Page "Mormons" Paragraph 30

Although black people have been members of Mormon congregations since Joseph Smith's time, before 1978, black membership was small.

From 1852 to 1978, the LDS Church had a policy against ordaining men of African descent to the priesthood.

The church had previously been criticized for its policy during the civil rights movement, but the change came in 1978 and was prompted primarily by problems facing mixed race converts in Brazil.

Mormons greeted the change with joy and relief.

Since 1978 black membership has grown, and in 1997 there were approximately 500, 000 black members of the church ( about 5 % of the total membership ), mostly in Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean.

Black membership has continued to grow substantially, especially in West Africa, where two temples have been built.

Many black Mormons are members of the Genesis Group, an organization of black members that predates the priesthood ban, and is endorsed by the church.