The Journey of Black Latter-day Saints: Experiences Before and After the 1978 Priesthood Reversal

Explore the profound spiritual and social shifts for Black members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following the lifting of the priesthood and temple ban.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 15, 2026

Branched from The LDS Priesthood Ban on Black Members: History and Reversal

Quick take

Before 1978, Black Latter-day Saints were excluded from priesthood ordination and temple ordinances, creating significant spiritual and social barriers.
Despite the ban, many Black members maintained deep faith, forming strong local communities and enduring in their commitment.
The 1978 revelation opened full participation, leading to integration into leadership and temple worship, but the legacy of the ban continues to be addressed.
Today, the Church actively promotes racial inclusion and acknowledges the pain of past policies, while Black members continue to enrich the global faith community.

For nearly 130 years, from 1847 until 1978, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints restricted men of Black African descent from being ordained to its priesthood and prevented Black members, both men and women, from participating in sacred temple ordinances. This explainer examines the lived experiences of Black Latter-day Saints during this period of restriction and the significant changes that followed the 1978 reversal, known as Official Declaration 2.

Life Under the Ban (Before 1978)

Before 1978, the priesthood and temple ban created a unique and often challenging spiritual path for Black Latter-day Saints. While they could be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and attend regular worship services, the inability to hold the priesthood meant they could not serve in many leadership positions within their congregations, bless their families with priesthood blessings, or perform ordinances like baptisms or sacrament administration. This exclusion also prevented them from participating in temple endowments and sealings, which are central to the faith's understanding of eternal families and salvation. Marriage in the temple was not permitted, creating spiritual and social isolation from a core aspect of Latter-day Saint life.

Despite these significant barriers, many Black members remained remarkably faithful. They formed strong, resilient communities, often finding strength and solidarity in shared experiences. Their commitment to the gospel principles they could access—like faith, repentance, and baptism—was profound, demonstrating an enduring hope for a time when full participation would be possible. Pioneers like Jane Manning James, Elijah Abel, and early converts in Ghana and Nigeria exemplified this unwavering devotion, often traveling great distances or enduring discrimination to live their faith.

The Impact of the 1978 Reversal

On June 8, 1978, Church President Spencer W. Kimball announced a revelation extending the priesthood to all worthy male members, regardless of race or color, and opening temple blessings to all worthy members. This announcement, known as Official Declaration 2, was met with widespread relief and joy, particularly among Black members and their allies. Overnight, the spiritual landscape changed dramatically. Black men could now be ordained to the priesthood, serve in leadership, and officiate in ordinances. Black families could now enter temples to participate in sacred endowments and be sealed together for eternity, fulfilling a long-held desire for full inclusion in the blessings of the gospel.

The immediate impact was transformative. Black members who had waited decades were ordained and entered temples. Congregations around the world began to integrate more fully, and the global growth of the Church, particularly in Africa and Brazil, accelerated. However, the reversal was not a simple erasure of the past. It marked the beginning of a long process of healing, education, and reconciliation, as both Black and white members navigated a new era of equality, confronting the lingering effects of past policies and the racial biases that had developed over generations.

The Ongoing Journey of Integration and Healing

In the decades since 1978, the Church has continued to grow in diversity, with Black members making significant contributions to its global community. However, the legacy of the ban continues to shape conversations about race within the Church. Many Black members still face challenges, including a lack of historical representation, the need for greater understanding among members about the ban's impact, and occasional experiences with racial insensitivity. The Church leadership has, in recent years, condemned past theories used to justify the ban as not representing Church doctrine, and has emphasized the universal love of God for all His children.

This ongoing journey involves active efforts to foster greater inclusion, amplify diverse voices, and provide education about the Church's history and its commitment to racial equality. Black Latter-day Saints continue to share their unique perspectives and strengthen the Church, contributing to a more complete and diverse understanding of the gospel experience.

Understanding the experiences of Black Latter-day Saints before and after 1978 is crucial for comprehending the full scope of the Church's history and its present-day trajectory. It highlights the resilience of faith in the face of adversity, the power of revelation to enact profound change, and the ongoing commitment to building a global community where all feel welcome and valued. It matters because it speaks to core tenets of the faith: universal salvation, eternal families, and the inherent worth and equality of every individual.

Before vs. After 1978: Key Changes

**Before 1978:** Black men excluded from priesthood ordination; all Black members excluded from temple ordinances (endowments, sealings).
**After 1978:** All worthy male members, regardless of race, eligible for priesthood ordination; all worthy members eligible for temple ordinances; full participation in all aspects of Church life.

What was the official reason given for the priesthood and temple ban?

The Church never offered a clear, consistent scriptural or doctrinal explanation for the ban. Over time, various theories emerged, often rooted in societal racial prejudices of the 19th and 20th centuries, attributing the ban to ideas like a curse on Cain or a lack of valiance in a premortal life. These theories are not accepted as official Church doctrine today and have been disavowed by Church leaders.

Did the Church ever apologize for the ban?

While the Church has not issued a formal apology in the way some other organizations have, its leaders have expressed regret and sorrow over the pain and misunderstanding caused by the ban and the theories that supported it. Official statements and essays acknowledge the ban as a past policy and affirm the universal love of God for all people, condemning racism in any form.

How did Black members learn about and join the Church before 1978?

Many Black members learned about the Church through missionaries or existing members, often in areas where the ban's implications were less understood or emphasized. Some were drawn by the spiritual teachings and community aspects available to them, even with the restrictions. In some regions, like parts of Africa, local leaders and members built strong communities, often with the hope of future full participation.

Are there still challenges for Black members in the Church today?

Yes, while significant progress has been made, challenges remain. These can include a lack of diverse representation in Church materials and leadership, encountering racial insensitivity from other members, and the need for greater education about the Church's racial history. The Church is actively working to address these issues through education, inclusion initiatives, and promoting a culture of anti-racism.

What is the Church's current stance on race and the 1978 reversal?

The Church unequivocally affirms that all people are children of God, equal in His sight, and condemns racism in all its forms. The 1978 revelation is seen as a divine act that corrected a past policy and opened the blessings of the gospel to all worthy members, regardless of lineage. The Church's official essays on race provide historical context and clarify its current position.

Sources

Official Declaration 2, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Race and the Priesthood, Gospel Topics Essays, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints