Official Declaration 2 הַצְהָרוֹת רִשְׁמִיּוֹת הַצְהָרָה ב׳

Hebrew translation, word by word with English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open Official Declaration 2 in the interlinear reader for transliteration, roots and notes.

1. 1

   סֵפֶרThe Book ofמוֹרְמוֹןMormonמְלַמֵּדteachesכִּיthatכֻּלָּםallשָׁוִיםare alikeבְּעֵינֵיin the eyes ofהָאֱלֹהִיםGod,וּבִכְלָלָםincludingשָׁחוֹרblackוְלָבָןand white,עֶבֶדbondוְחׇפְשִׁיand free,זָכָרmaleוּנְקֵבָהand femaleנֵפִיNephiב2לְאֹרֶךְThroughoutתּוֹלְדוֹתthe history ofהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe Church,אֲנָשִׁיםpeopleמִכׇּלof everyגֶּזַעraceוּקְבוּצָהand groupאֶתְנִיתethnicבַּאֲרָצוֹתin countriesרַבּוֹתmanyהֻטְבְּלוּhave been baptizedוְחָיוּand have livedכַּחֲבֵרִיםas membersנֶאֱמָנִיםfaithfulבַּכְּנֵסִיָּה׃in the Church.בְּחַיָּיוDuring the lifetimeשֶׁלofיוֹסֵףJosephסְמִית׳Smith,מְעַטa fewחַבְרֵיmembers ofכְּנֵסִיָּהthe Churchשְׁחֹרִיםblackהֻסְמְכוּwere ordainedלַכְּהֻנָּה׃to the priesthood.בְּרֵאשִׁיתIn the beginning ofתּוֹלְדוֹתֶיהָits history,הִפְסִיקוּstoppedמַנְהִיגֵיthe leaders ofהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe Churchלְהַעֲנִיקconferringאֶת־הַכְּהֻנָּהthe priesthoodלִגְבָרִיםon menשְׁחֹרִיםblackמִמּוֹצָאof descentאַפְרִיקָנִי׃African.רִשּׁוּמֵיThe records ofהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe Churchאֵינָםdo notמַצִּיעִיםofferתּוֹבָנוֹתinsightsבְּרוּרוֹתclearעַלonמְקוֹרוֹתָיוthe originsשֶׁלofנֹהַגpracticeזֶה׃this.מַנְהִיגֵיThe leaders ofהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe Churchהֶאֱמִינוּbelievedכִּיthatדְּרוּשָׁהwas neededהִתְגַּלּוּתa revelationמֵאֱלֹהִיםfrom Godכְּדֵיin orderלְשַׁנּוֹתto changeנֹהַגpracticeזֶהthis,וּבִקְשׁוּand they soughtהַנְחָיָהguidanceבִּתְפִלָּה׃in prayer.הַהִתְגַּלּוּתThe revelationבָּאָהcameלִנְשִׂיאto the President ofהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe ChurchסְפֶּנְסֶרSpencerו׳W.קִימְבּוֹלKimball,וְאֻשְּׁשָׁהand was affirmedלְמַנְהִיגֵיto the leaders ofהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe Churchהַנּוֹסָפִיםotherבְּמִקְדַּשׁin the Temple ofסוֹלְטSaltלֵייקLakeבְּ־1on the 1stבְּיוּנִי1978of JuneהַהִתְגַּלּוּתThe revelationבִּטְּלָהremovedאֶת־כׇּלallהַהַגְבָּלוֹתthe restrictionsבְּעִנְיַןwith regard toגֶּזַעraceשֶׁחָלוּthat appliedלְשֶׁעָבַרformerlyעַלtoהַכְּהֻנָּה׃the priesthood.

