The Book of Mormon teaches that "all are alike unto god,"
The Book of Mormon teaches that “all are alike unto God,” including “black and white, bond and free, male and female” (2 Nephi 26:33). Throughout the history of the Church, people of every race and ethnicity in many countries have been baptized and have lived as faithful members. During Joseph Smith’s lifetime, a few black male members of the Church were ordained to the priesthood. Early in its history, Church leaders stopped conferring the priesthood on black males of African descent. Church records offer no clear insights into the origins of this practice. Church leaders believed that a revelation from God was needed to alter this practice and prayerfully sought guidance. The revelation came to Church President Spencer W. Kimball and was affirmed to other Church leaders in the Salt Lake Temple on June 1, 1978. The revelation removed all restrictions with regard to race that once applied to the priesthood.
On September 30, 1978, at the 148th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the following was presented by President N. Eldon Tanner, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church:
In early June of this year, the First Presidency announced that a revelation had been received by President Spencer W. Kimball extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members of the Church. President Kimball has asked that I inform the conference that after he received this revelation, which came to him following extended meditation and prayer in the sacred rooms of the holy temple, he presented it to his counselors, who accepted and approved it. It was then presented to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who unanimously approved it, and was subsequently presented to all other General Authorities, who likewise approved it unanimously.
President Kimball has asked that I now read this letter:
Recognizing Spencer W. Kimball as the prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is proposed that we as a constituent assembly accept this revelation as the word and will of the Lord. All in favor, please signify by raising your right hand. Any opposed by the same sign.
The vote to sustain the foregoing motion was unanimous in the affirmative.
Salt Lake City, Utah, September 30, 1978.
June 8, 1978
To all general and local priesthood officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world:
Dear Brethren:
As we have witnessed the expansion of the work of the Lord over the earth, we have been grateful that people of many nations have responded to the message of the restored gospel and have joined the Church in ever-increasing numbers. This, in turn, has inspired us with a desire to extend to every worthy member of the Church all of the privileges and blessings that the gospel affords.
Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in God’s eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance.
He has heard our prayers and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color. Priesthood leaders are instructed to follow the policy of carefully interviewing all candidates for ordination to either the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood to ensure that they meet the established standards for worthiness.
We declare with soberness that the Lord has now made known his will for the blessing of all his children throughout the earth who will hearken to the voice of his authorized servants and prepare themselves to receive every blessing of the gospel.
Sincerely yours,
Spencer W. Kimball
N. Eldon Tanner
Marion G. Romney
The First Presidency
As a Latter-day Saint, I understand Official Declaration 2, also known as the "Revelation on Priesthood," to be a pivotal moment in our Church's history. Issued in 1978, it formally extended the priesthood to all worthy male members, regardless of race. Before this, Black men were not ordained to the priesthood or provided the opportunity to hold certain leadership callings. Personally, I see this as a profound act of divine revelation, correcting a long-standing policy that was not in harmony with the fundamental principles of equality and brotherhood taught by Jesus Christ.
This declaration wasn't a change in doctrine but rather a correction of a restrictive policy that had been in place for many years. It affirmed that God's love and blessings are available to all His children, and that the blessings of the priesthood are not limited by earthly distinctions. For me and many others, Official Declaration 2 opened the doors for families of Black members to fully participate in the blessings and ordinances of the gospel, strengthening the entire Church and bringing us closer to living the Savior's teachings of love and inclusion. It's a powerful reminder that God continues to reveal His will to His prophets.
Not growing up in the Church, I heard questions about why Black men and women were once barred from receiving the priesthood and temple blessings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was confusing—especially since the gospel teaches that “all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33). For over a century, the restriction was in place, rooted in cultural and historical biases rather than modern revelation. Some leaders and members at the time misinterpreted scripture or relied on assumptions about race that weren’t doctrinally sound.
That’s why the Official Declaration 2 in 1978 was such a pivotal moment. It wasn’t just a policy change—it was a divine correction. President Spencer W. Kimball, after earnest prayer and seeking confirmation, received revelation extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy members, regardless of race. Looking back, I see how this change aligned the Church more fully with Christ’s teachings of love and equality. While the past can’t be changed, the revelation reminds me that God’s work is ongoing, and sometimes we need humility to correct course and move forward together.