A thread regarding the revelation on the priesthood in June 1978. This info comes from many interviews by President Kimball’s son. My focus is to briefly share a few events leading up to the revelation and let the participants share their experience. Only a few experienced it. 1/

2/ In 1971, Spencer W. Kimball gave a BYU devotional where he mentioned that the prophet Peter announced a major policy change where many more people received all the blessings of the gospel.

3/ In 1975 Elder Boyd K. Packer “pleaded with the Lord that the way be opened for those from whom the priesthood is withheld.”

In June 1977 President Kimball assigned Elders Packer, Monson, and McConkie to study the subject.

4/ Elder McConkie wrote a long memorandum concluding that there was no scriptural barrier to a change in policy that would give priesthood to black men.

5/ the First Presidency and Twelve met in the temple, the Apostles unanimously expressed their feeling that if the policy were to change, any change must be based on revelation received and announced by the prophet.

6/ Spencer reported to his counselors that he had spent much of the night in reflection and his impression then was to lift the restriction on blacks.

7/ April 20, Pres. Kimball asked the Twelve to join the Presidency in praying that God would give them an answer...He talked with the Twelve individually & continued to spend many hours alone in prayer & meditation in the Holy of Holies.

8/ “I saw during the meeting a man seated in a chair above the organ, bearded and dressed in white, having the appearance of Wilford Woodruff.” -LeGrand Richards

9/ On June 1, 1978, this first Thursday of the month, the First Presidency, Twelve, and Seventies met in their regularly scheduled monthly temple meeting at 9:00 a.m., fasting.

10/ “Whatever the Lord’s decision is, I will defend it to the limits of my strength, even to death.” - Spencer W. Kimball

11/ He outlined to them the direction his thoughts had carried him—the fading of his reluctance, the disappearance of objections, the growing assurance he had received, the tentative decision he had reached, and his desire for a clear answer.

12/ Elder McConkie later recounted, “The Lord took over and President Kimball was inspired in his prayer, asking the right questions, and he asked for a manifestation.”

13/ “I felt something like the rushing of wind. There was a feeling that came over the whole group.” - L. Tom Perry

14/ Preparatory events in the 70s

15/ “Not one of us who was present on that occasion was ever quite the same after that.” -Gordon B. Hinckley

16/ “The Spirit touched each of our hearts with the same message in the same way. Each was witness to a transcendent heavenly event.” -David B. Haight

17/ “Our bosoms burned with the righteousness of the decision we had made.” - Ezra Taft Benson

18/ “He had received the will of the Lord.”

19/ Elder Haight could feel President Kimball’s heart pounding and could feel his intense emotion.

20/ “Finally we had the feeling, we had the impressions from the Lord who made them very clear to us that this was the thing to do to make the gospel universal to all worthy people.” Spencer W. Kimball

21/ “But this revelation and assurance came to me so clearly that there was no question about it.” - Spencer W. Kimball

22/ Screenshots from one of Bruce R. McConkie’s biographies:

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28/ Spiritual preparation again...

Elder Bruce R. McConkie spoke of this Revelation in a speech at BYU. https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/bruce-r-mcconkie/alike-unto-god/