MLK Niece Wonders Why God Was Left Off Memorial Site
The MLK Memorial Site features Martin Luther King Jr. quotes across the 450-foot wall that surrounds the Mountain of Despair and Stone of Hope. Those quotes have received scrutiny and praises from visitors.
Now, Alveda C. King, MLK’s niece, is offering her perspective: Where’s the name of God?
“This missed opportunity to carve God’s name on the wall still presents another opportunity. Many people don’t know that Uncle M.L. was a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said King, founder for King for America. “It stands to reason that they have never heard of his devotion to Jesus Christ and his message of God’s agape love. I wasn’t consulted on the design of the site, still I see this as a teaching moment to encourage people to read King’s sermons.”
During a pre-dedication tour, King asked why the name of God wasn’t inscribed in some of the quotes. She says she was told that the effort was to be global and universal in scope. The hope was that people would depart the site wanting to know more about her uncle. Those answers didn’t satisfy King.
“In the Old Testament, God carved His Word on stones. Today, His Word is inscribed in the human heart. I don’t see this as a politically correct versus spiritually aware type of issue,” King said. “I see this as an opportunity to witness the love of God and to invite people to read Uncle M.L.’s sermons and learn of his ministry.”
