Howard W. Hunter History
Mormon Pavilion opened at New York's World Fair.
1,187 entries in this era, shown 200 to a page. This is page 3 of 6, covering 1964 to 1970. See the same material on the moving timeline.
1964
In 1964 there were 5,886 missionaries
In 1964 there were 5,886 missionaries called to serve.
KSL Television first broadcasts in color
KSL Television first broadcasts in color; a fire destroys part of the Church's motion picture studio.
Man's Search for Happiness
Man's Search for Happiness, the Church's first film for a non-Mormon audience, premieres at the New York World's Fair.
Norman Vincent Peale writes in the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Norman Vincent Peale writes in the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: "I will defy anyone, however callous, to come unmoved out of the Mormon exhibit. They show a marvelous motion picture done by top-flight actors that depicts the journey of the human soul from birth to immortality. So glorious is it that the viewer comes out with tears in his eyes, but walking on air." He is speaking of the Church's exhibit at the 1964 New York World's Fair.
Northern Indian mission is created
Northern Indian mission is created
Oakland California Temple
Oakland California Temple was dedicated 17–19 November 1964 by David O. McKay.
Opening of New York World's Fair
Opening of New York World's Fair which LDS church's first major exhibit hall at world's fair, the "Mormon Pavilion." Continues through 1965 season.
President Lyndon B
President Lyndon B. Johnson explains his plan to restructure the budgeting of government agencies without raising taxes: "we will take from the haves and give to the have nots." Two years later in a general conference address Apostle Marion G. Romney uses this quote out of context as evidence that Johnson advocates socialism.
Temple Square and the Lion House
Temple Square and the Lion House in Salt Lake City were recognized as National Historic Landmarks by the federal government.
The 1964 Church Membership 2,234,916
1964 Church Membership 2,234,916
The first meetinghouse in Asia was dedicated for the Tokyo North Branch in Japan
The first meetinghouse in Asia was dedicated for the Tokyo North Branch in Japan.
The Mormon Pavilion opened at the New York World's Fair
The Mormon Pavilion opened at the New York World's Fair. The Church also built elaborate pavilions for subsequent expositions in San Antonio, Texas (1968); Japan (1970); and Spokane, Wash. (1974).
The Oakland California Temple was dedicated by David O
The Oakland California Temple was dedicated by David O. McKay.
The Oakland Temple was dedicated by President David O
The Oakland Temple was dedicated by President David O. McKay.
Two LDS schools were opened
Two LDS schools were opened in Chile, one in Santiago and the other in Vina del Mar. During the early 1970s, the Church opened an elementary school in Paraguay, one in Bolivia and one in Peru.
1965
A month after race riots in the Watts suburb of Los Angeles
A month after race riots in the Watts suburb of Los Angeles, Reed Benson, Utah John Birch Society coordinator and son of Apostle Ezra Taft Benson, writes to Birch Society Members in Utah: "It is common knowledge that the Civil Rights Movement is Communist controlled, influenced and dominated. . . . Our founder and guide, Mr. Robert Welch, has instructed us that when necessary we must adopt the communist technique in our ever present battle against Godless Communism. It is urged that in the coming weeks the Utah Chapters begin a whispering campaign and foster rumors that the Civil Rights groups are going to organize demonstrations in Salt Lake City in connection with the forthcoming LDS conference. . . . A few well placed comments will soon mushroom out of control and before the conference begins there will be such a feeling of unrest and distrust that the populace will hardly know who to believe. The news media will play it to the very hilt. No matter what the Civil Rights leaders may try to say to deny it the seed will have been sown and again the Civil Rights movement will suffer a telling blow."
Because of the war in Vietnam
Because of the war in Vietnam, a missionary quota of two per ward was established within the United States to comply with Selective Service requests.
By authorization of First Presidency, ex-apostle
By authorization of First Presidency, ex-apostle John W. Taylor is baptized into LDS church. On May 21 Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith performs proxy ordinance of restoring all priesthood blessings to the deceased apostle.
BYU DAILY UNIVERSE article "Men Prefer
BYU DAILY UNIVERSE article "Men Prefer War, Women Marriage" reports that 84 percent of male BYU students express a willingness to fight in Vietnam.
Church General Conference first heard live in Europe
Church General Conference first heard live in Europe.
David O. Mckay History
Appointed president and chairman of the board of the Polynesian Cultural Center.
First Presidency increased to five members
First Presidency increased to five members.
