A new program for convert
A new program for convert integration was adopted during the year, having been previously tried on a pilot basis in several stakes.
1,187 entries in this era, shown 200 to a page. This is page 2 of 6, covering 1958 to 1964. See the same material on the moving timeline.
1958
At BYU Hugh B. Brown tells
At BYU Hugh B. Brown tells the student body: "Now I have mentioned freedom to express your thoughts, but I caution you that your thoughts and expressions must meet competition in the market place of thought, and in that competition truth will emerge triumphant. Only error needs to fear freedom of expression. Seek truth in all fields, and in that search you will need at least three virtues: courage, zest, and modesty. The ancients put that thought in the form of a prayer. They said, "From the cowardice that shrinks from new truth, from the laziness that is content with half truth, from the arrogance that thinks it has all the truth--oh God of truth deliver us."
Barton Kay Kirkham is executed for double murder in Utah
Barton Kay Kirkham is executed for double murder in Utah. Before his execution he writes in a letter: "The Doctors said I felt justified when I killed those people and they are right. I did. It was revenge I was after. The love that I was denied because my parents spent so much time doing church work and they still do, and forcing me to stay home and lead the life they wanted me to live. I got my revenge and I am not sorry now and never will be…. I've had enough of it, I want to die. I'm fed up with it all. I did kill those people to hurt my parents and their good standing in the church."
BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson writes
BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson writes in his journal that he must "set up some kind of machinery for getting the facts," because "most people have a tendency to exaggerate or color the facts when they are alone and think they can get away with it"
Church materials become available in recorded form for the blind
Church materials become available in recorded form for the blind.
David O. Mckay History
Served as president of Canadian Mission headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
David O. McKay issued the "Every member a missionary" slogan
David O. McKay issued the "Every member a missionary" slogan.
First television broadcast of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on KSL television
First television broadcast of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on KSL television.
Gordon B. Hinkley History
Dedicated Hamiliton New Zealand Temple.
Ground broken for the first permanent Church film studio near the BYU campus
Ground broken for the first permanent Church film studio near the BYU campus.
Hamilton New Zealand Temple
Hamilton New Zealand Temple was dedicated 20–22 April 1958 by David O. McKay.
Harold B. Lee History
Dedicated London England Temple.
In 1958 there were 2,778 missionaries
In 1958 there were 2,778 missionaries called to serve.
LDS James Gladstone ("Many Guns") of Blood Tribe begins his service as first Native
LDS James Gladstone ("Many Guns") of Blood Tribe begins his service as first Native American in Canada's national senate.
London England Temple
London England Temple was dedicated 7–9 September 1958 by David O. McKay.
New Zealand and London Temples
Built partly by labor missionaries, these temples end the expectation that members must sail to Utah for temple ordinances.
New Zealand South mission is created
New Zealand South mission is created
New Zealand Wellington mission is created
New Zealand Wellington mission is created
Southern Australian mission is created
Southern Australian mission is created
Tabernacle Choir received a Grammy award for its "Battle Hymn" recording
Tabernacle Choir received a Grammy award for its "Battle Hymn" recording.
The 1958 Church Membership 1,555,799
1958 Church Membership 1,555,799
The Church College of Hawaii in Laie, Hawaii, was dedicated by President David O
The Church College of Hawaii in Laie, Hawaii, was dedicated by President David O. McKay.
The Hamilton New Zealand Temple was dedicated by David O
The Hamilton New Zealand Temple was dedicated by David O. McKay.
The London England Temple was dedicated by David O
The London England Temple was dedicated by David O. McKay.
The London Temple was dedicated by President David O
The London Temple was dedicated by President David O. McKay.
The New Zealand Temple was dedicated
The New Zealand Temple was dedicated by President David O. McKay.
U. S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower
U. S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower appoints general authority Marion D. Hanks to Citizen's Advisory Committee on Fitness of American Youth. Later various general authorities serve on special White House conferences and committees.
West Spanish-American mission is created
West Spanish-American mission is created
1959
Andes mission is created
Andes mission is created
Billy Casper is first LDS golfer
Billy Casper is first LDS golfer to win U.S. Open, which he wins again in 1966. Casper is admitted to World Golf Hall of Fame in 1978 and to PGA Hall of Fame in 1982. In 1973 Johnny Miller is second Mormon golfer to win U.S. Open. Miller is first Mormon inducted into new College Golf Hall of Fame in 1974, and two years later is first Mormon to win British Open. Miller enters PGA Hall of Fame in 1996.
