The most controversial issue concerning Mormonism, at least among non-Mormons, and possibly even among the faithful themselves, is the attitude of the church toward Negroes. It has about 5,000 black members, according to reports, including three who sing in the highly respected Tabernacle Choir.

Priesthood Denied

The church, while admitting them as members, denies them the "priesthood," which mean they can never rise above a particular level of the church or enjoy certain presumed after-life benefits, at least until the policy is changed. The practice stems from one of the writings of Prophet Joseph Smith.

Asked if there was any possibility of a change in the official position President Lee replied:

"The only one who could answer that would be the Lord Himself.

"I was asked by a Harvard student, 'How would you explain to a nonmember the position of the church on this question?' I said, 'To one who doesn't believe in revelation, there's no satisfactory answer; to those who do believe in revelation, there should be no question.'

Promise to Blacks

"We're standing by. We say this: We have thousands of those who are blacks, and some of them are the most faithful people we have. The promise has been made that if they are true and faithful, that while they may not presently attain to the highest privileges, they will get more by a baptism into the true church than they would otherwise.

"So we encourage them to be true and faithful. We open the door as wide as we can to church activities. Negro girls sing in the choir. We have find black boys as athletic directors, scoutmasters or assistants in Sunday schools. They can go to the temple and perform certain ordinances there that don't require holding the priesthood."