Former LDS General Authority George P. Lee passed away today in Provo at the age of 67.
You’re probably wondering “Who’s that?” and “Why should I care?” In 1975, George P. Lee was called by Spencer W. Kimball to be a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. This is significant, because Lee was the first (and only) Native American general authority. In 1989, Lee was excommunicated for “apostasy and other conduct unbecoming a member of the Church.” This too is significant, because Lee was the first general authority to be excommunicated since 1943, when Apostle Richard R. Lyman was excommunicated for practicing polygamy.
Lee’s “unbecoming conduct” refers to his attempted molestation of a 12-year-old girl. But of more interest to me–from a Mormon studies perspective—is the charge of apostasy. Lee was upset that President Ezra Taft Benson was phasing out the LDS Church’s Indian Placement Program.
In a hand-written letter to the First Presidency, Lee criticized church leaders for “spiritually slaughtering” Native American Mormons and encouraging “white supremacy …, pride, arrogance, love of power, and no sense of obligation to the poor, needy and afflicted …”.
He also argued that the Book of Mormon identifies Native Americans (the Lamanites) as god’s covenant people. And as such, Native American Mormons should direct the LDS Church.
Do the Gentiles or ‘adopted Israel’ have the mission to bless the whole world with the gospel? I think not, at least not totally. They will assist true Israel in accomplishing this mission but I do not believe they will have ‘front seat’ leadership role in it ….
With his death, I just felt it was important that you understand who George P. Lee was. He may only be a footnote in Mormon history, but he’s certainly a fascinating footnote!
Has anyone here had any experience with the Indian Placement Program? When I was in elementary school my friend and his family had a Native American boy live with them for a year through this church program. He was a great guy and we had a lot of fun. I didn’t notice that his skin got any lighter through the year, though…
I also would like more information on the Indian Placement Program. The linked wikipedia entryIi felt was pretty vague, and probably written by a member… not that that is a problem, just the author seemed a little defensive. I agree with the entry that the program probably gave many children educational opportunities that they otherwise would not have had, but I suspect the foundation of the whole thing was probably racist.
Still interested in learning more about the program that once existed?
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I didn’t know any of this, so I’m really grateful that you posted it. You’re right–it’s fascinating.
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