Brazilian South mission is created
Brazilian South mission is created
BYU permitted to investigate acquiring KLOR-TV, a commercial station in Provo
BYU permitted to investigate acquiring KLOR-TV, a commercial station in Provo.
Church began the administrative framework for the European building program
Church began the administrative framework for the European building program.
CHURCH NEWS headlines, "Sweden's King is Reading Book of Mormon," referring to Gustav VI
CHURCH NEWS headlines, "Sweden's King is Reading Book of Mormon," referring to Gustav VI Adolf.
First Presidency allowed young men to serve missions at age nineteen
First Presidency allowed young men to serve missions at age nineteen.
First Presidency inaugurated weekly Sunday evening fireside programs
First Presidency inaugurated weekly Sunday evening fireside programs.
First temple meeting apostle Spencer W.
First temple meeting apostle Spencer W. Kimball attends since his return from touring missions in South America. He emphasizes to First Presidency and Twelve the special problem in Latin America's "Catholic countries where divorce could not be obtained" and "some set up new households without legal sanction. . . .When such people wished to join the LDS Church the missionaries would not baptize them, since technically they lived in adultery." Kimball’s authorized biography notes that he successfully persuaded First Presidency to adopt policy that "such couples could be baptized if they showed that they had done what they could to legalize their relationship, had been faithful to one another, and had met responsibility to their previous and only legal family, and had conformed to the expectations of custom." From 1959 onward it is LDS church policy to baptize, ordain, and give temple ordinances to any Latin American man complying with above requirements, even though he is living with a woman in legally unmarried relationship defined as adulterous by "the law of the land" where they live.
Formal dedication of the BYU Motion Picture Studio
Formal dedication of the BYU Motion Picture Studio.
French-Polynesian mission is created
French-Polynesian mission is created
General Priesthood Committee requested a correlation study
General Priesthood Committee requested a correlation study.
Howard W. Hunter History
Presided over first world seminar for mission presidents.
Hugh B. Brown presents "Fit to Live" on the CBS Church of the Air.
Hugh B. Brown presents "Fit to Live" on the CBS Church of the Air.
In 1959 there were 2,847 missionaries
In 1959 there were 2,847 missionaries called to serve.
Mormon Tabernacle Choir receives a Grammy award for "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Mormon Tabernacle Choir receives a Grammy award for "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Mormon Tabernacle Choir's recording of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" enters Top 40
Mormon Tabernacle Choir's recording of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" enters Top 40. It remains in Top 40 (and on popular radio stations throughout nation) for eleven weeks, during which it reaches its highest ranking of thirteen. National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences awards Tabernacle Choir a "Grammy" for best Choral Performance that year. Other Mormon singers to win individual awards are Donny and Marie Osmond who receive American Music Association award as vocal duo (1976), Marie Osmond who shares vocal duo award from Country Music Association (1986), and Hans Choi who receives Russia's Tchaikovsky Prize (1990).
Music and the Spoken Word is named America's most popular classical and religious program
Music and the Spoken Word is named America's most popular classical and religious program by a nationwide poll of radio listeners.
President David O
President David O. McKay issued his famous "Every member a missionary" slogan.
Second counselor J. Reuben Clark tells
Second counselor J. Reuben Clark tells general conference that "whenever you begin to make great expenditures of money, there is always some lack of wisdom, sometimes a lack of foresight, occasionally, oh so occasionally in this Church, a lack of integrity."
South German mission is created
South German mission is created
The "every member a missionary" program begins
The "every member a missionary" program begins.
The 1959 Church Membership 1,616,088
1959 Church Membership 1,616,088
The Battle Hymn of the Republic
The Battle Hymn of the Republic earns the Choir a Grammy award in the “Best Performance by a Vocal Group or Chorus” category.
The choir releases a recording of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"
The choir releases a recording of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" with the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra. The recording results in the choir receiving its first (and, to date, its only) Grammy Award, and eventually achieves "gold" record status (500,000 copies sold).
The Tabernacle Choir received a Grammy
The Tabernacle Choir received a Grammy award for its recording of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" at the first television awards show of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles, Calif.
Thomas S. Monson History
Ordained an Apostle by President David O. McKay.
While ordaining local patriarch in windowless
While ordaining local patriarch in windowless room, "a shaft of bright light came onto the back and top of Elder Harold B. Lee's head."
1960
4,706 new missionaries sent out.
4,706 new missionaries sent out.
