Blacks and the Priesthood

This concept refers to the 1978 revelation extending priesthood ordination to worthy men of all races in the LDS church. In Gordon B. Hinckley — Go Forward With Faith, Hinckley gives a firsthand account of the moment: after a monthly temple meeting of the General Authorities, President Spencer W. Kimball dismissed all but his counselors and the Twelve, raised the question of conferring the priesthood “on worthy males of all races,” and led the group in prayer. Hinckley recorded “a hallowed and sanctified atmosphere,” describing it as a conduit opening “between the heavenly throne and the kneeling, pleading prophet,” with the assurance coming by the power of the Holy Ghost — no audible voice, but the certainty that “the wondrous blessings of the priesthood should be extended to worthy men everywhere regardless of lineage.” Hinckley adds that no one present “was ever quite the same after that.”

Context: In June 1978, the LDS church announced “Official Declaration 2,” a revelation received by President Spencer W. Kimball that reversed a longstanding policy barring Black members of African descent from priesthood ordination and temple ordinances.

Where this appears

• Gordon B. Hinckley — Go Forward With Faith — Hinckley’s eyewitness account of the 1978 priesthood revelation in the temple meeting led by Spencer W. Kimball