In a potent symbol of openness, the LDS Church’s governing First Presidency will meet Thursday in Salt Lake City with national officers of the NAACP.
After the two sets of leaders huddle, they will issue “a joint statement,” according to a news release from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The NAACP leaders’ visit to the Beehive State comes at an auspicious time for Mormon blacks. Next month marks the 40th anniversary of the end to the faith’s centurylong ban on black men and boys being ordained to its all-male priesthood and on black women being allowed in LDS temples.