In a letter of June 8, 1978, President Spencer W. Kimball and his counselors in the First Presidency stated, the Lord “has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy (male) in the Church may receive the holy priesthood[.]” Having joined the Church two years later, in 1980, I feel a deep sense of gratitude not only to the oracles of the Lord – those who prophetically “pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren” – but to the faithful brethren themselves. How I admire those stalwart black pioneers from the Americas to Africa, from the islands of the sea and throughout the world who, without the full blessings of the priesthood, valiantly bore testimony of our Savior and his restored Gospel.
In February of this year, the Black Student Union and the Multicultural Office of Brigham Young University invited me to speak at a Black History Month symposium. My basic message to these impressive students was that we, as Latter-day Saintswho are black, must assure that our primary focus is on the saving doctrines and practices of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ – especially His Atonement. At the end of the talk, there was opportunity for questions and answers. Several members of the audience asked questions about what and how they should teach their children such principles. My remaining remarks address this important question. They also address how we might prepare the rising and future generations of black and other Latter-day Saints.
HOW/WHAT TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN
One of my many heroes in the scriptures is John the Baptist. I love his lowliness of heart and aspire to the heights of his humility. When his disciples brought word that Jesus “baptizeth and all men come to him[,]” he plainly told them, “He must increase but I must decrease.” This is the same essential principle by which effective Church leaders constantly seek to train the next generation to take their places and to be purer, more effective disciples of Christ.
This principle also applies to ideas, concepts and practices. One observation, then, for the dear mothers in the BYU audience and the parents in this one, is to increase the teaching of our children that first and foremost they are literal spirit sons and daughters of a kind Father in Heaven who unquestionably loves them beyond our expression. We must also increase their understanding that they are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ and by extension followers of his anointed servants, especially the living prophets and apostles. This concept applies to Church members of any race.
HELPING OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH OVERCOME CHALLENGES
Additionally, let us teach our children, especially our teenagers, that coming unto Christ faithfully and studying and applying his atonement diligently is what will most help them through any challenges they face.
CHANGE OUR OWN FOCUS
Apart from our children, we as a people must increase our own focus on Christ and the atonement. I am convinced all members of the Church have the strength and spirituality to embrace the weightier matters of the gospel.
EMPHASIZE UNITY TO THE CHILDREN
Another principle we must increase for our children and ourselves is unity. This is critical. Teach them what unites us as disciples of the Savior. As we take this approach, our children will understand in their hearts that the Restored Gospel is the Lord’s work on earth. Moreover, the more unified as brothers and sisters our children feel with Church members of other races and ethnicities, the broader their opportunities for service in the Kingdom will be. Here is one very personal example of this concept. Through my patriarchal blessing, the Lord informed me that, among other things, I would be “…a teacher in the Church among your people.” How happy I was! As I prepared for full-time missionary service, I just knew and hoped I would be sent to an inner-city mission. It made sense. I was born and raised in an inner-city. I had lived in projects and row homes; had seen serious violence in the communities I had lived in, and was challenged with learning in this environment. I was familiar with the Nation of Islam and the Black Church. I was ready. I opened my call: Latin America, Spanish speaking. My teaching among my people would be put on hold.
However, when I left my mission in Latin America, I left in tears. My heart had become Latino. Hispanics were and are my people.
I returned home to my stake, married a wonderful woman, and started a family. I have served the members of our stake as a stake officer for the past 15 years. The vast majority of these members have been white – those whom I have blessed, counseled and consoled; disciplined and restored, recommended for the temple and advanced in the priesthood; sent on missions and helped through the struggle of finding and feeling the testimony of Jesus and of his Restored Gospel. Whites, I came to know, are my people. We share common thoughts and deep spiritual connections.
My second counselor, Vai Sikahema, is Tongan. The stake young women president I recently had the pleasure of serving with for four years is Hawaiian. Our home teachers are Samoan. Polynesians are my people. President Sikahema and I are much alike. We both like Motown and R&B. He does the haka; I do the hambone. It’s pretty much the same!
If time permitted, I could share my deep connections with my Asian and Native American brothers and sisters. My point is that as we seek unity, we become truly one with the saints and one with the Lord who makes us increasingly more effective at serving his children.
RISING AND FUTURE GENERATIONS
Brother and sisters, we see the future of the Church in our youth. I am inspired as I have the privilege of serving, teaching and counseling them. They are a choice generation. So many are totally committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and have an understanding of the importance the Atonement plays in their individual lives. We, however, must do more to help them. Let us join together in a commitment to live and teach them so they will be prepared for the challenges they will face. Let us teach them of the strength that comes from unity and the kingdom of God on the earth that recognizes the rich heritage of ethnicity yet rejoices in our oneness through our Father’s plan. If do not teach them in the Lord’s way, who will? And how will the Church ever move forward? Let us look to our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and their growing role in this great work -- they who will play such a critical role in preparing a people for the return of our Savior. Let ushelp them understand that some questions concerning the Gospel are difficult for we as mortals to fully comprehend, yet through faith, commitment, service, and an eye single to the Glory of our Father and his eternal plan, we -- men and women of all colors and races will walk through the Celestial gates and enter into the glory that he can only offer. May we help leave that vision and legacy to the next generation and the whole Church through our example.
OUR UNITY HELPS OTHERS BELIEVE IN CHRIST
Ultimately, this unity, brothers and sisters, will be a telltale sign not just of the True Church, but of the Lord himself, and of his atoning sacrifice. For he said, in his atoning prayer, “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me (who believe on the words of the apostles). That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” There is something about our unity that enables the world to believe in the Lord’s divinity. While there is much to this doctrine, one reason is that our oneness as a people is a manifestation to the world of the Lord’s power to reconcile us not only to God but to each other. This he does through the great At-one-ment. He does it without regard to barriers, boundaries and borders of race and ethnicity.
“And it shall come to pass,” He said, “that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy.” This universal unity and joy are the destiny of the Church. I bear witness that the world will watch in awe (and perhaps a measure of disbelief) as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rolls forth as a model of joyous unity across races, cultures and nationalities in its divine gathering and saving mission. “Like a mighty army moves the Church of God, brothers (and sisters) we are treading where the saints have trod. We are not divided; all one body we; one in hope and doctrine, one in charity."
May we be one in Christ always, I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.