   The Book of Mormon teaches that “all are alike unto God,” including “black and white, bond and free, male and female” (2 Nephi 26:33). Throughout the history of the Church, people of every race and ethnicity in many countries have been baptized and have lived as faithful members of the Church. During Joseph Smith’s lifetime, a few black male members of the Church were ordained to the priesthood. Early in its history, Church leaders stopped conferring the priesthood on black males of African descent. Church records offer no clear insights into the origins of this practice. Church leaders believed that a revelation from God was needed to alter this practice and prayerfully sought guidance. The revelation came to Church President Spencer W. Kimball and was affirmed to other Church leaders in the Salt Lake Temple on June 1, 1978. The revelation removed all restrictions with regard to race that once applied to the priesthood.

2. 2

   לְכׇלTo allמִיwhomשֶׁהַדָּבָרthat the matterנוֹגֵעַconcernsלוֹ:them:

   To Whom It May Concern:

3. 3

   בַּיּוֹםOn the dayהַשְּׁלֹשִׁיםthirtiethלְסֶפְּטֶמְבֶּרof September,שְׁנַתin the yearאֶלֶףone thousandוּתְשַׁעnineמֵאוֹתhundredוְשִׁבְעִיםand seventyוּשְׁמוֹנֶה-eight,בַּכִּנּוּסat the ConferenceהַכְּלָלִיGeneralהַחֲצִי־שְׁנָתִיSemiannualהַמֵּאָהthe hundredוְאַרְבָּעִיםand fortyוּשְׁמוֹנָה-eighthשֶׁלofכְּנֵסִיַּתthe Church ofיֵשׁוּעַJesusהַמָּשִׁיחַChristשֶׁלofקְדוֹשֵׁיthe Saints ofאַחֲרִיתthe latter part ofהַיָּמִיםthe days,הֻגַּשׁwas presentedהַדָּבָרthe thingהַבָּאfollowingעַלbyיְדֵיthe hands ofהַנָּשִׂיאPresidentנ׳N.אֶלְדוֹןEldonטֶנֶרTanner,הַיּוֹעֵץCounselorהָרִאשׁוֹןFirstבַּנְּשִׂיאוּתin the PresidencyהָרִאשׁוֹנָהFirstשֶׁלofהַכְּנֵסִיָּה:the Church:

   On September 30, 1978, at the 148th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the following was presented by President N. Eldon Tanner, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church:

4. 4

   בְּרֵאשִׁיתIn earlyיוּנִיJuneשֶׁלofהַשָּׁנָהyearהַזֹּאתthis,הִכְרִיזָהannouncedהַנְּשִׂיאוּתthe PresidencyהָרִאשׁוֹנָהFirstכִּיthatהִתְגַּלּוּתa revelationנִתְקַבְּלָהhad been receivedעַלbyיְדֵיthe hands ofהַנָּשִׂיאPresidentסְפֶּנְסֶרSpencerו׳W.קִימְבָּלKimballהַמַּרְחִיבָהextendingאֶת־בִּרְכוֹתthe blessings ofהַכְּהֻנָּהpriesthoodוְהַהֵיכׇלand templeלְכׇלto allחַבְרֵיmembers ofהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe Churchהַזְּכָרִיםmaleהָרְאוּיִים׃worthy.בִּקֵּשׁhas askedהַנָּשִׂיאPresidentקִימְבָּלKimballשֶׁאוֹדִיעַthat I adviseלַכִּנּוּסthe conferenceכִּיthatאַחֲרֵיafterשֶׁקִּבֵּלhe had receivedאֶת־הַהִתְגַּלּוּתrevelationהַזֹּאתthis,אֲשֶׁרwhichבָּאָהcameאֵלָיוto himאַחֲרֵיafterהִתְבּוֹנְנוּתmeditationמְמֻשֶּׁכֶתextendedוּתְפִלָּהand prayerבְּחַדְרֵיin the rooms ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe sacredשֶׁלofהַהֵיכׇלthe templeהַקָּדוֹשׁholy,הֶעֱבִירhe presentedאוֹתָהּitלְיוֹעֲצָיוto his counselors,אֲשֶׁרwhoקִבְּלוּהָaccepted itוְאִשְּׁרוּהָ׃and approved it.אַחֲרֵיthenכֵןIt wasהֻגְּשָׁהpresentedלַחֲבוּרַתto the Quorum ofשְׁנֵים־הֶעָשָׂרthe TwelveהַשְּׁלִיחִיםApostles,אֲשֶׁרwhoאִשְּׁרוּהָapproved itפֶּה־אֶחָדunanimously,וּלְאַחַרand afterמִכֵּןthisהֻגְּשָׁהwas presentedלִשְׁאָרto the rest ofכׇּלallהָרָשֻׁיּוֹתthe AuthoritiesהַכְּלָלִיּוֹתGeneral,אֲשֶׁרwhoגַּםlikewiseהֵםtheyאִשְּׁרוּהָapproved itפֶּה־אֶחָד׃unanimously.

