Revelation for Our Time

Prophets and apostles’ recollections of the 1978 revelation

deacons pass the sacrament — Deacons in Manaus, Brazil, pass the sacrament. Because of the 1978 revelation, worthy priesthood holders of any race can administer in priesthood ordinances.

The Seeking

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985)

12th President of the Church

“Day after day I went alone and with great solemnity and seriousness in the upper rooms of the temple, and there I offered my soul and offered my efforts to go forward with the program. I wanted to do what [God] wanted. …

“We had the glorious experience of having the Lord indicate clearly that the time had come when all worthy men and women everywhere can be fellowheirs and partakers of the full blessings of the gospel. I want you to know, as a special witness of the Savior, how close I have felt to him and to our Heavenly Father as I have made numerous visits to the upper rooms in the temple, going on some days several times by myself. The Lord made it very clear to me what was to be done.”

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball (2006), 238, 239.

The Prayer

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018)

16th President of the Church

“At the conclusion of the meeting with the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, we had a special prayer at the altar [in the temple] where President Kimball was voice. He implored the Lord for light and knowledge on this issue which has such far-reaching consequences. It was a source of great comfort to the Brethren to hear his humble pleadings as he sought guidance in his lofty calling. …

“The First Presidency later expressed gratitude that ‘the spirit of peace and unity which prevailed in the meeting … was the finest it had ever been and that it [was] evidence that the Lord was pleased with our discussion.’ …

“… It was a moment of exultation, for we had heard the Lord’s prophet declare the Lord’s revelation for this time.”

In Heidi S. Swinton, To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson (2010), 393.

The Revelation

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85)

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

“The Lord in his providences poured out the Holy Ghost upon the First Presidency and the Twelve. … The revelation came to the president of the Church; it also came to each individual present. There were ten members of the Council of the Twelve and three of the First Presidency there assembled. The result was that President Kimball knew, and each one of us knew, independent of any other person, by direct and personal revelation to us, that the time had now come to extend the gospel and all its blessings and all its obligations, including the priesthood and the blessings of the house of the Lord, to those of every nation, culture, and race, including the black race. There was no question whatsoever as to what happened or as to the word and message that came.”

“All Are Alike unto God” (Brigham Young University devotional, Aug. 18, 1978), 4, speeches.byu.edu.

The Assurance

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008)

15th President of the Church

“There was a hallowed and sanctified atmosphere in the room. For me, it felt as if a conduit opened between the heavenly throne and the kneeling, pleading prophet of God who was joined by his Brethren. The Spirit of God was there. And by the power of the Holy Ghost there came to that prophet an assurance that the thing for which he prayed was right, that the time had come, and that now the wondrous blessings of the priesthood should be extended to worthy men everywhere regardless of lineage.

“Every man in that circle, by the power of the Holy Ghost, knew the same thing. …

“… Not one of us who was present on that occasion was ever quite the same after that. Nor has the Church been quite the same.”

“Priesthood Restoration,” Ensign, Oct. 1988, 70.