Ep257: First Americans Museum Returns LDS Church's 2 Million Dollar Donation

A $2 million donation—and a quiet return. With the LDS Church now donating $3 million to the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, TX, we’re revisiting our episode about the First Americans Museum’s decision to return the church’s $2 million gift. The LDS church also previously donated $2 million to the International African American Museum in South Carolina. The common thread? Each museum partnership includes a FamilySearch genealogy center, connecting the church’s financial support with a presence inside institutions dedicated to preserving Black and Indigenous history. Genealogy can help visitors reclaim family stories, but FamilySearch is also operated by the LDS Church, where genealogy serves a religious purpose tied to temple ordinances for the deceased. How do those overlapping interests shape these partnerships—and why did the First Americans Museum give the money back? Join Mormonish as we explore philanthropy, faith, and who gets to tell a community’s story. This episode originally aired in October 2023.

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