Lesson 156: The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2

Official Declaration 2

Revelation on the Priesthood

couple smiliing

As the gospel spread throughout the world during the twentieth century, Church leaders prayed for guidance concerning a policy that restricted Church members of African descent from receiving the priesthood. Many Saints chose to exercise faith in Jesus Christ as they faced questions about the policy. On June 8, 1978, the First Presidency announced a revelation that lifted these restrictions. This lesson can help students act in faith when they face uncertain situations or spiritual questions.

Possible Learning Activities

Examples of faith

Consider beginning the lesson by inviting students to think about people they know who exercised great faith in Jesus Christ in a difficult situation. Then explain that Elder Helvécio Martins (1930–2005) of the Seventy and his wife, Rudá, were once faced with a situation that required great faith. You or a student could read the following paragraph to the class.

Elder Helvécio

In April 1972, missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints visited the apartment of Helvécio and Rudá Martins of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Martins quickly gained a testimony of the truthfulness of the missionaries’ message. They also learned about a Church policy that restricted Black males of African descent from being ordained to the priesthood. Helvécio and Rudá, who were of African descent, had questions for the missionaries (see “Elder Helvécio Martins of the Seventy,” Ensign, May 1990, 106; Mark Grover, The Autobiography of Elder Helvécio Martins [1994], 43).

• What questions might you have asked the missionaries if you had been in this situation?

• What are some of the possible ways someone could react to a situation like this?

Invite the students to think about uncertain situations they are facing or have faced in their lives. This could include unanswered spiritual questions they currently have. They could write about their situations or questions in their study journals. Encourage the students to pay attention to teachings or promptings of the Spirit that can help them in their circumstances.

Acting in faith

To help students see how the Martins family responded to this situation, consider inviting a student to read the following paragraphs aloud to the class:

After learning about the priesthood restriction, the Martins family chose to act in faith. They were soon baptized and served faithfully in the Church for many years. Elder Martins later recalled, “We had found the truth, and nothing would stop us from living it.”

In 1975, the Church announced that a temple would be built in São Paulo, Brazil. ‘“Although we didn’t expect to enter it, we worked for the construction of the temple just like other members,’ remembers Elder Martins. ‘It was the house of the Lord, after all.’ Sister Martins sold her jewelry to help with fund-raising, and Brother Martins served on the publicity committee” (in “Elder Helvécio Martins of the Seventy,” Ensign, May 1990, 106).

• What stands out to you about the response of the Martins family?

• Why do you think they chose to act in faith in this situation?

If needed, point out that rather than focusing on what they did not know, the Martins family focused on the truth God had revealed to them through the Holy Ghost.

Consider inviting students to make a list of truths they know about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the gospel that can help them move forward with faith when they face questions or uncertain situations. Then invite them to share what they wrote and explain how those truths can help them move forward with faith.

Official Declaration 2

To help students understand the circumstances related to the priesthood restriction and the revelation that lifted it, invite them to locate the introduction to Official Declaration 2 in their scriptures. If needed, provide copies of the introduction for students who have older editions of the scriptures.

Read the introduction to Official Declaration 2, looking for background related to this declaration.

• What from this paragraph do you think is important to understand?

Explain that the line which states, “Church records offer no clear insights into the origins of this practice” represents the official position of the Church on the priesthood restriction. It is important that we do not speculate about why the restriction was in place.

You might also consider pointing out the reference to 2 Nephi 26:33 in the first sentence of the introduction. Consider inviting students to read this verse and share truths that would be important to remember when thinking about this policy.

Official Declaration 2 contains the official announcement of the revelation received by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on June 1, 1978.

Rather than studying Official Declaration 2 as a class, consider inviting students to study it with a small group. If available, they could use the resources from “The Long-Promised Day” (Ensign or Liahona, June 2018, 34–37) to help them better understand some of the statements made in Official Declaration 2.

Read the four paragraphs under the phrase “Dear Brethren” in Official Declaration 2. Consider marking words or phrases that you feel are important.

• What stood out to you from what you read?

• What does this experience help you understand or feel about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Impact of the revelation

African saints being baptized

This revelation had a profound impact on men and women throughout the world. Soon after it was received, missionaries were sent to Africa. Temples have since been built on that continent, and hundreds of thousands of people of African descent around the world have received the ordinances of the gospel for themselves and their deceased ancestors.

Explain that among those impacted by the revelation were Helvécio and Rudá Martins. Consider inviting a student to read the following paragraphs aloud to the class:

After learning about the revelation which extended the priesthood to all worthy males, Helvécio recalled:

“I could not contain my emotions. Rudá and I went into our bedroom, knelt down, and prayed. We wept as we thanked our Father in Heaven for an event we had only dreamed about. The day had actually arrived, and in our mortal lives” (The Autobiography of Elder Helvécio Martins [1994], 69–70).

Soon after the 1978 revelation, the Martins family was sealed in the temple. Helvécio became a local priesthood leader and eventually was called to serve as a member of the Seventy (see “Elder Helvécio Martins of the Seventy,” 106).

