Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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For more than 125 years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught that people of African descent were barred from the priesthood and from essential temple ordinances required for exaltation. This restriction was not presented as temporary policy or cultural tradition. Church leaders repeatedly declared it was the will and commandment of God.

Brigham Young taught it. The First Presidency officially affirmed it in 1949, declaring that the restriction was "not a matter of policy but of direct commandment from the Lord." Members accepted these teachings because they trusted prophetic authority and believed God guided His prophets.

Then, in 1978, everything changed.

The priesthood and temple ban was lifted through a new revelation, and later Church leaders acknowledged that many of the previous explanations—including those taught by apostles and prophets—were wrong. Bruce R. McConkie famously instructed members to "forget everything" previously taught that conflicted with the new revelation.

This chapter examines one of the most significant theological reversals in Latter-day Saint history and asks a difficult question:

If prophets can confidently teach for over a century that something is a commandment from God, only for later prophets to reject those teachings, what does that say about prophetic reliability?

In this episode, we examine:

• Brigham Young's original teachings on the priesthood ban.
• The 1949 First Presidency declaration that the restriction came directly from God.
• The theological justifications taught for generations.
• The 1978 revelation ending the ban.
• Bruce R. McConkie's admission that earlier leaders had spoken with "limited understanding."
• Why Brigham Young's own prophecy appears inconsistent with the timing of the 1978 revelation.
• The broader implications for prophetic authority and spiritual confirmation.

This series is not intended to attack believers. It is an invitation to carefully examine the historical record, compare competing claims, and ask whether the evidence supports the traditional narrative. Each chapter builds upon the last, creating a cumulative case that invites viewers to think critically about the foundations of Mormonism.

If you find value in thoughtful, evidence-based conversations like this, please subscribe, leave a comment, and share the episode with someone who values honest inquiry.

"A Logical Deconstruction of Mormonism" and all of my other books are available on Amazon in Kindle, Paperback, and Audible formats
amazon.com/stores/Bill-Reel/author/B0H1NLJLP6

Also if anyone needs extra support as they work through their faith deconstruction, I am a certified Somatic Informed Trauma Coach and you can look into my work at awakenandthrive.org

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