The Church becomes an organisation as well as a people. Seminaries and institutes begin, the welfare programme is built during the Depression, general conference goes out by radio, and the first temples outside the continental United States are dedicated in Hawaii, Canada and Arizona. Two world wars run straight through the middle of it.
1,046 entries in this era, shown 200 to a page. This is page 2 of 6, covering 1907 to 1919. See the same material on the moving timeline.
President Joseph F. Smith announced that the Church was entirely free of debt, with the payment of the last two $500,000 bond issues sold by President Lorenzo Snow in December 1899 to fund the debt. The first had been paid in 1903. Retiring the debt was largely due to the renewed emphasis in the Church on tithing.
Presiding Bishop moved the Church to an all-cash basis.
Tahitian mission is created
1907 Church Membership 357,913
The church announces it is totally free of debt.
The Church purchased the 100-acre Smith farm near Palmyra, N.Y., including the Sacred Grove.
The Des Moines REGISTER AND LEADER reports an interview Julius Chambers had with Emma Smith Bidamon, widow of Joseph Smith, in the summer of 1872: "Mrs. Smith was a sincere believer in her husband's faith. . . . I asked if she ever had seen those plates, or the miraculous pair of spectacles, known in Mormon history as 'Urim and Thummim.' She had not; but they veritable existed"
The First Presidency and Twelve meet in the Salt Lake Temple. They decide "to buy the old Home of the Smiths at Palmyra and also the Hill Cumorah, New York State."Apostle John Henry Smith notes in his diary: "I had a short ride in an Auto."
The First Presidency issued the first of four letters to urge European members to not immigrate to the United States, but to remain and build up the Church in their own countries. Subsequent letters urging members not to immigrate were issued April 28, 1921, Aug. 2, 1921, and Oct. 18, 1929.
The United States Senate agreed to seat Utah Sen. Reed Smoot, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, who was elected and sworn in March 5, 1903. The vote culminated a three-year investigation, during which Church officials testified concerning polygamy and Church involvement in politics.
Western States mission is created
This edition was created in Salt Lake City, UT, USA and was compiled by an unknown person. There were 385 Hymns in this edition. At the time it was edition number 25.
Church auditors report that the Church "has over Seven Millions worth of property."
General Priesthood Committee appointed; weekly ward priesthood meetings introduced.
Henry Ford introduced his famous Model-T Ford automobile.
In 1908 there were 919 missionaries called to serve.
Served as first assistant superintendent of Church Sunday Schools
Letter from the First Presidency to president of Logan temple: "A rule of the temple forbids deceased women who were not members of the Church prior to their demise, or who did not gather with the body of the Church, being anointed to men, therefore, we could not endorse the recommends of the sisters referred to. We write this for your information: also to say that it is not becoming in brethren to suggest that second blessings be given to anybody, living or dead, unless they are delegated by the President of the Church to act in this capacity, and it would be well therefore for you to so inform your Temple workers."
Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley moved the Church to an all-cash basis and no longer issued tithing scrip.
1908 Church Membership 371,472
The First Presidency created a General Priesthood Committee on Outlines, which served until 1922. The committee created definite age groupings for priesthood offices (deacons at 12, teachers at 15, priests at 18, and elders at 21), provided systematic programs for year-round priesthood meetings, and in other ways reformed, reactivated and systematized priesthood work.
The German government orders the Church to leave the country; Sunday School adds its first adult class.
Americana magazine invites B. H. Roberts to respond to criticism of the Church.
As the debate on Darwinism and evolution continued in the national press, the First Presidency issued an official statement on the origin of man.
At general conference, Apostle George Albert Smith stops speaking after three minutes as he begins to "tremble and perspire." Apostle Reed Smoot referred two weeks earlier to Smith's "mental trouble." Since January Smith's diary has described symptoms of his eventual collapse. At age thirty-nine he is first general authority whose debilitating mental problems cannot be attributed to senility. Hospitalized for ten weeks at Gray's Sanitarium in Salt Lake City, Smith does not recover from this emotional breakdown until 1913. Problem re-emerges in 1930's and in 1949-51.