   In early June of this year, the First Presidency announced that a revelation had been received by President Spencer W. Kimball extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members of the Church. President Kimball has asked that I advise the conference that after he had received this revelation, which came to him after extended meditation and prayer in the sacred rooms of the holy temple, he presented it to his counselors, who accepted it and approved it. It was then presented to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who unanimously approved it, and was subsequently presented to all other General Authorities, who likewise approved it unanimously.

5. 5

   בִּקֵּשׁhas askedהַנָּשִׂיאPresidentקִימְבָּלKimballשֶׁאֶקְרָאthat I readעַתָּהnowאֶת־הָאִגֶּרֶתletterהַזֹּאת:this:

   President Kimball has asked that I now read this letter:

6. 6

   הַיּוֹםthe dayהַשְּׁמִינִיeighthלְיוּנִיof June,שְׁנַתin the yearאֶלֶףone thousandוּתְשַׁעnineמֵאוֹתhundredוְשִׁבְעִיםand seventyוּשְׁמוֹנֶה׃-eight.

   June 8, 1978

7. 7

   אֶלToכׇּלallפְּקִידֵיofficers ofהַכְּהֻנָּהthe priesthoodהַכְּלָלִיִּיםgeneralוְהַמְּקוֹמִיִּיםand localשֶׁלofכְּנֵסִיַּתthe Church ofיֵשׁוּעַJesusהַמָּשִׁיחַChristשֶׁלofקְדוֹשֵׁיthe Saints ofאַחֲרִיתthe latter part ofהַיָּמִיםthe daysבְּכׇלthroughoutהָעוֹלָם:the world:

   To all general and local priesthood officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world:

8. 8

   אַחִיםBrethren:יְקָרִיםDear

   Dear Brethren:

9. 9

   בִּרְאוֹתֵנוּAs we have witnessedאֶת־הִתְרַחֲבוּתthe expansion ofמְלֶאכֶתthe work ofיְהוָהthe Lordעַלoverפְּנֵיthe face ofהָאָרֶץthe earth,הוֹדִינוּwe have been gratefulעַלthatשֶׁבְּנֵיpeople ofאָדָםmenמִגּוֹיִםfrom nationsרַבִּיםmanyנַעֲנוּhave respondedלִדְבַרto the message ofהַבְּשׂוֹרָהthe gospelהַמּוּשָׁבָהrestored,וְהִצְטָרְפוּand have joinedאֶלuntoהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe Churchבְּמִסְפָּרִיםin numbersהוֹלְכִיםeverוְגָדֵלִים׃-increasing.הַדָּבָרthingהַזֶּהThisעוֹרֵרhas inspiredבָּנוּin usתְּשׁוּקָהa desireלְהַעֲנִיקto extendלְכׇלto everyחֲבַרmember ofכְּנֵסִיָּהthe Churchרָאוּיworthyאֶת־כׇּלall ofהַזְּכֻיּוֹתthe privilegesוְהַבְּרָכוֹתand blessingsאֲשֶׁרwhichהַבְּשׂוֹרָהthe gospelמַעֲנִיקָה׃affords.

   As we have witnessed the expansion of the work of the Lord over the earth, we have been grateful that people of many nations have responded to the message of the restored gospel, and have joined the Church in ever-increasing numbers. 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.