Former Czech missionary writes that a prophecy of Apostle John
Former Czech missionary writes that a prophecy of Apostle John A. Widsoe that was made in 1932 when Widsoe was president of the European mission is coming true. Widsoe said, "Communism is the work of the devil. The Lord is using it to break down the hold of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches over the minds of men."
Guatemala El Salvador mission is created
Guatemala El Salvador mission is created
Howard W. Hunter History
Appointed two additional counselors in the First Presidency.
In 1965 there were 7,139 missionaries
In 1965 there were 7,139 missionaries called to serve.
Joseph Fielding Smith History
Supervised dedication of Granite Mountain Record Vault.
KBYU-TV begins broadcasting, later affiliated with PBS.
KBYU-TV begins broadcasting, later affiliated with PBS.
Publication of the Family Home Evening manual begins; bimonthly Priesthood Bulletin published
Publication of the Family Home Evening manual begins; bimonthly Priesthood Bulletin published.
The 1965 Church Membership 2,395,932
1965 Church Membership 2,395,932
The Chinese edition of the Book
This translation of Te Puka a Momoni was done for Cook Islands. Reference information: Anderson, Kai A. (June 1997), "In His Own Language", Liahona: 29,
The Choir performs at the inauguration
The Choir performs at the inauguration of President Lyndon B. Johnson.
The family home evening program
The family home evening program was inaugurated and wards had a choice of which night in the week to hold home evenings. A weekly home evening had been encouraged before by Church leaders, but now the Church published a formal family home evening manual, which was placed in every LDS home.
The First Presidency writes "To PRESIDENTS
The First Presidency writes "To PRESIDENTS of TEMPLES" that "approval has been granted for limited modification in the design of the garment used in the temple to allow for better fit and greater wearing comfort. The approved modified design for women has a button front rather than string ties, a brassiere top patterned after the brassiere top of garments used for day-time wear, a . . . All other features of the garment, including the collar, long legs, and long sleeves, remain the same as heretofore. The approved modified design of the garment for men has a button front, closed crotch, . . . All other features of the men's garment also, including the collar, long legs and long sleeves, remain the same as heretofore."
The Italian government gave permission
The Italian government gave permission for LDS missionaries to proselyte in the country. No missionary work had been done there since 1862.
The Rarotongan Cook Islands Maori edition
This translation of 몰몬경 was done for Korea. Reference information: Anderson, Kai A. (June 1997), "In His Own Language", Liahona: 29,
The Tabernacle Choir sang at the inauguration of U.S
The Tabernacle Choir sang at the inauguration of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in Washington, D.C.
Translation Services Department of the Church organized in Salt Lake City
Translation Services Department of the Church organized in Salt Lake City.
Twelve students at invitation of BYU's
Twelve students (at invitation of BYU's president) bring their own rock music and demonstrate contemporary "fad dances" for general authorities in church administration building. Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith says, "I don't know anything about them, and want to see them." Aftwards Apostle Gordon B. Hinckley exclaims, "Nothing like this has ever happened in this building before!" Not long afterwards BYU more strictly enforces its ban against contemporary "rock" dancing.
Vietnam War missionary quota established at two per ward
Vietnam War missionary quota established at two per ward.
With the appointment of President Joseph
With the appointment of President Joseph Fielding Smith and Elder Thorpe B. Isaacson as counselors, President David O. McKay announced that the First Presidency would be increased to five, instead of three members.
1966
A new visitors center on Temple Square was opened to tourists
A new visitors center on Temple Square was opened to tourists. While this would be the most elaborate center, it represented a trend of building visitors centers at historic sites and temples and at various other locations during the 1960s and 1970s.
An Indian student at BYU writes
An Indian student at BYU writes in the DAILY UNIVERSE: "This is where I found out that I was . . . inferior. In Phoenix, where I went to school last year, I didn't think of myself as an Indian. . . . .Here, there is a feeling that if you are an Indian you should keep your place."
Andes South mission is created
Andes South mission is created
Bonneville International's holdings include 20 broadcasting facilities by this time
Bonneville International's holdings include 20 broadcasting facilities by this time.
BYU Political Science professor Ray Hillam
BYU Political Science professor Ray Hillam is charged, by BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson, with being pro-communist and disloyal to BYU at a formal hearing. These charges come from information gathered by the student spies and by others. Prior to a second hearing, Hillam and his colleague, Louis Midgley, contact one of the student spies, Ronald Hankin, who is willing to expose the "administration-organized spy ring." Hankin's public exposure leads to a major scandal at the University.
BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson gives
BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson gives what he, himself calls a "powerful address" that would "rock the campus from one end to the other." Wilkinson designs the speech to be controversial and hopes that it will generate discussion on campus, especially among "liberal" professors. He then instructs the newly-formed student spy ring to solicit and report on the "liberal" professors's reactions to the speech. One professor of political science, Ray Hillam, a target of the spy ring, learns about the spy ring and requests a formal hearing which Wilkinson uses to formally charge Hillam with being pro-communist and disloyal to BYU. Hillam, in the process of defending himself exposes the spy-ring and precipitates a major scandal for Wilkinson. Wilkinson privately confesses his role to the Board of Trustees but publicly denies it.
BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson makes
BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson makes first reference in his diary to receiving the first "voluntary report from certain students" about "certain liberals on the campus." This is from the student "spy ring" Wilkinson has authorized and which becomes national scandal within ten months. Among "liberal" professors targeted is economist Richard B. Wirthlin who resigns from BYU in protest, serves as political strategist for conservative U.S. president Ronald Reagan (1980-88), and becomes general authority in 1996.
BYU student Stephen Hays Russell organizes
BYU student Stephen Hays Russell organizes a dozen other John-Birch-Society students in a room of BYU's Wilkinson Center to spy on professors for the administration. A non-student chapter leader of the Birch Society acts as guard for this organizing meeting of the BYU spy ring, the only time all would be together at once. These student-spies included the president of BYU's Young Americans For Freedom, three other members of YAF, and also Cleon Skousen's nephew. At the group's initial meeting, Russell tells his Birch associates that "the General Authorities" authorized this espionage. Later, he specifies several times that "Brother Benson was behind this." Russell later reports the BYU spy-ring's findings to Ezra Taft Benson.
California North mission is created
California North mission is created
California South mission is created
California South mission is created
Church creates Deseret Management Corporation as a holding company for its commercial ventures
Church creates Deseret Management Corporation as a holding company for its commercial ventures.
CHURCH NEWS article that current non-U.S.,
CHURCH NEWS article that current non-U.S., LDS chapels "range in architectural style from modern tile and stucco structures in Managua, Nicaragua, to the native-built 'Choza' made from palm trunks, limbs and coconut fronds." However, as part of Correlation Program's drive for church-wide uniformity, headquarters soon requires that chapels throughout world be modeled on those in Utah. In Latin America this makes LDS chapels visual symbols of often-hated "gringo" power and wealth.
CHURCH NEWS editorial on "Politics and Religion" states
CHURCH NEWS editorial on "Politics and Religion" states: "We have been taught to avoid extremes and extremists, whether in the Word of Wisdom, in politics or in any other area of thought. The Lord's work is not accomplished by immoderate measures and radical groups . . .The Lord justifies us in defending our Constitution and this land for which it was written. But He does not justify radicalism in doing so. . . . The Church has nothing to do with Communists, nothing to do with racists, nothing to do with Birchers, nothing to do with any slanted group. But it does have everything to do with the eternal salvation of human souls."
CHURCH NEWS reports that Devendra J.
CHURCH NEWS reports that Devendra J. Singh, former Hindu "is the first of his race to be called on a mission, the second East Indian to go through the temple and the fourth of his people to be ordained and elder."
CHURCH NEWS reports that general authority
CHURCH NEWS reports that general authority Marion D. Hanks recently participated in U.S. Army War College National Strategic Seminar with "100 other civilian and military leaders across the nation."
Dedication of church's storage vaults in granite mountains of Little Cottonwood Canyon
Dedication of church's storage vaults in granite mountains of Little Cottonwood Canyon. The vaults are intended to withstand nuclear explosions in event of war.
Deseret Management Cororation as holding company
Deseret Management Cororation as holding company for church's income producing enterpriese. "There was criticism from members of Twelve," second counselor N. Eldon Tanner later comments, "because they couldn't see why the First Presidency would hand that power over to the Deseret Management Corporation."
First copy of the Chinese translation of the Book of Mormon presented to President
First copy of the Chinese translation of the Book of Mormon presented to President David O. McKay.
First Presidency counselor Hugh B. Brown
First Presidency counselor Hugh B. Brown tells BYU student body, "Preserve, then, the freedom of your mind in education and in religion, and be unafraid to express your thoughts and to insist upon your right to examine every proposition. We are not so much concerned with whether your thoughts are orthodox as we are that you shall have thoughts."
First Presidency letter, "effective immediately," ending
First Presidency letter, "effective immediately," ending "missionary farewells" in LDS meetings. Letter asks local officers "that you counsel families against holding receptions for departing missionaries." Without single reference to war, this letter responds to disparity of holding joyous farewells for young missionaries, while also conducting funerals for young men who are drafted to serve in Vietnam without opportunity to serve mission. LDS missionaries at this time are granted draft deferments for full-time religious ministers.
