Morehouse Chapel Portrait of White Church Founder With Racist Record Sparks Campus Outrage, Student Retaliation Accusations

Joseph Smith painting stirs controversy on the all-male HBCU campus during its annual Founder’s Week.

Atlanta, GA – Students at Morehouse College are voicing strong opposition after the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel unveiled a portrait of Joseph Smith Jr., founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in its Hall of Honor. The backlash centers on Smith’s documented racist statements and his complex record on slavery. Although he later supported gradual emancipation during his 1844 presidential campaign, historical records show he tolerated slavery among church members and made racially charged remarks advocating separation of Black people.

On the first day of Black History Month, Smith’s new portraits was added to the International Hall of Honor located inside the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel – which features more than 200 oil portraits of global leaders the historic Black men’s college recognizes as part of “the international civil and human rights movement.” Among those honored are civil rights icon Rosa Parks, South African leader Nelson Mandela, media executive Oprah Winfrey, former Atlanta mayors Shirley Franklin and Maynard Jackson, and past Morehouse presidents including the Rev. Benjamin E. Mays.

Smith’s portrait was unveiled during a Feb. 1 vespers service and placed in the chapel’s Hall of Honor. Within days, chapel assistants drafted a letter of dissent, arguing the decision lacked meaningful student input and conflicted with Morehouse’s mission. Smith’s historical record has drawn particular concern with students arguing that elevating him in a space named for Dr. King sends the wrong message.

Dean Lawrence Edward Carter defended the decision, calling Smith’s abolition stance courageous and historically significant. He also cited limited donor funding for commissioning portraits.

Tensions escalated when junior Damarion King publicly criticized the decision during the Otis Moss Oratorical Contest. He was later disqualified, with administrators citing rule violations. King maintains the move felt retaliatory.

Student Pushback and Allegations of Retaliation

On Feb. 4, Alonzo Brinson, president of the Chapel Assistants, and Damarion King, vice president, released a letter condemning the decision and questioning whether the induction aligned with the college’s mission. The following evening, junior Damarion King, who had advanced to the finals of the Otis Moss Oratorical Contest, publicly criticized the decision. During his speech, he criticized the decision to honor Smith saying, “How are we falling asleep while a racist, unethical, miseducated, dead white man is honored in this sacred space while hardworking Black, powerful and educated men and women are overlooked?”

Days later, King was disqualified from the contest, with officials citing changes between his semifinal and final speeches. He was also informed he would no longer host or speak at the upcoming Candle in the Dark Gala. Administrators have stated that no formal disciplinary action was taken, though King maintains he received direct communication indicating otherwise. The sequence of events has fueled concerns among students about retaliation and the limits of dissent.

Students also pointed to disparities during the unveiling service, noting that Smith received significantly more recognition than Dr. Harold Bennett, a longtime Morehouse faculty member honored the same day.

Critics say the controversy reflects broader concerns about governance, representation and student voice within the chapel. Chapel leadership has defended the induction as historically grounded, but critics maintain that elevating a figure with a documented racist record undermines the institution’s values. Supporters of the decision urge deeper forgiveness. Students, however, insist that the controversy is not simply about historical complexity. They view the Hall of Honor portrait unveiling of Smith as a declaration of values.

What began as an unveiling has evolved into a larger debate about power, legacy and whose values the Morehouse and its chapel ultimately reflects.