We recently celebrated 30 years of the revelation permitting all worthy males to receive the priesthood, but only a small percentage of African-Americans are reaping the blessings of it.
When I go to stake functions with my husband, I can count on one hand the number of African-Americans there. We went to the Washington, D.C., Temple recently — same scenario.
A couple of weeks ago, I learned that a black family in our ward had decided not to come back to church. This caught me off guard because they were making friends, attending ward activities and accepting callings. What went wrong?
I believe the barriers for blacks in the church are racial stigma, traditions of their "fathers" and not having a true testimony of the gospel.
When I told a close friend 12 years ago about my decision to be baptized, she asked, "Why would you want to do that? Don't you know they're racist?"
As far as racial stigma goes, there is a belief within the black community that Mormons don't like black folks. Some of the stigma stems from the priesthood ban, although many of my generation are too young to remember it.
I think some of it also stems from inactive members who had unfortunate experiences with racism. I am aware of black members who have not felt welcomed in their wards, have been ignored and have been taught that they are cursed because of their skin color. They have accepted the gospel but feel as though they don't fit in or are unable to remain faithful when they feel unwanted.
I describe it as being invited to a party and you only know one person there (two, if they are missionaries). Those who don't know you seem like they don't care to get to know you or are wondering what are you doing there.
People go to church for fellowship and to feel lifted up by other members. When you don't feel that as an investigator or member, you feel alone and are less likely to return.
When it comes to traditions of their "fathers," most African-Americans are Baptist-born and bred. Going against that tradition is a big leap. I have seen many black investigators or members fall away because some "preacher" in the family badgered them about the church.
The pressure includes friends and co-workers. My husband can attest to losing friends and being publicly humiliated at work because of his membership in the church.
The No. 1 barrier for black members of the church (or anyone, for that matter) is not having a true testimony of the gospel.
I once heard a story in the church about a member from an island branch who developed some sort of skin disease. No one knew what it was, why he caught it, or if it was contagious. The members didn't want anything to do with him or his family. Even the branch president told him not to come back to church.
This man was hurt and angry at the way the members were treating him. Instead of not going back to church — and he had good reason not to — he continued to go. I think one of his children or wife asked why, and he answered, "Because this is not the branch president's church, this is the Church of Jesus Christ, and he wants us to go to church and so we will. " This man had a testimony that the church was true.
I have been a member for almost 12 years, and sometimes racial stigma and traditions of my "fathers" cause me to doubt my faith. In those moments, I remember that it wasn't the people who told me that this church was true, it was the Lord through the Holy Spirit.
I hope to see more people who look like me in our wards, stake centers and temples. To make that happen, we have to truly treat everyone like brothers and sisters.
Most important, those who've accepted the gospel must gain a testimony and hold fast to it and endure to the end even in the midst of persecution — even the persecution from those of our own faith.
Tequitia Andrews, who lives in Petersburg, Va., writes a biweekly column for