Brad Wilcox Fireside Controversy, Race and the Priesthood 

I’m grateful that you have overcome sickness. Heavenly Father watches over you. Keep up your good work. Thank you for the discussion.

I took a class from brother Wilcox when I was at BYU. He is literally one of the most loving humans who truly cares about each of his students and looks at the heart. I wish I could return the giant bear hug he gave me my first day of class, now.

The word "dismissive" best describes Brother Wilcox's comment from the fireside. I like Brother Wilcox and appreciate all that he does to teach and testify of Jesus Christ and His gospel.

Elder Ashton said, "Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other."

We live in a time where we make an "offender for a word". As a black member of the Church, I'm not offended. My first identity is, as a child of God with divine potential. That being said, I understand the point Bro. Wilcox was trying to make, but I probably would not have worded it the way he did. As a side note, this must just be a Utah controversy because I haven't heard anything about it from any of my fellow LDS. I only heard about it from this youtube video.

We need to remember that most people mean well and are good. Most of the problem is charging people from our own prospective and making them an offender for a word. Elder Benar “One of the best indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the weaknesses, the inexperiences, and the potentially offences actions of others.” Thank you for some understanding of this delicate subject.

This was beautiful. Thank you, Greg, for helping unpackage this situation for people. I agree with exactly what you said. We cannot ignore the dismissive nature of Bro. Wilcox's remarks, but that doesn't mean he needs to be "cancelled". We can uphold him as a leader of the Church, while simultaneously holding him accountable for the errors in his remarks - not as a way to punish him, but as a way to improve the narrative in the Church revolving the ban on the Priesthood. I would not be surprised if your episode is where MANY in the Church will have heard Brigham Young's history regarding this topic and the fact that it did not arise out of revelation. I thoroughly appreciate when, as members, we are able to speak frankly about the past without feeling like we need to leave the Church and essentially throw the baby out with the bathwater.

. I have always thought that if it were necessary, in God's plan, to allow people of African decent to have the priesthood before 1978, there would have been nothing that Brigham Young or anyone else could do to keep it from happening. We forget sometimes that this is the Lord's church, not Brigham Young's church or anyone else's. As a mixed-race person, this issue bothered me when I was a teenager. So, I prayed to know the reason why. I received a peaceful assurance that God was in control. I did not get a specific answer, of course. But after that, it was no longer an issue for me.

I am so glad you brought up the BYU statement. That really angered me that they basically through a great, fellow BYU professor/Gospel warrior under the bus. That truly was spineless of them.

I loved the insight, but i think we have to be careful to rip on Brigham Young. I’ve noticed a trend in the church to act as if Joseph Smith was perfect but Brigham Young caused all the problems of the church today. That’s not okay, I’m not saying you’re doing that, but Brigham Young was just as much a prophet of God as was smith. Priesthood restrictions are biblical and that’s just a fact and it shouldn’t be overlooked and laid all at the feet of Brigham young. No prophet gets more discredited than Young. I don’t have all the answers, but it’s biblical that priesthood has been restricted by god. It’s biblical it’s not all about blaming president Young.

Hey Greg, glad you're back! Since I'm not really on social media anymore (other than RU-vid) I learned about this through my brother-in-law. I ended up finding a video of his talk here on RU-vid and saw many angry and anti comments. One of the concerns I do have is that so many people seem to be basing their testimony, or idea of the Church, mainly on the people in the church. I disagreed with the tone and delivery of some of what Brad Wilcox said. But it doesn't uproot my testimony. Yet I saw many comments encouraging members that if they feel uncomfortable listening to his talk, it's time for them to leave the church, and I saw people agreeing that they're looking elsewhere or feeling its time to leave. In my life I've been misjudged by church members, including bishops and stake Presidents. I've also disagreed with certain things the church is doing. Such as pushing and funding vaccines, and some of the things the church is involved in monetarily (stocks, business, charities). But it doesn't uproot the testimony I do have and so I have no problem staying because I go to church to worship God and try to better myself. Perhaps you talk about this further in your video, I'm not done watching yet, but what do you think can be done to help shift the focus of some people from looking so much at church leaders to be perfect, instead of basing their testimony on something deeper? Of course we need to have a testimony of prophets and apostles being called of God. Without that we can't acknowledge their authority from God. I just worry when I see people I care about focusing too much on members/leaders personal actions and turning them away from the church, or turning them away from ever joining.

This was an excellent video! I’m a black member of the church. I totally agree that I don’t think brother Wilcox was being racist. I think he was trying to say that we ignore the fact that the priesthood was taken from the earth for almost 2 thousand years. He just did a poor job in his delivery. He came across very unempathetic. What makes me upset though is that all of us say dumb things and make mistakes. Brother Wilcox has spent his life serving ALL people as a church leader and BYU religious professor. Why are we all soo quick to judge and condemn him?