First South American stake established in Sao Paulo, Brazil
First South American stake established in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Howard W. Hunter History
Awarded University of Utah’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.
In 1966 there were 7,021 missionaries
In 1966 there were 7,021 missionaries called to serve.
In special meeting President David O.
In special meeting President David O. McKay, second counselor N. Eldon Tanner, and apostles Joseph Fielding Smith and Mark E. Petersen agree to counter Apostle Ezra Taft Benson's preaching of "John Birchism at stake conferences" and his efforts to align LDS church with John Birch Society during upcoming conference. As result CHURCH NEWS publishes Petersen's unsigned editorial on Mar. 26 that LDS church has "nothing to do with Birchers. . . .avoid extremes and extremists." Apostle Harold B. Lee's conference talk also attacks Birch Society and indicates that unnamed Benson is not in "harmony" with his quorum.
Italian mission is created
Italian mission is created
Lowell L. Bennion hosts several African-American
Lowell L. Bennion hosts several African-American Mormons at his home in Salt Lake City, including LDS converts Ruffin Bridgeforth, Jr. and his Hispanic wife Helen Marie Romero Bridgeforth. She speaks "of the difficulty they have getting their boys to go to church after they get to be deacon age and can't pass the sacrament and do the other things L.D.S. white boys do."
Relief Society Magazine begins publication in Spanish
Relief Society Magazine begins publication in Spanish.
Seven Mexican television stations carried a general conference session
Seven Mexican television stations carried a general conference session.
The 1966 Church Membership 2,480,899
1966 Church Membership 2,480,899
The first stake in South America
The first stake in South America was organized at Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Thomas S. Monson History
First Regional Representatives of the Twelve called.
US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT article
US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT article "The Spectacular Rise of the Mormon Church." A condensed version of the article is later published in the READER'S DIGEST.
1967
At a meeting in the Tustin
At a meeting in the Tustin Ward Chapel of Santa Ana, California, Hugh Nibley states that the papyrus text for the Book of Abraham and the Book of Joseph were not destroyed in the Chicago fire but are still in existence. The first official announcement of the papyri's existence occurs over three months later.
Bonneville Media Communications organized as a broadcast production facility
Bonneville Media Communications organized as a broadcast production facility.
BYU entertainers "Y Americans" appear on television program, Ed Sullivan Show
BYU entertainers "Y Americans" appear on television program, Ed Sullivan Show.
BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson tells
BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson tells faculty meeting he is distributing questionnaires to local bishops asking for a list of students who were "inactive in the church or . . . not living the standards of the church" This information exchange between bishops and university personnel continues for four years,
BYU president Ernest Wilkinson reports to the Board of Trustees and confesses his role
BYU president Ernest Wilkinson reports to the Board of Trustees and confesses his role in the BYU "spy scandal:" "I wanted to know from regular students what their regular teachers were teaching, and I think information of that kind is proper for me as the President to know, and I think this method of finding out is a proper method."
BYU's DAILY UNIVERSE reports a poll
BYU's DAILY UNIVERSE reports a poll conducted at BYU shows that 80% of the students believed the United States "should not pull out of Vietnam".
BYU's president writes: "Frankly, if they general authorities concerned themselves 1/100th as much
BYU's president writes: "Frankly, if they general authorities concerned themselves 1/100th as much with teachers as they do with the basketball coach, I would feel much better." Stan Watts is NCAA Basketball Coach of the Year (1957, 1972) and inducted into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and into Helms Hall of Fame (1972). Lavell Edwards is NCAA Football Coach of the Year (1984). Behond BYU, Dick Motta is National Basketball Association's Coach of the Year (1971), and Tom Chmabers is NBA's All-Star MVP in 1987.
C. Wade Bell wins gold medal
C. Wade Bell wins gold medal (800 meter run) at Pan American Games, also Michael M. Young (gold, wrestling) and Keith Russell (silver, diving).
David O. Mckay History
Served as a member of the National Executive Board of Boy Scouts of America.
Establishment of new position of Regional
Establishment of new position of Regional Representative to the Twelve. At their first training seminar, Apostle Harold B. Lee (rather than member of First Presidency) gives confidential "State of the Church" address, which he continues to do annually.
First color telecast of Church General Conference
First color telecast of Church General Conference.
