Finally: Mormon Church Updates Scripture Regarding Ban on Blacks

It's about time

The Mormon Church has just significantly updated its scriptures for the first time since 1981, and they deal specifically with the church's original ban on black priesthood and polygamy. Comprised of four books -- the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price -- the two biggest additions to the new scripture can be found in Doctrine and Covenants. In the late 1840s, Brigham Young began what became known as "the ban," under which African-Americans were not permitted to hold the priesthood or to participate in temple ordinances. Regarding polygamy, the revision will declare that "monogamy is God's standard for marriage unless he declares otherwise," according to Mormon scholar Terryl Givens who believes the changes show signs of a more modern Mormon Church. The 2013 edition of Mormon scriptures are available online now and in print format in August. (NPR)

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