"It was a test to see how we would treat one another," he said, adding the challenge for all "was the same: to maintain the love of the Savior in our hearts for one another. And when that restriction became too much of an impediment for (God's) work to go forward, there was a revelation."

The film will include footage not only of early African-American church members, but of a civil rights protest at church-owned Brigham Young University in 1968, according to Young. In that clip, "you'll hear the students and their honesty in talking about why they felt they had to do it," despite pressure from the school's administration to the contrary.

Gray and Young have teamed with a young African-American convert, Danor Gerald, who is editing the production and is the only paid participant in the project, they said. Footage will include interviews with roughly 40 church members, scholars, civil rights workers and ministers.

To date, the cost has been $25,000, much of it raised through independent fund raising. About that much more is needed to finish the production, and target date for completion is the end of the year, Young said. "We'd like to do a theatrical debut on June 8 next year," which is the 30th anniversary of the church's announcement lifting the priesthood ban.

Gray said donors who want to help finish the project can give a tax-deductible contribution through a Web site, www.untoldstoryofblackmormons.com, where the film ultimately will be sold publicly. The producers also plan to enter the film in a black film festival in Hollywood next year. "We'd love to have it on the History Channel someday."

---

E-mail: carrie@desnews.com