June 15, 1965, First Presidency meeting. President [N. Eldon] Tanner said that he had received a telephone call today from a Brother James Larkin in New York who referred to a recent article in Time magazine regarding "Nigerian Mormons," and said that he had spent two years in close relationship to the government in northern Nigeria, also in Lagos, the capital of Nigeria; that he knows the government officials very well and has respect for them. Brother Larkin indicated that he felt sure if he could talk with these officials face to face and explain to them the conditions that prompt our desire to obtain visas to Nigeria, that unless there is some commitment to the contrary, he could influence them to change their attitude. Brother Larkin said that he was available to help in the situation If we desired this service. He stated that the attitude of the Church toward the Negro question had been a stumbling block to him before he joined about two years ago; that, however, he understands the problem now and thinks he can explain it to others.

I said that I am convinced, after studious thought and prayer, that we should go into Nigeria and give them what we can give them in accordance with the revelations of the Lord. As of now, the Lord has not yet revealed to us that we should give the Negro the Priesthood, hut we can baptize them, give them membership in the Church, and give them the benefit of the Auxiliary organizations. They may partake of the Sacrament and hold meetings. If we accept Brother Larkin's offer to go into Nigeria for us, he should make the investigation on a more or less confidential, quiet basis, going to Nigeria without letting anyone else know about it.

Referring again to the Negro question, I said that we are now face to face with a great principle that is as vital to the Church today as was the principle of letting the [gentiles] be baptized in the Christian era, and mentioned the occasion when James sat with the Brethren of the Twelve and rendered the decision that the [gentiles] could have the Gospel. I said that it is up to the Lord to decide the Negro question.