I’ve pondered the priesthood ban. I struggled with this. I am a descendant of men who owned slaves. They joined the Church after the Civil war. I heard those very folklores that you spoke of on race as I grew up. I rejected those teachings! I truly believe the Lord had to prepare this people to be able have all worthy men, regardless of race, to hold the priesthood. The persecutions and the martyrdoms of Joseph Smith were, in part, because of the issue of slavery. It has taken many generations to soften the hearts of good men who were taught bigotry. My Grandfather was a good man. He was the son and grandson of men who truly believed in those fables you spoke of. I believe that was a destructive teaching in my family. Anytime we preach hatred towards a race of God’s children it says more about the haters than the hated. Healing this kind of breach takes time. Sometimes many generations of time.

I also want to add these words that are meant to heal All souls. Brad teaches this: "Don't you dare let the world make a mark on you! You were born to make mark on it!" And how do we do that? Brad teaches we do that by understanding who we ALL are in Christ. That is Brad's truth and the message he has always tried to make. Please know his intentions are always pure.

I’m a church member with mixed races parents, This folklore ride my black father out of church he was a great member of church but a lot of racism on the 70th’s . My self suffer racism when I married my ex white husband even bishop talked to him to tell him I’m black. So this Fireside talk was like you said insensitive. Can’t affect my testimony because I know who I am. But can affect early birds on church! 😌😌😌😌

I am so grateful that the Lord spared your life and allowed you to keep helping us sort through all that is going on concerning the church, it’s leaders and members, BYU, and today’s challenges. I agree with your perceptions and conclusions on this particular issue, and I will continue to pray for you and your health and for our church leaders as they do their best to guide us through these last days.

Greg, thank you for your always balanced perspective on church issues. This is a good time for us Saints to look at the heart of people, rather than the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). I had a similar situation happen to me while being a guest speaker in a seminary class. I said a few words in the class that were kind of shocked the kids. My words were well meaning, but kids went home and told their parents and parents immediately called the stake president complaining. And I had to have a conversation with the stake president. He told me he had to go in and do "damage control" to the seminary class the day after my visit. For months I felt extremely down and depressed because of the incident. I've had 40 years of serving in the church, many were teaching callings and I've never had any complaints. I can only imagine what Brother Wilcox is feeling right now. He probably feels such extreme embarrassment that he'd like to find a rock and climb under it till he dies. I feel for him. I really do. But thanks for your even handed analysis of this incident.

I don't necessarily agree with Bro Wilcox, but I think it needs to be okay in society, especially our own church culture to be able to offer ideas without being shouted at. Bro Wilcox did not say "Thus sayeth the Lord...", he said, "Maybe...." and then shared an opinion or question that he has thought about, presumably an idea that has helped him to shift his focus of the priesthood to it's purpose. I always like Greg Matson's reasoned approach to the topics, and usually agree, nevertheless, I am able to hear Wilcox's opinion and make my own conclusions. I agree with Greg, we need to talk about the details, but do we need to talk about them every time? It's exhausting to say every possible view every time a subject is discussed. I hope we can all be strong enough to hear each other, and be strong enough to disagree and not be angered, triggered or feel attacked if we don't agree. Thanks for the discussion Greg.

I'm a white woman and even though the Levites were the custodians and exercisers of the priesthood ALL were able to worship at the temple. The thought that a loving Heavenly Father would exclude worthy members from participating in eternal covenants is a point of struggle in my testimony. Thankfully I know the Savour Jesus Christ's love for us all. Thank you for telling how the policy came into the church very enlightening. Which brings to mind the article of faith that says we will be punished for our own sins and not Adam's trangressions as well as God is no respector of persons. I'm so confused the more I learn about this subject. Thanks again for time energy and thoughtful effort that goes into your program.

Its almost like "worthiness is not flawlessness." To those pointing the finger screaming, they will be given the same amount of mercy.

Thank you for addressing this issue and sharing the historical background and being fair and objective to both sides of the issue and not giving in to the emotions and not tearing down.

I've been waiting for your video about this since I saw this trending on Twitter 🍿

Glad to have your voice back on RU-vid. Your insight and perspectives have been missed. I appreciate this nuanced deeper dive. Thank you!

