Marcus Martins facts for kids

Marcus Helvécio Martins was born on April 22, 1959. He is a former leader and teacher of religious education at Brigham Young University–Hawaii (BYU–Hawaii). He also wrote a book called Setting the Record Straight: Blacks and the Mormon Priesthood.

Martins was the first Black person to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after a special announcement in 1978. This announcement meant that all men in the Church could receive the priesthood, no matter their race. Marcus Martins is the son of Helvécio Martins, who was the first Latter-day Saint of African descent to become a general authority in the Church.

Early Life and Education

Marcus Helvécio Martins was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He became an American citizen in 2010. In Brazil during the 1970s and 80s, he worked as a construction inspector and later as a computer systems analyst.

Martins then moved to Provo, Utah, in the United States. He studied for six years at Brigham Young University (BYU). There, he earned degrees in business and how people behave in organizations. He also earned a special doctorate degree called a Ph.D. in Sociology, which is the study of society.

Teaching and University Roles

While working on his doctorate, he taught religion and sociology part-time at BYU. Later, he became a religion professor at Ricks College (which is now BYU–Idaho). In 2000, he started working at BYU–Hawaii.

At BYU–Hawaii, he became a department chair and dean of religious education. He helped improve religious teaching by using educational technology and working with public relations. He also led the Faculty Advisory Council, which is like a student council but for teachers. He was the first professor from BYU–Hawaii to work with BYU Television (BYUtv). This helped share academic lessons with people all over the world.

In 2002, he was chosen as “Teacher of the Year” by the BYU–Hawaii President’s Council. In 2017, he was named “Honored Professor of the Year” by the Honors Council.

Speaking and Writing

Marcus Martins has spoken to many groups of people, including professionals and church members. He has given talks in the United States, Brazil, and Japan. He has also been to conferences in places like China, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom.

He was part of a TV show called “Messiah: Behold the Lamb of God” on BYUtv. He has many video lessons about religion on his YouTube channel. Since 2016, he has given online talks to church groups around the world. He also has online chats where he discusses church teachings with people. He has been on podcasts and given interviews to the media.

Some of the topics he is interested in include managing businesses globally, computer technology, law, and different languages and cultures. His research often looks at the meaning of symbols in temples. He also studies how things like globalization, technology, and immigration affect the growth of the Church.

In 2007, Martins published his book, “Setting the Record Straight: Blacks and the Mormon Priesthood.” In 2017, he wrote another book called “The Priesthood: Earthly Symbols and Heavenly Realities.”

Family and Church Service

Marcus Martins and his parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1972.

In 1978, Marcus Martins got engaged to Mirian Abelin Barbosa. She had just finished serving a mission for the Church in Brazil. They first planned to get married in May 1978. Then they thought about waiting until the São Paulo Brazil Temple was finished. This way, Mirian could be sealed (a special church ceremony) to her parents at the same time.

However, Mirian changed her mind, and they set a new wedding date for August 5. On June 8, 1978, a very important announcement called Official Declaration—2 was made. This announcement said that all worthy male members of the Church could now receive the priesthood.

After much thought and prayer, and with Mirian's support, Marcus decided to postpone their wedding. He felt it was important to serve a mission first. He served in the Brazil São Paulo North Mission from 1978 to 1980. After he returned from his mission, he married Mirian on December 19, 1980.

Church Leadership Roles

Over the years, Marcus Martins has served in many leadership roles in the Church. He has been a bishop twice (once in Brazil and once in Hawaii). He has also served seven times as a high councilor. He worked as a temple ordinance worker, helping with temple ceremonies.

In the early 1980s, he helped with a new translation of the Book of Mormon into Portuguese. From 2011 to 2014, he was a president of the Brazil São Paulo North Mission. This was the same mission where he had served as a young missionary.