jamesnz1982

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond. It seems the thesis is written to give the impression that Maori and Polynesians were included in the same "ban" on Africans with regards to exclusion from the Priesthood. For what it's worth, the thesis received class honors and was judged as worthy of this by two external assessors from New Zealand universities. If the thesis is not withdrawn permanently then the LDS will have a published academic source which hints at racism and exclusion of "brown skinned" men, not just "black skinned" men. However, this seems fitting with the tone of the rest of the thesis. Having read it fully now I can see there are a lot of unreferenced claims and it seems to be very dubious. Roel van Leeuwen (the author) is apparently a Freemason and a pagan. Roel van Leeuwen also makes dubious claims about a man who was also a Freemason, claiming him to be a neo-Nazi Satanist (well, that the group he ran was). This seems highly dubious also. It would indicate that the New Zealand schooling system leaves a lot to be desired when references aren't checked and no secondary research is required when labelling individuals or groups as racist or neo-Nazi. Thanks, James

Hello, I am researching information on LDS in New Zealand, and discovered this forum so thought I would drop in to ask some questions. I hope that the forward nature of my questions won't be offensive, but I am a stickler for historic accuracy and always curious to find out the whys and wherefores of any religious system in New Zealand. Best wishes, James

Hi, I am researching the claims of the University of Waikato thesis (authored by Roel van Leeuwen, who was awarded a Masters degree with Class Honors) that makes the following claims: 1. "...elements of the theology and praxis of the LDS may have had a direct or indirect influence on the evolution of Bolton’s religious personality, particularly up until the end of the time covered by this study.", page 18 [bolton is claimed to be a neo-Nazi Satanist who left LDS because of "the amount of ‘inter-racial marriage"] 2. "The first is Mormonism’s racial consciousness. ... makes a firm distinction between the black and white races, describing the black races as the cursed descendants of Cain and explicitly stating that the blackness of skin is a sign of punishment by God for wickedness and sin. While the LDS admitted blacks into the Church from the 1830s, it wasn’t until 1978, well after the period in which Bolton was associated with the Church, that black (and brown) skinned men could be admitted into the priesthood.", page 18 [source given as Alan Cherry and Jessie L. Embry, ‘Blacks’ in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Daniel H. Ludlow (ed.),(New York: Macmillan, 1992), pp.125-127 - It is implied that "brown skinned men" were excluded, meaning Polynesians and Maori in New Zealand] 3. "...that of elect and unclean races, a secretive and hidden brotherhood of the chosen few, and a vision of history which is firmly entrenched in the realm of faith rather than sound scholarship, would later surface in the teaching of the Order.", page 19. [the Order being a group founded by Kerry Bolton, and allegedly neo-Nazi in outlook, and here it is claimed that the basis for its teachings are in Mormonism] The following is known about the thesis: 1. Roel van Leeuwen was award a degree of Master of Arts in Philosophy at The University of Waikato (with class honors, apparently equivalent of a 'A' grade pass) 2. The supervisors were Professor Dov Bing (Political Studies) and Ms. Marg Coldham-Fussell (Religious Studies). 3. The thesis was examined by two leading New Zealand academics in the capacity of external examiners, according to statements by Dov Bing to the New Zealand media. 4. Dov Bing and Roel van Leeuwen both claim the scholarship is accurate and well researched (according to reports in the New Zealand media) The thesis can be found here: Roel Van Leeuwen Thesis Original I am interested in any comments on the claims relating to unclean races and the exclusion of "brown skinned" (Maori and Polynesian) people from the LDS Church. Thanks in advance. Sincerely, James