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The Revelation on the Priesthood

The golden key that unlocked the door to bringing the fullness of the gospel to Black Africa was the revelation on priesthood, received in June 1978. That marvelous manifestation of God's love for all of His children in all ages and nations, of His Fatherhood over all the myriad of kindreds, tongues, and peoples on the earth, was in fulfillment of prophetic utterances long since delivered.

Nephi, son of Lehi, speaking of Jesus the Lord Omnipotent declared: "He doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." (2 Nephi 26:33.)

Paul of Tarsus boldly affirmed on Mars Hill in Athens that "God that made the world and all things therein . . . hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation." (Acts 17:24, 26.)

Later, writing to the Galatian saints, Paul reemphasized the great central truth that we are all God's children. Said he: "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:26-29.)

The revelation on priesthood must be seen against the background of the eternal mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-to assist the Father and Son in their divine task of bringing to pass the "immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39.) The three aspects of that eternal mission may be expressed in a somewhat shorthand form as follows: to preach the gospel, to perfect the Saints, and to redeem the dead. The divine commandment to preach the gospel to all nations, given to us by the Savior Himself, was of course facilitated in Black Africa by the revelation. But the impact of the revelation is much more profound than that. To understand it fully, one must consider in somewhat greater detail the mission of the Church as articulated by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. That mission is as follows:

1. To proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, to prepare them to receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation as members of the Church.

2. To perfect the Saints by preparing them to receive the ordinances of the gospel and by instruction and discipline to gain exaltation.

3. To redeem the dead by performing vicarious ordinances of the gospel for those who have lived on the earth.