To many Americans in the civil rights era, it seemed an act of self-loathing for blacks to join any predominantly white church, especially one like Mormonism that barred those of their race from the faith’s offices and holiest rituals.
Indeed, not many African-Americans were drawn to the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, given its centurylong ban on black men and boys being ordained to the all-male priesthood and on black women and girls entering Mormon temples.
They chose to live within the restrictions — enduring slings from fellow African-Americans as well as occasional mistreatment from white Latter-day Saints — to embrace what they saw as the LDS Church’s other, more universal principles and practices.