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Question

 

Hi Gramps,

The Lord has provided the earth with many beautiful colors including the different colors of people’s skin.  What will our skin colors be in heaven? Will we all be the same color?

Diane

 

Answer

 

Dear Diane,

Before I begin my answer to you, let me point out a couple of related questions and answers I’ve done before.

In the pre-mortal life were we all the same skin color?

Will all in the Celestial Kingdom have white skin?

However, in light of recent events going on in this country, your question is very current. You are correct. The Lord has provided the earth with many beautiful colors including the different colors of people’s skin. All humans are beautiful to the Lord, and we should feel the same way. Bigotry and racism against anyone based on their skin color is gravely evil and yes, gravely sinful. It will put your salvation at risk. The Church recently released a couple of statements regarding this.

On Sunday August 13, 2017 the Church released the following statement:

It is with great sadness and deep concern that we view the violence, conflict and tragedy of recent days in Charlottesville, Virginia. People of any faith, or of no faith at all, should be troubled by the increase of intolerance in both words and actions that we see everywhere.

 

More than a decade ago, the late Church President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) addressed the topic of racism when speaking to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He powerfully and clearly taught this principle: “No man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ. Nor can he consider himself to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church of Christ.” For members of the Church, we reaffirm that teaching today and the Savior’s admonition to love our neighbor.

 

Our prayers are with those who are suffering because of this intolerance and hatred. We pray for peace and for understanding. Above all, we pray that we may treat one another with greater kindness, compassion and goodness.

Then on Tuesday August 15, 2017 they released an updated statement:

It has been called to our attention that there are some among the various pro-white and white supremacy communities who assert that the Church is neutral toward or in support of their views. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the New Testament, Jesus said: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39). The Book of Mormon teaches “all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33).

 

White supremacist attitudes are morally wrong and sinful, and we condemn them. Church members who promote or pursue a “white culture” or white supremacy agenda are not in harmony with the teachings of the Church.

Both statements can be found here:

Allow me to re-emphasize those scriptures mentioned in the Church’ statement:

In the New Testament, Jesus said,

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

 

This is the first and great commandment.

 

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37-39).

The Book of Mormon teaches,

“all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33).

Now to your actual question.

We don’t know what our skin color will be like in heaven. We don’t know if we will all be the same. One thing we do know though-no one will be able to hate or discriminate against another person in heaven. We are all children of one Heavenly Father, and He will not allow anyone to act in such a way that we see is going on today.  All of our differences will not matter when we are in His kingdom.

 

Gramps

 

 

 

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