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"In our society today, from which situation is the Negro suffering most; (1) In not being permitted to hold the Priesthood in the LDS Church, or (2) in having a black skin and other Negroid features, which stigmatize him in the eyes of most whites?"
"The answer is obvious."
"And who controls the fact of his having these Negroid features? His Creator, of course."
"When God allows a spirit to take on a Negroid body, do you suppose He is unaware of the fact that he will suffer a social stigma?"
"Therefore, if you say this Church is unjust in not allowing the Negro to bear the Priesthood, you must, to be consistent, likewise say that God is even more unjust in giving him a black skin....Is it not possible to see an act of mercy on the part of God in not having the Negro bear the Priesthood in this world, in view of his living under the curse of a black skin and other Negroid features?....With the social prejudice against him, imagine the obstacles that the Negro would encounter in attempting to honor and magnify his Priesthood."
"I believe that we should recognize the mercy as well as the justice of God in all things. The very fact that God would allow those spirits who were less worthy in the spirit world to partake of a mortal body at all is further evidence of his mercy."
Source: Stewart, John J., Mormonism and the Negro, Orem: Bookmark. 49 - 51.
[The author, John J. Stewart, is a Professor of Journalism at Utah State University and not a top Mormon leader.]
Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. (10th prophet):
The only souls coming to this world who are under restriction are the Negroes, and they cannot hold the priesthood;
Source: McConkie, Bruce R., ed. Doctrines of Salvation: Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith, Vol. 2. 55. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954-1955.