Mormon President Denounces Racism, Escalating Violence

The president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints denounced racism and the violence occurring at protests around the country. It was the faith’s first public statement since volatile weekend demonstrations over the death of George Floyd. Russell M. Nelson said in a post to his social media accounts Monday that the Utah-based religion joined with people around the world being saddened at “recent evidences of racism "and ”a blatant disregard for human life.” The church has been trying to improve race relations in recent decades following a history that included a ban on black men in the priesthood that lasted until 1978.