Joseph Fielding Smith Petersen: LDS Church Service and Controversial Teachings
Joseph Fielding Smith Petersen was a prominent figure within the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), serving in various high-level administrative and ecclesiastical capacities during the mid-20th century. His career spanned roles in journalism, international mission leadership, and the highest governing bodies of the church.
Ecclesiastical Service and Leadership
In April 1944, while serving as the general manager of the Deseret News, Petersen was called to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, one of the primary governing councils of the LDS Church. In this capacity, he was tasked with directing the church's public information programs and served as a member of the Military Relations Committee.
Petersen's influence extended across several specialized church organizations. He acted as an adviser to the Relief Society (the church's women's organization), the Indian Affairs Committee, and the Music Committee. Additionally, he spent over six years leading the West European Mission as its president.
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Beyond his church duties, Petersen was active in community service. He maintained a close association with the Boy Scouts of America, an involvement that earned him the Silver Antelope Award.
Controversial Teachings and Social Stances
Throughout his tenure, Petersen was associated with several controversial stances regarding race and sexuality. In 1959, following a series of arrests of gay men in Utah and Idaho, Church President David O. McKay assigned Petersen and fellow apostle Spencer W. Kimball to work on "curing" gay members within the church.
Views on Race and Segregation
On August 27, 1954, during the Convention of Teachers of Religion on the College Level at Brigham Young University, Petersen delivered a speech titled "Race Problems—As They Affect the Church." In this address, he provided religious justifications for racial segregation and supported the continued practice of segregation regarding intermarriage between Black and White individuals.
Petersen reaffirmed the LDS Church's teachings of that era, which suggested that individuals with dark skin had been "less valiant" in their pre-mortal existence. He further asserted that after the resurrection, Black individuals were destined to be servants to righteous White people.
Despite these views, Petersen stated that if a Black person accepted the gospel with sincere faith and remained faithful, they could enter the celestial kingdom (the highest level of glory in LDS theology) and receive a celestial resurrection, albeit in the role of a servant.
Defining Mormon Fundamentalism
Petersen is also credited with coining the term "Mormon fundamentalist" during the 1940s. He used this phrase to describe individuals who had left the mainstream LDS Church to continue the practice of plural marriage (polygamy).
Key Facts
- Called to Apostleship: April 1944.
- Professional Background: General Manager of the Deseret News.
- Mission Leadership: President of the West European Mission for over six years.
- Community Honors: Recipient of the Boy Scouts of America Silver Antelope Award.
- Terminology: Coined the term "Mormon fundamentalist" in the 1940s.
- Racial Doctrine: Supported racial segregation and the belief that Black individuals were less valiant in the pre-existent life.
| Category | Role/Assignment |
|---|---|
| Church Governance | Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles |
| Media/Press | General Manager, Deseret News |
| International | President of the West European Mission |
| Advisory | Relief Society, Indian Affairs, and Music Committees |
| Special Assignment | Efforts to "cure" gay members (assigned by David O. McKay) |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Petersen called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles?
He was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in April 1944.
What was Petersen's stance on racial intermarriage?
In his 1954 speech at Brigham Young University, Petersen supported the continued practice of racial segregation as it related to intermarriage between Black and White people.
Who coined the term "Mormon fundamentalist"?
Joseph Fielding Smith Petersen coined the term in the 1940s to describe those who left the LDS Church to practice plural marriage.
What was Petersen's role regarding the church's views on homosexuality in 1959?
President David O. McKay assigned Petersen and Spencer W. Kimball to work on curing gay men within the church following a series of arrests in Utah and Idaho.
What did Petersen teach about the afterlife for Black members of the church?
He taught that faithful Black members could enter the celestial kingdom and receive a celestial resurrection, but they would do so as servants to righteous White people.