Matthew Harris, Ph. D. - Mormonism and race, the restriction/reinstatement of priesthood blessings

Matthew L. Harris is Professor of History and Director of Legal Studies at Colorado State University-Pueblo. He received a B.A. and M.A. in history from Brigham Young University and an M.Phil. and Ph.D., also in history, from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Much of Harris’s teaching and scholarship explores the intersectionality of religion and law, race and religion, civil rights, and right-wing extremism, particularly among religious groups.  He is considered by many to be the leading scholar on race relations within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, including the withholding of priesthood and temple privileges from black members.  He is also the leading historian on politics within the church, including a shift within the rank and file membership toward ultra-conservatism during the Cold War era. Dr. Harris comes on the podcast to discuss race relations within the church, Joseph Smith’s shifting views on slavery, Brigham Young’s institution of the Priesthood ban for black members, making the ban doctrine in 1949, a never before heard (An Edlow Exclusive) promise that Spencer W. Kimball made to Hugh B. Brown in 1975, lifting the ban on 1978, renouncing earlier race doctrines in 2013 and race relations within the current church. If you’ve ever wanted to know the history in a fair and balanced way, this is quite comprehensive! Subscribe to the Edlow Podcast on all platforms!! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/gmfx0ijrAXU?feature=share Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edlow-podcast/id1647995293?i=1000598256870 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1H9sFpKSZWhcmds96QC1VX?si=mzqmKYoaTWSNkxnT9AhJJw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086217048530&mibextid=LQQJ4d IG: @edlow_podcast Tik Tok: @j.edlow