Question
Gramps
Hello could you possibly help me understand why it took so long before the ban on blacks holding the Priesthood was lifted? I’ve studied this for several years and still have not come up with a conclusive answer. The original ban I understand, was not given by official revelation so I’m puzzled as to why it took so long, after so many Prophets prayed about it, for it to be lifted. I know that the Lord does all things in His own time, but this question puzzles me. Many thanks.
Margaret
Answer
Dear Margaret,
You state that the ban was not given by revelation. However, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is very clear that we don’t know how the ban came to be. But we know that the early Church leaders treated it as revelation. That is also the plain and simple answer to why it took so long to remove it. A revelation from God requires a revelation to change. As to why it took so long for that revelation to come, well any answer I give would be speculation.
In Isaiah 55:8 we read
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
To know why the Lord does what he does we have to ask him.
Now this old man has speculated on the matter of why it took so long to remove it, and I have formed my own thoughts and opinion on the matter. I am more then happy to share, but remember, it is just the speculation and opinion of a rather opinionated old man.
For me the fact that it took so long to remove is something that supports the theory that it was of God (President Kimball was not the first to ask about it).
We read in the Doctrine and Covenants 98:12
12 For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith.
In this verse the Lord tells us He gives us a little bit and then tests us to see what we will do with it before giving us more. I see the whole civil rights/blacks holding the priesthood as a bunch of gains a little bit and then test, gain a little bit then test after this pattern. The test of course is are we holding true to the truth and knowledge we have already been given while accepting the new?
I see this still at work with the more recent challenges. Do we hold true to the truth the Lord has given us? Our response to this test will determine what happens next.
In the end though, we all see very dimly if at all how the Lord is going to bring to pass His will. We simply have to trust that He knows what He is doing.
Gramps
