By Scott Schulte, Davis County ClipperThe Bountiful Central Stake Center echoed with the soulful sounds of songs like “A Motherless Child,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” and “If Praying Were a Horse” on February 23. Not the typical music for an LDS stake center, but on this night the music was about Black history.
The program was sponsored and performed by members of the Genesis Branch, an LDS congregation developed in the 1970s for Black members of the LDS faith.
“We wanted to share our Black heritage with people in the stake,” said Bernie Hill, member of the stake’s Bountiful 2nd Ward’s Sunday school presidency. “By sharing this music and program with our brothers and sisters here in Bountiful, we are being able to share part of who we are and our background.”
The program, which was based in the history of Black Americans, was told in story form, but primarily through music.
“Many people of other cultures just don’t understand the Black heritage here in this country,” Hill said. “So much of that history has to do with music and the kind of music we as Black individuals sing.”
“Our purpose was to have some fun sharing, but to help educate people in our history, which we are very proud of.”
Hill talked about the purpose of the Genesis Branch as a place where Black members of the LDS Church could feel more comfortable in their services.
“The Genesis Branch is a place where a mixed racial couple or a white family that has adopted a Black child can go to church be with people who are more similar,” Hill said. “It’s a branch where people can to get together and share their Black heritage and the same beliefs as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
“I thought it was a great program,” said Andrew Kelley. “My brother adopted his son who is Black, and this was a great way for me to educate myself about the heritage that is now part of our family.”
Hill also believes it’s important for families that adopt Black children to keep their heritage alive.
“Helping a Black child stay true to their background is very important for the child and the entire family,” Hill said. “It’s one of the best things families can do for their child.”
More than 150 members of the Bountiful Central Stake enjoyed Friday night’s program, which Hill hopes to carry to other stakes.
“It really went well and people were very open to our message and the education we are sharing,” Hill said. “We would like to take this program to other stakes so we can all share in each other's cultures. To bring us all closer together as members of Christ’s church.”