I’m honored to belong to a church led by living prophets. The June 8, 1978 revelation extending the priesthood to all worthy males is an example of their prophetic calling.
Following are a few excerpts from, Lengthen Your Stride, by Edward L. Kimball, pp. 217-223:
“Day after day, and especially on Saturdays and Sundays when there were no organizations [sessions] in the temple, I went there when I could be alone…
Francis Gibbons (First Presidency secretary) sensed that President Kimball had already come to know God’s will and was now struggling with how to unify all Church leaders in support…
Camilla noted that in their prayers together at home, where he had always asked for inspiration or guidance, he began to plead for revelation…
He continued to spend many hours alone in prayer and meditation in the temple’s Holy of Holies…
On this first Thursday of the month, the First Presidency, Twelve, and Seventies met in their regularly scheduled monthly temple meeting…all fasting…
Brethren (10 of the 12), I have canceled lunch for today. Would you be willing to remain in the temple with us? I would like you to continue to fast with me…He then outlined the direction his thoughts had carried him (concerning lifting the ban)–the fading of his reluctance, the disappearance of objections, the growing assurance he had received, the tentative decision he had reached, and his desire for a clear answer…
They then sought divine confirmation. President Kimball asked, ‘Do you mind if I lead you in prayer?’ He had reached a decision after struggle, and he desperately wanted the Lord’s confirmaton, if it would come. They surrounded the altar in a prayer circle. President Kimball spoke to the Lord at length. If extending the priesthood was not right, if the Lord did not want this change to come in the Church, he said, he would fight the world’s opposition.
Elder McConkie later recounted, ‘The Lord took over and President Kimball was inspired in his prayer, asking the right questions, and he asked for a manifestation confirming the decision.
…Elder Hinckley said…There was a hallowed and sanctified atmosphere in the room. For me, it felt as if a conduit opened between the heavenly throne and the kneeling, pleading prophet…And by the power of the Holy Ghost there came to that prophet an assurance that the thing for which he prayed was right, that the time had come…Not one of us who was present on that occasion was ever quite the same after that.”