Bishop's Building opened for Church administrative offices.
Illness prevented him from being active in the Quorum.
First Presidency issued an official statement on the origin of man.
First Presidency issued the doctrinal exposition “The Origin of Man.”
In 1909 there were 1,014 missionaries called to serve.
Ordained Apostle by President Joseph F. Smith, his father.
1909 Church Membership 377,279
The Deseret Sunday School Songs published by the Church.
The first local wireless radio club in the U.S. appears in Utah — the Radio Club of Salt Lake.
This translation of Kniha Mormonova was done for Czech Republic. Reference information: Anderson, Kai A. (June 1997), "In His Own Language", Liahona: 29,
The North Pole was discovered by an expedition led by Robert E. Peary.
Two days after the death of former Apostle Moses Thatcher, who had been removed from the Quorum of Apostles, the DESERET NEWS publishes an obituary claiming that Moses Thatcher "lived to acknowledge the justness of the action of his brethren of the Twelve." Two weeks later Thatcher's son, Moses Thatcher Jr. responds: "There is a wide difference between accepting the decision of that council, and even fulfilling its every requirement, and acknowledging the justice of the decision or the justice of the action of his brethren in the twelve in making the complaint. So far as I understand my father's position, or so far as his family and near friends understand it, he accepted the decision of the high council and complied with its requirements because it was the only thing he could do and retain his membership in the church, and to lose his standing in the church for him was not to be thought of. But the truth of the statement 'he lived to acknowledge the justice of the action of his brethren of the Twelve,' should be denied, for no such acknowledgement was ever made so far as I know or can find out."
U.S. President William Howard Taft visited Salt Lake City en route to California and spoke in the Tabernacle.
Church adopted the Boy Scout program.
Church membership at 400,000.
Enrico Caruso heard in the first live radio broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera, NYC.
Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association adopted the Boy Scout program, named MIA Scouts.
In 1910 there were 933 missionaries called to serve.
Joseph F. Smith instructs bishops and stake presidents that payment of tithing and observance of Word of Wisdom are necessary for Mormons to obtain temple recommends. Smith also says: "Suicides who are willful should not be buried in 'temple' robes or have public funeral, but local authorities must be the judges of their state of mind when committing the act and act accordingly."
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Bryant S.Hinckley and Ada Bitner.
On night Halley's Comet is visible in Salt Lake City, bomb explosion causes extensive damage to partially constructed Hotel Utah and to front of Utah State Bank, both owned by LDS church. Perpetrators bomb offices of LOS ANGELES TIMES six months later, killing twenty-one people. Hotel Utah opens without further incident July 1911.
Stake president writes of church members "complaining on account of so many Smiths being chosen." Recent conference sustained John Henry Smith as second counselor and President Smith's son, Joseph Fielding Smith, as new apostle. In addition to appointing his son Hyrum M. an apostle in 1901. Smith also appoints his son David A. Smith to Presiding Bishopric in 1907.
1910 Church Membership 398,478
The Bishop's Building, an office building for the Presiding Bishopric and auxiliary organizations of the Church at 50 N. Main St., opened. It was used for more than 50 years.
The first issue of the Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine was published. This quarterly publication served as the voice of the Genealogical Society of Utah. It was discontinued in October 1940.
The first recordings of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir are made for the Columbia Phonograph Company.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir makes its first recording, assisted by sound technician Alexander Hausman of the Columbia Phonograph Company. The first successful recording is of the hymn "Let the Mountains Shout for Joy," made using a wax disc heated by a single light bulb. The choir records 12 tracks in all, though only some are deemed usable to stamp records.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir records for the Columbia Phonograph Company.
Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine first published by the Genealogical Society of Utah.
Utah population about 373,000.
Wave of bitter anti-Mormon articles appears in national magazines.
A large group of students publish a petition, signed by 80% of the student body, in the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE to keep professor Henry Peterson at BYU. Peterson is being removed for teaching Evolution.
Church colonists in Mexico exited due to revolution.
Church's first seminary began at Granite High School.
