OFFICIAL DECLARATION #3
To Whom It May Concern:
On April 5, 2002, at the 173rd Annual General Conference of The Corporation of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the following was presented by President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church:
In early January of this year, the First Presidency announced that a revelation had been received by President Gordon B. Hinkley extending priesthood and temple blessings to all members of the Church, regardless of gender. President Hinkley has asked that I advise the conference that after he had received this revelation, which came to him after extended consultation with his marketing advisors , he presented it to his counselors, who accepted it under duress and approved it. It was then presented to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who, after much back biting and evil speaking, unanimously approved it, and was subsequently presented to all other General Authorities, who likewise knew on which side their bread was buttered.
President Hinckley has asked that I now read this letter:
January 12, 2003
To all general and local priesthood officers of The Corporation of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world:
Dear Brethren:
As we have witnessed the slowing expansion of the church of the Lord, we have been grateful that credulous people of both genders have responded to the message of the restored gospel, though in many parts of the world there are insufficient active, priesthood-holding men to run even a small branch. This, in turn, has inspired us with a desire to extend to every worthy member of the Church all of the privileges and blessings which the gospel affords.
Aware of the groundless personal biases of the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us, yet witnessing the faithfulness of those sisters from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly with the less enlightened brethren on behalf of these, our faithful sisters, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple twisting arms and threatening imeritus status.
Also, the Lord has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that we have been sexist pigs and control freaks and that the long-overdue day has come when every faithful, worthy person in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with her loved ones every blessing that flows there-from, including the blessings of telling men what to do. Accordingly, all worthy members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for gender or sexual orientation. Priesthood leaders are instructed to follow the policy of carefully interviewing all candidates for ordination to either the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood to insure that they meet the established standards for worthiness. Priesthood leaders are also reminded that what people do in the privacy of their own bedrooms is none of your business.
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.
Sincerely yours,
GORDON B. HINCKLEY
THOMAS S. MONSON
JAMES E. FAUST
The First Presidency
Recognizing Gordon B. Hinckley as the prophet, seer, and chief executive officer of The Corporation of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is proposed that we as a constituent assembly accept this revelation as the word and will of the Lord. All in favor please signify by raising your right hand. Any opposed can shove it up their *.
The vote to sustain the foregoing motion was unanimous in the affirmative.
Salt Lake City, Utah, April 5, 2003.