“Honey, I Have Good News!”

“I have to learn to follow before I can lead” is the principle that has governed the life of Richard A. Lowe since his baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fifteen years ago. Brother Lowe was baptized, knowing that as a black man he could not be ordained into the priesthood at that time.

While being taught the gospel by the missionaries, he was, of course, concerned about the priesthood and made it a matter of prayer. One night after he had retired for the evening, he dreamed he was standing at a podium with a very old book open before him. The paper appeared to be parchment, and the writing was very dim. The last line on the page read, “The black man is unable to hold the priesthood at this time.”

Before him he saw a large tapestry, and received the impression that three persons were standing on the other side.

“No black man?” he asked.

And the answer came to his mind, “No, not at this time.”

Again he thought, “What chance is there for me?” He was mentally instructed to look at the book, where he could clearly see the words, “Seek first the truth, and then all things will come to you.”

With this direct reassurance, Brother Lowe was baptized. He sought diligently to exercise his stewardship as patriarch in the home, living the principles of the gospel and teaching them to his family. Knowing the power of the priesthood and having faith in his priesthood leaders, he often called upon them to bless his wife and children. He has felt the healing power of the priesthood in his own life.

While he was on duty in Vietnam, it was discovered that Brother Lowe had a brain tumor. He was transferred to a hospital in Okinawa, and the night before he was taken to surgery, he was administered to by elders of the Church. All fear and anxiety left him, and he had no doubt concerning the outcome. He experienced only slight pain after the operation, and much to the amazement of the hospital staff, he was able to see, hear, and sit up in bed. His doctor’s diagnosis: “You had more help than I could give you.”

Further assurance of the Lord’s love and awareness of him came in his patriarchal blessing received February 1978. Brother Lowe was promised: “In time to come, during the Millennium if not before, you will receive the priesthood of God.” He was satisfied to know that sometime this promise would be realized, but he never dreamed it would happen so soon.

The news came in a telephone call on the afternoon of Friday, 9 June 1978, while Brother Lowe was working at his desk. His wife’s voice had a strange, unidentifiable quality in it. “Honey,” she said, “I have good news”; then she burst into tears. But she managed to report that President Spencer W. Kimball had received a revelation that all worthy men could now receive the priesthood. Just then two friends, a member and an investigator who work for the same company, rushed to his desk. They too had heard the glorious news and were anxious to share it with their friend whose life would be so marvelously changed. Embracing, the three men wept together.

Brother Lowe received the priesthood the following Sunday and was ordained to the office of an elder by Elder Robert D. Hales of the First Quorum of the Seventy.

Prior to the dedication of the Washington Temple, the Lowe family had toured the building, thinking that might be their only chance to enter a temple in their lifetime. The family has now entered that same temple again, this time to be sealed for time and all eternity.

Brother and Sister Lowe are parents of three adopted children: Robert, ten; Layunie, nine; and Karla, eight. Robert’s response to the announcement was straightforward: “Daddy, I have to go to the bank. I have to start saving for a mission. Can you give me a dollar?”