Collier's magazine published a letter from Theodore Roosevelt refuting many charges made against Utah Sen. Reed Smoot and the Church. This action helped defuse an anti-Mormon propaganda surge of 1910-11.
First Presidency created the Correlation Committee headed by David O. McKay.
In 1911 there were 822 missionaries called to serve.
Granite Seminary in Salt Lake City housed first released-time classes.
President Theodore Roosevelt allows Collier's to publish a letter disproving charges against the Church.
Public report concerning man who attempts to extort $100,000 from church president to prevent publication of covertly obtained interior photographs of Sale Lake temple. Two days later First Presidency commissions James E. Talmage to write THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. Published a year later its photographs omit tobacco spittoons from Council Room of First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, but include Holy of Holies (photograph deleted from later editions). Ordinance of second anointing is performed for couples in Holy of Holies.
1911 Church Membership 407,291
The Choir performs at Madison Square Garden in New York City and at the White House for President William Howard Taft.
The Church adopted the Boy Scout program and has since become one of the leading sponsors of this organization for young men.
the first annual YMMIA inter-stake track meet is held at Wandamere park south of Salt Lake City. This is part of a trend of athletic and recreational programs replacing the cultural and educational emphasis on the ward and stake level.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir gives a concert in the White House for President Taft.
This edition was created in Salt Lake City, UT, USA and was compiled by an unknown person. There were 367 Hymns in this edition. At the time it was edition number 6.
This edition was created in Salt Lake City, UT, USA and was compiled by an unknown person. There were 367 Hymns in this edition. At the time it was edition number 5.
Alma W. Richards is first Mormon athlete to receive national recognition. He wins gold medal (high jump) at Olympics, and in 1954 is inducted into Helms national Hall of Fame and U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Boy Scout program officially adopted by the Young Men organization.
Church Board of Education approves "seminary near Granite High" in Salt Lake City. Innovation recommended by Granite Stake presidency, this first LDS seminary opens following September with seventy LDS high school students. Thomas J. Yates, an engineer, is first teacher in what remains church's only seminary during next four years. In 1916 church's second high school seminary opens in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. This grows into released-time program wherever legal in western states and into early morning seminary program everywhere else (beginning September 1950 in California).
Church creates a Correlation Committee.
Church established the Maori Agricultural College in New Zealand.
During a special priesthood meeting President Joseph F. Smith announces that the "One Mighty and Strong to deliver as referred to in the D & C Sec. 85 has no application to the Church at present."
First Presidency encourages local leaders to discontinue "common cup" for sacrament and begin using small, individual cups (glass or metal). IMPROVEMENT ERA article in Apr. defends this change as prevention against spread of germs.
First seminary for high school students opened at Granite High School.
French mission is created
Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association adopted the Campfire Girls summer program; 1914, replaced with year-round Beehive Girls program.
Hyrum G. Smith is ordained a high priest and the Presiding Patriarch. He is a grandson of the previous Presiding Patriarch. Apostle James E. Talmadge writes in his journal: "In this instance the son of the late Patriarch, and father of the new Patriarch, viz., Hyrum Fisher Smith, was not considered worthy of this high ordination. The newly ordained Patriarch is understood to have been a man of honorable life and not one who needs reformation to make him eligible." The traditionally hereditary office of Presiding Patriarch is discontinued on Oct. 6, 1979.
In 1912 there were 769 missionaries called to serve.
Entered the Oneida Stake Academy in Preston, Idaho, with schoolmate Ezra Taft Benson.
1912 Church Membership 417,555
The Church colonists in northern Mexico exited the country due to unsettled conditions during the revolution.
The Church's first seminary began at Granite High School in Salt Lake City, marking the beginning of a released-time weekday education program for young Latter-day Saints. As the seminary program grew, the Church phased out its involvement in academies, which were Church-sponsored high schools or junior colleges. By 1924, only the Juarez Academy in Mexico remained.
The First Presidency created a Correlation Committee, headed by Elder David O. McKay of the Quorum of the Twelve, and asked it to coordinate scheduling and prevent unnecessary duplication in programs of Church auxiliaries.
