That I know for a fact is the official site and another source I would think for answers to your questions and questions anybody else might have.
now...my perspective as a Mormon?
Well now...I can sit here and discuss this long as y'like. I can say nice pithy things like " God's time is different than man's time " and " being a prophet does not mean that you are immediately exempt from being human " and quite frankly blab on and on about the subject which I have personally heard discussed over and over again until it gives me a headache.
It's called looking for angles instead of angels.
For the sake of the record I classify the African-American-descendants-of Ham/Cain theories as " space doctrine " in other words it's believed by many folks within the church but it ain't set in the stone anywhere as gospel truth. I also believe there's more important things to tend to in this world than debating over why African-Americans were given priesthood authority in the Church at the time they were given it. Bottom line...they have the priesthood now as all men of the church do. They use it as all men of the church do. I imagine they're damn grateful and humbled to have it to perform blessings and ordinances as all men of the church are damn grateful and humbled to have it to perform blessings and ordinances. And it isn't going to be taken away from those who have it unless they become unworthy.
There will be people who read this thread who regardless of how I try to reason things out will still think it all just boils down to trying to justify a gentle sort of racism. There will be people who think just because I am Mormon/Christian/a moron/whatever that that immediately discredits anything and everything I say. Okay. You don't have to believe one damn word I say and I'm sure as hell not asking you to. Peace be with you then. Have a happy and prosperous life :)
Susu find an answer that seems satisfactory to you. Take your questions to God and pray about it. Read the Bible and the Book Of Mormon. Listen to General Conference. Do research. There's some suggestions that have worked with me regarding questions in my life and that may help you find your answers if indeed you seek them with sincere intent and honest curiosity.
Anyways sorry folks if the tone comes across as defensive or adamant...it's been a long stressful week and I ain't no saint regardless of the Latter Day title. So I'm entitled to go a little J. Golden Kimball-ish now and then :) so there...bleh :P
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sj