does 'Deseret Book' promote racism...?

[_Drifting]

So, in 1995, Van De Merwe founded Latter-Day Designs to do just that, and it's been a small, niche business ever since, selling steadily at LDS Church-owned Deseret Book.

He created 33 Book of Mormon vinyl figures, including Captain Moroni with his “Title of Liberty,” bare-chested Ammon, and Helaman on a horse.

LDS scriptures describe struggles in the family of Lehi and Sariah between two righteous brothers, Nephi and Sam, and two unbelieving, rebellious brothers, Laman and Lemuel. The book says that when the latter turned away from heaven, God cursed them with a "skin of blackness."

Thus, Latter-Day Designs offers before-and-after Laman and Lemuel figures – one light skinned and the other darker.

In the product description it says, Lemuel “did not believe in the righteous teachings of his father, Lehi. Lemuel's example in The Book of Mormon teaches us what happens when we do not choose the right.” Salt Lake Tribune

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfaith ... l.html.csp

[_Yoda]

So, in 1995, Van De Merwe founded Latter-Day Designs to do just that, and it's been a small, niche business ever since, selling steadily at LDS Church-owned Deseret Book.

He created 33 Book of Mormon vinyl figures, including Captain Moroni with his “Title of Liberty,” bare-chested Ammon, and Helaman on a horse.

LDS scriptures describe struggles in the family of Lehi and Sariah between two righteous brothers, Nephi and Sam, and two unbelieving, rebellious brothers, Laman and Lemuel. The book says that when the latter turned away from heaven, God cursed them with a "skin of blackness."

Thus, Latter-Day Designs offers before-and-after Laman and Lemuel figures – one light skinned and the other darker.

In the product description it says, Lemuel “did not believe in the righteous teachings of his father, Lehi. Lemuel's example in The Book of Mormon teaches us what happens when we do not choose the right.” Salt Lake Tribune

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfaith ... l.html.csp

I know that you are indicating here that the example being referred to is his darker colored skin. However, those of us who read the Book of Mormon to our children, concentrate on the basics of right and wrong. I think that the real consequence of Lemuel not following his father's, and basically Heavenly Father's teachings, was that he cut himself off from the blessings of the gospel.

As far as the "blackness of skin" goes, I was always taught that the Lamanites were basically the descendants of the American Indian. That is why when Columbus discovered America, the Indians referred to him as "the great white God". At the end of the Book of Mormon, it is the Nephites who lose their way, and the Lamanites who are righteous. Would this be considered "reverse discrimination" against whites?

[_Drifting]

I know that you are indicating here that the example being referred to is his darker colored skin. However, those of us who read the Book of Mormon to our children, concentrate on the basics of right and wrong. I think that the real consequence of Lemuel not following his father's, and basically Heavenly Father's teachings, was that he cut himself off from the blessings of the gospel.

As far as the "blackness of skin" goes, I was always taught that the Lamanites were basically the descendants of the American Indian. That is why when Columbus discovered America, the Indians referred to him as "the great white God". At the end of the Book of Mormon, it is the Nephites who lose their way, and the Lamanites who are righteous. Would this be considered "reverse discrimination" against whites?

Hi Liz, hope your class went super well yesterday.

My point is really about the fact that Deseret Book is promoting toys that specifically and deliberately display black skin as a sign of unrighteousness - in keeping with the Book of Mormon contents.

Should Deseret Book be promoting these toys?