The first seminary in the church opens at Granite High School.
A single released-time class in a small building next to Granite High School grows into a worldwide system of seminaries and institutes.
The Messenger to the Sightless, a monthly Braille periodical, begins publication by the Church.
Utah Power and Light Company incorporates in Maine with at least one general authority on its board since then.
First Presidency learns that James Dwyer, co-founder of Salt Lake City's LDS University (now LDS Business College), has been "teaching young men that sodomy and kindred vices are not sins..." Dwyer's daughter, actress Ada Dwyer Russell, is already in long-term relationship with lesbian poet Amy Lowell. Dwyer's bishop and stake president want to excommunicate him, but First Presidency allows Dwyer, now in his eighties, to voluntarily "withdraw his name" from LDS church membership.
Heber J. Grant preaches: "I seldom hear a hymn written by Sister Eliza R. Snow sung in any of our meetings, or sing one myself, that I do not thank God for the gift of tongues to that noble woman. She gave to me a blessing when I was a child, predicting incidents in my life, promising me that I should grow to manhood and become one of the leaders in the Church of Christ, Sister Zina D. Young giving the interpretation."
In 1913 there were 858 missionaries called to serve.
Dedicated the site for the Cardston Alberta Temple.
Seventy's president J. Golden Kimball is publicly beaten in Salt Lake City by grocer. Assailant is acquitted by "jury of grocers."
1913 Church Membership 431,607
The Boy Scout program was officially adopted by the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association and became the activity program for boys of the Church.
The Church established the Maori Agricultural College in New Zealand. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 and was never rebuilt.
The First Presidency spends nearly two hours considering "the matter of Morris H. Wilkinson and Mima his wife. She wants her endowments and still does not want to be sealed to him for eternity, nor her children either."
Thugs openly attack an I.W.W. street meeting in Salt Lake City and the police do nothing. James G. Morgan, an I.W.W. leader, and not armed mobster, Alex Steele, who attacked him, is arrested.
Utah Motion Picture Company contracts with Church authorities to produce The Rise and Growth of Mormonism.
Church publishes The House of the Lord by James E. Talmage.
Circular is sent to all Stake Patriarchs from Presiding Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith: "You may accept a gift if it is offered, but do not permit anyone you have blessed to leave your presence feeling that they have paid for a blessing; Patriarchal blessings cannot be purchased, they are the free gifts of God to his children under the hands of His Patriarchs." Some Stake Patriarchs had been charging a fee for Patriarchal blessings.
First Presidency cables missionaries to leave France and Germany immediately, due to outbreak of war. LDS missionaries leave in safety.
First transcontinental phone call.
In 1914 there were 684 missionaries called to serve.
Joseph F. Smith and Apostle Francis M. Lyman publicly state that undergarments worn by endowed persons outside temple must "come high up on the neck and down to the wrists and ankles, for that was the pattern revealed from heaven."
Missionaries removed from France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium.
Netherlands mission is created
Quorum of Twelve learns that mission president has "discovered that 15% of the missionary Elders in the Netherlands during the past two years, have been guilty of immoral practices, and that a much greater percentage of Elders have been exposed to these evils."
Called to the Swiss-Austrian Mission, but due to World War I served in the Central States Mission.
1914 Church Membership 454,718
The first talking movie is demonstrated by Edison.
The Relief Society Magazine appeared as a monthly publication containing lesson material for use in the women's auxiliary of the Church. The magazine carried stories, poetry, articles, homemaking helps, news and lesson material until it ceased publication in December 1970, when the Ensign magazine became the magazine for adults in the Church.
Under the pall of war, missionaries were removed from France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium, prior to World War I.
Woman's Exponent ceases publication (Emmeline B. Wells, editor, after 42 years).
World War I (1914-1918) begins.
YMMIA officially adopts the Boy Scout program.
This edition was created in Salt Lake City, UT, USA and was compiled by Joseph F Smith. There were 269 Hymns in this edition. At the time it was the only edition.