Alaskan-Canadian mission is created
Alaskan-Canadian mission is created
Also in January, the Church began
Also in January, the Church began setting up the administrative framework for a large building program in Europe. By early 1961, administrative building areas outside North America had been established for all parts of the world where the Church existed, and the labor missionary program, which originated in the South Pacific in the early 1950s, was utilized in each area.
At funeral, first counselor J. Reuben
At funeral, first counselor J. Reuben Clark criticizes quartet for leaving out verse concerning Mother in Heaven during their singing of "O My Father."
Austrian mission is created
Austrian mission is created
BYU president Ernest Wilkinson records an incident in his journal
BYU president Ernest Wilkinson records an incident in his journal. Wilkinson had called on President David O. McKay at his office. McKay's secretary, Clare Middlemiss, told Wilkinson that his wife had telephoned and that he was to return her call immediately. Middlemiss suggested that he use the telephone in the hall. "By the time I got this telephone call through," Wilkinson wrote, Middlemiss "had locked the door on me. There was no question that it was purposeful."
Church membership at 1,700,000
Church membership at 1,700,000.
Eastern Atlantic States mission is created
Eastern Atlantic States mission is created
European Administrative mission is created
European (Administrative) mission is created
First counselor J. Reuben Clark writes,
First counselor J. Reuben Clark writes, "Sec'y Ezra Taft Benson's policies have about extinguished the small farmer and small cattleman." Benson has been Secretary of Agriculture in the Eisenhower administration.
First non-English-speaking stake organized at The Hague, Netherlands
First non-English-speaking stake organized at The Hague, Netherlands.
First Presidency issues statement allowing young
First Presidency issues statement allowing young men to serve missions at age 19, even though they had not met educational and military qualifications previously required.
First Presidency writes General Priesthood Committee
First Presidency writes General Priesthood Committee about "very urgent need of a correlation of studies among the auxiliaries of the Church," which Apostle Harold B. Lee had unsuccessfully advocated to Presidency since 1948 and publicly announces on Sept. 30, 1961. However, Lee expands "Correlation Program" beyond instruction manuals, and throughout 1960s and early 1970s, he revolutionizes church administratively by means of Correlation Program.
First Spanish-speaking stake created in Mexico City
First Spanish-speaking stake created in Mexico City.
First stake in Great Britain (Manchester,
First stake in Great Britain (Manchester, England). Seventy's president Marion D. Hanks gives keynote address at opening session of White House Conference on Children and Youth.
Florida Fort Lauderdale mission is created
Florida Fort Lauderdale mission is created
Hugh Nibley writes in a letter,
Hugh Nibley writes in a letter, "The two greatest nuisances in the Church are (a) those who think they know enough to disprove the claims of Joseph Smith, and (b) those who think they know enough to prove them."
Improvement Era editors inaugurate an "Era of Youth" section
Improvement Era editors inaugurate an "Era of Youth" section.
In 1960 there were 4,706 missionaries
In 1960 there were 4,706 missionaries called to serve.
KBYU-FM begins broadcasting
KBYU-FM begins broadcasting.
Language Training Institute established at Brigham Young University
Language Training Institute established at Brigham Young University.
LDS poet Carol Lynn Pearson writes
LDS poet Carol Lynn Pearson writes in her journal: "I've read every scripture regarding woman that is mentioned in the standard works. Each one only upsets me more; I don't mean casually bothers me, I mean upsets the very core of my nature."
Marion D. Hanks, of the First
Marion D. Hanks, of the First Quorum of Seventy, is the keynote speaker at President Eisenhower's National Youth Conference in Washington D. C.
N. Eldon Tanner and Theodore M.
N. Eldon Tanner and Theodore M. Burton are sustained as Assistants to Twelve. Tanner is first general authority who had prominent office in non-U.S. government, three terms as Minister of Lands and Mines in cabinet of Canada's premier. Burton is first PhD. appointed as Assistant.
North British mission is created
North British mission is created
Priesthood correlation program brought to fruition
Priesthood correlation program brought to fruition.
Rarotonga mission is created
Rarotonga mission is created
Second Counselor Henry D. Moyle confides
Second Counselor Henry D. Moyle confides to BYU President Ernest Wilkinson that Apostles Joseph Fielding Smith and Harold B. Lee were in "real opposition" to his "accelerated missionary program." The program includes using baseball as a missionary tool to baptize teenage boys.
Significant missionary program developments occurred
Significant missionary program developments occurred.
