LDS Leader Says Curb On Priesthood to Ease

Special to The Tribune

SAN FRANCISCO — The Mormon Church's denial of its priesthood to Negroes of African lineage "will change in the not too distant future," according to Hugh B. Brown, one of the highest ranking officials of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lester Kinsolving, religious columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle reported Wednesday.

Pres. Brown, who is first counselor to Pres. David O. McKay, told Mr. Kinsolving that admission of Negroes to the priesthood will come about "in the ordinary evolution of things as we go along since human rights are basic to the church."

Cause of Rift

When asked if he thought that this change would come about during Pres. McKay's presidency, he replied:

"Well, that's impossible to predict. He's ill right now."

The LDS racial doctrine was the cause of Stanford University recently severing athletic relations with Brigham Young University.

Dr. Ernest L. Wilkinson, president of BYU, charged this week that Stanford was therefore guilty of "religious discrimination on hearsay evidence."

But Pres. Brown disclosed Wednesday that Willard Wyaman, assistant to Stanford's president Kenneth Pitzer, had contacted him one week prior to the severance of relations with BYU and that he had verified the racial doctrine. Pres. Brown also disclosed that he had told Wyman that "The church is not prejudiced in any way but this one, but I think that will change."

Some Misunderstanding

Yet Dr. Wilkinson said Wednesday:

"President Brown told me that Stanford did not contact him before the announcement (of severing athletic relationship). On two occasions, President Brown said he never knew about this until after it was over with; that Stanford had not contacted him until after teh announcement."

The BYU president concluded:

"There has been a misunderstanding here because I checked with President Brown on this. Maybe he thought I was asking about Stanford's scheduling instead of Stanford inquiries about doctrine. If Stanford did contact him on the athletic questions, my statement on the hearsay evidence must be modified—but Stanford never contacted me before making the announcement."

Stanford Aides Silent

Stanford authorities declined to comment on Pres. Wilkinson's statement.

Contacted later Wednesday night in Salt Lake City, Pres. Brown confirmed that he had been contacted personally by someone, presumably the Stanford University representative (Wyman), but could not remember whether it was before or after Stanford's announcement about severing athletic relationship with BYU.