President Nelson addresses racism and violence in social media post

SALT LAKE CITY — The leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russel M. Nelson made a statement on a social media platform Monday relaying his message about racism and violence related to the death of George Floyd and the protests that took place in Salt Lake City over the weekend. 

“We join with many throughout this nation and around the world who are deeply saddened at recent evidence of racism and a blatant disregard for human life,” read President Nelson’s post. 

The message also made mention of the rioting and violence connected to the protests that happened over the weekend saying, “We are also saddened when these assaults on human dignity lead to escalating violence and unrest.”

Calling on all of us to abandon prejudice against any group of God’s children the message stated, “Any of us who has prejudice toward another race needs to repent!”

 

Nelson has worked on racial issues since early in his presidency.  Five months after President Nelson became the church’s president and prophet he joined senior leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)  as they issued a joint call for racial harmony. 

He also gave a speech in 2019 at the NAACP’s national convention and declared, “We want to become dear friends.”

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