Michelle King: The priesthood revelation that changed the world, on 'Mormon Times TV'

The summer of 1978 was a turning point in my life. I’d just graduated from Brigham Young University in broadcast journalism and made a last-minute decision to apply for an internship in New York City — the Y.’s first group of communications students ever to work in the Big Apple as interns. My marriage prospects weren’t too enticing and the job offers weren’t pouring in, so I thought it would be the perfect place to get my feet wet in the industry (other than the TV internship I’d done the previous summer at KSL. Who’d have thought it would take me 34 years to return?).

I split my time working in both the public relations arm of the United Press International wire service writing brochures as well as in the news area. Newsroom managers would send us out on various stories, and David Long (an aspiring newspaper reporter) and I would take a taxi and wiggle our way in to cover news, as if we really fit in with that hard core group! We’d cover and write the stories for the UPI wire but, due to union rules, our reports only ended up as “good practice.” The city editor would then evaluate our efforts, and we’d do it all over again the next day.

One day I’ll never forget is June 8, 1978. The city editor called David and me aside and thought we’d be interested in a story that just crossed the wire, detailing the new revelation from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where all worthy men could now hold the priesthood. Our jaws dropped! It was a day that forever changed the church…and many lives.

On our June 3 episode of “Mormon Times TV,” you’ll meet Keith Hamilton — a Utah attorney featured in a Mormon Message — who will explain how the gospel and that 1978 priesthood revelation made all the difference for him. Plus you’ll see how the Genesis group continues to serve the needs of African-American Latter-day Saints.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s effective two-word sermon at the April general conference gave us all cause to stop and think about replacing judgment with forgiveness. Psychologist Wendy Ulrich will be in our studio with some suggestions.

A beautiful new temple is rising from the ashes in Provo, Utah. You’ll see what’s next, as work begins following the recent groundbreaking.

And Draper, Utah, youth “look up” to their local temple. You’ll see what they’re pledging as they launch gorgeous sky lanterns in the night sky.

The “Mormon Times TV" television show airs weekly on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. on KSL-TV following the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast. It can also be viewed online at mormontimestv.ksl.com, where you can see past episodes. And we invite you to follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/MormonTimesTV and join in the conversation. We’re always looking for inspiring, uplifting stories that involve people of the LDS faith. If you have some ideas you’d like to share with us, drop me an email at mking@ksl.com.

Michelle King is the host of Mormon Times TV that airs Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. on KSL. Email: mking@ksl.com