Difference between revisions of "Church of Jesus Christ and the NAACP"

Revision as of 22:20, 30 March 2025

In May 2018, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the national leadership of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) called for greater civility and racial harmony. Senior Church leaders and the NAACP released a joint statement Thursday morning following a meeting in the Church Administration Building on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

President Russell M. Nelson

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to affirm its fundamental doctrine—and our heartfelt conviction—that all people are God’s precious children and therefore our brothers and sisters. Nearly a quarter century ago, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles proclaimed that “All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.”

Today, in unity with such capable and impressive leaders as the national officials of the NAACP, we are impressed to call on people of this nation and, indeed, the entire world to demonstrate greater civility, racial and ethnic harmony and mutual respect. In meetings this morning, we have begun to explore ways—such as education and humanitarian service—in which our respective members and others can serve and move forward together, lifting our brothers and sisters who need our help, just as the Savior, Jesus Christ, would do. These are His words: “I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:27).

Together we invite all people, organizations and governmental units to work with greater civility, eliminating prejudice of all kinds and focusing more on the many areas and interests that we all have in common. As we lead our people to work cooperatively, we will all achieve the respect, regard and blessings that God seeks for all of His children. Thank you very much.[1]

Derrick Johnson

President Nelson, the statement you just made expresses the very core of our beliefs and mission at the NAACP. We admire and share your optimism that all peoples can work together in harmony and should collaborate more on areas of common interest. Thank you.

To the media, as the NAACP celebrates this 64th anniversary of the landmark decision Brown vs. Board of Education, like the Latter-day Saints, we believe all people, organizations and government representatives should come together to work to secure peace and happiness for all God’s children. Unitedly, we call on all people to work in greater harmony, civility and respect for the beliefs of others to achieve this supreme and universal goal.

We compliment The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its good faith efforts to bless not only its members, but people throughout the United States and, indeed, the world in so many ways. The NAACP, through our mission, we are clear that it is our job to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. And we do so in an advocacy voice, but now with a partner who seeks to pursue harmony and civility within our community. I am proud to stand here today to open up a dialog to seek ways of common interest to work towards a higher purpose. This is a great opportunity. Thank you for this moment.[2]

As noted in his statement, President Johnson called attention to the 64th anniversary of the landmark decision Brown vs. Board of Education. The NAACP was founded in 1909 and works to advance the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.[3]

President Nelson was joined by his counselors Presidents Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring as well as Elder Ronald A. Rasband. President Johnson was joined by other NAACP leadership in attendance at the meeting included Leon W. Russell, chairman, board of directors; Wilbur O. Colom, special counsel to the board of directors; Jeanetta Williams, local Utah branch president; and Dr. Amos C. Brown, chairman of interfaith relations.

The NAACP’s visit to Salt Lake City came two weeks before the Church’s 40th anniversary celebration of the 1978 revelation on the priesthood, scheduled for June 1 at the Conference Center.

The partnership has continued to expand since then.

The Church donated $2 million in February 2019 to the International African American Museum (IAAM), which opened in 2021 on the former Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, South Carolina. In December 2016, the Church gave an indexed database of the historic Freedmen’s Bureau Records to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The database contains genealogical information of freed African Americans after the Civil War.

In July 2019, President Nelson spoke at the NAACP's 110th annual convention in Detroit. (Read a transcript of his full speech here.)

In June 2021, The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the national leadership of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) announced new educational and humanitarian initiatives related to their ongoing collaboration. . . .

“Today, we are pleased to announce three key initiatives that have emerged from our many discussions and prayerful planning,” said President Russell M. Nelson at a news conference, shortly after meeting with NAACP leadership in the Church Administration Building on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

President Nelson then shared additional details about the academic and philanthropic-focused plans that have resulted from their ongoing discussions and collaboration. To support the groups’ educational goals, the global faith leader announced the Church’s commitment to fund a $1 million scholarship donation per year for three years, overseen by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), which will help young black students in the United States. President Nelson also shared the Church’s plans to provide $250,000 for an Amos C. Brown Student Fellowship to Ghana and explained that the experience “will allow selected students from the USA an opportunity to learn more about their heritage.”

“These efforts represent an ongoing desire of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to teach and live the two great commandments — to love God and neighbor,” President Nelson said. Together, President Nelson explained, the two entities will “bring relief to suffering souls in underprivileged areas of the United States,” and through these efforts, “teach important principles of self-reliance.”

To accomplish this objective, President Nelson pledged a $2 million Church contribution per year for the next three years “to encourage service and help to those in need” in those areas. “This is consistent with our many humanitarian efforts around the world for which our members have donated so generously,” he said.[4]