Mormon Movie Review: The Long Awaited Day

This movie tells two stories which are related.  It tells the story of Joseph Johnson and a small group of believers in Ghana, Africa.  That had petitioned for missionaries, but the church was not yet ready to move into Africa.
The movie then turns to President Hinckley who talked of the revelation to extend the power of the priesthood to all male Saints, and the blessings of the priesthood to all worthy members.  This revelation came to President Kimball.  He talked of the feeling of confirmation that this was a revelation of the Lord.  Proclamation 2 in the Doctrine and Covenants also relates the story. 

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

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

Dear Brethren:

 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.
 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.
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.
 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,

Spencer W. Kimball

N. Eldon Tanner

Marion G. Romney

The First Presidency

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


The movie then moves back to a much older Brother Johnson.  On a night when he was discouraged he felt impressed to turn on his radio, and happened to hear the announcement that the Church had extended the priesthood to all worthy males.  It wasn't long after this that the group of believers had been contacted by missionaries.