Mormons: The Negro Question

"The Peculiar People," as Mormons call themselves, have often found that their peculiar doctrines put them at odds with their fellow citizens—and once again there is trouble in Zion. Today, the problem is the Mormon attitude toward the Negro. Not since the battles over polygamy has the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints faced such a conflict between what it practices and what other men preach.

Mormons believe that Negroes cannot become priests—although Mormons define most active male believers as priests. Non-Mormons are prone to infer from this that Mormons are...