University of Utah examines race in the LDS Church since 1978 Revelation

The two-day conference features keynote address by journalist Darius Gray

What:
On June 8, 1978, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced President Spencer W. Kimball’s revelation extending the lay priesthood to “all worthy male members…without regard for race or color.” To mark this event and analyze the LDS church’s ongoing efforts to achieve racial equality, the Tanner Humanities Center at the University of Utah will host “Black, White, and Mormon II: A Conference on Race in the LDS Church Since The 1978 Revelation” in the Salt Lake City Public Library, June 29-30.

The conference begins on June 29, 2018, with the Sterling M. McMurrin Lecture on Religion and Culture delivered by African-American writer, historian, activist and member of the LDS church, Darius Gray. Gray joined the Mormon church in 1964 and has been a central figure in pressing for racial change and serving as a voice for African-American Mormons.

On June 30, 2018, scholarly and community panels will explore how African American Mormons understand America’s current racial and religious climate, examine the Mormon church’s racial policies and practices, and survey the impact of the 1978 revelation.

Click here for the full schedule.

When: 
Keynote: June 29 at 7 p.m.
Panel discussions: June 30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where:
Salt Lake City Public Library
210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City