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The Black Woman Who Served an Unprecedented Church Mission to Help Reduce Segregation, Prejudice in the Church

Martha Ann Jane Stevens Perkins Howell stood with dignity and determination as an African-American member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between the slave years and the beginning of the Civil Rights movement in the United States. Through her example of seeking education, demonstrating a firm commitment to morality, and readily offering her friendship, she raised her family to be Latter-day Saints even under race-based disadvantages, and she herself rose to some prominence when she accompanied her second husband on an unprecedented mission for the Church. Although most of her posterity left the faith, all were affected for good by Martha Ann’s strength in her beliefs.

From the Church

LDS Church announces new version of scriptures

By Kaela Worthen Gardner

This update to the scriptures is a big deal--the last major revisions to the scriptures were made in 1981, when footnotes and cross references were added--but it wasn't a change that happened all at once.

Latter-day Saint Life

What (and What Not) to Say to Black People at Church

By LDS Living

Authorsand Time Out for Women presenters Tamu Smith and Zandra Vranes have long been a voice for black members of the Church under the name "Sistas in Zion." Now they've brought their witty humor to LDS Living readers in this fun and insightful new video. Here is a taste of one of their tips:

Mormon History Group Honors Darius Gray

Seven years before President Spencer W. Kimball received a revelation allowing black men to be ordained to the priesthood in the LDS Church, Darius Gray knelt in prayer with two other black male Latter-day Saints. That soon led to the founding of what would be the Genesis group, a support organization for African-American church members formed with general leaders of the church — including Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles — as advisers.

Marie Osmond: Working for Our Faith

When Marie Osmond was a little girl, her mom told her that she could gain a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon for herself. The witness she received in answer to her prayers has carried her in the 50 years since. She has spent her life in the spotlight and it has not been a life without challenges or mistakes, but Marie has stood by her faith again and again. On today’s episode, Marie reveals how her faith, a knowledge of the Atonement of Christ, temple attendance, and an understanding of eternal families has carried her throughout her life.

71: The Gift of Curiosity

In this episode, we explore one of the ways that we can become better storytellers and better listeners through cultivating our holy curiosity. In honor of Black History Month, we revisit the faithful story of Isaac Thomas, a black Latter-day Saint who converted to the gospel in the 1970's despite the fact that he would be unable to hold the priesthood or participate fully in the restored gospel he loved. We'll also hear from Tamu Smith and Zandra Vranes, (aka the Sistas in Zion) who give us their tips for better ways to interact with one another across cultural divides.

Latter-day Saint Life

Standing in a Celestial Room, the Beautiful Witness This Black Family Had a Year Before the Priesthood Revelation

A powerful article onlds.orgshares the faithful stories of black members of the Church and their experiences before and after the priesthood revelation in 1978. This is the story of the Martins family.

From the Church

One man shares his experience of learning of the history of race and the priesthood

Upon initially learning about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Danor felt it was what he had been searching for. But then he started to hear “rumors” that there was a period of time in the Church’s history when people of African descent were unable to receive the priesthood. And as it turned out, the rumors were true.

5: Waiting Upon the Lord

In this episode, Isaac Thomas shares the story of how he gained a testimony and joined the church in 1976 at a time when he, as a Black man, could not receive the priesthood. He recounts the heartbreak and joy he found as he faithfully served and waited for a revelation that would restore the Priesthood to every worthy male member of the Church.

Latter-day Saint Life

"Huffington Post": This Black Mormon in Utah Is Running for President of Kenya

From the 27 months he spent on a mission in his native land of Kenya to his views on the Church's priesthood ban, learn more about Kenyan presidential candidate Amram Musungu.