SALT LAKE CITY Utah–Leaders of the LDS Church and the NAACP stood together Thursday to call for greater for greater racial and ethnic harmony and ending prejudice.
“We are impressed to call on people of this nation and indeed the entire world, to demonstrate greater civility, racial and ethnic harmony, and mutual respect,” said Russell M. Nelson, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The two organizations discussed ways their members could collaborate in the future.
“We have begun to explore ways, such as education and humanitarian service, in which our respective members and others can serve and move forward together, lifting our brothers and sisters who need our help, just as the Savior Jesus Christ would do,” said President Nelson.
“I am proud to stand here today, to open up a dialogue, to seek ways of common interest, to work towards a higher purpose,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>It was my pleasure today to meet with national officials of the NAACP to affirm the fundamental doctrine—and heartfelt conviction—of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that all people are God’s precious children and are therefore brothers and sisters. <a href=”https://t.co/EC1j0QvT1r”>pic.twitter.com/EC1j0QvT1r</a></p>— Russell M. Nelson (@NelsonRussellM) <a href=”https://twitter.com/NelsonRussellM/status/997167011732996096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>May 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The meeting kicked off the NAACP’s quarterly board meeting, which is being held in Salt Lake City for the first time.
Several leaders of both organizations met before the press conference.
Don Harwell, the next president of Genesis, was also there for the event.
“I can think of 35 years that I have been a member of this church that I have been praying for such a thing. The need for people of color to understand where the church comes from, was well stated by our President Nelson,” said Harwell.
“I think we are headed in the right direction, with the opportunity to work together,” he said.
Genesis and the LDS Church First Presidency are planning a large celebration next month for the 40th anniversary of the proclamation extending the priesthood blessings to all worthy members of the church.