Church releases its first detailed report to "show how the tithing of the Church for the year 1914 has been disbursed." These annual reports of expenditures continue until last public statement in Apr. 1959.
In 1915 there were 621 missionaries called to serve.
James E. Talmage publishes Jesus the Christ.
James E. Talmage's book "Jesus the Christ" published.
James E. Talmage's influential book Jesus the Christ was published.
Elected president of International Irrigation Congress.
Joseph F. Smith preaches: "Not long ago I happened to be at the home of one of my children when the ward teachers came in. We called the family together and submitted ourselves to the duties of the teachers. The head teacher began by saying that he had been sent there by the bishop of the ward to inquire into the condition of the members of the family. He was instructed to inquire of them if they held family prayer, morning and evening, if they asked the blessing upon their food, at each meal. He was required by the bishop to inquire as to whether they kept the word of wisdom, as to whether they attended to their Sabbath meetings and honored the Sabbath day, as to whether those who were of age to attend the various other organizations of the Church, such as the Relief Society, the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, the Sunday Schools, the Primary Associations, and the Religion Class, did so, and if they sustained in their hearts their bishop and his counselors and were united in feeling and sentiment with them, and if they were in harmony in their feelings and sentiment with the presidency of their stake. And as to whether they sustained, by their faith and prayers, the presiding authorities of the Church, the Presidency of the Church and the Twelve Apostles, the Patriarch, the Presidents of Seventies, and the Presiding Bishopric. If they could pray for them in faith and in good feeling, and were in harmony with them. If they believed and observed the law of tithing, and were at peace with their neighbors, etc. Then he asked that the head of the family should arise and open his heart to the teachers and tell them just what he had to say in relation to all these inquiries and requirements that were made of the teacher by the bishop. I admired it. I thought it was just the right thing to do, and I approved of it, and so pronounced my approval of the thoroughness. the simplicity. and the honesty of the teacher to inquire into all these things."
President Joseph F. Smith issues the call for regular Home Evenings churchwide.
Revolutionary followers of Emiliano Zapata execute Mexican branch president Rafael Monroy and Vincente Morales, also LDS, after each tells Zapatistas: "I cannot renounce my religion."
1915 Church Membership 466,238
The Family Home Evening program begins.
The first college classes were taught at Ricks College, which had been Ricks Academy.
The First Presidency inaugurated the "Home Evening" program, inviting all families to participate.
The Relief Society Magazine first published (Susa Young Gates, editor).
Two young Mormons, Rafael Monroy and Vincente Morales, are shot--execution style--in Mexico by supporters of Emilio Zapata and become the earliest martyrs of Mormonism in Mexico.
Battle of Verdun began in France.
Doctrinal exposition clarifying the title "Father" as applied to Jesus.
First Presidency statement on "the Father and the Son," which provides reconciliation of BOOK OF MORMON passages which seem to contradict later official teachings about separate character of Godhead's trinity. The statement is written by Apostle James E. Talmage and edited and signed by the First Presidency.
Entered Albion State Normal School in Albion, Idaho.
First Presidency and the Twelve issued the doctrinal exposition "The Father and the Son."
Elected president of International Dry Farm Congress.
In 1916 there were 722 missionaries called to serve.
In a letter to Walter P. Monson, president of the church's Eastern States Mission in New York, Joseph F. Smith's First Presidency orders that Gisbert L. Bossard not be rebaptized, explaining: "The treachery and greed which prompted this desecration of the House of the Lord is entirely another thing, something which cannot be so easily disposed of." Five years previously Bossard had secretly entered the Salt Lake Temple and taken photographs. He had tried to sell the photographs to the Church but later sold them to gentiles. Bossard had admitted regret and sought re-entrance into the church. He was unsuccessful in regaining his membership during his lifetime. He was rebaptized by proxy in 1985, over ten years after his death.
Taught at Silver Star School near Weston, Idaho.
Joseph F. Smith rules that Salt Lake temple have daily limits for proxy ordinances: 240 endowments and 1,200 baptisms for the dead. As example of changes in that policy, Salt Lake temple performs 4,718 endowments on May 21, 1967.
