Podcast Summary: followHIM — "The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 & 2 • Part 2"

Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Bro. Thom Reed
Date: December 3, 2025
Episode Focus: Official Declaration 2 & Black Latter-day Saint Experiences

Overview

This episode dives deep into the history, personal impact, and continuing significance of Official Declaration 2—the 1978 revelation that extended priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, regardless of race. Bro. Thom Reed, a Black Latter-day Saint leader and current Genesis Group president, shares personal stories, historical context, and gospel insights on faith, forgiveness, and the ongoing journey of restoration within the Church.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Personal Context (00:01–04:45)

• Genesis Group Heritage:
  Thom appears wearing a Genesis Group T-shirt, symbolizing Black Latter-day Saint heritage. He explains the group’s support networks, faith traditions (such as the call/response “God is good all the time”), and their role in fostering belonging for Black members.

• Thom’s Conversion Story:

  • Introduced to LDS Church in his teens through white friend, Andy Goodwin.
  • Recalls ward tragedy, the strength found in LDS teachings (eternal families), and the spiritual "kinship" he developed (02:00–05:00).
  • Encountered resistance: his father’s negative 1970s temple experience, a Muslim barber’s warnings about Church history with Black people, and anti-LDS teachings from other Christian groups.

2. Struggles, Revelation, and Joining the Church (04:45–09:00)

• Despite learning of the pre-1978 priesthood ban, Thom felt genuine acceptance from fellow Saints.
• Only after his mission and meeting Darius Gray did he delve deeply into the priesthood restriction’s complexities and impact (08:00).

Quote:
“Did you have a problem with that? No, I didn’t have a problem with it because it never really impacted me. It made me want to study more and think more about the official declaration.” — Thom Reed (08:52)

3. The Uniqueness of Official Declaration 2 (09:00–13:25)

• Revelatory Pattern:
  Unlike other revelations in LDS history, this was not a response to a direct, recorded prophetic question. Rather, it was a divine course correction to a policy not grounded in scripture.

• Evolution of Doctrine:
  Cites the Church’s “Race and the Priesthood” essay (Dec 2013): modern leaders have explicitly disavowed past racist theories.

Quote:
“In June of 1978, the heavens open. God’s will was unmistakably clear… the priesthood and temple blessings would be available to all God’s children everywhere.” — Thom Reed (12:30)

• Global Impact:
  The revelation was instantly global, with news announced in Africa, across U.S. airwaves, and in international newspapers.

4. Darius Gray’s Story: A Moment in History (13:25–17:06)

• Thom recounts the personal, powerful day the revelation was made public, as experienced by Darius Gray (co-founder, Genesis Group).
  • Darius’s skepticism at first; confirmation from President Kimball’s secretary.
  • News spread on airline flights and in public spaces.
  • Darius and a friend wept together, realizing what the change meant both for future generations and for those who had passed without priesthood ordinances.

Quote:
“Heber’s words captured the magnitude: ‘The world will never be the same. The future will be changed.’”— Thom Reed (16:45, quoting Heber Woolsey)

• Thom underscores the spiritual and emotional dimension of that day—“a sweeping redemption, binding past, present, and future in one divine moment.”

5. Theological Significance & Moving Forward (17:06–23:56)

• Revolutionary Revelation:
  Thom and hosts emphasize the world-changing nature of Official Declaration 2 (17:29).

  Quote:
  “It wasn’t just about a policy. It wasn’t even about one generation. It was heaven correcting the record, reaching both backward and forward, and declaring…that God truly is no respecter of persons.” — Thom Reed (17:31)

• Race & The Priesthood Essay:
  Thom urges listeners to read official Church essays on race and the priesthood, praising their candor and clarity.

• Growth of the Church in Africa:
  Shares personal experience visiting Ghana and witnessing vibrant LDS congregations.

• Present and Future Leadership:
  Highlights Church growth among African Saints; mentions Elder Clement Matskawathada (first Botswana General Authority Seventy).

6. Wrestling with "Why Did This Even Happen?" (20:21–23:56)

• Imperfect People, Divine Forgiveness:
  Thom leans on Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s statement that God has only imperfect people to work with.
  • The origin of the priesthood ban lacks a clear, revealed reason.
  • The higher principle is forgiveness and moving forward rather than dwelling on the past.

Quote:
“There’s not a definitive, clear answer, and I don’t know if there ever will be. All I know is that God calls upon all his children to forgive others and he wants us to move forward. We are at a position where we can move forward. That is the pattern of Jesus Christ.” — Thom Reed (21:48)

• Christlike Pattern:
  Cites the story of Christ and the woman taken in adultery; focus on forgiveness, not retrospective condemnation.

7. Restoration, Healing, and Testimony (23:56–31:00)

• Onward in Faith:
  Hosts and guest riff on D&C 128:22 and Article of Faith 13: the charge to "go forward, not backward" and continually seek what is virtuous and praiseworthy.

• Linking Past and Present:
  Thom ties the 1978 revelation to spiritual emancipation akin to Juneteenth for Black Americans—a theme captured in a song he wrote, “Freedom Was Always Coming.”

Quote:
“From cotton fields to temple halls, the Savior breaks down every wall… No delay can stop his grace. We’ve all got a seat and we all got a place, because freedom was always coming.” — Thom Reed, lyrics from original song (28:00)

• Continued Restoration:
  Affirms President Russell M. Nelson’s teaching that the ‘restoration is ongoing.’

• Testimony:
  Thom concludes with a heartfelt witness of Christ as healer, advocate, and master restorer. Encourages listeners wounded by the past to turn to Christ and embrace healing, forgiveness, and forward movement (30:00).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the 1978 Revelation:

  “This was not just a revelation for the church. It was a revelation for the world.” — Thom Reed (13:15)

• On Church Growth in Africa:

  “You want to talk about tears of joy as I walk into a chapel… I felt at home again with my Black brothers and sisters who were children of the covenant as I was.” — Thom Reed (19:10)

• On Forgiveness:

  “God is a God of second chances, and he’s given us our Savior, Jesus Christ, perfect example of how to forgive and how to live and be healed.” — Thom Reed (29:50)

• Call and Response:

  “Today we learned that God is good all the time. And all the time, God is good. Amen. Amen.” — Thom Reed (30:52)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment or Topic | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:01 | Genesis Group and “God is good all the time” | | 03:00 | Thom’s introduction to the Church, family and social challenges | | 09:00 | No prior revelation for the priesthood ban explained | | 13:25 | Darius Gray’s testimony and global impact of the revelation | | 17:06 | Official Declaration 2 as “revolutionary revelation” | | 20:21 | Why did the priesthood restriction happen? | | 23:56 | "Forward, not backward"—scriptural/theological perspective | | 27:30 | “Freedom Was Always Coming” – linking Juneteenth & 1978 | | 29:50 | Thom’s testimony and invitation to healing through Christ | | 30:52 | Closing “God is good” call-and-response |

Tone & Language

The episode is candid, emotional, and marked by both grace and optimism. Bro. Reed is forthright about painful history but deeply hopeful, regularly anchoring the discussion in faith, forgiveness, Christ’s atonement, and the reality of ongoing revelation.

Suggested Next Steps for Listeners

• Read the Church's "Race and the Priesthood" and related Gospel Topics Essays.
• Engage with diverse Latter-day Saint experiences via the Genesis Group or similar communities.
• Choose to forgive, look forward, and seek Christ’s healing for all wounds related to Church history or personal experiences.

Final Call to Action:
“Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Turn to him. Follow him.” (32:34–32:46)