Swiss mission is created
Swiss mission is created
The 1960 Church Membership 1,693,180
1960 Church Membership 1,693,180
THE CHURCH NEWS quotes First Presidency
THE CHURCH NEWS quotes First Presidency Counselor Reuben J. Clark: "I am not a strict constructionalist, believing that we seal our eternal progress by what we do here. It is my belief that God will save all of His children that he can; and while, if we live unrighteously here, we shall not go to the other side in the same status, so to speak, as those who lived righteously; nevertheless, the unrighteous will have their chance, and in the eons of the eternities that are to follow, they, too, may climb to the destinies to which they who are righteous and serve God, have climbed to those eternities that are to come"
The First Presidency inaugurated a three-month
The First Presidency inaugurated a three-month series of weekly Sunday evening fireside programs for youth. President David O. McKay addressed an estimated 200,000 youth at the opening fireside, carried by direct telephone wire to 290 stake centers in the United States, western Canada, and Hawaii.
The First Presidency requested the General Priesthood Committee, with ElderHarold B
The First Presidency requested the General Priesthood Committee, with ElderHarold B. Lee of the Quorum of the Twelve as chairman, to make a study of Church programs and curriculum with the object of providing for better "correlation."
Translation Department in Salt Lake City dissolved; mission presidents made responsible for European translation
Translation Department in Salt Lake City dissolved; mission presidents made responsible for European translation.
Utah population about 891,000; Salt Lake City population 189,454
Utah population about 891,000; Salt Lake City population 189,454.
West Mexican mission is created
West Mexican mission is created
Young men can serve full-time missions at age 19 without certain requirements
Young men can serve full-time missions at age 19 without certain requirements.
1961
A Language Training Institute was established at Brigham YoungUniversity for missionaries called to foreign countries
A Language Training Institute was established at Brigham YoungUniversity for missionaries called to foreign countries. In 1963, it became the Language Training Mission.
A number of significant developments
A number of significant developments took place that revamped the missionary program. The first seminar for all mission presidents was held June 26-July 27 in Salt Lake City, at which new programs were outlined. Also, a new teaching plan of six lessons to be used in every mission of the Church was officially presented, as was the "every member a missionary" program. The missions of the world were divided into nine areas, and a General Authority was called to administer each area.
An LDS missionary records in his journal Harold B
An LDS missionary records in his journal Harold B. Lee's answer (given in the temple) to the question, "If the "second endowment" existed and "if so, what connection does it have with the Holy Spirit of Promise, and who receives it and why and how," Lee's answer: "You don't have to worry. You've received all the ordinances necessary for exaltation....It is a special blessing given by the President of the Church to men who have been called. It is not necessary to receive it, however. You have all the endowment you need to be exalted."
Berlin mission is created
Berlin mission is created
BYU establishes a language training center for missionaries
BYU establishes a language training center for missionaries.
Central British mission is created
Central British mission is created
Central German mission is created
Central German mission is created
Chilean mission is created
Chilean mission is created
CHURCH NEWS article, "Mission Presidents Get
CHURCH NEWS article, "Mission Presidents Get Uniform Plan For Teaching Gospel," introduces the new six-discussion proselytizing plan in which the discussions are to be memorized verbatim by the missionaries.
David O. Mckay History
Announced that members of the First Council of the Seventy would be ordained high priests; Church correlation effort is begun.
First counselor J. Reuben Clark tells
First counselor J. Reuben Clark tells apostles: "I think it is terrible for any man in the Church to begin to use his Church position, particularly in finances, to his own advantage. . . .So far as I know there are none of you who are trying to use the Church to your own self-advantage. That cannot be said for all our Church members."
First meeting of All-Church Coordinating Council,
First meeting of All-Church Coordinating Council, the Correlation Program's administrative organization for restructuring "almost every program and organization in the Church," according to Harold B. Lee's biographer. This council continues at LDS headquarters as of 1996.
First non-English-speaking stake organized at The Hague in Netherlands
First non-English-speaking stake organized at The Hague in Netherlands, which is also first stake in continental Europe.
First Presidency and Twelve approve rebaptism
First Presidency and Twelve approve rebaptism and full reinstatement of priesthood blessings for John D. Lee, only executed participant in Mountain Meadows Massacre. Ordinances occur on May 8-9, 1961.
First Presidency supports plan to persuade
First Presidency supports plan to persuade U.S. Army to send its "colored contingents" to California rather than to Utah. At its same meeting Presidency agrees to allow baptism of Nigerians seeking membership in church.
