Like many converts to the LDS faith, Don Harwell's first experience at a Mormon church was one he'll never forget.

"After the first hour I thought, 'This is nice. Chintzy snacks, but the people are nice.' " he joked, referring to his experience with the sacrament. "This is a lot better than the bars where I've been hanging out."

Even though a member fell asleep on his shoulder in Sunday School, Harwell was baptized a few months later in Boulder, Colo. Now 24 years later, Harwell is president of the Genesis group, an official auxiliary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated to nurturing black members. As part of Black History Month at Brigham Young University, Harwell spoke to students on Thursday.

"The goal of the Genesis group was to retain negro members and provide a mechanism for their growth," Harwell said.

Members of the Genesis group attend regular church services, but meet the first Sunday of every month in Salt Lake City for a fireside. Harwell said between 200-300 members attend the monthly meeting. Genesis is not a substitute for ward activities, but is a support to members of the church. Other genesis groups have been established in Los Angeles, Columbus, Ohio and Atlanta.

"The Genesis group is about service and support," Harwell said. "A lot of our members are white families who have adopted African-American children. They want them to see people of color."

On Thursday, Harwell spoke on "Modern Day Pioneers." His list of pioneers included Rob Foster, the first black president of the BYU student association. Church members like Foster give hope to black members still finding their footing in the LDS church. Up until 1978, the LDS Church did not allow black members to hold the priesthood.

Born a Catholic, Harwell joined the church in 1983 when "the holy ghost hit him like a freight train" he said.

Recounting a story about an unkind woman at a Provo fruit stand, Harwell said, "Thank goodness I had that burning that the church was true twice. In my previous life I would have cussed her out for what she said to me.

"The Lord loves everybody," he said. "He's not particular about who you are. He's particular about what's in your heart."

Harwell said he hopes the Genesis group will not be necessary in 10 years and that black members can confidently assimilate into wards without a support group.

"Right now there's a necessity, they need to be nurtured," he said.

Black History Month, sponsored by BYU Multicultural Student Services, is celebrated every February in conjunction with national Black History Month.

Kate McNeil can be reached at 344-2549 or kmcneil@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.