On an otherwise unremarkable June day nearly four decades ago, the LDS Church made a momentous declaration: It was opening its priesthood to “all worthy males,” ending a century-long ban on black men and boys being ordained, and on black women being allowed in LDS temples.
That change was a divine revelation, said top Mormon leaders at the time, which came after much prayer and meditation about the prohibition.
The church’s governing First Presidency said Monday that it will host a “celebration” June 1 at the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City to mark the 40th anniversary of that revelatory change.