First counselor Hugh B. Brown writes
First counselor Hugh B. Brown writes of his meeting with full-time missionaries in Taipei, Taiwan, "I was impressed to tell them that there was sitting in that room a young man who would one day stand in the Council of the Twelve, but before that day he would pass through the very fires of hell, but this great honor would come to one of them if he lives worthy of it." Brown makes similar promises on various occasions, including one in Japan (1965), one in England (1966), and one in Louisiana (April 1970).
First Presidency letter to "Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards" "Occasionally young women
First Presidency letter to "Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards" "Occasionally young women come to the temple to receive their endowments or to do ordinance work for the dead WEARING SLACKS OR MINI-SKIRTS. We suggest that when interviewing sisters applying for temple recommends you kindly remind them of the sanctity of the temple and the propriety of being MODESTLY DRESSED when they enter the House of the Lord."
For the first time, seven
For the first time, seven Mexican television and radio stations carried a session of general conference.
Front page of NEW YOUK TIMES
Front page of NEW YOUK TIMES business section features LDS convert Florence Doyle, stockbroker with Dupont & Co. since 1941.
George W. Romney states on national
George W. Romney states on national television that U.S. government leaders and senior military officers have "brainwashed" him and every other American about Vietnam War. First Mormon to seek U.S. presidency since 1844, Romney announces: "I no longer believe it was necessary for us to get involved in South Vietnam to stop Communist aggression." U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara immediately responds: "I don't think Governor Romney can recognize the truth when he sees it or hears it." Three decades later McNamara admits that at this time he privately regards Vietnam War as misguided and unwinnable, despite his public statements to the contrary as U.S. ground troops in Vietnam increase to half a million. Romney's use of word "brainwashed" is ridiculed nationally and he withdraws as presidential candidate in Feb. 1968.
Germany's magazine DER SPIEGEL reviews the film "Mahlzeiten" calling "a cool
Germany's magazine DER SPIEGEL reviews the film "Mahlzeiten" calling "a cool, sensible film--the best thus far of the Young German production" The story includes the conversion of the principle characters by Mormon missionaries (played by actual missionaries speaking actual missionary German and using an actual door approach etc. The couple is baptized and "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet" is sung at the baptismal service." The Church later regrets allowing the missionaries to be used due to bathroom and bedroom scenes that, though tasteful, are somewhat offensive to Salt Lake City sensibilities.
In 1967 there were 6,475 missionaries
In 1967 there were 6,475 missionaries called to serve.
John Wilson, Professor of Egyptology at the University of Chicago
John Wilson, Professor of Egyptology at the University of Chicago, writes in reply to an inquiry by Mormon Glen Wade that Wade had heard Wilson might know where the (yet unpublicized) Joseph Smith Papyri might be), "I was told verbally and in confidence that they were still in existence, recently bought by an American museum from a private source. I have been asked not to reveal their present location, and I have to keep my word on that. Thus I cannot suggest to you how you can secure more definite information."
Jose gabriel Alferez, Benedictine monk for twenty-four years and father-superior, is baptized as Mormon
Jose gabriel Alferez, Benedictine monk for twenty-four years and father-superior, is baptized as Mormon in Costa Rica.
Mormon Tabernacle Choir's 2,000th weekly Music and the Spoken Word broadcast
Mormon Tabernacle Choir's 2,000th weekly Music and the Spoken Word broadcast.
Ohio mission is created
Ohio mission is created
Philippine mission is created
Philippine mission is created
Public Broadcasting Act signed by President Johnson, forming the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Public Broadcasting Act signed by President Johnson, forming the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Regional representative of the Twelve position announced
Regional representative of the Twelve position announced.
Staff-sergeant Emmo A. Techuban of Tennessee
Staff-sergeant Emmo A. Techuban of Tennessee receives six military medals for "heroism in Vietnam," including Silver Star, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, and Purple Heart.
Texas South mission is created
Texas South mission is created
The 1967 Church Membership 2,614,340
1967 Church Membership 2,614,340
The Korean edition of the Book
This translation of Die Boek van Mormon was done for South Africa. Additional Information:First African language edition. Reference information: Anderson, Kai A. (June 1997), "In His Own Language", Liahona: 29,
The new administrative position of regional
The new administrative position of regional representative of the Twelve was announced, and the first 69 regional representatives were called and given their initial training.
The Six-Day War in the Middle
The Six-Day War in the Middle East ended with Israel holding conquered Arab territory four times its own size.
Thomas S. Monson History
Supervised the work of the Church in Asia.
Unified Magazine first published to unify foreign-language magazines of the Church
Unified Magazine first published to unify foreign-language magazines of the Church.
