The Darius Gray Legacy Insight Series invites members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to engage in a journey of understanding, healing, and reconciliation. Through thoughtful dialogue and reflection, the series seeks to break down racial barriers, illuminate truth, and strengthen families and communities in the gathering. The series is administered by the Black Lives Bless Foundation, a nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt under 501(c)(3).
Copyright © 2025 Darius Gray Legacy Insight Series. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
Alice Faulkner Burch
Author, Black History Researcher, former Parent Coach
The Priesthood & Temple Ban: Recovering from Discovering the Truth and Moving Forward in Spiritual Wellness
“Upon learning that the LDS Church had a Priesthood & Temple Ban, did you suddenly feel broken or wonder ‘How could God do this?’ You’re not alone! Many people – regardless of ethnicity and culture – have experienced the same. Believe me when I say to you that this brokenness is your beginning toward full spiritual and mental wellness. From this ledge that you might perceive you are now living on you can grow the wings you need and have needed for years to truly soar. Understand this: it will take work and that work will require your energy and your faith.”
BIO
Alice Faulkner Burch was born in Oxnard, CA to Cleo & Elwanda Faulkner. She received an Associate’s Degree from Oxnard College.
In 2017 Alice retired from full-time employment from a large, prominent Utah-based corporation after 30 years where she wrote several training manuals and created many reports which continue to be used, and organized and helped establish a high-level program over which she was the Administrator for 10 years - from its inception to the day of her retirement.
Church Assignments
She volunteered for 5 years at the Utah State Men’s Prison in the Family History Center, served as Relief Society President in her singles’ ward and for five years in the L.D.S. Genesis Group. She was the last Genesis Group Relief Society President called. She has served in three ward Relief Society Presidencies, taught Primary, taught Nursery, and taught Relief Society.
Alice served a full-time mission to the Santiago Chile Mission, during which time she served as First Counselor in a Branch Presidency while her companion served as Second Counselor.
Upon returning from a full time mission she was called to serve in the Salt Lake Temple as an ordinance worker for eight years.
Community Volunteer
Alice served as the Secretary of the Utah Chapter of Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society for 7 years, served annually on the Utah Juneteenth Organizing Committee, and is a Founding Member of the Utah Black Roundtable where she served as Secretary for seven years.
Currently Alice sits on the Executive Board of Sema Hadithi African American Heritage & Culture Foundation (a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the researching, preserving, and teaching of Utah’s Black American history) and serves as Director of Special Events and as Exhibits Team Lead. She also sits on the Utah State Historical Records Advisory Board and the Signature Books Editorial Advisory Board.
Speaking Assignments
In 2016: Alice was a featured speaker at the Mormon Women Historians Initiative Team’s Conference.
In 2020: she was the featured speaker at the Utah Women’s Democratic Club Luncheon.
In 2023: the Texas Area Presidency sent Alice to Plano, TX to host and speak at a fireside she helped organize around her book “My Lord He Calls Me”.
In 2024: she was a speaker at the BYU Slavery Conference, spoke twice at the Sunstone Symposium, was a speaker at the University of Utah Marriott Library’s “Authorship and the Black Experience in Utah”.
In 2025: she was a speaker at the Dialogue Foundation’s “All Are Alike Unto God: Insights From the 1978 Revelation” in California in January, Sema Hadithi’s panel discussion on “Niggerville: An Art Discussion” in February, speaker at University of Utah Tanner Humanities’ “This Abominable Slavery”, and a speaker at the Dialogue Foundation’s “All Are Alike Unto God: Insights From the 1978 Revelation” at University of Utah in S.L.C. Utah.
Publications
Article “The Preacher, the Labor Leader, the Homosexual, and the Jew: The Template for Achieving Great Goals”, published in the Fall 2018 Dialogue A journal of Mormon Thought
Essay “A Letter to My Black Daughter Never Born”, published in the book A Place to Belong in 2019 by Deseret Book
General Editor of the Deseret Book published “My Lord He Calls Me: Stories of Faith by Black American Latter-day Saints” released November 2022
In the October 2024 release of “Writing Mormon History 2: Authors’ Stories Behind Their Works”, she tells the behind-the-scenes story of compiling the book “My Lord He Calls Me”.
In addition she has written the following articles for The Utah Monthly, an on-line magazine publication: “Everything You Thought You Knew About the Priesthood & Temple Ban is Wrong”, November 2024, and “Setting the Record Straight: How an Honest Reckoning with History Can Elevate and Heal”, March 2025.
She is a past small business owner of Ask Mama Alice where she worked with White American couples who have adopted Black children, assisting them to successfully raise their children in Utah.
In her personal time she enjoys writing, reading, cross-stitching, and doing the dying art of whole-cloth quilting – a skill she learned on her own to honor her Maternal Grandmother Nancy.
In 2012 Alice married the Great Love of Her Life, Robert Samuel Burch, Jr., with whom she enjoys enjoying life and being silly.
