June 8, 2010

Remembering June 1978 - Edward L. Kimball

Edward L. Kimball is the son and biographer of Spencer W. Kimball. On 4 May 2010 he responded to my invitation to share his memory of June 8, 1978 with the following.

 On June 8, 1978, my wife and I were in Boston visiting our eldest son and his wife. On our way to Cape Ann, Massachusetts, our son ran into his bishop's home to deliever some papers. He came out moments later with the marvelous news of the revelation. During our drive to Cape Ann and through the whole evening we talked of nothing else. We even kept the television turned on so we could catch any newscast mention of the revelation.

We had long wished for such a change, but had no real expectation that it would come in our time. No one not directly involved could have been happier than I was. Four reasons explain my joy: The priesthood and temple blessings were now available to all without respect to race. The vitality of the principle of continuing revelation was illustrated. I no longer faced the awkwardness of trying to explain to non-Mormon friend and co-workers my church's practice. And I experienced the satisfaction that my father had been instrumental in this revelatory change.