LDS CHURCH GROWTH AND CHANGING CONCEPTIONS OF LINEAGE AND RACE During the past century or so, conceptions about race and lineage among the Latter-day Saints have gradually evolved in the direction of greater universalism and less parochialism. The changes are apparent in official discourse as well as in grassroots attitudes and involve doctrines about black Africans, Jews, Lamanites, and literal descendents of Ephraim. The changes seem to have occurred, furthermore, in response to changing prospects for Church growth in various parts of the world.

Armand Mauss