STORIES AND SONG BRING THOUSANDS TOGETHER FOR RACIAL UNDERSTANDING IN THE CHURCH
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by
Jill Taylor
Jill TaylorThe evening commemorating Black History Month was broadcast throughout the Church’s North America Southwest Area
Featured Photo: Maxine Duncan sings with the Millennial Choir during an event called “Stories of Faith by Black American Latter-day Saints” originating in Plano, Texas, and broadcast to several U.S. states in the North America Southwest Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. Photo by Kent Arnold.
PLANO, TX –Thousands heard inspiring music and messages of racial understanding in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Plano, TX on Sunday, February 19 at the event, “Stories of Faith by Black American Latter-day Saints.”
The special meeting was under the direction of the North American Southwest Area President, Elder Paul B. Pieper, featured music by Maxine Duncan and the Millennial Choir, and highlighted editor and African-American advocate Alice Faulkner Burch.
Burch recently released a book published by Deseret Book entitled My Lord, He Calls Me which is a collection of faithful stories of Black American members of the Church. Burch is passionate about inspiring inclusion and unity among members.
“To see the entire chapel filled with people that came to attend was so beautiful, but more so all the people that stayed around…They didn’t want to leave because of what they experienced and what the Holy Spirit shared with them,” Burch says. “Every person in every congregation needs to be able to experience that, all over the U.S.—that’s what needs to happen.”
In addition to more than 900 in attendance, the meeting was broadcast virtually to over one-thousand members of the Church in Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Nevada, and Arizona. Elder Pieper wanted to expand the message of unity and said members are excited to have these kinds of discussions especially around Black History Month.
“We’ve been talking how do we do a better job of helping the Church look the same inside our buildings as it does outside in our communities,” Elder Pieper says. “Asking how we can do a better job connecting with cultures so they can feel like we are a place where they would like to be, and they know we want them to be there with us.”
The evening celebrated various cultures and featured several selections of poems and gospel songs. The audience began clapping and swaying to “This Little Light of Mine,” and there was a feeling of love and energy in the room.
“That was a moment I had prayed for,” says soloist Duncan referencing her desire to sing with a large choir. She credits God for making it happen and testified that He can do anything. “There was a tangible Spirit of the Lord. It was in the room tonight, and it was glorious.”
Duncan has been singing since age nine and professionally since age 21. Traveling from Houston, she brought talent and passion through her voice. She says praising God through music has always come naturally for her, and she is currently interested in becoming a member of the Church.
“Music brings us together,” Duncan says. “I felt the love tonight. You are all so loving.” Duncan sang alongside select members of the Millennial Choir under the direction of Joni Jensen.
“After singing, performing and hearing the speakers I am changed,” says Jensen. “I am moved to approach sharing, inviting, and seeing people for who they are even more strongly. It has definitely changed my heart.”
In addition to the broadcasted event, there was also several forums about improving relationships with the Black community in the greater Dallas area. Helen Graham of Houston and the head of Community Outreach for the North America Southwest Communication Council of the Church was instrumental in these discussions.
Graham advised several about the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHS) which has over 40 chapters in the country and only one in Texas. Her hope was to expand a chapter in the greater Dallas area. Through the event planning and finally meeting Alice, she says they are kindred spirits as both are committed to improving relations and understanding with Black Latter-day Saints.
“I hope after tonight our members glean that we as Black American Saints are not going anywhere,” says Graham. “That we have more commonalities than we do differences. That there is strength in beauty and diversity. To accept all of us, our lived experiences our cultures and learn and grow from that.”
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Jill Taylor is the Dallas East Coordinating Council Assistant Director over Media of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
