The question of why Black members were denied the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until 1978 is a complex one with historical, cultural, and theological aspects. From the mid-1800s until 1978, the Church practiced a policy that restricted Black men of African descent from being ordained to the priesthood, and Black members, both male and female, were not permitted to participate in temple ordinances. It's important to note that this policy was not established by Church founder Joseph Smith, as several Black men were ordained during his leadership period. The rest
The denial of the priesthood to Black members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has its origins in the 19th century, primarily under the leadership of Brigham Young. Despite Joseph Smith, the church's founder, having ordained at least two Black men, Elijah Abel and Q. Walker Lewis, to the priesthood in the early years of the church, a change occurred after his death. Brigham Young declared in 1852 that Blacks of African descent would no longer be eligible for priesthood ordination, a policy that would persist until 1978. The reasons behind the implementation and