[I am told that this account was written by an individual who listened to Bill Pope speak at a sacrament meeting in the Provo-Orem area, sometime soon after Elder McConkie had related the experience to President Pope]

The revelation on the priesthood as related by Elder Bruce R. McConkie and told by Bill Pope.

The revelation was given on June 1, 1978 and announced on June 9, 1978. To appreciate the impact one must compare it with the Day of Pentecost as related in the 2nd chapter of Acts. Also read about the dedication of the Kirtland Temple.

The preliminaries for the revelation started two years ago with President Kimball and the General Authorities supplicating God for assistance in determining the role of the black in the Church relative to the priesthood. There were broad discussion of the issue by the G.A.s in the upper room of the Salt Lake Temple. These discussion were intensified in meetings of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in recent months. The discussions were open with everyone participating as he felt inspired and without deferring to seniority. One Apostle would make a statement or express a feeling and another would then question him to understand the full impact of what he was saying. At one point, President Kimball told the Quorum that the Lord had still not revealed anything to him on this issue and that the discussions should continue. Later, after many discussions, President Kimball asked for any of the members who desired to submit written opinions to him. Many of the apostles did so, though the number was not identified.

Each Thursday the General Authorities who are available meeting in the upper rooms of the Salt Lake Temple. They come fasting and hold a testimony meeting. A prayer circle is then held after which the meeting is adjourned. On the first Thursday of each month, as many authorities as possible are in attendance and conference visits are scheduled so that they do not conflict. On June 1, 1978, after testimonies had been given and the prayer completed, President Kimball asked that the members of the Quorum of the Twelve remain in the temple. Ten members were present (Elder Mark E. Petersen was on assignment in Columbia and Elder Delbert Stapley was ill in the hospital). These ten met with the First Presidency. President Kimball said that he wanted a revelation one way or the other about the Blacks and the Priesthood and that whatever was the decision he would defend it to the end. President Kimball then asked those present if he could serve as a spokesman in the prayer circle. Before he prayed, however, he asked that any of those present who desired to speak should do so. Elders Bruce R. McConkie, Boyd Pack, and Thomas E. Monson spoke and this was followed by some discussion. Then President Kimball led the prayer circle. He prayed for ten minutes. Elder McConkie said it was a true revelation and that the words which were spoken by President Kimball were like scripture. He then compared it to the Day of Pentacost, yet just as Paul, he could not find the words to describe it. He said that the Heavens opened up and there were many, many of hte early brethren who were there. Elder McConkie revealed that he had received some very special spiritual manifestations at the time he was called to the Quorum of the Twelve but that this was the greatest spiritual experience of his life. President Kimball likewise described it as the greatest spiritual experience he had ever enjoyed.

President Kimball then telephone Elder Peterson in Colombia and told him of the revelation. During the week [David Busath, Anne Castleton's husband who works in the Church offices, told us that Pres. Kimball and many of the brethren had spent much of the week in the Temple] the First Presidency composed the statement that was to be released to the world. It was approved by the Quorum of the Twelve (Elder Peterson confirmed it by telephone and Elder Stapley was visited in the hospital and did so). The the other General Authorities were called in, voted o nit, and approved it [I presume on June 8] with the exception of 28 G.A.s who were on assignment in other parts of the world.

[The announcement was made to the world on Friday morning, June 9, 1978 and a new era has commenced in the Church when the Gospel will be preached to all nations and people of the earth.]

Note: A short time ago, a Brother Lowe (a black member) had a dream in which he was told that he was to recieve the priesthood. He related this to his bishop and was told that a dream was not sufficient authority. Brother Lowe asked for permission to receive a patriarchal blessing. This was granted. When the patriarch layed his hands on Brother Lowe's head, he said "You are going to receive the priesthood before the coming of the the Millenium." The Patriarch then continue with the blessing, but interrupted it with "You are going to receive the priesthood very soon." The Patriarch continued with the blessing and stopped again with, "You are going to receive the priesthood before many of us realize it." One week later the announcement was made by the First Presidency.

Isn't it wonderful to live at a time when the Lord reveals his will to those in authority---from the prophet down to the lay member of the Church, according to his calling and needs.