excellent question..and I will look forward to seeing the answers...I married into a mormon family...there are members of my new family that actually take this literally.

I don't really know. I could just make it all up for you, though, as that would be keeping with the rest of the Book of Mormon.

After those Native American Mormons read your question, they will turn white. ----- ADDED ----- I decided to make a more serious research about this question. 1) First I found following text: "6 And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a pure and a delightsome people." Source: http://scriptures.lds.org/2_ne/30 At this point, I could not understand the relation with Native Americans, but you were mentioning a 1981 revision. 2) Then I found a discussion about those revisions in the original text: "The Mormon Church has four books of scripture referred to as "The Standard Works." The Bible is accepted as the Word of God "as far as it is translated correctly." (8th Article of Faith of the Mormon Church.) The Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants are accepted as scripture without any qualifications whatsoever. Few Mormons are aware of the thousands of WORD CHANGES and nature of the changes that have been made in the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price since the first editions. Because of limited space only a brief examination of some of the more serious changes will be given." "Probably no Mormon scripture has been changed more times than the prophecy Concerning the Lamanites (Indians) in II Nephi 30:6. Mormonism has consistently taught a dark skin is a sign of God's displeasure. (see II Nephi 5:21, Alma 3:6, I Nephi 12:23) However, with the change of the Negroes receiving the Priesthood in 1978, Mormon leaders are attempting to cover up this embarrassing teaching concerning skin color. "... many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a WHITE and a delightsome people." (1830 Edition, p. 117) "... PURE and delightsome people." (1840 Edition) "...WHITE and delightsome people." (All later editions until 1981) "... PURE and delightsome people." (1981 Edition, II Nephi 30:6) Although the Mormon Church does not have the dictated, handwritten manuscript of the Book of Mormon at this point, the R.L.D.S. Church has the handwritten printers copy, which was given to the printer to set the type for the first printing. It too agrees with the 1830 Edition and says, "WHITE."" Source and further information: http://www.challengemin.org/8400.html 3) Maybe it was meant that their soul would be white / full of light? There is a strong association between light and good /God / life, and between darkness and bad / Satan / death. This is to be found in the Bible, for instance here: ""Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, Job 3:19-21" "He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.' Job 33:27-29" "Job 33:30 to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him. Job 33:29-31" "After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied Isaiah 53:10-12" Source: http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=light+soul But a similar association is also found, for instance, in hinduism or in esoteric: http://www.angelfire.com/indie/neonsoul/os4.html http://soulsreflection.com/demons.htm Somehow evolved this to an association between clear skin and good, and dark skin and bad...

perhaps it is not meant to be taken literally.

For the same reason that Negroes don't turn white when they get their freedom. Sometimes, it just be's that way.

i dont know. but have you seen that South Park episode where they all become Mormon? Mormons are like the nicest freaking people....ever met a Morman?...man they really suck ya in....lol...

Well that is because it is not true - sounds like you have been staying in the Marriott Hotel one too many nights

This question seems loaded with pretext in an attempt to race bait. But that my just be my own interpretation of it having seen it raised so many times with that "bent". Read my blog post for a clearer answer from the point of view of both light and dark skinned Mormons. You might be surprised to see that we don't quite live up to the stereotypes of us. Just ask Gladys Knight (http://www.meridianmagazine.com/people/050609knight.html) or Thurl Bailey (http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,460030429,00.html), or any of the other LDS people who herald from diverse racial roots (http://www.blacklds.org/ and http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/blackmormon/homepage.html). An excellent explanation, from an LDS African-American, is found here: http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/blackmormon/SAQ.html Just as you shouldn't believe what racists say about blacks, or Latinos, or Asians, or Polynesians, don't believe what you hear from people who use race as a bludgeon against the LDS church. If you have questions about race in the LDS church, ask people of that race who actually belong to the LDS church. http://americantestament.blogspot.com/search?q=racism

Well, I am not Mormon; however, I read the entire Book of the Mormons and I study many Scripture genres. I completely understand that to turn white is not literal... nor is the so called curse of being turned black. I had to research this because I am black and was offended by the reading. However, an excellent study performed titled, Blacks in the Scriptures... authored by two African American Mormons provided rich lessons on this. Take time and read and you will realize that both Natives and people of color from all Nations turn white ( in ruwach or spirit ) when sealed as a Mormon :) Again, I am not Mormon. I am Hebrew. Shalom! Shalom!

Oh.. one more comment... I just viewed the video by BYU, African Pioneers, which was a documentary of African conversion to LDS Church. I was appalled by the racism embedded in the LDS Church during the time of their Prophet Bringham Young. Indeed he had a strong racial disposition, which lead to the priesthood ban of blacks worldwide and the refusal to baptize thousands of Africans pleading for the LDS Church to recognize their efforts of organizing the church in their land. It was not until the death of Bringham Young did the more than 2000 African converts receive baptism and recognition as a LDS Church. I do not know whom I was more disappointed in the LDS Church or the Africans who did not simply continue independently on their own. Shalom!

Obviously the pioneers of the LDS Church were 19th century white racists. Brigham Young,the cult leader,wouldn't ordane blacks. He even had non Mormon white settlers massacred. Evidently the Book of Mormon was composed to meet the needs of white supremicists,who were only vaguely aware of the humanity of other people.

Actually the word "white" was written in by Oliver Cowdery. It was not supposed to be included in the Book of Mormon at all. Here is a quote from the Ensign.. "Here is a short excerpt taken from an article found in the Dec. 1983 Ensign, an official publication of the LDS Church. A few other changes involving meaning appear to be more significant. In 2 Nephi 30:6 [2 Ne. 30:6], white appeared in the 1830 and 1837 editions. Joseph changed this word to pure in the 1840 edition. But later American editions did not show this change because they had followed the first European and 1837 editions. This correction by the Prophet has finally been restored in the 1981 edition."(end quote) So there is no scripture which says anyone will turn white when they become a Mormon...whew4

To #2 The pioneers were chased from place to place. Before their big trek out west, they had been beaten up, hot tar had been poured on some of the leaders and then had the feathers stuck to it. And they painstakingly had to take all of it off, ripping off skin and sometimes more. Their men and boys were shot by people like you, who didn't bother to get to know them first. Their women and girls as young as two or three were raped by those soldiers and militia. None of this was stopped by the court officials, or government of any kind, and in fact was encouraged - General Boggs' Extermination Order, turning humans into game to be hunted for pleasure and a reward. And you have the gall to tell me that Mormons are the racists. It states in the Book of Mormon (if you have actually read it you'd know) that the Lamanites actually refer to the group of people, and not the color of their skin. They refer to them as they are in purpose, openly stating that some of the Nephites worked for the Lamanites and vice versa. They are one IN PURPOSE, not skin color. I don't agree with everything the Church says, or their stance on ceratin issues now. But I am not going to let you drag their name through the mud because you are too arrogant to actually double-check your facts. I will gladly respond to any serious questions you may have. And by the way, I am a woman.

It's because the book of mormon is a load of crap.