From the Publisher
"A nuanced account of the Mormon church's uneven progress toward social justice." — Publishers Weekly
"Second-Class Saints is a tour de force of historical research. It would be hard for me to overstate the importance of this book as well as my admiration for it." — Patrick Q. Mason, Arrington Chair Of Mormon History And Culture, Utah State University"This striking book deals with arguably the Mormon church's most challenging, enduring, and thorniest social and religious issue. Harris is superb at showcasing Black Mormons' efforts to overcome LDS leaders' bigotry. Second-Class Saints is a must-read for anyone hoping to increase their understanding of how the Mormon faith has produced dubious racial theories as well as Black Mormons' ongoing struggle for racial equity." — Cameron Mccoy, Author Of Contested Valor: African American Marines In The Age Of Power, Protest, And Tokenism"Offering fresh insights and drawing on untapped sources, Second-Class Saints provides an Unprecedented peek behind Mormonism's administrative curtain. Readers will discover New and sometimes painful stories that help to explain the faith's ongoing struggle to Transcend its racial past." — W. Paul Reeve, Author Of Religion Of A Different Color: Race And The Mormon Struggle For Whiteness"This painstakingly researched book tells the heart-rending history of Mormonism's race-based Priesthood and temple restrictions. In tracking the conflicts, constraints, and contingencies, The politics, pretexts, and planning, and the human actors who struggled for and against a more inclusive theology and church organization, Harris creates a powerful narrative - one that opens possibilities for healing in the present." — Rebecca De Schweinitz, Associate Professor Of History, Brigham Young University"Second-Class Saints is a masterful exploration of the Black struggle for racial equality within The LDS Church. Harris dissects the entrenched history of documented white supremacy Among church leadership and its theology, revealing a compelling, yet often overlooked, Chapter of religious history." — Darron T. Smith, Author Of Black And Mormon"Second-Class Saints by Matthew Harris should, if grappled with appropriately, force a reckoning... It will be impossible for anyone who reads it to be unaffected by what it clearly and irrefutably shows about the history of the priesthood and temple ban." — Ryan Ward, Association for Mormon Letters"A remarkable new book — one of the best I've read in a long time." — Bill Tammeus, Faith Matters"A gripping, and often heartbreaking, read." — Jana Riess, Religious News Service"Harris has written the best and most digestible history of the debates and decisions that culminated in the end of the Latter-day Saint racial restriction. Any future histories on the topic will stand on Harris's shoulders." — Joseph R. Stuart, The Journal of Mormon History