French East mission is created
French East mission is created
Gordon B. Hinkley History
Presided over the European Mission.
Harold B. Lee History
Ordained an Apostle by President David O. McKay.
In 1961 there were 5,793 missionaries
In 1961 there were 5,793 missionaries called to serve.
Musa Bey Alami in company with daughter of Jordanian ambassador to United States expresses
Musa Bey Alami in company with daughter of Jordanian ambassador to United States expresses gratitude to President David O. McKay and to BYU for their joint donation of large heard of cows for Jerico Dairy Project in Jordan. By 1996 400 Jordanian boys have graduated from project's dairy school, and 160 are enrolled in project which is providing mile to 111 Palestinian and Jordanian villages. Alami says that "there has not been anything done in Jordan, in spite of the millions of dollars spent there that has met the success of this gift." Church called L. Burt Bigler, LDS bishop and dairyman from Jordan, Utah, to select cattle, transport them to Jerico, and supervise dairy in Kingdom of Jordan.
New missionary lessons written, A Uniform System for Teaching Investigators (six memorized discussions)
New missionary lessons written, A Uniform System for Teaching Investigators (six memorized discussions).
President David O. McKay begins ordaining
President David O. McKay begins ordaining members of First Council of Seventy to office of high priest so that they can ordain high priests, bishops, and organize wards and stakes. This is done in spite of the Prophet Joseph Smith's pronouncement that it is "contrary to the order of heaven" for members of the Council of Seventy to be high priests.
President McKay rejects proposal to merge
President McKay rejects proposal to merge Assistants to the Twelve with the First Councilof Seventy, now that the latter are also high priests.
Priesthood correlation begins
Harold B. Lee leads an effort to unify curriculum and programs under priesthood direction, standardizing worship worldwide.
Priesthood Correlation program introduced; All-Church Coordinating Council organized
Priesthood Correlation program introduced; All-Church Coordinating Council organized.
Scottish-Irish mission is created
Scottish-Irish mission is created
Several apostles "are gravely concerned about the pressures being put on missionaries to baptize
Several apostles "are gravely concerned about the pressures being put on missionaries to baptize to fill a quota of baptisms. . . .This of courseis a criticism of President Moyle and many of the mission presidents working under his direction." Extensive abuses in "baseball baptism program" lead to counselor Moyle's censure in 1963, mass excommunications of European "kiddie baptisms" in 1964-65, and more than decade of avoiding baptism quotas for full-time missionaries. General authorities are haunted by memories of baseball baptism era and urge restrain upon youthful missionaries.
South America Administrative mission is created
South America (Administrative) mission is created
Texas mission is created
Texas mission is created
The 1961 Church Membership 1,823,661
1961 Church Membership 1,823,661
The first non-English-speaking stake of the Church was organized at The Hague
The first non-English-speaking stake of the Church was organized at The Hague in The Netherlands.
The first Spanish-speaking stake in the Church was created in Mexico City
The first Spanish-speaking stake in the Church was created in Mexico City.
U.S. President John F. Kennedy appoints
U.S. President John F. Kennedy appoints Eshter W. Eggertsen Peterson as assistant secretary of U.S. Labor Department, first Mormon woman in sub-Cabinet position.
West European Administrative mission is created
West European (Administrative) mission is created
1962
April 1962 General Conference carried by 52 TV stations — first coast-to-coast conference broadcast
April 1962 General Conference carried by 52 TV stations — first coast-to-coast conference broadcast.
At the 132nd Annual Conference,
At the 132nd Annual Conference, the first seminar of General Authorities and presidents of stakes outside North America was held.
Bavarian mission is created
Bavarian mission is created
Boyd K. Packer is first to earn regular doctorate while serving as general authority
Boyd K. Packer is first to earn regular doctorate while serving as general authority. He receives Ed.D. degree from Brigham Young University. Other general authorities with Ed.D. degree are Carlos E. Asay (appointed in 1976), Joe J. Christensen (1989), L. Lionel Kendrick (1989), John M. Madsen (1992), L. Edward Brown (1996), William Rolfe Kerr (1996).
Brigadier-General Murray A. Bywater is LDS
Brigadier-General Murray A. Bywater is LDS commander of Strategic Air Command (SAC) in Wichita, Kansas for Titan II underground missles.
BYU's application to acquire Provo's KLOR-TV (Channel 11) accepted; call letters changed to KBYU-TV
BYU's application to acquire Provo's KLOR-TV (Channel 11) accepted; call letters changed to KBYU-TV.