10. 10

    בְּדַעְתֵּנוּAware ofאֶת־הַהַבְטָחוֹתthe promisesשֶׁנָּתְנוּmade byהַנְּבִיאִיםthe prophetsוּנְשִׂיאֵיand presidents ofהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe Churchאֲשֶׁרwhoקָדְמוּhave precededלָנוּusכִּיthatבְּעֵתat timeמִןsomeהָעִתִּיםof the times,בְּתׇכְנִיתin the plan ofאֱלֹהִיםGodהַנִּצְחִיתeternal,יוּכְלוּmayכׇּלall ofאַחֵינוּour brethrenהׇרְאוּיִיםwho are worthyלְקַבֵּלreceiveאֶת־הַכְּהֻנָּהthe priesthood,וּבִרְאוֹתֵנוּand witnessingאֶת־נֶאֱמָנוּתthe faithfulness ofאֵלֶּהthoseאֲשֶׁרwhomמֵהֶםfrom themנִמְנְעָהhas been withheldהַכְּהֻנָּהthe priesthood,הִתְחַנַּנּוּwe have pleadedאֲרֻכּוֹתlongוּבִרְצִינוּתand earnestlyבַּעֲבוּרin behalf ofאַחֵינוּour brethren,הַנֶּאֱמָנִיםfaithfulהָאֵלֶּהthese,בְּבַלּוֹתֵנוּspendingשָׁעוֹתhoursרַבּוֹתmanyבַּחֶדֶרin the RoomהָעֶלְיוֹןUpperשֶׁלofהַהֵיכׇלthe Templeמִתְחַנְּנִיםsupplicatingאֶלuntoיְהוָהthe Lordלְהַדְרָכָהfor guidanceאֱלֹהִית׃divine.

    Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in God’s eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance.

11. 11

    שָׁמַעHe has heardאֶת־תְּפִלּוֹתֵינוּour prayers,וּבְהִתְגַּלּוּתand by revelationאִשֵּׁרhas confirmedכִּיthatהִגִּיעַhas comeהַיּוֹםthe dayהַמֻּבְטָחpromisedמִזֶּהsinceזְמַןa timeרַבlong,בּוֹwhenכׇּלeveryגֶּבֶרmanנֶאֱמָןfaithful,וְרָאוּיworthyבַּכְּנֵסִיָּהin the Churchיוּכַלmayלְקַבֵּלreceiveאֶת־הַכְּהֻנָּהthe priesthoodהַקְּדוֹשָׁהholy,עִםwithכֹּחַpowerלְהַפְעִילto exerciseאֶת־סַמְכוּתָהּits authorityהָאֱלֹהִיתdivine,וְלֵהָנוֹתand enjoyעִםwithאֲהוּבָיוhis loved onesמִכׇּלeveryבְּרָכָהblessingהַנּוֹבַעַתthat flowsמִמֶּנָּהtherefrom,וּבִכְלָלָןincludingבִּרְכוֹתthe blessings ofהַהֵיכָל׃the temple.בְּהֶתְאֵםAccordinglyלָזֶהto this,יוּכְלוּmayכׇּלallחַבְרֵיmembers ofהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe Churchהַזְּכָרִיםmaleהׇרְאוּיִיםworthyלְהִסָּמֵךְbe ordainedלַכְּהֻנָּהto the priesthoodלְלֹאwithoutהַבְדֵּלregard forגֶּזַעraceאוֹorצֶבַע׃color.מַנְהִיגֵיThe leaders ofהַכְּהֻנָּהthe priesthoodמֻנְחִיםare instructedלָלֶכֶתto followלְפִיaccording toהַנֹּהַלthe policyשֶׁלofתִּשְׁאוּלinterviewingזָהִירcarefullyכׇּלallהַמֻּעֲמָדִיםthe candidatesלִסְמִיכָהfor ordinationלִכְהֻנַּתto the PriesthoodאַהֲרֹןAaronicאוֹorלִכְהֻנַּתto the Priesthoodמַלְכִּי־צֶדֶקMelchizedek,לְוַדֵּאto insureשֶׁהֵםthat theyעוֹמְדִיםmeetבְּאַמּוֹתthe standards ofהַמִּדָּהmeasureהַקְּבוּעוֹתestablishedלִרְאוּיוּת׃for worthiness.