I lost a brother in 2021 to cancer. He was a devout and faithful member of this church. He went on his mission to Georgia-South Carolina. He always felt bad about our black brothers and sisters not having access to priesthood and Temple blessings. He felt that the church should have apologized to our dear black brothers and sisters, but nothing was ever spoken about it in Conference. My brother thought that the idea that our black brothers and sisters were from Cain couldn't be true because they were killed during the flood. I know that Elijah Able was given the priesthood by Joseph Smith, and he was faithful in his service. Jane Manning and her family walked to find the prophet Joseph until they had bloody feet when they arrived. Emma and Joseph loved Jane and wanted to adopt her, but she said she already had a family. She said to Brigham Young, "Am I not worthy to enter the Lord's Temple and progress?" But she didn't seem to receive an understanding of why she wasn't allowed. My brother, Clay, was told never to approach the black people by the church, unless they came to him first. Clay and my family always felt that had Joseph lived, things would have been different. I'm thankful that President Kimball, my cousin, was the one who received the answer that all worthy males could receive the priesthood. I know Brigham Young was a prophet, but apparently in some of his writings in the Journal of Discourses, I believe, he said some horrible things about the black people. I was in shock when Clay read me such horrible things. Doesn't the Book of Mormon state, all come unto me, black, white, bond or free, and even the heathen. All are alike unto God. I have actually been treated better by my black brothers and sisters than people in my church. They love the Lord, and they have prayed for me when I've been sick. Darias Grey, a wonderful, faithful member of the church wanted to join the church when he first heard the gospel, but when the missionaries told him he couldn't have the priesthood, he couldn't believe that. He was a young man then and went home and prayed to the Lord about this. He was told that this was the true restored church of Jesus Christ, and that he was to join. Nothing was said about the priesthood. He was faithful until President Kimball's revelation. Until my brother died, he always felt bad that no apology or explanation was offered. I have cried for them as well. David O. MacKay felt bad too, but many of the Apostles didn't agree, so it appears that those hoping for this blessing had to wait for those men to die off before President Kimball could ask the Lord. There was a curse on Ham and his son for something that happened to Noah, but it is unclear. In scripture it mentions that this righteous Pharaoh was blessed for his righteousness but cursed as pertaining to the priesthood. I've never understood why the children should suffer for the sins of the parents. Look at the second article of faith. I hope the Lord tells us some day, but it doesn't seem fair. Shortly before President Kimball received this revelation, my mother had a dream. She said the streets were sparkling and there was a beautiful mansion like in the South. She saw all these beautiful, happy black people in white rejoicing. She wondered why she had that dream, and then President Kimball came out with the revelation. Then she realized why. As a family, we never saw color. We looked at the heart. Many black brothers and sisters have suffered terrible abuses by members of our church, and still they have been faithful. One bishop told this sweet black family that they were not welcome, and the father asked if he could at least bring in his tithing. He taught his family at home. I found that story absolutely disgusting. We should know better. If we are not one, how will we ever be a Zion people.😢

I think that his comments weren’t necessarily to devalue the real hardship with not having a clear answer as to why there was a racial ban. I think that he’s also proposing that we don’t have the answers in general, and that there are serious questions about the Lord’s timing and the restoration of the priesthood that we don’t have all the answers to. Great discussion. It’s a shame that BYU still hasn’t grown a spine and feels the need to do damage control by “washing their hands of it” to avoid any backlash coming back to them.

Figured I'd comment to add some diversity in the thread😊😅. I'm a convert to the church (from MD), for 26 years now 💪🏿. I consider myself a faithful and valiant member. Went to Ricks college/BYUI, served a mission, married in the temple with kids, living in Utah etc...I think Bro. Wilcox had good intentions but his execution was bad🤦🏿‍♂️. It's all good, you live and learn. He is a good man and he isn't racist. I wasn't offended by what he said just that his approach was off. That's all. This doesn't change my testimony of Savior and his church one bit! At the end of the day this topic is really about Lord's timing and us not having all the details/answers for now. So the natural thing to do as humans is apply logic the best way our limited minds have to fill in the gaps. Time will come when we ALL will be revealed. We have to trust and have faith that Heaven Father knows what he is doing 😇. This is what we covenanted in the temple right? We are his instruments to build the kingdom remember... Now that I'm on my soap box😆, my opinion about blacks and priesthood is truly about timing. If the Lord permitted this in full force I feel this would have frustrated the work and caused a lot persecution and harm in carrying out the gospel at that time. Look how the country was functioning then, still had slavery and a lot prejudices and horrible philosophies about blacks in the country. Look at all the social issues blacks had to endure (segregation, Jim Crow laws, not being allowed to vote, marry other races etc.) It just wasn't the right time for us🤷🏿‍♂️. The whole civill rights movement had to happen first. Its a sensitive topic for sure and I feel that the Lord foresaw the future of his children and what the world was going to do. So instead of forcing his will (which he'll never do) he wanted us to WAIT, as hard as it is. Father knows best! When the world and his children are ready he will tell us. He is all knowing and has infinite wisdom. In the meantime, lets keep having open conversations with love and empathy, correcting the false folklores and rumors with TRUTH and doing good to all men. 💯 #patience #TheLordsTime #TheLastDays #WheatFromTares

Thank you for this informative video. I could have lived without the youth being unduly-influenced by fear, e.g. you'll lose everything if you leave the church. Appropriate? A number of impressionable youth are already right on the edge, and they certainly don't need this sort of anxiety-inducing talk. In my estimation, those who, in their pursuit of immediate, short term results, employ such methods (even unintentionally), are seriously shortsighted, That said, I agree that Professor Wilcox (or anyone else for that matter) shouldn't be "cancelled".

