I read somewhere, I can't seem to find the source now, that there was a federal law that was going into effect the year before or maybe the same year that the 2nd Official Declaration of the church was published. From what I read the law would require all non profit organizations to abide by civil rights regulations in order to remain a non-profit. And the LDS church with its pre 1978 standards on blacks and the priesthood would restrict them from remaining a non-profit. What I read stated that this was the main reason the LDS church published the Official Declaration 2 and subsequently changed their doctrine. I can not find any source for this law or ordinance. I was hoping that someone could either post a link to proof of this law, or otherwise dispel this myth for me. Thanks!

http://mormonthink.com/blackweb.htm#eventsleadingto1978

I was excommunicated in 1978. It was a painful and interesting time in my life. The ERA and Black PH ban were both hot buttons for Mormonism. I found myself an apostate for my views and activism on both issues. I was an active Mormon, late 20's, temple married and living in Utah when the issues came to a full boil.

I hope the link can give you a peek into the issues of racism in Mormonism that year. You can find a lot of information out there....but as for the specific issue? I am not sure in reality this was more than a discussion.....or perhaps, a fear.

I ALWAYS doubt these things; the other churches have silly reasons for doing things also; like it or not, people are rebelling against too much gov't interference in 'private, personal' decisions. This includes religion, and ChurchCo benefits from that each & every Second they exist.