1. Acts 10
The Gospel given to all

2. How would you answer this?
“I heard that in 1978 your church changed its position to allow all men to receive the priesthood regardless of race. If you believe your church is directed by God, and God is an unchangeable being, how is that possible?”
Cornelius: Acts 10:1–6
Weirdest dream you’ve ever had?
Let’s look at Peter’s dream in Acts 10:9-17

3. Acts 10
Acts 10:24–47. Video presentation—“Peter’s Revelation to Take the Gospel to the Gentiles”

4. Acts 10
Read Acts 10:24-28.
What does it mean that “God is no respecter of persons”? (See 2 Nephi 26:33.)
What comfort can this truth give you?
Where were you on June, 8th 1978
[Video]

5. Race and the Priesthood
The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. The Book of Mormon states, “black and white, bond and free, male and female; … all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33). This is the Church’s official teaching. People of all races have always been welcomed and baptized into the Church since its beginning. During this time some black males were ordained to the priesthood. At some point the Church stopped ordaining male members of African descent, although there were a few exceptions. It is not known precisely why, how or when this restriction began in the Church, but it has ended. Church leaders sought divine guidance regarding the issue and more than three decades ago extended the priesthood to all worthy male members. The Church immediately began ordaining members to priesthood offices wherever they attended throughout the world. The Church unequivocally condemns racism, including any and all past racism by individuals both inside and outside the Church. In 2006, then Church president Gordon B. Hinckley declared that “no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ. Nor can he consider himself to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church. Let us all recognize that each of us is a son or daughter of our Father in Heaven, who loves all of His children.” Recently, the Church has also made the following statement on this subject: “The origins of priesthood availability are not entirely clear. Some explanations with respect to this matter were made in the absence of direct revelation and references to these explanations are sometimes cited in publications. These previous personal statements do not represent Church doctrine.”

6. Acts 10 How did the Church members respond when this was given?
Look at the people’s response after Peter’s dream in Acts 10:38-42, 44-48
What truth can we learn about how the Lord directs His Church?
What truth can we learn from the fact that the Lord revealed truth to Peter over time instead of all at once?
What truth can we learn from this account about what God may do with instructions He has given in the past?

7. Acts 10
Elder David A. Bednar: “The gradual increase of light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God ‘line upon line, precept upon precept’ (2 Nephi 28:30). Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. Such communications from Heavenly Father gradually and gently ‘distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven’ (D&C 121:45). This pattern of revelation tends to be more common than rare” (“The Spirit of Revelation,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 88).

8. Acts 10
“By this experience and revelation to Peter, the Lord modified the practice of the Church and revealed a more complete doctrinal understanding to His disciples. And so the preaching of the gospel expanded to encompass all mankind” (“The Doctrine of Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 88).
STUDENT MANUAL: Although God may modify practices of the Church and add to our doctrinal understanding through ongoing revelation, His divine nature, attributes, covenants, doctrines, and plan never change. Knowing this can help us have faith in God and confidence that He will lead His Church according to His will and the needs of His children.

9. Acts 10 In what ways has church policy changed over time?
David and Solomon (Jacob 2:24)
Nephi and Laban (1 Nephi 4:10-18)
Polygamy (OD1)
Blacks and the priesthood (OD2)
Cost of a mission
Missionary ages
Have you ever been discriminated against?
CHALLENGE: Smile and say hello to someone that you have a prejudice against.

10. Acts 10 PERSONAL REVELATION REVELATION DEPENDS ON CIRCUMSTANCES
Example: Athletic wear
Story: Aimee and Amanda
REVELATION CONTINUES UNTIL IT’S FOLLOWED OR REJECTED

11. Acts 10
Elder Richard G. Scott: “When we receive an impression in our heart, we can use our mind either to rationalize it away or to accomplish it”
Ensign, November 1989, 31

12. Acts 10
President Boyd K. Packer noted: “That sweet, quiet voice of inspiration comes more as a feeling than it does as a sound The Holy Ghost communicates with our spirits through the mind more than through the physical senses. This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings through promptings and impressions. We may feel the words of spiritual communication more than hear them and see with spiritual rather than with mortal eyes.” Elder Boyd K. Packer, Prayer and Promptings,” Ensign, November 2009, 44

13. Acts 10
Elder Bednar said, “Let me suggest that many of us typically assume we will receive an answer or a prompting to our earnest prayers and pleadings. And we also frequently expect that such an answer or a prompting will come immediately and all at once. Thus we tend to believe the Lord will give us a big answer quickly and all at one time. However, the pattern repeatedly described in the scriptures suggests we receive “line upon line, precept upon precept,” or, in other words, many small answers over a period of time. Recognizing and understanding this pattern is an important key to obtaining inspiration and help from the Holy Ghost.”

14. Acts 10
Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated, “If a revelation is outside the limits of stewardship, you know it is not from the Lord, and you are not bound by it. I have heard of cases where a young man told a young woman she should marry him because he had received a revelation that she was to be his eternal companion. If this is a true revelation, it will be confirmed directly to the woman if she seeks to know. In the meantime, she is under no obligation to heed it The man can receive revelation to guide his own actions, but he cannot properly receive revelation to direct hers. She is outside his stewardship.” [BYU devotional address, 29 September 1981]

15. Acts 10 PERSONAL REVELATION
Who can testify of the power and importance of receiving and following revelation?

16. Acts 11
How did some of the Jewish members of the Church feel when they heard about Peter’s interaction with Gentiles?
Acts 11:1–3 
Peter’s response:  Acts 11:16–18
What counsel from the prophets have you chosen to follow because you know the prophets are led by God? 

17. Acts 10
The Gospel given to all