Why Native Americans struggle to make their stories and traditions fit with the Book of Mormon

They’re raising their voices about problems that extend beyond scriptural verses about Lamanites, curses and dark skin to cultural issues.

(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) This scene from a Book of Mormon video depicts Lehi, his wife, Sariah, and their family as they sail to the promised land on the ship built by Nephi (Lehi's son) and his brothers (Laman, Lemuel and Sam). The split that occurs in Lehi's family is at the root of most the book's narrative and has led to difficulties for Native American Latter-day Saints as they try to navigate their tribal heritage and their faith.

(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) This scene from a Book of Mormon video depicts Lehi, his wife, Sariah, and their family as they sail to the promised land on the ship built by Nephi (Lehi's son) and his brothers (Laman, Lemuel and Sam). The split that occurs in Lehi's family is at the root of most the book's narrative and has led to difficulties for Native American Latter-day Saints as they try to navigate their tribal heritage and their faith.

By https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/sltrib/a7e1ce28-5353-4737-87a7-c7be13b28f3c.png Peggy Fletcher Stack
 | July 2, 2021, 9:00 p.m.

Editor’s note • This story is available to Salt Lake Tribune subscribers only. Thank you for supporting local journalism.

The Declaration of Independence, the eloquent and iconic document which has been celebrated by Americans on July Fourth for 245 years, famously declares that “all men are created equal.”

Everyone except for Native Americans, whom the Founding Fathers condemn in the declaration as “merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”

MOST VIEWED

https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/sltrib/a7e1ce28-5353-4737-87a7-c7be13b28f3c.png
Peggy Fletcher StackSenior religion reporter

Hired in 1991 to cover Utah's various faiths, particularly Mormonism, Peggy has talked forgiveness with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, nearly fainted waiting for the Dalai Lama, fasted with Muslims during Ramadan — and has reported on 50 consecutive semiannual LDS General Conferences.