"Letter of First Presidency." 1970, Era.

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 The First Presidency's Stance

"Sometime in God's eternal plan, the Negro will be given the right to hold the priesthood," said President McKay, LDS prophet at the time of this letter's publication.¹

But alas, that time had not yet come for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Black people, for reasons not explicitly stated but rather implicitly suggested in this letter, were not yet worthy of receiving the priesthood.

Why Did So Many Follow?

It is important to remember that Mormons literally believe that a prophet's revelations come directly from God Himself.² Many Mormons, then and now, accept the existence of doctrines that are uncomfortable out of reverence for the Lord and His prophets.

"And whatsoever [prophets] shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation."³