40 years ago today - 1978-06-08

Priesthood ban on black males abolished; no mention of black women

On June 8, 1978 President Spencer W. Kimball the First Presidency issued an official declaration that all worthy males could now receive the priesthood. There is no direct mention of women, no declaration of their newfound ability to enter into the temple and receive the blessings of eternal salvation. In the absence of an official statement regarding black womenM-bM-^@M-^Ys inclusion in temple rites, the assumption was made that black women could now participate. Following the announcement, President Spencer W. Kimball responded to an Associated Press query about the potential for the ordination of women by saying, "We don't expect any revelation about women and the priesthood."

[Source: Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]

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