1968
(Foreign-language magazine consolidation continues under the Unified Magazine system.)
(Foreign-language magazine consolidation continues under the Unified Magazine system.)
Australia South mission is created
Australia South mission is created
Australian West mission is created
Australian West mission is created
Baptism of Juliet Hulme in California,
Baptism of Juliet Hulme in California, despite her confession to LDS authorities that she was imprisoned at age 15 for helping to murder the mother of a girlfriend. Her baptism is significant exception to LDS policies and leadership handbooks which prohibit living baptism (or even baptism for the dead) for anyone convicted of murder. While active in LDS women's auxiliaries, she becomes internationally famous as Anne Perry, author of murder mysteries.
Belle Smith Spafford, general president of Relief Society, is elected president of Natinal Council
Belle Smith Spafford, general president of Relief Society, is elected president of Natinal Council of Women in its eightieth anniversary year. She serves to 1970.
Brazilian North mission is created
Brazilian North mission is created
BYU's DAILY UNIVERSE reports that officials
BYU's DAILY UNIVERSE reports that officials have removed ten nude photographs from an international exhibit, "The Family of Man," sponsored by student body officers.
BYU's president receives "confidential draft" by Terry Warner
BYU's president receives "confidential draft" by Terry Warner, professor of philosophy and religion, that "freedom of speech as it is known today is a secular concept and has no place of any kind at the BYU."
BYU's student newspaper The DAILY UNIVERSE
BYU's student newspaper The DAILY UNIVERSE reports BYU's student housing contract has been altered to read: "In cases in which the university has reasonable cause to believe that personal properties or materials which are prohibited on campus are located in apartments, security officers could enter without a warrant for the purpose of searching the apartment and seizing any such personal properties or materials" President Ernest Wilkinson dismisses student criticism by promising that if anyone could give him "a Supreme Court decision indicating this is unconstitutional," he would "reconsider" his decision.
CHURCH NEWS story about two LDS
CHURCH NEWS story about two LDS roommates in Salt Lake City, Arab convert Ozzie Shamaly and Jewish convert Jim Loewy.
Colombia-Venezuela mission is created
Colombia-Venezuela mission is created
Ezra Taft Benson History
Coordinated first church–sponsored World Conference on Records and the World Convention and Seminar on Genealogy.
Hartman Rector, Jr
Hartman Rector, Jr. is sustained to First Council of Seventy as first Korean War veteran to become general authority.
In 1968 there were 7,178 missionaries
In 1968 there were 7,178 missionaries called to serve.
Japan mission is created
Japan mission is created
Japan-Okinawa mission is created
Japan-Okinawa mission is created
Mexico North Central mission is created
Mexico North Central mission is created
Missionaries transferred to Thailand to begin missionary work
Missionaries transferred to Thailand to begin missionary work.
Pacific Northwest mission is created
Pacific Northwest mission is created
Six missionaries from the Taiwan and Hong Kong zones of the Southern Far East
Six missionaries from the Taiwan and Hong Kong zones of the Southern Far East Mission were transferred to Thailand to begin missionary work.
The 1968 Church Membership 2,684,073
1968 Church Membership 2,684,073
The Church received official recognition in Spain
The Church received official recognition in Spain. The first missionaries arrived in June, 1969.
Two-month language training missions began
Two-month language training missions began.
U.S. troops in "Charlie Company" massacre
U.S. troops in "Charlie Company" massacre 400-500 civilians at village of My Lai South Vietnam. One of the soldiers later says that he does not participate until he sees his Mormon buddy, recently returned missionary, shooting Vietnamese women and children. Two days earlier, the other Mormon in Charlie Company wrote letter about unrelated incident in which his "friends" shot a woman working in a rice field, "kicked her to death," and then "emptied" their weapons into her head. "It was murder and I've seen it many times before," Greg Olsen wrote his father. "My faith in my fellow men is shot all to hell." After remorseful participants and news media unravel military's cover-up, officer-in-charge is court-martialed and imprisoned for giving his troops direct orders to kill everyone in My Lai on suspicion that they are Communist sympathizers. Most published accounts emphasize religious background of the two Mormons a My Lai but say nothing about religion of other soldiers involved in massacre.
1969
Arizona mission is created
Arizona mission is created
Bolivia mission is created
Bolivia mission is created
Bonneville International establishes a Washington, D.C
Bonneville International establishes a Washington, D.C. news bureau.
BYU officials tell undergraduates to remove
BYU officials tell undergraduates to remove peace signs from their dormitory windows with the curt explanation, "Just do it--you don't need a reason."
BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson writes:
BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson writes: "If the gospel were not true, some of the church's authorities with their internal disputes would have ruined it long ago"
California Central mission is created
California Central mission is created
California East mission is created
California East mission is created
Cigarette ads are henceforth banned on broadcasts of LDS church's radio and television stations
Cigarette ads are henceforth banned on broadcasts of LDS church's radio and television stations in Utah, Washington state, Missouri, California, and New York.
David Ben-Gurion, Israel's former prime minister,
David Ben-Gurion, Israel's former prime minister, tells Apostle Ezra Taft Benson: "There are no people in the world who understand Jews like Mormons." Benson replies: "Mr. Ben-Gurion, there are no people in this world who understand the WORLD like the Mormons."
First Presidency letter allows LDS servicemen
First Presidency letter allows LDS servicemen in Vietnam to dye the regular, one-piece, temple garment to match green color of military-issue underwear.
First Presidency Letter: "Where the military
First Presidency Letter: "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. . . . Every effort should be made to protect the garments from the gaze and raillery of scoffers. . . . If the scoffing became unbearable and the wearer should decide that the Lord would consider he was really "hindered" by the scoffers from wearing the garments, and if he should therefore lay them aside, then the wearer should resume the wearing of the normal garment at the earliest possible moment. A certain amount of curiosity and light comment may be frequently expected, wherever, for one cause or another, the garments are brought into view, but this is not the "hindering" of which the Lord spoke as excusing obedience."
First Presidency makes official statement on birth control which omits any reference
First Presidency makes official statement on birth control which omits any reference to their own feelings about birth control as "a personal matter," and states: "We believe that those who practice birth control will reap disappointment by and by," and repeated earlier letter's emphasis on "self control as a dominant factor" in marriage.
First Presidency publishes: "We make no
First Presidency publishes: "We make no statement on how this country can or should try to disengage itself from the present regrettable war in Vietnam. . . .We believe our young men should hold themselves in readiness to respond to the call of their government to serve in the armed forces when called upon." This is the first war in the twentieth century when the Church's DESERET NEWS does not editorialize in favor of option for conscientious objection.
Germany Dresden mission is created
Germany Dresden mission is created
Hong Kong Taiwan mission is created
Hong Kong Taiwan mission is created
Howard W. Hunter History
Appointed Church historian and recorder.
In 1969 there were 6,967 missionaries
In 1969 there were 6,967 missionaries called to serve.
LDS church's World Conference on Records
LDS church's World Conference on Records whose hundreds of participants include representatives of national archives of Soviet Union, Jewish Historical Archives in Jerusalem, UNESCO, U.S. national archives, and Japan's parlimentary library. Internationally famous for his book ROOTS, Alex Haley (Also ghost-writer of AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MALCOLM X) speaks at World Conference on Records in 1980.
Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon
Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon.
NEW YORK TIMES report that LDS
NEW YORK TIMES report that LDS church has preferred charges against LaMar E. Kay for embezzling $604,199.65 while employee of church's Auditing Department. This legal and publicized action is departure from previous church policy not to disclose embezzlements. Kay receives twenty-year sentence.
Seven radio and TV stations in Mexico start carrying General Conference
Seven radio and TV stations in Mexico start carrying General Conference.
South Central States mission is created
South Central States mission is created
Southeast Asia mission is created
Southeast Asia mission is created
The 1969 Church Membership 2,807,456
1969 Church Membership 2,807,456
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir featured on The Bell Telephone Hour—Messiah (NBC-TV)
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir featured on The Bell Telephone Hour—Messiah (NBC-TV).
The Southeast Asia Mission formally opened
The Southeast Asia Mission formally opened with headquarters in Singapore. In January 1970, the first missionaries were sent to Indonesia, which was part of the mission.
The Tabernacle Choir sang at U.S
The Tabernacle Choir sang at U.S. President Richard M. Nixon's inauguration in Washington, D.C.
Two months of language training becomes standard for foreign-speaking missionaries
Two months of language training becomes standard for foreign-speaking missionaries.
Two-month language training missions began
Two-month language training missions began. Language training for missionaries prior to their departure to their mission field first began during the early 1960s for Spanish, Portuguese and German language missions.
U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon
U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon when he descended from the lunar module Eagle; he was followed 18 minutes later by Edwin Aldrin, pilot of the lunar module.
While BYU's basketball team is playing
While BYU's basketball team is playing University of Wyoming in Laramie, fourteen African-Americans are disqualified from Wyoming's team for wearing black armbands in protest of LDS church's priesthood restriction. Game continues despite objects thrown by spectators at playing floor and audience shouting accusations of racism against BYU's athletes. Wyoming defeats BYU by 33 points.
