In this episode we learn about how black families and black culture differ substantially from Mormon white culture, what led Channel to seek God and how that led to her joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Channel tells us the good, bad & ugly of how she was treated as a black teenage convert, when she learned of the Church’s racism, and ways that she accepted, excused, and eventually internalized it to see herself as “less” than her white counterparts. This became most apparent in dating and marriage. While white men in the church may find her exotic and are willing to date her, Channel finds that they are unwilling to marry her as “mixing seed” would pass her “curse” [black skin] to children that could otherwise have two white parents. As Channel loses herself and what makes her unique to the cultural expectations of the Church she marries another black member of the church at the counsel of her Bishop against her better judgment. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bettenoir4 Watch Channel's Full Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbyGhOXVSqE&list=PLxq5opj6GqOCQclBv9mdHAYD5UQHb9YCp VIDEO CHAPTERS: 00:00:00 Introduction & intentions 00:03:10 Background 00:13:00 Black culture 00:20:45 Dealing with systemic racism in America 00:28:50 What led to her joining Mormonism 00:43:00 Past racist teachings she wasn’t aware of & warnings from family 00:46:00 Social conversion 00:49:15 Learning to accept Mormon racism 01:06:15 Getting baptized & reactions 01:12:18 Being molded by kindness in a white church 01:29:00 How converting to Mormonism affected her family relationships 01:31:20 Dating Mormons after baptism 01:37:40 Deciding to serve a mission as a “black voice for Mormonism.” 01:41:50 Going through the temple for the first time. 01:50:50 Experiencing racism on LDS mission in the South 01:55:45 White fragility and making them feel comfortable 02:05:15 Mission taught her to endure. 02:08:30 Finishing her mission, wanting to go to BYU, being told to marry a black Mormon 02:12:15 Being treated as an equal with genuine love from a Mormon woman 02:18:50 How Mormon teachings hurt. 02:20:15 00:24:00 Dating a Mormon man who wanted a white “Channel” to marry because “we can’t mix.” 02:23:30 Her Mormon Bishop agrees and angrily tells her, “Utah is not ready for this.” 02:27:45 What it’s like to experience bigotry and dating as a black Mormon woman. 02:45:45 Racism vs white supremacy. Mormons showing their true colors. What helped Channel be more accepted by Mormon peers. 02:56:45 Channel gets set up with and married to a black Mormon on advice from leadership over her own feelings and better judgment. “Any two black Mormons can make it.” 03:12:45 Channel’s experiences with white female friendships that were condescending and conditional. Episode Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/leaving-mormonism-over-racism/ Related Videos: LDS Discussions Race & Priesthood: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxq5opj6GqOCTTfO6ICeeySPeTB4Y1aX3 Mormon Leader Condemns Activism Towards the Church: https://youtu.be/IDRJgvAgcpY Gender Discrimination in the Mormon Church: https://youtu.be/k-sefu4zgwQ ABOUT US: Mormon Stories Podcast is the longest-running and most successful podcast in Mormonism - hosted by Dr. John Dehlin. At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We also occasionally interview scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1) Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology, 2) Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis, and 3) Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions. Mormon Stories Podcast is a product of the Open Stories Foundation - a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to supporting Mormons in religious transition. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Amazon Smile: Be sure to select “Mormon Stories” website: https://smile.amazon.com app: https://amz.run/5r2M Our Platforms: Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 #MormonStories #mormon #exmormon