Today we are joined with historian Matthew Harris to discuss Hugh B. Brown and his attempts to lift the priesthood and temple ban for black members of the church. Hugh B. Brown was an attorney and joined the Quorum of the Twelve in 1958 and joined the First Presidency in 1961. He made countless efforts to convince the Brethren that the ban on black members should be lifted and even told the New York Times that there was a strong possibility the ban would soon be removed. This response caused a great deal of problems at Church Headquarters.
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https://www.amazon.com/Second-Class-Saints-Mormons-Struggle-Equality/dp/019769571X/
Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/apostle-attempts-to-lift-ban/
00:06:35 Overview of today’s episode
00:14:00 The Church in Nigeria
00:26:55 Background of Hugh B. Brown
00:35:50 Hugh B. Brown proposed that the ban be lifted
00:45:20 How revelation works vs how members think it works
00:51:45 When Hugh B. Brown joined the First Presidency
00:59:40 Hugh B. Brown causes trouble with the New York Times
01:12:50 Article from “Look Magazine”
01:30:34 Church leaders using the word “darkie”
01:37:05 Surprised there was not a riot in the Quorum
01:41:55 The Birch Society
01:45:35 “When the saints write protest letters, we listen.”
01:48:40 “The Way to Perfection” book
01:58:00 Apologetic books defending the priesthood and temple ban
02:00:15 “When a man raises the Negro issue”
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