ory policy against scoutmasters. Further attempts to segregate African-Americans are evident through the formation of the Genesis Group. The Genesis Group was formed for the estimated two hundred black Mormons who resided in Salt Lake City. The group held meeting in a chapel that was also used for several branches of the Liberty Stake. While outside pressures were mounting against the practice of black priesthood denial, several prominent liberal members of the Church began to express their dislike of the practice. In 1952 Dr. Lowry Nelson, a Mormon sociologist, published an article in Nation magazine condemning the unfortunate policy in an attempt to force Church leaders to address their racist concepts15. The Mormon journal Dialogue began publishing controversial essays elaborating on race issues within the Church. Church elders viewed Dialogue from an uneasy perspective16. In spring of 1973 Lester Bush published a groundbreaking article in Dialogue that undermined the historical basis for black priesthood denial by directly linking the practice to Brigham Young.17 Bushs historical analysis disproved the Missouri thesis and showed that the Church didnt begin the practice of discrimination against blacks by denying them the priesthood until after the death of the prophet Joseph Smith. After nearly a hundred and forty years, Church elders, lead by the President of the Church, Spencer Kimball, announced that through prayer they had received a revelation from God allowing the title of priesthood to be available to Mormons of all racial and ethnic background. The Lordhas heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that follows therefrom, including the blessing of the temple. LDS Church First Presidency, June 8, 197818T...