I LOVE that Brother Wilcox apologized as soon as it was brought to his attention and he was able to see the way his words were insensitive and dismissive. Leaders like Brad will help stop people from leaving the church because they apologize. So many church leaders won’t apologize for making mistakes, and make excuses of why they are justified. While it was bad for some of us to hear it strengthens my testimony that he was willing to be like the Savior wants us to be and apologize when we do something wrong.

Yay!! Your back!! You've had quite to month and I'm sooooo glad your back scratchy voice or not!! Your doing God's work!!!

Bro. Greg, thank you so much for standing up for my black African people who were indeed excluded from receiving the priesthood. I have a black African Mama and a white European Papa, yes I am Métis and how proud and grateful I am for this wealth that I can represent. And yet I would not have dared to come out like you do to give my view because then it would have been just an opinion. I have been a member for 41 years and was baptized in February 1980. I got to see and hear and experience so much. Much more than if I had just been white. With this I want to say that our H. Father was always close to me and strength and has learned so much about my fellow man (his children) and about our leaders. For a while I was very angry when reading statements and luckily I always knew how to rely on the miracles the many miracles in my life that only He my Father could give me. Because of this, I knew that our leaders make mistakes just like me. I have also always inquired about that one or more revelations in which I could read how and why my black brother or sister were excluded and despised and so on and all this in that beautiful pure church! Only my H. Father understood me and my Savior carried me and wiped many tears for this sorrow. Thank you again for standing up for our black brothers and sisters so clearly and forcefully. I wish you joy and Father's rich blessings. Greetings from Belgium

The real question is: why did men who talk with God get it so wrong? Which begs the question: Why are you believe they talk with God? Greg, why would the later prophets object to lifting the ban because of the lack of prophecy to do so if they weren’t convinced it was implemented by prophecy? Were they just clueless as to how this whole prophetically lead doctrine works? This is getting ridiculous and I believe it’s going to come to a head. The members of the church are waking up to the truth. If David o Mackey received a prophecy to not lift the ban then that is revelation saying the ban is from God. I’m sorry but it doesn’t work any other way.

Thank you Greg, I felt the Spirit during your comments and also clarity. I appreciate your voice of calmness in this situation.

So much of the controversy over this could be avoided by listening carefully to the Lord's Spirit after sincere prayer. The Lord's Spirit will not lie to us. We can really know what it is Heavenly Father wants us to say, do and think about the subject. Then we have a choice to accept Truth as our Father in Heaven defines it or we can choose to deny His Truth and redefine this and call it our own "truth". If a Church leader misspeaks or are insensitive...well....they are human. Humans do that from time to time. This is why we have the Lord's Spirit to show us truth from error. Good on Brother Wilcox for apologizing. One time President Gordon B Hinckley said something to me in passing that was not becoming of the Lord's Prophet. I dismissed it immediately because I was aware he had some issues on this point, and really didnt think it was a big deal....but he did and he sent me a formal letter of apology signed by the first presidency. I was stunned! God bless our leaders. People are always looking for a reason to reduce them in their own and others eyes. It's like a symptom of an illness within.

Brad Wilcox is a good man, a God-fearing man. This is a prime example of how members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not perfect. Jesus will make everything right soon enough, let's keep spreading His love till then!

I've seen Brad Wilcox teach efy as an efy counselor, I've had him as a Book of Mormon teacher at BYU, and now we have seen him give a conference talk. He changes his style for each one, keep in mind a youth devotional will have 11 year olds at it. He has also been doing this a long time, so I think he's probably keeping a similar style to what he was doing in 2008. I do think we should be more direct with these topics and put the facts out there, warts and all. It should have been worded differently. But people are behaving as if this was something he said in a gospel doctrine class that was all about this ban. It was something he briefly addressed in a talk that covered tons of other topics and it was to youth, some of which were probably not at the age to fully engage with the fuzzy lines that sometimes occur with Church doctrine. I personally think I'll wait till my kids are 15ish to go into full in-depth discussions about this.

Excellent thorough commentary! So glad you are feeling better! Hang in there. It takes a while to get your energy back!

Wow. This has given me a lot of clarity on the issue of the priesthood ban and addressed some questions and concerns I had about the length of it.

