This article is one in a series of articles about explaining our Mormon beliefs to our friends. See other articles in this series.

Some members of the Church are not prepared to answer questions when asked why blacks were not ordained to the priesthood before 1978.

Here are some resources with information to help you answer such questions:

• Read the topic “Priesthood Ordination before 1978” on LDS.org. You can find it in the menu on LDS.org by clicking  Teachings > Gospel Topics > ”Priesthood Ordination before 1978.” You may also want to read the topic “Priesthood.”
• Read the article “Race and the Church: All Are Alike Unto God” from the Church’s Newsroom.
• Watch the video “Blacks and the Priesthood” from the YouTube channel Understanding Mormonism, where a member of the Church posts videos explaining his Mormon beliefs in a simple, authentic way.

I hope you find these resources helpful.

What other ideas do you have that you can share with others? Post them in the comments below.