Shirley Young Clawson takes motion pictures of President Joseph F. Smith at General Conference.
Solomon Spaulding dies in Amity, Pennsylvania at age 55.
1916 Church Membership 477,321
The Conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Chior is Anthony C. Lund. Directed the choir for its first national performance of Music and the Spoken Word on July 15, 1929.
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve issued a doctrinal exposition clarifying the use of the title "Father" as it is applied to Jesus Christ.
The First Presidency has the following notice hung in all temples: "The following is to be regarded as an established and imperative rule. The garments worn by those who receive endowments must be white and of the approved pattern; they must not be altered or mutilated, and are to be worn as intended, down to the wrist and ankles and around the neck. Admission to the temple will be refused to those who do not comply to these requirements. The Saints should know that the pattern of endowment garments was revealed from Heaven and that the blessings promised in connection with wearing them will not be realized if any unauthorized change is made in their form or in the manner of wearing them." Later, after the garment was changed, this notice was taken down and ordered burned.
The First Presidency organizes the Social-Advisory Committee.
The longest and bloodiest battle of World War I, the Battle of Verdun, began in France, resulting in the death of 1 million soldiers.
Closing date to enter the Presiding Bishopric's contest: "With a view of stimulating the production of foodstuffs which may be badly needed in these war times,.the Trustee-in-Trust offers to any ward quorum of the priesthood, or any ward Relief Society, Young Men's or Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, Sunday School, Primary Association or Religion Class, for the best yield from one acre of potatoes, $1,000; for the second best, $500; third best, $250; and for the best yield from five acres of spring wheat, $1,000; for second best, $500; third best, $250."
DESERET NEWS reports that "Bishop Robert McQuarrie has resigned from the bishopric of the Ogden Second ward after rendering efficient service as bishop for a period of 40 years." During Mormonism's first century, presiding officers have option to honorably resign for personal reasons such as family stres, business problems, ill health , or simply weariness of the position. It is customary to tell their congretation about leaders request to be released.
Married Camilla Eyring.
In 1917 there were 543 missionaries called to serve.
Joseph F. Smith's two counselors write to President Smith: "It surely appears that important events are rapidly moving on towards 'the great consummation,'" World War II has made this millenial sentiment common.
On the opening day of the 87th Annual General Conference of the Church, the United States entered World War I as it declared war against Germany.
Opening day of the 87th General Conference; the U.S. entered World War I.
Series of articles by James E. Talmage answering anti-Mormon critics begins in major newspapers.
Served as general superintendent of Church Sunday Schools.
1917 Church Membership 488,038
The Church Administration Building at 47 E. South Temple was completed.
Young John Talmage, six-year-old son of Apostle James Talmage goes downtown to buy a gift for a family member. While his governess is looking into a store window, he runs into a nearby National Guard office, where he declares himself ready for duty. The amused recruiters put him through the drill of attention and saluting. However, the boy is devastated when he is told he is too young, and John decides not to tell anyone of the humiliating experience. That afternoon the family receives a call from Lieutenant Albert Meyers who relates the incident and asked permission to report the story in the next day's newspaper. It runs in the March, 31 edition of the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE.
D&C 138, a vision on redeeming the dead, was given to Joseph F. Smith.
Graduated from Oneida Stake Academy.
DESERET NEWS editorial urges federal government to give non-combat assignments for conscientious objectors.
Doctrine & Covenants Section 138 was given to Joseph F. Smith (vision) to shed light on the the fact that Jesus Christ preached to spirits in prison; salvation for the dead
Elder's Manual published — the first step toward a unified missionary system.
Served as principal of the district school at Oxford, Idaho.
Named stake clerk of the St. Joseph Stake; entered banking business.
Served as first Church Commissioner of Education.
Heber J. Grant was ordained and set apart as the seventh Church president.
In 1918 there were 245 missionaries called to serve.
Joseph F. Smith dictates "thus saith the Lord" revelation concerning disbursement of tithing funds. This revelation is not presented to meeting of First Presidency and Quorum or Twelve until April 8, 1943. Text available but never published or canonized.