So so glad that you're back and what a thoughtful and enlightening discussion thank you

My perspective on this whole cancel culture is why are we excepting as a society that a small handful of people get to tell everyone else how to think, what to say, what to believe, who we can socialize with, etc. The only opinion that should matter to anyone is the opinion of God. Because when we are all dead and gone that’s all we have is the truth of God.

Everyone just settle down and stop assuming ill intent. He should clarify himself, but being quick to offense is not helpful, lifts nobody up, and kills open and free discussion. Its also too often disengenuous. People are cocked and loaded for stuff like this.

To me as a non-Mormon but of pioneer Mormon stock, both the polygamy issue and the priesthood issue coincide with the US government coming in and saying fix this or else. I doubt there would be so much hoopla if both of these issues were not intertwined with the government.

I like how you just want to know the truth. You're not a pure apologist. You are willing to admit there were errors. You're very faithful to God, and you recognize we all make mistakes. There's nothing wrong with acknowledging these things.

Despite the specifics of Brad Wilcox's comments, we are in real danger of supressing debate. It is increasingly difficult to hold and express an opinion with being declared a proponent of hate speech. Watch the expression of religious views become banned and those that speak them; ostracised.

The scriptures, principles, commandments, truths, revelations given by God and Christ are very clear on how we are to live and treat others, from all creeds, races, religions, etc. In every era and time God has to work in the constraints of time, place, culture, education, religious backgrounds, creeds, beliefs, etc. Think time, place, people, context, spiritual maturity, desire and readiness. Readiness to accept and live revelations and living the golden rule. Unfortunately, for a lack of better words, humanity, us, people, are all the Lord has to work with. You'll notice God continues to work with us and never gives up on us. And he allows every people, even prophets, to exercise their intellect, understanding, agency, learning in the process of eternal progress of each and every person from every background, circumstances and time. The Lord allows for error and mistakes. The hyper dissection of words, intended meanings, propensity to being offended and ultra critical comments on everything secular, sectarian, country, culture, sex and sexual relations, race, politics, etc. Is beyond disconcerting and a sign of the times. It's been vogue, chic, expected and acceptable in the last 40 year. Getting offended and being offended has become the norm and culturally reinforced especially I'm the last 10 to 15 years. Comments and stances in the lds church and in other churches are being made all the time. People can be better communicators on all sides for sure, but there are just too many looking to complain and virtue signal and express how hurt they are. That's what I observe in today's culture regarding almost any topic. Open minds, open hearts, the golden rule, cool heads and a desire to get along and understand will hopefully win the day.

Excellent and reasonable explanation. These days we as a church need to carefully measure all our words. Insensitive words will largely be met with harsh criticism that will damage and separate otherwise faithful members. Anyway, first time viewer and happy to sub. 😎👍🏼

It is obvious that we have more to learn on this issue as striving members of the church. What is also obvious is the pointing finger of scorn that is manifesting in laser-focused attacks against the church and its members. These attacks will not stop but only get worse--take your vitamins and get your rest! : ) I feel for Brother Wilcox and pray that all inlvoved will learn what the Lord needs us to learn.

By the way my ancestor is Elijah Abel.

I think it is very appropriate for Brad Wilcox's message to be heavily critiqued and discussed as it has been. Discussing the message, it's delivery, and what was problematic about it is appropriate and has nothing to do with his kind and compassionate reputation. Anyone who accepts a leadership position in what they are claiming is the one and only true church upon the face of the earth should be held to a higher standard.

Excellent episode!!! Thank you so much!!! Be blessed🌿

A very thoughtful and reasoned assessment. Thanks for your insight and for framing the analysis in a way that may minimize some of the awfulizing.

Just months after the announcement in 1978 that all worthy black males could receive the priesthood, my mission companion and I met a wonderful black family from Trinidad living in Caracas, Venezuela and taught and baptized them into the church The black people I know are spiritual giants and add so much to God’s restored church!

Very well stated, I love brother Ahmad Corbett said awhile back. “ I don’t know how it started but I do know how it ended” not sure that a exact quote.

Great discussion! People are human. Period.

as an ex mormon, i agree that he wasn't being a racist. those that call him a racist is the ones that just want to criticize the mormon church or those who are into cancel culture movement for whatever reason it is.

I'm reminded that the priesthood was returned to all men that is the worthy men of the church in the beginning. Yes Brad Wilcox could have included that in his comments, and that would have been the best way, because we know it's true. Considering Elijah Abel and others received the priesthood before it got perverted by those who lean towards the side of racist ideology. But again when people are looking for fault they will find fault and then see nothing else but fault

I totally agree with your assessment. He wasnt being racist but he was being completely tone-deaf to the pain that people have felt over this issue.

