The denial of the priesthood to Black members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until 1978 is rooted in historic policy rather than original doctrine from the Church's inception. While it is important to acknowledge this part of the Church's history, official revelations clarify the Church's current stance on racial equality and the purpose of the priesthood. Church history notes that during the lifetime of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church, a few Black men were ordained to the priesthood. However, starting in 1852, under the leadership of Brigham Young, a policy was in
The denial of the priesthood to Black members in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has its origins in the 19th-century practices and statements made by early church leaders. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, initially practiced racial inclusion by ordaining a few Black men to the priesthood, such as Elijah Abel and Q. Walker Lewis. However, following Joseph Smith's death, Brigham Young, who became the church's second president, instituted a racially discriminatory policy in 1852, formally denying Black men the priesthood. This policy also extended to barring Bl