Saturday, June 2, 2018

Revelation on the Priesthood

While serving in the army, Allan met a kindred spirit, Brad Carter.  They hit it off well, as they both loved thinking and debating.  Brad had joined the church while serving in the army and frequently had religious discussions with Allan.  After getting out of the military, Brad found himself in Provo and looked up Allan, renewing their friendship.  In September 1978, President N. Eldon Tanner, First Councilor in the First Presidency of the church read a letter to the body of the church announcing that the prophet at the time, President Kimball had received a revelation that priesthood and temple blessings should be extended to all worthy male members of the church.  Brad was an African American and up until this point, had not been able to receive the priesthood.  This was a topic that had frequented Allan and Brad's conversations and now with this announcement, Brad would be able to not only receive the Melchizedek priesthood, but receive temple blessings and serve a mission.  Upon hearing the news in general conference, Allan and Janice picked up the phone and called Brad.  What was going through his mind?  How did he feel?  Allan remembered sharing tears of joy and Janice remembered Brad humbly feeling anxious, realizing the weight of receiving the priesthood that he had longed for.  Brad wasn't the first black member of the church to receive the priesthood, but was among the first and only six months later found himself serving a mission in Haiti, teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Allan and Brad would stay in touch for years and Allan would often speak of this experience with fondness, admiration for Brad's faith and emotion knowing how much this meant to him.