Died in the Beehive House, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Joseph F. Smith received a vision on the salvation of the dead.
Joseph F. Smith, sixth president of the Church, dies.
Joseph Fielding Smith, David O. McKay, and Heber J. Grant of the Twelve called on President Joseph F. Smith's Counselors Anthony H. Lund and Charles W. Penrose. The three apostles said that the Twelve differed with the presiding patriarch Hyrum G. Smith who believed, on the basis of his patriarchal office, he ought to become the presiding authority of the church upon the death of Joseph F. Smith. To help settle the matter Heber J. Grant produced a letter written by Wilford Woodruff stating that without direct revelation from the Lord he did not believe that the day would come when the president of the Council of the Twelve would not become president of the church. Both presidents Lund and Penrose expressed pleasure at the letter but decided not to discuss the matter with Joseph F. Smith in view of his poor health.
President Heber J. Grant was ordained and set apart as the seventh president of the Church during a meeting of the Twelve in the Salt Lake Temple. He selected Presidents Anthon H. Lund and Charles W. Penrose as counselors.
President Joseph F. Smith receives a revelation (later D&C 138).
President Joseph F. Smith died six days after his 80th birthday. Because of an epidemic of influenza, no public funeral was held for the Church president.
Relief Society sold wheat to the U.S. government during World War I.
Richard R. Lyman is ordained apostle. He is first general authority and first apostle who has completed resident Ph.D. degree (in engineering from Cornell University). He is also first general authority with doctorate from Ivy League school.
Richard W. Young, Brigham Young's nephew, is appointed Brigadier General in U.S. Army, first Mormon with general's rank in U.S. military.
Received the Vision of the Redemption of the Dead, which became Doctrine and Covenants 138.
1918 Church Membership 495,962
To alleviate shortages during World War I, the Relief Society, which had been gathering and storing wheat since 1876, sold 205,518 bushels of wheat to the U.S. government at a government price, with approval of the First Presidency and the Presiding Bishopric.
While contemplating the meaning of Christ's atonement, President Joseph F. Smith received a manifestation on the salvation of the dead and the visit of the Savior to the spirit world after His crucifixion. A report of the experience was published in December and was added first to the Pearl of Great Price and then to the Doctrine and Covenants June 6, 1979, as Section 138.
While ill at home, President Joseph F. Smith began pondering the mission of Christ to those who were dead, particularly as considered in I Peter 3: 18-20 and 4:6. "As I pondered over these things," he wrote, "the eyes of my understanding were opened, and the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, and I saw the hosts of the dead, both small and great." These spirits of faithful men and women met with Christ, and Christ organized them to carry the missionary work to the spirits in prison. In addition, Christ ministered unto these people and "gave them power to come forth, after his resurrection from the dead, to enter into his Father's kingdom." On October 31, 1918, Joseph Fielding Smith brings the revelation to the Twelve. He reads it to the council, and the apostles "accepted it as true and from God." During the presidency of Spencer W. Kimball, this revelation is added to the church's Doctrine and Covenants as Section 138.
World War I ended, as Germany signed an armistice with the Allies.
WWI ends; Church members strongly support the war effort, helping change the national image of the Church.
Anarchists mail bombs to thirty-six jurists and government leaders across U.S., including Utah's senators William H. King and Reed Smoot, as well as fellow Mormon Frank K. Nebeker, Assistant Attorney General of United States. In 1917-18 Nebeker was federal government's special prosecutor of sensational trial of Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) leaders. Only two of today's bombs explode, injuring maid and secretary.
At Salt Lake temple testimony meeting, several reort that during recent weeks they saw Heber J. Grant transfigured into appearance of deceased Joseph F. Smith.
Bro Theodore Tobiason testified that in a Fast Meeting in the Temple a few weeks ago the Lord manifested to him that Prest Heber J. Grant was the one whom he had chosen as His prophet for while he Prest Grant was speaking he appeared to disolve from view and Prest Jos. F. Smith stood in his place showing that the mantle of the prophet had fallen upon Heber.
Canadian mission is created
Served as president of European Mission.