Recent research into the history of the LDS priesthood/temple ban on blacks — which ended June 8, 1978 — puts the prohibition’s origin squarely on the shoulders of Mormonism’s iconic ...

Right after the Mormon church gave blacks the priesthood, a polygamous offshoot saw its ranks grow (Tribune file photo) Owen Allred, then leader of the Apostolic United Brethren, in 1988.

The Mormon Church is celebrating 40 years since black men were allowed into the priesthood, but this anniversary comes at a time of heightened racial sensitivity for many church members.

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) The Mormon Church rebuffed Ordain Women’s second push for entrance to the priesthood session and urged the grass-roots group to “demonstrate” instead outside Temple Square.

Greg Prince is the author of David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism and a book on the Mormon priesthood. Read the full interview » Until the early 1960s there had not been overt pressure ...

Leaders of the LDS Church published two new essays on Friday that address current questions about women in the priesthood and the distinctive Mormon belief in a Heavenly Mother.

Fiona Givens, a Deseret Book author and popular Mormon speaker, says early LDS women were given priesthood keys -- and that there is historical tradition linking Heavenly Mother to the Holy Ghost.

Mormon scripture defines the priesthood as the power to govern through persuasion and charity. It condemns arbitrariness and power-seeking, and leaders are admonished to delegate and to seek ...

In 1852, the second prophet-president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young, implemented a ban on people of African descent from holding the priesthood and accessing ...

Women and the priesthood. In 1842, Joseph Smith Jr. developed the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, which marked the beginnings of the modern-day women's organization within the LDS Church.

In a joint statement Saturday, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church said priesthood blessings are equally available to men and women, and that all service has ...

Asked whether women who are dedicated members of the LDS Church should be ordained to the priesthood, 87% of U.S. Mormons said no, while 11% said yes. Mormon women are somewhat more likely than men to ...