1978 Revelation on the Priesthood (Salt Lake Temple, June 1, 1978) and President Kimball’s Johannesburg Account (Oct. 23, 1978)

On June 1, 1978, in the Salt Lake Temple, President Spencer W. Kimball together with his counselors (the First Presidency) and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles received a revelation extending priesthood ordination and temple blessings to all worthy male members of the Church regardless of race. Those present described the experience as overwhelming, with the Spirit confirming the revelation to individuals in the room; Elder Bruce R. McConkie later called it one of the most powerful spiritual experiences of his life. The revelation was presented as Official Declaration 2 and was unanimously sustained by Church members at the October 1978 General Conference.

A few months later, on October 23, 1978, President Kimball gave his most lengthy public description of the events surrounding that revelation at a Church area/mission conference in Johannesburg, South Africa (over which E. Dale LeBaron then presided). In that talk he described how he and his Brethren had fasted, prayed, and counseled together in the temple and how the Lord had confirmed to them, by the voice of the Spirit, that the time had come to extend the priesthood and temple blessings to people of every nation, culture, and race. The next day he admonished the mostly white members in Africa not to fight against the work of the Lord. The June 1 revelation (Official Declaration 2) and President Kimball’s Johannesburg account together document the same specific 1978 revelation and its immediate public presentation and legacy.