I'm saddened by all these judgements. The Savior knows all our hearts. He desires to heal all our pains and sorrows. If we are unwilling to accept apologies then how can we be recipients of the Saviors gift to forgive us of our sins and follies. Allow Christ to repair the injustices, by applying the gift of the Atonement. We are all imperfect. We are asked to love one another.

First I want to say how great it is to hear that you are on the mend! You have been in my prayers. Secondly: Thank you for clarifying! Brother Palmer mentioned that you said it really well and he was correct. Great insights! 💕

You are so appreciated 💯👍🏻👊🏻

Thank you for your comments. I don't read books by LDS authors anymore, because there is so much erroneous information in them. I wish I had never read some books that said terrible things about black people. I was also told to never criticize leaders of the Church. So much heartache has been caused by insensitive Church leaders. There is a reason why the scriptures say "preach nothing but repentance."

Thanks Greg. Well said. As someone old enough to remember how things were in the South in the 70's, things were still very complicated and segregated. For instance my family lived in a small town in Oklahoma where it was literally divided by a railroad track. On one side was the white part of town, on the other the black part. As a young white woman I was expected to have only white kids at my house. That was a stupid rule and I didn't follow it. It didn't take long before a couple of the black young men were beaten up because they were at my house. It was very shocking to me because I was just following MLK and his dream. My friends were good people. The race issue in America has been so volatile for so long. I feel bad for those Brethren who were trying to fix it. I literally wept when the announcement was made in 1978. I personally feel that it's time to have the black members explain things. Elder Peter Jackson would have been great at it. I haven't seen Elder Wilcox's talk so I can't comment on that but thank you for addressing it. You always tackle the hard issued. I hope you're getting stronger every day.

Greg, so glad to see you're doing well. Your thoughtful perspectives on this and other important topics of our day are greatly appreciated. Thank-you for the good work you do.

Thank you Greg. I’m new to your channel this year and enjoy it. I have a couple questions. 1- is there a transcript of his talk anywhere? I’ve been unable to find it. I won’t judge someone’s words based on an excerpt. I would like to better understand the context of his entire talk before I assume what he was trying to communicate. I appreciate that you are doing the same and have shared a little more than just the couple sentences most are posting. 2- is it correct to say his talk (or at least this portion of it) was about God’s timing and not about Blacks and the priesthood? If not please correct me. But if so, I don’t think he should have explained more about Blacks and the priesthood. That was not the point of his talk. If the point was to help the youth understand that sometimes things don’t happen in life when we want them to or think they should- then delving deeper into other topics would have been a a digression from his point. Was he not just using waiting for the priesthood as an example of waiting on the Lord? To me it seems he worded it poorly and was insensitive inasmuch as he didn’t think through how his words would be taken out of context. Was his point- worded better- something more like this: We ask why did the Blacks have to wait over 150 years to receive the priesthood. It is a good question and was a difficult time for our Black brothers and sisters who we love. Another similar question we could ask is why did the entire world have to wait over 1700 years after the death of the apostles to receive the priesthood?

Thank you Greg for your perspective regarding this issue. The bottom line for me is that regardless of the cause or decisions made surrounding this issue, no child of God will be denied any blessing in the eternities period! Yes there are inequities in this life however Christ has paid the price for all our follies and missteps be they individual, Apostles or even a Prophet. All are alike in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.

Glad your on the mend ,still praying for you.

Thank you, Greg. Excellent topic and discussion again. Timely for many reasons. Grateful to you for raising my awareness, helping us discern subtext in the commotion.

I also am glad you are back and feeling better😃

First of all , really glad to see you're back at the mic... and on the back side of covid... Unfortunately we're not entitled to authentic conversation and discourse because of all the various reasons people get offended.. So if you know anyone, like children or investigators, who wonders why conference talks can be so stiff and robotic explain its because the world at every turn lieth in judgement..

It’s how you look at it & put into perspective just extend our hearts of understanding & not making things just to have something to talk about

I'm not sure I understand why being dismissive of racial issues isn't racist. The comparison of the priesthood and temple ban to the Levites holding the priesthood is not fine. It is not analogous to the conversation about Black priesthood holders (aside from the fact that Moses married an Ethiopian woman, so one might surmise that there were at least some black Levites); restricting priesthood *to* one narrow part of the faithful is not the same as restricting priesthood (and temple blessings!) *from* one narrow part of the faithful. 16:35- Sort of? These accounts are second and third hand and contradict one another. 17:05- "Brigham Young certainly did not give them the clarity on this." This is not an accurate statement. As you pointed out, Brigham Young explained why he was implementing the ban: because of the curse of Cain. Now it's certainly possible, probably likely, that they were unfamiliar with the documents that explained this, but that's different. 18:25- You attribute this statement about "a contradictory and confusing legacy of racist religious folklore" to the First Presidency. Can you please provide the reference for this? From my searching, it appears to originate with Armand Mauss. 21:04- This is no longer accurate. Again, as you pointed out, Brigham Young explains why he implements the ban. 23:44- How has Brother Wilcox been canceled? 25:23- Right. Would had Brother Wilcox said that rather than disparage other religions. 27:55- I hope if we can disseminate accurate history about the priesthood and temple ban this won't be the case.