    He 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 therefrom, 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. 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.

12. 12

    מַכְרִיזִיםdeclareאָנוּWeבִּרְצִינוּתwith sobernessכִּיthatיְהוָהthe Lordעַתָּהnowהוֹדִיעַhas made knownאֶת־רְצוֹנוֹhis willלְבָרֵךְfor the blessing ofאֶת־כׇּלallבָּנָיוhis childrenבְּכׇלthroughoutהָאָרֶץthe earthאֲשֶׁרwhoיִשְׁמְעוּwill hearkenלְקוֹלto the voice ofמְשָׁרְתָיוhis servants,הַמֻּסְמָכִיםauthorizedוְיָכִינוּand prepareעַצְמָםthemselvesלְקַבֵּלto receiveכׇּלeveryבִּרְכַּתblessing ofהַבְּשׂוֹרָה׃the gospel.

    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.

13. 13

    בְּכָבוֹדSincerelyרַבyours,

    Sincerely yours,

14. 14

    סְפֶּנְסֶרSpencerו׳W.קִימְבָּלKimball

    Spencer W. Kimball

15. 15

    נ׳N.אֶלְדוֹןEldonטֶנֶרTanner

    N. Eldon Tanner

16. 16

    מֶרְיוֹןMarionג׳G.רוֹמְנִיRomney

    Marion G. Romney

17. 17

    הַנְּשִׂיאוּתThe PresidencyהָרִאשׁוֹנָהFirst

    The First Presidency

18. 18

    בְּהַכִּירֵנוּRecognizingאֶת־סְפֶּנְסֶרSpencerו׳W.קִימְבָּלKimballכְּנָבִיאas the prophet,חוֹזֶהseer,וּמְגַלֶּהand revelator,וּכְנָשִׂיאand president ofכְּנֵסִיַּתthe Church ofיֵשׁוּעַJesusהַמָּשִׁיחַChristשֶׁלofקְדוֹשֵׁיthe Saints ofאַחֲרִיתthe latter part ofהַיָּמִיםthe days,מֻצָּעit is proposedכִּיthatאֲנַחְנוּweכְּקָהָלas an assemblyמְכוֹנֵןconstituentנְקַבֵּלacceptאֶת־הַהִתְגַּלּוּתrevelationהַזֹּאתthisכִּדְבַרas the word ofיְהוָהthe Lordוּרְצוֹנוֹ׃and his will.כׇּלAllהַתּוֹמְכִיםin favorיוֹדִיעוּplease signifyבַּהֲרָמַתby raisingיָדָםtheir handהַיְמָנִית׃right.כׇּלAnyהַמִּתְנַגְּדִיםopposedבְּאוֹתוֹby the sameהָאוֹת׃sign.

    Recognizing Spencer W. Kimball as the prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church 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 by the same sign.

19. 19

    הַהַצְבָּעָהThe voteלִתְמֹךְto sustainבְּהַצָּעָהthe motionהַנַּ״לforegoingהָיְתָהwasפֶּה־אֶחָדunanimousבְּחִיּוּב׃in the affirmative.

    The vote to sustain the foregoing motion was unanimous in the affirmative.

20. 20

    עִירCity ofאֲגַםLakeהַמֶּלַחSalt,יוּטָאUtah,הַיּוֹםthe dayהַשְּׁלֹשִׁיםthirtiethלְסֶפְּטֶמְבֶּרof September,שְׁנַתin the yearאֶלֶףone thousandוּתְשַׁעnineמֵאוֹתhundredוְשִׁבְעִיםand seventyוּשְׁמוֹנֶה׃-eight.

    Salt Lake City, Utah, September 30, 1978.