Second-Class Saints

On June 9, 1978, a historic announcement was made by LDS church president Spencer W. Kimball, lifting a 126-year-old ban on Black individuals from the priesthood and Mormon temples, marking a significant doctrinal shift. In his exploration, Matthew L. Harris utilizes never-before-seen private documents from church leaders to unravel the complexities surrounding this decision. He highlights the influences of the civil rights movement, societal perceptions of racism, and Kimball's own moral convictions that prompted this change. This engaging narrative blends comprehensive archival research with a critical examination of the church's racial history.