THE BLACKS AND THE PRIESTHOOD, Part 3 of Chapter 13 of The Church and The Gospel

THE BLACKS AND THE PRIESTHOOD, Part 3 of Chapter 13 of The Church and The Gospel 

Pages 206 to 214

Pressure from Without and Within

For nearly 150 years, the LDS Church maintained this same position on Blacks not being able to hold the Priesthood. But outside pressures upon the Church grew and so did arguments, both pro and con, over this issue. In 1924 Joseph F. Smith noted that-

The question arises from time to time in regard to the Negro race and the Priesthood. . . . It is true that the Negro race is barred from holding the Priesthood, and this has always been the case. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught this doctrine. . . . (Imp. Era 27:564)