778: Losing the Lamanites - Gabriel Misla (Puerto Rico) Pt. 2

Published: July 24, 2017, 2:59 p.m.

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Continuing our series on \\u201cLosing the Lamanites,\\u201d we interview Gabriel Misla who originated from the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. \\xa0We cover:

  • Gabriel\\u2019s experience joining the Church as a young man in the island territory and his eventual immigration to the mainland US
  • His mission service to the Dominican Republic, and the cultural nuances between the two islands that heightened his sensitivity to how race is viewed in the LDS Church
  • How he came to terms with his sexuality and his experience as a gay Latter-day Saint, including spending time in Evergreen
  • His reminiscence of elation of being from the tribe of Ephraim in his patriarchal blessing because \\xa0it meant he was more like his white Utah missionary companions\\u2014and now his regret over how his thinking was influenced by the Church\\u2019s views on race
  • His thoughts and feelings over the Book of Mormon\\u2019s still accepted views on Lamanites and race, and what he feels the Church should do
  • His vision and plans for the future as a post-Mormon still living in Utah
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