145 years ago today - Feb 15, 1875

In TRUE L.D.S. HERALD, President Joseph Smith III writes: "We are pained to learn that some few Elders are making an unnecessary distinction between the white and colored races in regard to gospel ordinances and fellowship....It is unjust to the Church for one, two or more Elders to teach, preach, or advise a distinction and exclusion from church fellowship and communion upon the ground of race or color; while the 'articles and covenants of the Church' nowhere warrant such exclusion, and the practice of the Church has never sanctioned it....We think it derogatory to the teaching of Jesus, as found in the New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants to insist upon a separation of the races." The RLDS (Community of Christ) Church differs with The Utah Church on race relations.

[E[lisha]. W[oodward]. Vanderhoof (1832-?), Historical Sketches of Western New York (Buffalo, New York: Printed for private distribution by the Matthews-Northrop Works, 1907), 138-39., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Elisha W. Vanderhoof Account]

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