Official Declaration 1Edit
Official Declaration 1 is a landmark pronouncement issued on June 8, 1978 by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The declaration lifted the church’s longstanding ban on priesthood ordination for men of black African descent, proclaiming that all worthy male members could hold the priesthood and participate in temple rites. Formally tied to the church’s leadership structures—the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—the decision is widely regarded as a turning point in the church’s modern history and its engagement with broader American and global society.
In its brief, doctrinally framed language, Official Declaration 1 asserted that the blessings of the gospel should be available to all of God’s children, without reference to race. The move came after decades of debate within the church and amid a broader cultural shift toward civil rights and racial equality in many parts of the world. The change did not alter core theological claims about salvation or the nature of revelation, but it did alter how the church administered its priesthood and temple ordinances, opening doors for thousands of black members to participate fully in church life. For a detailed discussion of the surrounding governance and the text, see Official Declaration 1 and the related organizational bodies such as First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Historical background
Origins of the priesthood ban
From the 20th century onward, the church faced sustained criticism and internal disagreement over racial policies that restricted priesthood authority and temple access for many black members. The policy rested on a complex mix of cultural, historical, and interpretive factors that church leaders argued were tied to divine instruction, while critics argued that it reflected prevailing social attitudes rather than eternal doctrine. The debate played out against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement and evolving secular norms about race and equality.
Announcement and text
Official Declaration 1 was announced by the church’s leadership, including the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The decree stated that the long-promised blessings of the gospel could be extended to all worthy male members, irrespective of race. This marked a formal reorganization of the practical administration of priesthood and temple rites within the church. For context on how such decisions are framed within the church’s belief in continuing revelation, see revelation ; for the institutional mechanisms through which these changes are implemented, see First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Immediate impact
In the wake of Official Declaration 1, church growth in regions with large populations of people of African descent accelerated, and many members experienced fuller participation in church life. Missionary work, temple attendance, and the leadership pipeline were affected as racial barriers to ordination were removed. The decision also fed into broader debates about race, doctrine, and church leadership, both inside and outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Controversies and debates
Within the church
Religious conservatives and reform-minded members alike have debated whether the declaration represented a doctrinal shift or a strategic adjustment to changing social circumstances. Proponents contend that it was a necessary step guided by divine revelation, aligning church policy with the professed universality of the gospel. Critics, however, have argued that it did not address deeper issues of cultural racism embedded in the church’s historical practice or in its regional leadership. They also point to ongoing questions about how race and priesthood definitions intersect with church doctrine.
External reception
Outside observers—ranging from civil rights advocates to scholars of religion—have commented on Official Declaration 1 as a watershed moment with enduring consequences for the church’s public image and demographics. Some critics characterized the change as a response to social pressure rather than a purely doctrinal correction, while supporters argued that religious groups should be free to interpret revelation independently of secular timelines. The debate often mirrors broader conversations about religion’s role in a pluralistic society and the balance between religious autonomy and social accountability.
Conservative-Critical reinterpretations
From a perspective aligned with traditional religious liberty and institutional autonomy, the declaration is viewed as an example of how a faith community can adjust practices while maintaining doctrinal continuity. Critics who emphasize secular success or broad social consensus may conclude that such changes reflect pragmatic concerns about growth and unity. Proponents counter that the change was consistent with the church’s evolving relationship with race in a modern era, underscoring the principle that religious institutions can rectify past exclusions without surrendering doctrinal core beliefs. When these debates surface in public discourse, some observers dismiss “woke” critiques as mischaracterizing the nature of faith-based decision-making, arguing that religious truth claims operate on a different epistemic plane than secular policy debates.
Effects and legacy
The long-term effects of Official Declaration 1 include greater participation by people of African descent in the church’s priesthood and temple ordinances, broader acceptance in congregations worldwide, and a shift in how the church presents its history on race. The change is frequently cited in discussions of how a religious body can reconcile historical policies with contemporary norms without abandoning its claimed revelations. It remains a reference point in analyses of how religious organizations navigate upheaval, tradition, and reform. See Racial policy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for continuities and revisions in church practice over time, and Temple for how temple rites relate to priesthood access.
In the years since 1978, scholars and church historians have debated the precise sequence of events and the internal deliberations that led to the declaration. The church itself has continued to address issues of race in sermons, curricula, and public statements, while maintaining the principle that church governance is ultimately directed by its leaders through revelation and counsel. See also Spencer W. Kimball for the figure most closely associated with announcing Official Declaration 1, and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the broader institutional framework.