CHURCH NEWS announces purchase of church's
CHURCH NEWS announces purchase of church's first shortwave radio station, WRUL, in Boston and New Youk City. Purchase price is $1,771,850. Church sells its shortwave station in 1974 in response to satellite, cable, and videotape technologies.
CHURCH NEWS describes Major Russel L.
CHURCH NEWS describes Major Russel L. Rogers as "first Mormon astronaut" who is scheduled to orbit the earth as "one of six Dyna-Soar (X-20) astronauts." At this time Clifford I. Cummings is also LDS director of Lunar Program at CalTech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Rogers dies in 1967 crash.
Church purchases five international shortwave transmitters (station WRUL) for $1.75 million
Church purchases five international shortwave transmitters (station WRUL) for $1.75 million.
Church storage vaults for records in Little Cottonwood Canyon completed
Church storage vaults for records in Little Cottonwood Canyon completed.
Conference is broadcast by television coast-to-coast
Conference is broadcast by television coast-to-coast in United Stated and Canada, and by shortwave radio to Mexico, South America, Caribbean, Europe, and Africa.
Counselor Hugh B. Brown rededicates portions
Counselor Hugh B. Brown rededicates portions of Alberta (Canada) temple. Extensive remodeling of temple interiors (sometimes involving structural replacement of EVERYTHING except exterior walls and roof) is necessary to accommodate filmed endowment ceremony and to allow larger number of temple patrons. Rededication ceremonies occur for Arizona temple (Apr. 15, 1975), St. George temple (Nov. 11, 1975), Hawaii temple (June 13, 1978), Logan temple (Mar. 13, 1979), Manti temple (June 14, 1985), Alberta temple (again June 22, 1991), London temple, (Oct. 18, 1992), Swiss temple (Oct 23, 1992). These temples, sometimes for first time in nearly 100 years, are open to general public for tours prior to rededication ceremonies occurring from 1975 onward.
First around-the-earth broadcast of a Choir
First around-the-earth broadcast of a Choir performance via the new Telstar satellite originating from Mount Rushmore.
First live telecast of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (The Spoken Word)
First live telecast of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (The Spoken Word), reaching over 800 channels worldwide.
First Presidency letter to stake presidents:
First Presidency letter to stake presidents: "It is contrary to our counsel and advice that ward, branch or stake premises, chapels or other Church facilities be used in any way for political campaign purposes, whether it be for speech-making, distribution of literature, or class discussions." First Presidency finds it necessary to reissue these instructions on Mar. 5, 1980.
First seminar of General Authorities held at conference
First seminar of General Authorities held at conference.
First worldwide live satellite TV broadcast (Telstar)
First worldwide live satellite TV broadcast (Telstar); the Choir performs at Mount Rushmore for the event.
Following release of Lowell L. Bennion
Following release of Lowell L. Bennion as director of LDS institute of religion at University of Utah, George S. Tanner writes in his diary: "The way it looks to me is that the Brethren have suddenly become worried that there is a little too much liberalism among some of our better trained men and they are trying to stamp it out." Tanner was institute director for twenty-eight years in Idaho and has taught continuously in program since 1923.
In 1962 there were 5,630 missionaries
In 1962 there were 5,630 missionaries called to serve.
in midst of Cuban Missile Crisis,
in midst of Cuban Missile Crisis, Apostle Ezra Taft Benson publicly endorses John Birch Society as "the most effective non-church organization in our fight against creeping socialism and godless Communism," and his son Reed A. Benson announces that he is Utah coordinator of the society.
Irish mission is created
Irish mission is created
John Glenn became the first American
John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth, a feat he accomplished in one hour and 37 minutes aboard the Friendship 7 space capsule.
Korean mission is created
Korean mission is created
Let Freedom Ring, a KSL-produced program, airs on CBS and wins a Peabody Award
Let Freedom Ring, a KSL-produced program, airs on CBS and wins a Peabody Award.
Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcasts from Mt.
Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcasts from Mt. Rushmore on Telstar, first musical group to use international communications satellite.
Mormon Tabernacle Choir First televised broadcast
Mormon Tabernacle Choir First televised broadcast of the Choir.
Music and the Spoken Word is televised for the first time
Music and the Spoken Word is televised for the first time.
North Argentine mission is created
North Argentine mission is created
North Scottish mission is created
North Scottish mission is created
Northeast British mission is created
Northeast British mission is created
Polynesian Cultural Center dedicated near the Church College of Hawaii
Polynesian Cultural Center dedicated near the Church College of Hawaii.
