Pres. Kimball Cites Role Of Priesthood

HONOLULU (AP) — The president of the Mormon Church said Monday the church will not extend the priesthood to women, now that it has ordained its first black priest.

"The priesthood is something sacred and was established by the Lord for the men of his kingdom," said Spencer W. Kimball, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The church announced last week that a revelation from God would allow the ordination of blacks, who have been denied the priesthood. At least two blacks were ordained during the weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah.

"We pray to God to reveal his mind and we always will, but we don't expect any revelation regarding women and the priesthood," Kimball said.

He said the church, which opposes the Equal Rights Amendment, gives women just as much prominence and importance as men, but said it is a a different kind of prominence.

Kimball refused to discusss the revelation that changed the church's 148-year old policy against ordination of blacks, saying it was "a personal thing."

There is no reason why a black entering the priesthood could not move up into the church's administrative hierarchy "if the person is worthy," he said.

Kimball said the revelation came at this time because conditions and people have changed.

"It's a different world than it was 20 or 25 years ago. The world is ready for it," he said.

Kimball said the church will extend its missionary work in Africa and also in America's inner cities.

The 83-year-old leader is in Hawaii on church business.