Yes!! Thank you!

I think the lesson here is transparency. The church needs to be as clear and open as possible on all difficult topics. No dismissing hard questions. No excuses for members words, actions or deeds. No more saying "we simply don't know the answers". Straight up apology is best. Apologize to blacks. Apologize to women. And say It's done. It's really over. We are sorry it happened and moving forward it will not happen again. Likewise, Admit polygamy was wrong and denouce it. Reject it and anything like it.

Great video! Thank you!

It was also the way he spoke, the tones he used. It would be a mistake to think this was just about the Priesthood. If this was t racist to you, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t racist to younger than you members. Check out a few tik toks mocking Brad.

I am thankful for the Church sharing pure history of the Church to help us understand the things that is happening in the Church. Why we do what we do, why receive this and that, why things are done and how it was done.

Greg, you said we don't know the reason for the ban and that's absolutely right. The problem is, people in and out of the Church have taken the Church disavowing previous theories and reasons given for the ban as an excuse to come to state as fact the only conclusion they personally can come up with - that the reason for the ban was just racism, only racism, nothing else involved but racism, and its as simple as that. This is, frankly, the lazy and simplistic approach. While not discounting that race attitudes of the day played a role, we have to remember that several prophets up to President Kimball appealed to the Lord for years to change the policy and they received no answer or were specifically told no by the Lord. You mentioned President McKay's account of being told no by the Lord. Obviously the Lord could have stepped in and corrected things at any time over the years. The fact He didn't at least suggests in my mind there was more to it than it just being a big mistake, as the result of racism alone, and there was nothing else to it.

Thank you so much for this video. Thank you for being and using "clear thinking".

Appreciate your effort to be balanced and honest here… I’m led to 2 questions based on your explanation: 1. If the policy wasn’t enacted by revelation, why did it have to be redacted by revelation? That suggests to me that the GA’s largely thought BY’s “policy” was from God. 2. How can people square this with the still-repeated LDS aphorism, “the prophet will never lead you astray”? Isn’t this a clear case of just that?

Thank you so much for the historical background on this and your insight. Thank you for your channel!

So so so so so so good!!! Thank you so much for making this video. 10/10

Thanks for addressing this sensitive subject. None of us are perfect…not even prophets. I agree, Wilcox is a good man, but didn’t do a good job of speaking on this matter. Back to the drawing board for him. I’m just grateful none of my mistakes have been openly published for critical review! I am not on social media at all, except for a few comments on RU-vid channels such as this. God bless you for choosing to discuss controversial issues and adding your compassionate, balanced view. Glad you are healed from your illness. You were in my prayers.

You make some good comments. The problem is, if he's saying this over the pulpit in a public situation, I guarantee there are worse things/jokes/dismissive comments that he says in private. It makes him sound very naive and entitled.

Can you add the link to the gospel topics essay?

It's pure conjecture but I have often wondered if it wasn't like the Manifesto but in reverse. This was a highly politically charged subject in the mid 1800's just prior to the civil war and taking this stance would keep the church more politically neutral and therefore less likely to be subject to repercussions from either side during the Civil War.

Great coverage bro Greg. 👌

I have started having conversations with people in the Mormon community and happened upon this video. This is an interesting talk that is going the same way as other talks, even in christianity, tend to go. With white people included into the discussion the same things are possible here as occur in the white christian church when such discussions come up. If there is no majority of whites in the conversation then there is no conversation, and especially no appearance where a conversation might take place. Next and most important there is some type of hive mind mentality given whereby one person expresses the viewpoint for others to use that most guarantees self preservation, safety, and the ability to carry on as before, irrespective of the issue, the ramifications behind it, and simply the truth. The Bible says much on the topic of racism that I don't hear much of from white evangelicals. The point is that it doesn't mean that the Bible doesn't discuss it. If the Book of Mormon is a more excellent book than the Bible then I'm sure it discusses race in greater detail, which makes all this more confusing. The context with which this discussion should be occurring then should include scripture from the Book, as opposed to a man telling us what to think with our parents' tone of voice.

