Oct. 24, 1958

. . . Elder and Sister Lee left on the plane at 11:30 a.m. We took the evening flight for Cape Town.

Blacks and Priesthood Blessings: A Challenge

Elder Lee talked to six Cape colored young ladies. These young ladies were members of the Church, but because they were partly negro, they were denied the blessings of the priesthood. They expressed a desire to go on missions and marry in the temple, but they had been told that these blessings were not available to them. They were discouraged.

Elder Lee spent the better part of an afternoon with them, answering their questions and talking to them. I was present and witnessed a promise he made to them. He advised them to marry within their own race, and then he said, "If you will remain true and faithful to the Church, the time will come when the policy of the Church will change, and every blessing of the gospel will be available to you."

This statement was so worded that I received the distinct impression that this promise was for this life and not only for the life beyond.

I was not surprised when in 1978, President Kimball announced the revelation that he had received, giving the priesthood blessings to all worthy members of the Church regardless of race.