-- Aug 28, 1947
At meeting of the Twelve: "Letter read from Elder John A. Widstoe calling attention to the engagement of a young couple, members of the Church, the sister having one thirty-second of negro blood in her veins. Brother Widstoe raises the question as to whether in such cases the individual having Negro blood might be recommended to the temple for marriage. Brother Widstoe states that he informed the couple of the ruling of the Church in the past that any one having negro blood in his veins cannot receive the Priesthood or go to the temple. Council approved the attitude indicated by Brother Widstoe." (1)
-- Sep 22, 1947
J. Reuben Clark: "I told him [George Albert Smith] that according to a report from Bro. Babbel [Benson's Relief Misson companion] the Quakers had made perhaps 100 times more [relief] shipments to Europe than we had, with half the church membership; ...thought we might wish to be a bit careful about our statements as to the great work we were doing for the Saints in Europe." (2)
-- Oct 9, 1947
First Presidency and apostles decide to allow faithful African-American Mormons to receive patriarchal blessings, and Patriarch Eldred G. Smith blesses black couple. (1)
[Spencer W. Kimball] "THURS. Oct 9, 1947' attended the regular meetings. In the 10 o'clock meeting with the First Presidency and the Council of the 12 the matter of the negro was brought up for discussion again. I think I felt in this meeting the spirit of revelation more pronounced than in any meeting I have attended. The spirit of unity was manifest. All the Brethren seemed to see alike through the sweet spirit throughout the meeting, and I was almost overcome with the delightful experience. The Brethren seemed unified in feeling that we could not withhold the regular gospel blessings from the colored people, and that though we were unable yet to give them the Priesthood, perhaps we should not withhold from the m the other blessings of the gospel which are available to them ... [Note: Ezra Taft Benson related the experiences of the Hope family, black members of the Church who were ostracized by their LDS congregation at Cincinnati and were asked by the branch president not to come back, so they held their own Sunday services in their home."
[African American members of the church began receiving patriarchal blessings at this time] (3)
-- Dec 9, 1947
[David O. Mckay] "4:20 p.m.'Harold B. Lee, Ezra T. Benson, and Marion Romney called at the office' discussed matters pertaining to the Priesthood work of the Church." (4)
-- Dec 15, 1947
[Frank Evans] "President [George Albert] Smith asked me to reduce the monthly allowance received by him from $500 to $400 so as to make it equal with the lowest received by apostles." (5)
Endnotes:
1 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
2 - Clark Diary, September 22, 1947 as cited in Gary James Bergera, "Ezra Taft Benson's 1946 Mission to Europe" Journal of Mormon History 34:2 (Spring 2008)
3 - Spencer W. Kimball Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010
4 - David O. Mckay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010
5 - Frank Evans Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010
LDS History Chronology: Ezra Taft Benson
Mormon History Timeline: the life of Ezra Taft Benson
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
