In a today's racially sensitive society, this may seem like an unpleasant doctrine. It may be that in Book of Mormon times that the dark skin was a curse, but today the descendants of the Lamanites can be proud of their dark skin. It is no longer a curse but a mark of distinction because it signifies that they are of the house of Israel and specifically from the tribe of Joseph through Manasseh. It signifies that they will be the recipients of the great promises given specifically to them in the Book of Mormon and also all the great promises given to the house of Israel in the last days. On the other hand, the "white Anglo-Saxons" of the Americas are usually not of the house of Israel. This is demonstrated in many Book of Mormon scriptures which speak of them as Gentiles.