Prejudice
Prejudice within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contradicts the teachings of our faith.
How? Let's explore.
Hatred and intolerance does not come from God. It's impossible to justify it without lying about this simple fact.
18 There is no in ; but perfect casteth out fear: because fear hath . He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We him, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love God, and his , he is a : for he that loveth not his whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not ?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who God love his brother also.
1 John 4:18-21
Can you love a person without loving their race and their cultures? Without being willing to share their pew? No.
God also doesn't tolerate prejudice in the leaders of the world, the leaders of the Church, or their families. It's condemned twice in Kirkland Temple dedicatory prayer.
55 the kings, the princes, the nobles, and the great ones of the earth, and all people, and the churches, all the poor, the needy, and afflicted ones of the earth;
56 That their hearts may be softened when thy servants shall go out from thy house, O Jehovah, to bear testimony of thy name; that their prejudices may give way before the , and thy people may obtain favor in the sight of all;
68 O Lord, remember thy servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., and all his afflictions and persecutions—how he has with , and vowed to thee, O Mighty God of Jacob—and the commandments which thou hast given unto him, and that he hath sincerely striven to do thy will.
69 Have mercy, O Lord, upon his and children, that they may be exalted in thy presence, and preserved by thy fostering hand.
70 Have mercy upon all their , that their prejudices may be broken up and swept away as with a flood; that they may be and redeemed with Israel, and know that thou art God.
D&C 109:56, 70 (additional verses displayed for context)
God inspires the prophets and servants to pray for all forms of prejudice to be swept from the Earth.
Why? Because it frustrates God's purposes. That's what makes it wrong.
6 Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.
7 Wherefore, this is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.
2 Ne 1:6-7
It is not for you to decide who is welcome in any country. The land is not yours, but God's alone to give. Also notice in verse 7 how it says captivity is brought about through iniquity, but doesn't qualify whose iniquity it is. To subjugate people is a form of iniquity that curses the land where it's taking place. Those who engage in that subjugation do not have the promise of being "blessed forever."
22 And behold, ye shall together oft; and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you and forbid them not;
23 But ye shall for them, and shall not cast them out; and if it so be that they come unto you oft ye shall pray for them unto the Father, in my name.
3 Ne 18:22-23
It also is not for you to decide who should or shouldn't be in any congregation in the Church. This is one of the most important lessons that Jesus Christ personally taught during his ministry on earth.
26 Behold, hath he commanded any that they should out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
27 Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his ? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to .
28 Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but men are privileged the one unto the other, and none are forbidden.
32 And again, the Lord God hath that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not ; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in ; that they should not ; that they should not have ; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit ; and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish.
2 Ne 26:26-28, 32
That is what The Book of Mormon teaches. And in verse 32, we are commanded not only to avoid contention, but malice. Promoting the subjugation of people based on race is malicious.
14 For our will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the to fall upon us to us from his presence.
15 But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before him in his glory, and in his power, and in his might, majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting that all his are just; that he is just in all his works, and that he is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance.
Alma 12:14-15
Prejudice is a form of malice in the human heart. And like all forms of malice those thoughts will be condemned and rejected by God at the last day.
