LDS Dallas Stake to host interfaith Juneteenth celebration
Sonia Pritchard SmithStephanie Washington, Co-Author
(Pictured Above: David Thibodeaux, Dr. Karen Hollie Thibodeaux (Lifeway Church of Dallas, Pastor), Mayor David Green (City of Duncanville), LDS Dallas Stake President Mark Romney at the 2017 Juneteenth Celebration hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
As Texans celebrate Juneteenth — the annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States — the Dallas Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lifeway Church, and the North Texas Genesis Group are coming together to celebrate African-American heritage, explore family history research, and build lasting relationships across diverse ethnic and religious boundaries. The “Celebration of Independence” will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1019 Big Stone Gap, in Duncanville, Texas. Activities will include a cookout, games, music, and fellowship, in addition to opportunities to learn about family history work. The event is free, and all are invited to attend.
Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in the state of Texas, and more generally the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans throughout the former Confederacy of the southern United States. Although President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation became official on January 1, 1863, the news of General Robert E. Lee’s [Confederate Army] surrender did not reach Texas until May 1865. And on June 18, Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived at Galveston Island with 2,000 federal troops to occupy Texas on behalf of the federal government to ensure the implementation of the proclamation. The following day, standing on the balcony of Galveston’s Ashton Villa, Granger read aloud the contents of “General Order No. 3”, announcing the total emancipation of those held as slaves. Thus, “Juneteenth” is a combination of “June” and “nineteenth”, the date of the announcement. It is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in forty-five states but originated in the great state of Texas.
In 2015, the North Texas Genesis Group — formed by the Arlington Stake — organized its first Juneteenth event to coincide with the release of 1.5 million digital records of up to 4 million former slaves on the FamilySearch website. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, owner of the site, collaborated with the Smithsonian Institute to make the records publicly available.
In 2017, the Dallas Texas Stake combined with Lifeway Church and the Desoto Islamic Center to host the community event. LDS Dallas Stake president Mark Romney said,
“For the Dallas Texas Stake, it was truly a pleasure to host the 2017 Juneteenth Celebration with The Lifeway Church of Dallas, the Desoto Islamic Center and various dignitaries including State Representative Helen Giddings and Mayor Green of Duncanville. The spirit of Juneteenth is defined by the universal yearning for freedom and thanksgiving. What better time for people of all creeds, races, and nationalities to join in friendship, love, and celebration. In these days of turmoil and uncertainty, we relish the opportunity to unite in harmony and respect as we commemorate the freedom that came, at long last, for too many of our brothers and sisters. It has been said that before you can truly love your neighbors you must get to know them. It is for this reason that we look forward to continuing and strengthening our relationship with our beloved neighbors this coming June 16, 2018, when we will once again be together.”
The 2018 Juneteenth celebration comes on the heels of the church’s commemoration of the 4oth anniversary of the Revelation on the Priesthood which extended priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and removed the ban prohibiting members of African heritage holding the priesthood. The remembrance of that event lends a very special air to this year’s Juneteenth celebration. (Editor’s Note: See June 4, 2018, North Texas Mormon article titled “North Texans take Part in ‘Be One’ Celebration”.)
Founded and established in March 2008, The Lifeway Church of Dallas is pastored by Dr. Karen Hollie Thibodeaux who is supported by her husband David Thibodeaux. It is a church that empowers, enlightens, and encourages the unchurched, the alienated, and the lost, leading them to a life-changing new beginning through teaching, preaching, and evangelism. Dr. Thibodeaux’s unique style of ministering is motivational, uplifting, and embraces practical solutions for positive living. She strongly believes in and teaches the Bible as an application to everyday situations that are particularly challenging to working professionals.
The Genesis Group was established in Salt Lake City in 1971 by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a dependent branch to serve the needs of African-American members.
Ramesus Stewart-Johnson, president of the North Texas Genesis Group, encourages all Church members to support its mission. He said,
“An active group has the potential to energize family history and temple work. Its presence will send a strong message of inclusion. It will serve as a constant reminder that all Church members, regardless of their race or the color of their skin, belong to the Church of Jesus Christ.”