• How might things have been different for the Martins family if they had not chosen to exercise faith in Jesus Christ?

• What did you learn from the example of the Martins family that could help you with your uncertain situations or unanswered questions?

  As part of your discussion, consider writing the following truth on the board: When we act in faith during uncertain situations, we prepare ourselves to receive the Lord’s blessings.

• What are some ways you can act in faith when you face uncertain situations or spiritual questions?

  If needed, students could find ideas in paragraphs 5–7 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2023).

• How has the Lord blessed you or people you know because of acting in faith?

Consider sharing an example from your life. You could also show the video “Struggling with the History of Race and the Priesthood” (4:04), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

In addition, you could invite students to search for examples from the scriptures that demonstrate the Lord blessing people who acted in faith. Examples include the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8–24); Lehi’s family (1 Nephi 2:2–5; 17:1–3); and the Prophet Joseph Smith (Joseph Smith—History 1:8–17).

Make a plan

Remind students of the situation or question from their lives they thought of at the beginning of the lesson. Then invite them to respond to the following questions in their study journals:

• What have you learned or felt today that can help you with your uncertain situations or spiritual questions?

• What is something specific you will do to exercise faith in Jesus Christ in these situations?

Additional Resources

Where can I learn more about the priesthood restriction and the revelation announced in Official Declaration 2?

See the following resources:

• “Extending the Blessings of the Priesthood” (Ensign or Liahona, June 2018)

• “Priesthood and Temple Restriction” (Church History Topics)

• “Race and the Priesthood” (Gospel Topics Essays)

• “Revelations in the Summer of 1978” (Personal Essay by Elder Ahmad Corbitt of the Seventy)

How did Church leaders seek the Lord’s guidance before receiving this revelation?

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), who was the President of the Church when the revelation was received, remembered:

President Spencer W. Kimball

I knew that something was before us that was extremely important to many of the children of God. … 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 he wanted. I talked about it to him and said, “Lord, I want only what is right. … We want only the thing that thou dost want, and we want it when you want it and not until.” …

The Lord made it very clear to me what was to be done. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006],238–39)

What was it like for the Church leaders who experienced this revelation?

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008), who was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the time the revelation was received, testified of what it was like to be in the temple that day:

President Gordon B. Hinckley

We joined in prayer in the most sacred of circumstances. President Kimball himself was voice in that prayer. … 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, …

All of us knew that the time had come for a change and that the decision had come from the heavens. The answer was clear. There was perfect unity among us in our experience and in our understanding. (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Priesthood Restoration,” Ensign, Oct. 1988, 69–70)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Videos

Consider using one or more of the following videos during portions of the lesson. These videos can help students see examples of faithful Saints, both before and after the revelation that lifted the priesthood restrictions.

• “Long-Promised Day” (8:41). This video portrays the Saints in Ghana who waited long for the chance to hold the priesthood.

• “Be One—A Celebration of the Revelation on the Priesthood” from time code 1:06:55 to 1:09:14. Black Latter-day Saints describe how the priesthood has blessed their lives.

• “A New Day” (2:24). Black Latter-day Saints share their reactions to the 1978 revelation.

Explain activity

Students may experience times in their lives when they will be asked to explain why the priesthood restrictions existed. Consider letting them practice this in class. Before they practice explaining, it may be helpful to remind them that we do not know the reasons why this policy was in place (see Introduction to Official Declaration 2).

Then consider inviting students to answer the following questions. Students could practice answering them with a partner or a small group.

• If someone asked you why the priesthood and temple restrictions existed, what truths do you feel would be most important to help them understand? Why?

After students have practiced explaining, ask them to share which truths they focused on. If needed, emphasize that we know that God loves all His children and invites all to come unto Him (see 2 Nephi 26:33). We also know that prophets seek and receive the Lord’s guidance in directing His Church.

Example of acting in faith

Consider sharing the following recollection from President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency. Invite the students to look for how he dealt with unanswered questions he had when the priesthood restriction was in place.

President Dallin H. Oaks

I observed the pain and frustration experienced by those who suffered these restrictions and those who … sought for reasons. I studied the reasons then being given and could not feel confirmation of the truth of any of them. As part of my prayerful study, I learned that, in general, the Lord rarely gives reasons for the commandments and directions He gives to His servants. I determined to be loyal to our prophetic leaders and to pray—as promised from the beginning of these restrictions—that the day would come when all would enjoy the blessings of priesthood and temple. (“President Oaks Remarks at Worldwide Priesthood Celebration,” newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• What did you learn from the response of President Oaks that could help you when you have questions about a doctrine or a policy of the Church?

• Why do you think it is important to be loyal to our prophetic leaders as we wait for answers to our questions?

Choosing faith rather than doubt

Consider showing “Doubt Not, but Be Believing” from time code 15:26 to 20:28. In this video, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Ruth L. Renlund describe examples of two people who responded differently to their gospel questions, one with doubt and the other with faith. After showing the video, invite the students to share teachings or insights that stood out to them.