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Get in Touch
The Darius Gray Legacy Insight Series invites members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to engage in a journey of understanding, healing, and reconciliation. Through thoughtful dialogue and reflection, the series seeks to break down racial barriers, illuminate truth, and strengthen families and communities in the gathering. The series is administered by the Black Lives Bless Foundation, a nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt under 501(c)(3).
Copyright © 2025 Darius Gray Legacy Insight Series. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
Alice Faulkner Burch
Author, Black History Researcher, former Parent Coach
The Priesthood & Temple Ban: Recovering from Discovering the Truth and Moving Forward in Spiritual Wellness
“Upon learning that the LDS Church had a Priesthood & Temple Ban, did you suddenly feel broken or wonder ‘How could God do this?’ You’re not alone! Many people – regardless of ethnicity and culture – have experienced the same. Believe me when I say to you that this brokenness is your beginning toward full spiritual and mental wellness. From this ledge that you might perceive you are now living on you can grow the wings you need and have needed for years to truly soar. Understand this: it will take work and that work will require your energy and your faith.”
BIO
Alice Faulkner Burch was born in Oxnard, CA to Cleo & Elwanda Faulkner. She received an Associate’s Degree from Oxnard College.
In 2017 Alice retired from full-time employment from a large, prominent Utah-based corporation after 30 years where she wrote several training manuals and created many reports which continue to be used, and organized and helped establish a high-level program over which she was the Administrator for 10 years - from its inception to the day of her retirement.
Church Assignments
She volunteered for 5 years at the Utah State Men’s Prison in the Family History Center, served as Relief Society President in her singles’ ward and for five years in the L.D.S. Genesis Group. She was the last Genesis Group Relief Society President called. She has served in three ward Relief Society Presidencies, taught Primary, taught Nursery, and taught Relief Society.
Alice served a full-time mission to the Santiago Chile Mission, during which time she served as First Counselor in a Branch Presidency while her companion served as Second Counselor.
Upon returning from a full time mission she was called to serve in the Salt Lake Temple as an ordinance worker for eight years.
Community Volunteer
Alice served as the Secretary of the Utah Chapter of Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society for 7 years, served annually on the Utah Juneteenth Organizing Committee, and is a Founding Member of the Utah Black Roundtable where she served as Secretary for seven years.
Currently Alice sits on the Executive Board of Sema Hadithi African American Heritage & Culture Foundation (a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the researching, preserving, and teaching of Utah’s Black American history) and serves as Director of Special Events and as Exhibits Team Lead. She also sits on the Utah State Historical Records Advisory Board and the Signature Books Editorial Advisory Board.
Speaking Assignments
In 2016: Alice was a featured speaker at the Mormon Women Historians Initiative Team’s Conference.
In 2020: she was the featured speaker at the Utah Women’s Democratic Club Luncheon.
In 2023: the Texas Area Presidency sent Alice to Plano, TX to host and speak at a fireside she helped organize around her book “My Lord He Calls Me”.
In 2024: she was a speaker at the BYU Slavery Conference, spoke twice at the Sunstone Symposium, was a speaker at the University of Utah Marriott Library’s “Authorship and the Black Experience in Utah”.
In 2025: she was a speaker at the Dialogue Foundation’s “All Are Alike Unto God: Insights From the 1978 Revelation” in California in January, Sema Hadithi’s panel discussion on “Niggerville: An Art Discussion” in February, speaker at University of Utah Tanner Humanities’ “This Abominable Slavery”, and a speaker at the Dialogue Foundation’s “All Are Alike Unto God: Insights From the 1978 Revelation” at University of Utah in S.L.C. Utah.
Publications
Article “The Preacher, the Labor Leader, the Homosexual, and the Jew: The Template for Achieving Great Goals”, published in the Fall 2018 Dialogue A journal of Mormon Thought
Essay “A Letter to My Black Daughter Never Born”, published in the book A Place to Belong in 2019 by Deseret Book
General Editor of the Deseret Book published “My Lord He Calls Me: Stories of Faith by Black American Latter-day Saints” released November 2022
In the October 2024 release of “Writing Mormon History 2: Authors’ Stories Behind Their Works”, she tells the behind-the-scenes story of compiling the book “My Lord He Calls Me”.
In addition she has written the following articles for The Utah Monthly, an on-line magazine publication: “Everything You Thought You Knew About the Priesthood & Temple Ban is Wrong”, November 2024, and “Setting the Record Straight: How an Honest Reckoning with History Can Elevate and Heal”, March 2025.
She is a past small business owner of Ask Mama Alice where she worked with White American couples who have adopted Black children, assisting them to successfully raise their children in Utah.
In her personal time she enjoys writing, reading, cross-stitching, and doing the dying art of whole-cloth quilting – a skill she learned on her own to honor her Maternal Grandmother Nancy.
In 2012 Alice married the Great Love of Her Life, Robert Samuel Burch, Jr., with whom she enjoys enjoying life and being silly.
