Firsts
Who is Peter M. Johnson?
Called by President Nelson on April 6, 2019. He was also the first African-American man to serve as Stake President of the Bessemer Alabama Stake.
Brothers and sisters, please listen carefully to what I am about to say. God does not love one race more than another. His doctrine on this matter is clear. He invites all to come unto Him, “black and white, bond and free, male and female.”
Who is President Russell M. Nelson
Conference Talk "Let God Prevail." October 2020
Won a Grammy award for the Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album in 2005.
Who is Gladys Knight?
Gladys Knight is known as the "Empress of Soul." She has won 7 Grammys and had numeroud number hits on the gospel, pop, and R&B charts. She was baptized a member of the church in 1997 by her son, Jimmy.
From 1852-1978, this was not allowed to be bestowed on men who were considered to be of African descent.
What is the Priesthood?
Held the Priesthood while Joseph Smith was prophet. He held the office of a seventy.
Who is ELijah Abel?
First African American woman to serve in the church's general presidency.
Who is Tracy Y. Browning?
On April 2, 2022, Sister Browning was sustained as the second counselor in the Primary General Presidency. Sister Browning was a member of the Relief Society General Advisory Council since 2018.
Of course, Black lives matter! That is an eternal truth all reasonable people should support.
Who is Dallin H. Oakes
BYU Devotional - Racism and Other Challenges,
October 2020
Former leader of the Black Panther Party.
Who is Eldridge Cleaver?
A controversial dude, he joined the church in 1983.
Established the Priesthood ban in 1852.
Who is President Brigham Young?
Brigham Young was not only the President of the church at the time, but also the Governor of Utah territory in 1850.
Joined the church as an enslaved man, he dug Joseph and Hyrum Smith's graves.
Who is Green Flake?
The first man of African descent to serve as a General Authority.
Who is Helvecio Martins?
Called by Ezra Taft Benson. Elder Martins served in the second quorum of the Seventy from March 1990-September 1995. He was born in Brazil. He was a descendant of African slaves.
Brethren, there is no basis for racial hatred among the priesthood of this Church. If any within the sound of my voice is inclined to indulge in this, then let him go before the Lord and ask for forgiveness and be no more involved in such.
Who is President Gordon B. Hinckley?
April 2006 Conference Address "The Need for Grater Kindness."
A former backup dancer for George Michael, he later appeared on Season 10 of America's Got Talent.
Who is Alex Boye?
Alex Boye is a singer/entertainer from Bristol England. He joined the church in 1986.
Received revelation that the Priesthood could be conferred on all worthy males in 1978.
Who is President Spencer W. Kimball?
She walked thousands of miles to join the saints in Missouri. It is recorded that she was a good friend to Joseph and Emma Smith and was adopted into the family.
Who is Jane Manning?
First African-American man to receive the priesthood after the 1978 revelation.
Joseph Freeman Jr.
Joseph Freeman joined the church on September 30, 1973. He lived in Salt Lake City at the time of the revelation. On June 11, 1978, three days after the announcement of the revelation, Freeman was ordained to the office of an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Now then in the kingdom of God on the earth, a man who has the African blood in him cannot hold one jot nor tittle of priesthood.
Who is Brigham Young?
Legislative Joint Session Address, February 5, 1852.
Who is Jabari Parker?
Jabari plyed for Duke and was the 2nd overall draft pick in 2014, going to the Milwaukee Bucks. He was the first African-American member to be drafted in the NBA.
Despite not having the Priesthood, black members were always allowed to participate in this saving ordinance.
What is Baptism?
There are records of free and enslaved men and women being baptized in the earliest days of the restored church.
In a private Church council three years after Joseph Smith’s death, Brigham Young praised a black man who had been ordained to the priesthood, saying, “We have one of the best Elders, an African."
Who is Q. Walker Lewis?
First African American sister missionary.
Who is Mary Frances Sturlagson Eyer?
Joined the church in 1976 while attending BYU. She served in the San Antonio Texas mission from 1978-1979. She wrote two books about her like, conversion, and mission "A Soul So Rebellious" and "He Restoreth My Soul."
All worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color.
Who is President Spencer W. Kimball?
Revelation was given to the church via a letter read by N. Eldon Tanner at the September 30, 1978 General Conference. Official Declaration 2 of the Doctrine and Covenants.
After winning a NCAA basketball championship in 1983, he went on to play for the Utah Jazz.
Who is Thurl Bailey?
He joined the church in 1995.
Helped to write the "Race and the Priesthood." essay.
Who is Darius Gray?
Darius Gray joined the church in the 1960's as a young man. He is a writer and church historian.
Established in 1971, this group was organized, under the direction of the First Presidency, to support Black members of the church.
What is the Genesis group?