Remembering June 1978 - Edward L. Kimball
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.
4 comments:
I was working that summer in NYC for a law firm. The following Monday, a partner at the Firm said to me, "I understand your Church had a revolution over the weekend." I replied, "A revelation, Lou, a revelation." But later, I came to believe he was right. In many ways it was a "revolution," not just a "revelation."
I was still a spirit child, and I'm willing to bet I was excited :)
It's so weird to think that the revelation came as a surprise, even to Pres. Kimball's son. I can't imagine a change that big in the church ever happening in my time.
DavidH, great story. I like.
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