Not giving the Priesthood to those of African descent was, according to the First Presidency, a commandment, not a “policy” or whatever you may want to call it.

I’m sorry if that’s the way it came across. That’s not at all how I feel. I think a huge issue in the church is people not realizing that they believe the brethren are infallible.

But my point is, the Lord didn’t set up prophets for us to hear what they say and go, “Well, I agree with this, I disagree with this, I’ll follow this but I won’t follow that.”

When the Saints in Africa were baptized but didn’t receive the Priesthood, they wrote to the Prophet, they prayed and fasted, they made it known that they wanted the Priesthood. But they didn’t start their own church, or protest and say “The Prophet is wrong!” They trusted that the Prophet was doing his best with the light and knowledge he had and hoped for and worked toward a future where they could have the Priesthood.

/r/latterdaysaints Thread Parent