Ruth Bailey examined a small community of Indians in rural Virginia that were converted to Mormonism by Southern States missionaries in the late 19^th century. When Mormon Elder stopped visiting the Indians in 1912, the community (though without any ordained priesthood holders) continued to operate a makeshift Sunday School and worship services until Elders returned 20 years later. Furthermore, developments in science (eugenics) and Virginia laws (which in 1924, recognized only two races??whites,? or those of ?pure Caucasian descent? or those with less than 1/16 Indian blood; and ?Negroes? which included those previously identified as ?mulattos? and Indians). Thus the right to Mormon priesthood was raised with these Indian converts, who went to great lengths to trace their genealogy and prove their lack of African ancestry.