Scottish mission is created
Scottish mission is created
Southwest British mission is created
Southwest British mission is created
The 1962 Church Membership 1,965,786
1962 Church Membership 1,965,786
The Church purchased a shortwave radio
The Church purchased a shortwave radio station, WRUL, with a transmitter in Boston and studios in New York City. It was subsequently used to transmit Church broadcasts to Europe and South America.
1963
Church membership reaches 2,000,000
Church membership reaches 2,000,000.
CHURCH NEWS reports that Bruce Behroog
CHURCH NEWS reports that Bruce Behroog Farhangi, Iranian Muslim, has been baptized in Salt Lake City during past week.
Church storage vaults for records
Church storage vaults for records in Little Cottonwood Canyon were completed. They were dedicated on June 22, 1966.
Dedication of Polynesian Cultural Center near
Dedication of Polynesian Cultural Center near temple at Laie, Hawaii, which becomes mecca for tourists to Hawaiian Islands.
DESERET NEWS insert titled PRESIDENT McKAY
DESERET NEWS insert titled PRESIDENT McKAY BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE, with headline on page 2: "Portrait of a Prophet at 90," and caption on page 7: "Hunstville is the Prophet's birthplace." This is not quite two years after the death of Counselor J. Reuben Clark who had opposed using "the Prophet" as reverential title for the living LDS president. However, CHURCH NEWS itself continues referring to McKay only as "President McKay" until 1965 after which there are increasing headline references to him as "the Prophet" or "the Beloved Prophet."
Ezra Taft Benson History
Married Freda Joan Jensen.
First Presidency and apostles decide to prevent performance of BYU professor Clinton F
First Presidency and apostles decide to prevent performance of BYU professor Clinton F. Larson's play THE REDEEMER because of its portrayal of Mary Magdalene as wife of Jesus. "President McKay is very much concerned about it, he having said there was no authoritative basis for such a conclusion--that we just didn't know." Performance occurs because it is sponsored by Provo Recreation Department rather than BYU.
First Presidency statement that Latter-day Saints
First Presidency statement that Latter-day Saints should not dance with "grotesque contortions of the body such as shoulder and hip shaking or excessive body jerking." As result Mormon youth generally cease dancing the popular "Twist" at LDS dances throughout the world, an adherence that had not uniformly followed the first announced ban two years earlier by youth auxiliaries.
Franco-Belgian mission is created
Franco-Belgian mission is created
Harold B. Lee History
Ordained an Apostle at the age of 36.
Hugh B. Brown presents "the Covenant" on NBC radio
Hugh B. Brown presents "the Covenant" on NBC radio.
In 1963 there were 5,781 missionaries
In 1963 there were 5,781 missionaries called to serve.
Joseph Fielding Smith, president of the Quorum of the Twelve, openly criticizes "the spending
Joseph Fielding Smith, president of the Quorum of the Twelve, openly criticizes "the spending proclivities of President Henry D. Moyle, also concerning the unorthodox way with which youngsters had been baptized in the Church. . . ." This last part refers to the "kiddie-dip" program in which missionaries baptize children as part of initiation onto a sports team.
Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs on the nationwide broadcast for President John F
Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs on the nationwide broadcast for President John F. Kennedy's memorial.
Paul H. Dunn gives a talk
Paul H. Dunn gives a talk on his "life experiences." He claims that when he was a bat boy he pitched to Lou Gherig and Babe Ruth in batting practice and was told by Gherig, "you're going to be great." He also claims that he batted against Bob Feller in an exhibition game when Dunn was fourteen years old. In later talks the incident with Feller is changed to be during World War II when Dunn is in the army.
President David O. McKay is visited
President David O. McKay is visited by astronaut Edward White. McKay quotes the words to "If You Could Hie To Kolob" to astronaut White. White is so impressed he asks for a copy of the words to take with him to read and study at home.
President John F
President John F. Kennedy speaks in the Salt Lake Tabernacle to eight thousand people. He is joined on the stand by LDS President David O. McKay and second counselor Hugh B. Brown who gives the opening prayer. Kennedy followed McKay into the tabernacle and sits beside him on the stand.
