By their Fruits Ye shall Know Them (3 Nephi 14: 16-20)
The Priesthood Given to the Blacks according to Worthiness
Doctrine and Covenants-Declaration 2
June 8, 1978
… We declare with soberness that the Lord has now made known his will for the blessing of all his children throughout the earth who will hearken to the voice of his authorized servants, and prepare themselves to receive every blessing of the gospel.
He (the Lord) has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows there-from, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color. …
Sincerely yours,
SPENCER W. KIMBALL
N. ELDON TANNER
MARION G. ROMNEY
The First Presidency
3 Nephi 14: 16-20
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
1 7 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt three bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
In 1986 Whitney was placed in our family for adoption. She is black-white by race. The adoption was finalized early in 1987 and she was sealed to us in the Salt Lake Temple at about 6 months of age.
Whitney is now 25 years old. She loves children. She is a kindergarten teacher of 26 five year old kids. She is always showing love especially to children. She was been a camp counselor for two summers in Massachusetts . This weekend as we were together as an extended family it was Whitney was on the playground picking up her two year old niece and nephew and pushing them on the swings; she was in the parking lot changing the dirty diaper; she was driving with her sister that needed help with two kids. Being Whitney’s mom I know she is full of love and goodness. I know Whitney by her daily good fruits.
