides an insightful look at how some of the 'explanations' (from the ground as well as Sinai) by well-meaning commentators (on all sides) were often worse than the policy itself . . .

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the history, though at times the narrative seems disjointed. I especially appreciated the documents section at the end. It's a useful read for those who wish to learn more about LDS racial history.

[Amanda Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a needed volume! I've heard snippets of only a handful of the stories and research presented in this survey of the history of blacks and Mormonism, and it was wonderful to revisit some of of them, and enlightening to read others. This is really a springboard for SO much more work to be done in this area. I'd love more information on the saints in Ghana, in South Africa, in Chicago, in the south after Reconstruction... the list goes on! Stevenson provides a well-done overview of a variety of topics under the umbrella subject. The second half of the title provides excerpts from primary sources that touch on the major themes of the topics discussed as a whole, such as letters from well-known black Saints to church leaders regarding their priesthood abilities and blessings, and accounts of certain events, or press releases. A vault of information to start looking into this fascinating religious history. A great read that begs for more!

And the author is just a nice fellow to boot.