1970
A computerized system for recording
A computerized system for recording and reporting Church contributions went into operation.
A computerized tithing system begins
A computerized tithing system begins.
After days of student protests at University of Utah against Ohio National Guard's killing
After days of student protests at University of Utah against Ohio National Guard's killing of students at Kent State, bomb destroys office of Utah National Guard.
Alaska-British Columbia mission is created
Alaska-British Columbia mission is created
Alberta-Saskatchewan mission is created
Alberta-Saskatchewan mission is created
Appointment of Rafael E. Castillo Valdes,
Appointment of Rafael E. Castillo Valdes, BYU graduate and Mormon, as Guatemala's ambassador to United Nations (serving to 1975). Daviid M. Kennedy is appointed United States ambassador to NATO (1972), and newly independent nation of Croatia appoints Kresimir Cosic as its deputy ambassador to United Nations (1992).
Argentina North mission is created
Argentina North mission is created
Argentina South mission is created
Argentina South mission is created
Australia East mission is created
Australia East mission is created
Australia West mission is created
Australia West mission is created
Austria mission is created
Austria mission is created
Brazil Central mission is created
Brazil Central mission is created
Brazil North mission is created
Brazil North mission is created
Brazil South mission is created
Brazil South mission is created
Brigham Young University publishes full-page newspaper
Brigham Young University publishes full-page newspaper advertisement, "Minorities, Civil Rights, and BYU." This responds to protests about lack of African-Americans on BYU's athletic teams as alleged extension of LDS church's policy of withholding priesthood from blacks. This athletic restriction ends with priesthood restriction.
By this time the Book of Mormon and other materials translated into 18 languages
By this time the Book of Mormon and other materials translated into 18 languages.
BYU's DAILY UNIVERSE quotes basketball coach
BYU's DAILY UNIVERSE quotes basketball coach Stan Watts's comment on those who protest at BYU basketball games against the Church's denying the priesthood to those of black African descent: "These people aren't after us. They're after America.".
Central America mission is created
Central America mission is created
Chile mission is created
Chile mission is created
CHURCH NEWS article about Yoshiko Nakamura,
CHURCH NEWS article about Yoshiko Nakamura, Relief Society president in Hiroshima where her only child was burned to death by atomic blast in 1945 and her husband later died of radiation sickness. She comments: "I have no resentment for America now."
CHURCH NEWS has headline reference to recently sustained LDS president as "The Prophet,"
CHURCH NEWS has headline reference to recently sustained LDS president as "The Prophet," which is repeated in May 9 article "A Tribute To The Prophet." Joseph Fielding Smith is first LDS president identified by CHURCH NEWS headlines as "The Prophet" throughout his administration. This practice intensifies for his successors.
CHURCH NEWS reports advancement to admiral's
CHURCH NEWS reports advancement to admiral's rank of C. Monroe Hart, MIT graduate who helped develop Polaris missle subrmaine.
Colorado-New Mexico mission is created
Colorado-New Mexico mission is created
David O. Mckay History
Sustained as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and first counselor to President Joseph Fielding Smith.
David O. McKay, ninth president of the Church, dies
David O. McKay, ninth president of the Church, dies.
Delaware-Maryland mission is created
Delaware-Maryland mission is created
Denmark mission is created
Denmark mission is created
Ecuador mission is created
Ecuador mission is created
England Central mission is created
England Central mission is created
England East mission is created
England East mission is created
England North mission is created
England North mission is created
England South mission is created
England South mission is created
England Southwest mission is created
England Southwest mission is created
Fawn Brodie gives the first annual
Fawn Brodie gives the first annual "American West" lecture at the Hotel Utah. Her lecture is titled "Can We Manipulate the Past?"
Finland mission is created
Finland mission is created
First General Conference satellite broadcast to South America
First General Conference satellite broadcast to South America.
First Presidency letter ends financial independence
First Presidency letter ends financial independence of Relief Society by stopping payment of dues, prohibiting traditional Relief Society bazaar ("a noisy, carnival-like or commercial atmosphere"), and requiring that individual "Relief Societies sould immediately turn over to the appropriate Stake, Mission, Ward, Branch, or District presiding officers all assets which they have accumulated." This clarifies full intent of brief letter of June 10. Eliminating Relief Society's autonomy is central goal of Harold B. Lee's vision of church "correlation."
First Presidency shortens "the standard term
First Presidency shortens "the standard term of service for lady missionaries" from 24 months to 18 months.