Thank you for this video. I did not know what had been said. This clarifies what Bro. Wilcox said and why it became a sore point. I have always been a history buff and have studied cultures and how they rise & fall. As a convert at an older age I always presumed the ban was a social/cultural issue. Your measured thoughts on this topic confirm my initial understanding. Especially interesting to discover for me is that Brigham Young never said it was a revelation, again confirming my understanding of the ban as a social/cultural situation. The time period of Young's ban and what was happening with people from many cultural backgrounds (especially re the slave issues) over the years - negative feelings against Blacks - made it evident that the ban was an error. My supposition as to why the Lord did not act sooner to reinstate Black men to the Priesthood is that even church society was not ready for it. The evidence you presented about what various Prophets said later about why the Lord did not reverse the ban until 1978, confirms to me that the Lord had to wait until people in the Church were more ready to hear His will. Also, thanks so much for the evidence re Joseph Smith & black priesthood I knew this, but the other evidence that proves that the errors in thought (Cain, Ham, blacks by Church members (early & modern - aka rumors) )are false & not true at all. Love when the truth comes out.

Hooplah. That's a neat word for it all.

I didn't even know about this issue and I certainly have my own theories about the reason black men weren't allowed to hold the priesthood. However I see a very dogmatic approach everything that comes out of prophets and apostles mouths. I think we need to remember that these are all people with flaws. They're not perfect. They're not without fault. And we need to follow everything that they say with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. None of us are perfect none of us can be right 100% of the time. This is from Brother Oaks October 2019 I remember this specific statement being burned into my memory. As to all of these, the wise cautions of Elders D. Todd Christofferson and Neil L. Andersen in earlier general conference messages are important to remember. Elder Christofferson taught: “It should be remembered that not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. It is commonly understood in the Church that a statement made by one leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, not meant to be official or binding for the whole Church.” Even the apostle Peter was rebuked in a dream because he assumed gentiles were unclean and weren't to be associated with. That is the beauty of God, he allows us to make mistakes, offers correction, then we can choose to change. Allow the learning and change. Allow weakness to become strength.

I was hoping that you would address this, well done, clear and to the point. It is my opinion that the youth of today are not looking for, nor do they want, to be entertained from the pulpit. They want clear and concise messaging. They are a generation that is facing challenges that require frankness and honesty, and what we are not willing to address, Goggle will. Every word is listened to and every pocket has a smart phone. You are being fact checked by your audience in real time. The speaker is either adding to their confusion or providing answers. Glad that you are feeling better, Covid is the gift that just keeps on giving.

Where can we find official comments and understanding about this priesthood issue in history? I love the church and want to learn more so that when people ask i can talk about it.

I do not think Brad is racist,, just unaware. Glad we are having the conversation. Nothing bad comes from honest respectful communication. All other things aside, in my mind it boils down to this....all LDS leaders thru time (150) years encountering this issue were supposed to be communing with the same source and are all over the map with their interpretation as why it is an issue and how to rectify it. Sounds like a group of men making doctrine/policy in their own mind. "God" was not involved in this at all. Just a bunch of uninspired men doing what they want and blaming either God or members of the church. Don't forget all the people affected by this and the withholding of temple blessings over that period of time. It is sad when you think about it.

How can you dismiss it as policy and not doctrine when Brigham Young said things like "the law of God concerning the African race" and that it "will always be so" in page 110 in volume 10 of the journal of discourse to mention just one case where it is written down what he declared to the whole church in the Tabernacle?

Hi greg, i have always respected your podcast. I thought you would take complete side with those on the side of wilcox. My respect for you has grown. I agree, it was not racist and i don't believe he had bad intentions but it was insensitive. Unfortunately when people live in a bubble and are surrounded only with those they agree with, this is the result. I wish he had provided more context and worded it differently but noneone is perfect. We should all be forgiving.

Very good members of the church have perhaps misunderstood some of our beliefs or doctrines. This topic being one. Another could be the belief that those who come into the world from difficult circumstances were less valiant in the premortal existence. I've always wanted to know if this is true or just a misundersing. Thank you much.

Sometimes it's not what you say but how you say it

Thank you!

Haven’t heard of this until now but Ive heard Brother Wilcox in other talks and I believe he is an honorable man. People need to stop being so sensitive.

It seemed to me Brad Wilcox did not do his homework before attempting to answer a question he really was not prepared to answer. I don't know if he's read Saints, Volume 2, but the church goes into detail about what was going on when Brigham Young supposedly received revelation excluding blacks from receiving the Priesthood. It is painful to read and hard to understand in our day. The best thing Brad Wilcox could have done in that moment was to simply acknowledge he did not know why the Priesthood was no longer given to our black members until 1978.

You said that leaders back in the 60s and/or 70s disavowed the reasons that were given that for the priesthood being keeped from blacks. Do you have references that you could share so I could go and look them up. I'm not questioning you, I just would like to read them and include them in my study reference material for my personal study. Thank you🙂 Enjoy a lot of your videos!