Back to Speaker List
Speakers
Customizable Programs
About
Get in Touch
The Darius Gray Legacy Insight Series invites members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to engage in a journey of understanding, healing, and reconciliation. Through thoughtful dialogue and reflection, the series seeks to break down racial barriers, illuminate truth, and strengthen families and communities in the gathering. The series is administered by the Black Lives Bless Foundation, a nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt under 501(c)(3).
Copyright © 2025 Darius Gray Legacy Insight Series. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
Alice Faulkner Burch
Author, Black History Researcher, former Parent Coach
The Priesthood & Temple Ban: Recovering from Discovering the Truth and Moving Forward in Spiritual Wellness
“Upon learning that the LDS Church had a Priesthood & Temple Ban, did you suddenly feel broken or wonder ‘How could God do this?’ You’re not alone! Many people – regardless of ethnicity and culture – have experienced the same. Believe me when I say to you that this brokenness is your beginning toward full spiritual and mental wellness. From this ledge that you might perceive you are now living on you can grow the wings you need and have needed for years to truly soar. Understand this: it will take work and that work will require your energy and your faith.”
BIO
Alice Faulkner Burch was born in Oxnard, CA to Cleo & Elwanda Faulkner. She received an Associate’s Degree from Oxnard College.
In 2017 Alice retired from full-time employment from a large, prominent Utah-based corporation after 30 years where she wrote several training manuals and created many reports which continue to be used, and organized and helped establish a high-level program over which she was the Administrator for 10 years - from its inception to the day of her retirement.
Church Assignments
She volunteered for 5 years at the Utah State Men’s Prison in the Family History Center, served as Relief Society President in her singles’ ward and for five years in the L.D.S. Genesis Group. She was the last Genesis Group Relief Society President called. She has served in three ward Relief Society Presidencies, taught Primary, taught Nursery, and taught Relief Society.
Alice served a full-time mission to the Santiago Chile Mission, during which time she served as First Counselor in a Branch Presidency while her companion served as Second Counselor.
Upon returning from a full time mission she was called to serve in the Salt Lake Temple as an ordinance worker for eight years.
Community Volunteer
Alice served as the Secretary of the Utah Chapter of Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society for 7 years, served annually on the Utah Juneteenth Organizing Committee, and is a Founding Member of the Utah Black Roundtable where she served as Secretary for seven years.
Currently Alice sits on the Executive Board of Sema Hadithi African American Heritage & Culture Foundation (a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the researching, preserving, and teaching of Utah’s Black American history) and serves as Director of Special Events and as Exhibits Team Lead. She also sits on the Utah State Historical Records Advisory Board and the Signature Books Editorial Advisory Board.
Speaking Assignments
In 2016: Alice was a featured speaker at the Mormon Women Historians Initiative Team’s Conference.
In 2020: she was the featured speaker at the Utah Women’s Democratic Club Luncheon.
In 2023: the Texas Area Presidency sent Alice to Plano, TX to host and speak at a fireside she helped organize around her book “My Lord He Calls Me”.
In 2024: she was a speaker at the BYU Slavery Conference, spoke twice at the Sunstone Symposium, was a speaker at the University of Utah Marriott Library’s “Authorship and the Black Experience in Utah”.
In 2025: she was a speaker at the Dialogue Foundation’s “All Are Alike Unto God: Insights From the 1978 Revelation” in California in January, Sema Hadithi’s panel discussion on “Niggerville: An Art Discussion” in February, speaker at University of Utah Tanner Humanities’ “This Abominable Slavery”, and a speaker at the Dialogue Foundation’s “All Are Alike Unto God: Insights From the 1978 Revelation” at University of Utah in S.L.C. Utah.
Publications
Article “The Preacher, the Labor Leader, the Homosexual, and the Jew: The Template for Achieving Great Goals”, published in the Fall 2018 Dialogue A journal of Mormon Thought
Essay “A Letter to My Black Daughter Never Born”, published in the book A Place to Belong in 2019 by Deseret Book
General Editor of the Deseret Book published “My Lord He Calls Me: Stories of Faith by Black American Latter-day Saints” released November 2022
In the October 2024 release of “Writing Mormon History 2: Authors’ Stories Behind Their Works”, she tells the behind-the-scenes story of compiling the book “My Lord He Calls Me”.
In addition she has written the following articles for The Utah Monthly, an on-line magazine publication: “Everything You Thought You Knew About the Priesthood & Temple Ban is Wrong”, November 2024, and “Setting the Record Straight: How an Honest Reckoning with History Can Elevate and Heal”, March 2025.
She is a past small business owner of Ask Mama Alice where she worked with White American couples who have adopted Black children, assisting them to successfully raise their children in Utah.
In her personal time she enjoys writing, reading, cross-stitching, and doing the dying art of whole-cloth quilting – a skill she learned on her own to honor her Maternal Grandmother Nancy.
In 2012 Alice married the Great Love of Her Life, Robert Samuel Burch, Jr., with whom she enjoys enjoying life and being silly.
Back to Speaker List