View source for Understanding pre-1978 statements about race

{{FairMormon}} 
<onlyinclude>
{{H2
|L=Mormonism and racial issues/Blacks and the priesthood/Understanding pre-1978 statements
|H=Understanding pre-1978 statements by members and leaders of the Church regarding the priesthood ban
|S=Past General Authorities made statements regarding the priesthood ban that are considered quite racist by today's standards. The Church has "disavowed" the theories advanced in the past by these leaders, and while individual leaders' statements have not been officially individually renounced, there is no obligation for current members to accept such sentiments as the "word of the Lord" for our time: They most certainly do not reflect the Church's current position and teachings.
|L1=Gordon B. Hinckley: "I remind you that no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ"
|L2=Bruce R. McConkie: "Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or President George Q. Cannon or whomsoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation"
|L3=Question: How have modern Church leaders reacted to the speculations of the past regarding the reason for the priesthood ban?
|L4=Question: How is it possible for a Church leader or prophet to have been influenced by racism, yet be consistent with the Lord not allowing prophets to lead the Church astray?
|L5=Question: What did Church leaders after Brigham Young think of the priesthood ban?
}}
</onlyinclude>
{{:Source:Hinckley:Ensign:May 2006:I remind you that no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ}}
{{:Source:Bruce R. McConkie:All Are Alike Unto God:Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or President George Q. Cannon or whomsoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation}}
{{:Question: How have modern Church leaders reacted to the speculations of the past regarding the reason for the priesthood ban?}}
{{:Question: How is it possible for a Church leader or prophet to have been influenced by racism, yet be consistent with the Lord not allowing prophets to lead the Church astray?}}
{{:Question: What did Church leaders after Brigham Young think of the priesthood ban?}}
{{SeeAlso|Mormonism and racial issues/Racial statements by Church leaders|l1=Racist statements by Church leaders|Official Church doctrine and statements by Church leaders|l2=Prophets are not infallible|Blacks_and_the_priesthood/Repudiated_ideas|l3=Repudiated ideas}}

{{CriticalSources}}
{{endnotes sources}}

{{FurtherReading}}



<!-- PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE -->

[[de:Schwarze und das Priestertum/Die Erklärungen von Mitgliedern und Führern der Kirche vor 1978]]
[[pt:Mormonismo e Assuntos Raciais/Negros e do sacerdócio/Entendendo declarações anteriores a 1978]]