Robert McKay, David O. McKay's son
Robert McKay, David O. McKay's son as well as his secretary, writes to a U.S. Congressman concerning Apostle Ezra Taft Benson's assignment to Europe: "We shall all be relieved when Elder Benson ceases to resist counsel and returns to a concentration on those affairs befitting his office. It is my feeling that there will be an immediate and noticeable curtailment of his Birch Society activities." A week later, U.S. under-secretary of state W. Averill Harriman asks First Presidency First Counselor Hugh B. Brown how long Benson would be on this European mission. Brown replies: "If I had my way, he'd never come back."
Southeast Mexican mission is created
Southeast Mexican mission is created
The 1963 Church Membership 2,117,451
1963 Church Membership 2,117,451
The Granite record vaults in Little Cottonwood Canyon are completed
The Granite record vaults in Little Cottonwood Canyon are completed.
The Polynesian Cultural Center, located near
The Polynesian Cultural Center, located near the Church College of Hawaii and the temple in Laie, Hawaii, was dedicated.
Thomas S. Monson History
Served as president of the Genealogical Society.
Thomas S. Monson is sustained to Quorum of the Twelve at age thirty-six
Thomas S. Monson is sustained to Quorum of the Twelve at age thirty-six, youngest man ordained apostle since Joseph Fielding Smith at age thirty-three in 1910. Monson is first World War II veteran to servea s apostle and also first general authority with a Master of Business Administration. As of 1996 Other general authorities with MBA or other graduate degree in business are Robert D. Hales (appointed in 1975), Gene R. Cook (1975), John H. Groberg (1976), Ronald E. Poelman (1978), Henry B. Eyring (1985), Glen L. Pace (1985), Helio R. Camargo (1985), Monte J. Brough (1988), Albert Choules, Jr. (1988), Joseph C. Muren (1991), Stephen D. Nadauld (1991), Dallas N. Archibald (1992), John E. Fowler (1992), V. Dallas Merrel (1992), H. David Burton (1992), Richard C. Edgley (1992), Neil L. Andersen (1993), Dieter F. Uchtdorf (1994).
1964
A new program of home
A new program of home teaching, replacing ward teaching, was officially inaugurated throughout the Church after having been presented in stake conferences during the last half of 1963.
Australian judge comments that "it seems
Australian judge comments that "it seems a particularly extraordinary way of bringing religion to the notice of the housewife," as he imposes criminal fines on two LDS missionaries for impersonating government inspectors in order to enter the home of potential investigators. From mid-1950's to 1980's there are published complaints in various parts of Australia that LDS missionaries force their way through partly opened doors and refuse to leave until householder listens to message about LDS church.
Bonneville International Corporation (BIC) created to consolidate Church-owned commercial broadcasting (Arch L
Bonneville International Corporation (BIC) created to consolidate Church-owned commercial broadcasting (Arch L. Madsen, president).
British South mission is created
British South mission is created
Church subsidiary Wasatch Radio & Television Company purchases KIRO-TV and KIRO-AM/FM in Seattle
Church subsidiary Wasatch Radio & Television Company purchases KIRO-TV and KIRO-AM/FM in Seattle.
Cumorah mission is created
Cumorah mission is created
David O. Mckay History
Weekly family home evening program inaugurated with new Family Home Evening Manual.
DESERET NEWS editorial, "One Nation Under
DESERET NEWS editorial, "One Nation Under God" endorses adding the phrase "under God" to the preamble to the U.S. Constitution. Assistant to the Twelve Thorpe B. Issacson reads this editorial approvingly at October general conference.
Elder Harold B. Lee announces the Family Home Evening program under President McKay
Elder Harold B. Lee announces the Family Home Evening program under President McKay.
First Asian meetinghouse dedicated in Tokyo
First Asian meetinghouse dedicated in Tokyo.
First Presidency letter "TO PRESIDENTS OF STAKES and BISHOPS OF WARDS
First Presidency letter "TO PRESIDENTS OF STAKES and BISHOPS OF WARDS . . . Where the military regulations are of a character that 'hinders', that is, makes impossible the wearing of the regulation garments, either in training on the drill grounds or in combat zones, effort should be made to wear underclothing that will approach as near as may be the normal garment. Where military regulations require the wearing of two-piece underwear, such underwear should be properly marked, as if the articles were of the normal pattern. If circumstances are such that different underwear may be turned back to the wearer from that which he sends to the laundry, then the marks should be placed on small pieces of cloth and sewed upon the underwear while being worn, then removed when the underwear is sent to the laundry, and resewed upon the underwear returned."
Home teaching program officially inaugurated throughout the Church
Home teaching program officially inaugurated throughout the Church.
Home teaching replaces ward teaching
Home teaching replaces ward teaching.