My name is Elvis Haslem. I was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the weekend of April 26 and 27, 2008.I grew up a member of the Baptist church. As I lost interest in the Baptist church, I visited many different denominations over the years. In recent years I have been ready to become a member of a church, but I could not decide which one was right for me to join.
I talked to a friend, who told me about some missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who had visited and given lessons to her family some years earlier. Some months later, missionaries knocked on my door. I let them in and began the discussions.
I was interested in the Church and wanted to continue the lessons. I was invited to attend service at the local ward in Valdosta, Georgia, and I agreed to come. In the interim, I decided to use the Internet to find out more about the faith. I found a lot of information on the net, most of it not favorable to the Church as it deals with Blacks. I initially felt good about attending the ward, but after reading about the "curse of Cain," the "curse of Ham," the priesthood ban, and all other kinds of things, there was no way I was going anywhere near that church. Even though I had told the missionaries I would come to the service, needless to say, I was a no-show.
That very day, missionaries came back by. I told them of my concerns, and these decidedly non-racist young men really did not have answers to my questions or concerns. We set another appointment, and they wanted to bring a member of the ward with them.
In the meantime, I continued to try to find information on my own, and I began reading the Book of Mormon. I came across a website that had a link to contact an actual live Black Mormon, so I did make the contact—and I was led to Marvin Perkins. I was given some information about websites and resources dealing with Blacks and the LDS Church: http://www.ldsgenesisgroup.org and http://www.blacklds.org. These resources gave a fuller picture of what is a complicated relationship.
I kept up the discussions then attended a session of general conference at the local meetinghouse. After that I went to a sacrament meeting, and despite being the only Black person in attendance, I felt absolutely welcomed. I felt no attention was drawn to me because of my race. I kept getting the discussions from two great missionaries, both from Idaho—Elder Hickman and Elder Kunz. Finally I decided to be baptized. Many of my friends and family members attended the baptism, and all felt the Spirit.
The day after my baptism,probably four out of ten men in attendance at sacrament meeting confirmed me a member of the Church by the laying on of hands.
I am going to work to see that more Blacks are brought to the fullness of the gospel. I want to thank Marvin, Elder Kunz, Elder Hickman, the Genesis Group, Blacklds.org, and all the other sources of information that brought me to this point.
—Elvis Haslem