England Manchester mission is created
England Manchester mission is created
1,187 entries in this era, shown 200 to a page. This is page 6 of 6, covering 1976 to 1979. See the same material on the moving timeline.
1976
Fifty-three thousand attended nine area conferences
Fifty-three thousand attended nine area conferences.
First Presidency letter advises Mormons throughout
First Presidency letter advises Mormons throughout U.S. to obtain immunization against swine flu. Government-sponsored mass inoculations are a "cure without a disease."
First Presidency statement against ratification of proposed Equal Rights Amendment to U.S
First Presidency statement against ratification of proposed Equal Rights Amendment to U.S. Constitution, "which could indeed bring them far more restraints and repressions. We fear it will even stifle many God-given feminine instincts." In supplemental letter of Dec. 29 Presidency urges all mission presidents and stake presidents "to join others in efforts to defeat the ERA." This leads to coordinated efforts by Mormons in twenty-one states to lobby state legislators against ratification of ERA or to persuade voters to rescind previous ratification.
Florida Tampa mission is created
Florida Tampa mission is created
General conference accepted Joseph Smith's Celestial Kingdom Vision
General conference accepted Joseph Smith's Celestial Kingdom Vision.
Henry R. Eliason, age 77 is fatally stabbed in El Cajon
Henry R. Eliason, age 77 is fatally stabbed in El Cajon, California, oldest LDS missionary to be murdered.
Hour-long TV special "The Family
Hour-long TV special "The Family... and Other Living Things" produced by Bonneville and the Church.
In 1976 there were 13,928 missionaries
In 1976 there were 13,928 missionaries called to serve.
In response to the increasing "personal
In response to the increasing "personal problems of church members . . . in number and seriousness," together with the absence of "revealed truth about human behavior" among professionals "to combat these problems," BYU President Dallin Oaks proposes to the Board of Trustees that "an Institute for Studies in Values and Human Behavior be established at BYU to sponsor and conduct research that would assist in preventing and changing deviant behaviors which lead people away from eternal life." The trustees approve Oaks's proposal and back the appointment of BYU psychologist Allen Bergin as its director. Noting that "too many LDS behavioral scientists do not harmonize their professional concepts with their religious stands," Bergin explained that his "first project would be to state as clearly as possible to the behavioral scientists . . . that Jesus Christ teaches in principles of behavior. He later adds, "What we can do is receive inspiration in our research and then seek reviews by the authorities of the church for their interpretations, disapproval, or whatever, if doctrinal questions are raised by it." Institute member Victor Brown, Jr. writes to BYU officials, "Our basic theme is that truth lies with the scriptures and prophets, not with secular data or debate."
Iowa Des Moines mission is created
Iowa Des Moines mission is created
Ireland Dublin mission is created
Ireland Dublin mission is created
Japan Okayama mission is created
Japan Okayama mission is created
LaMoin Merkley, LDS high priest
LaMoin Merkley, LDS high priest, is inducted into Hall of Fame of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for wrestling.
LaVern Watts Parmley receives Silver Buffalo
LaVern Watts Parmley receives Silver Buffalo award, Formerly general Primary president, she is first LDS woman to receive this highest honor from Boy Scouts of America. Dwan Jacobsen Young, also former president of Primary, receives award in 1990.
Members attending general conference accepted Joseph
Members attending general conference accepted Joseph Smith's Vision of the Celestial Kingdom and Joseph F. Smith's Vision of the Redemption of the Dead for addition to the Pearl of Great Price. These scriptures became part of the Doctrine and Covenants on June 6, 1979.
Members of the First Council of the Seventy and the Assistants to the Twelve
Members of the First Council of the Seventy and the Assistants to the Twelve were released in general conference and called to the new First Quorum of the Seventy. Franklin D. Richards was named the first senior president.
Missouri Gov. Christopher S. Bond signed
Missouri Gov. Christopher S. Bond signed an executive order rescinding the extermination order issued in 1838 by Gov. Lilburn W. Boggs.
Missouri governor signed an executive order rescinding the anti-Mormon extermination order
Missouri governor signed an executive order rescinding the anti-Mormon extermination order.
NEW YORK TIMES article describes Temple
NEW YORK TIMES article describes Temple Square visitor's center where there is an explanation of "Mormonism's complex theology with an audio-visual display. A sequence of murals, in the style of socialist realism, is linked to flashing lights and somber voices, and the whole is meant to exude pure spiritualism. The result, however, seems more like Jesus in Disneyland."
New York Times reports U.S. patent
New York Times reports U.S. patent granted to Mormons G. Richard Jacobs, Cluff Peck, Dean G. Doderquist for "speaking mannequins" at LDS information centers.
New Zealand Christchurch mission is created
New Zealand Christchurch mission is created
President Kimball addressed a total of 25,000 members from 12 countries in Europe
President Kimball addressed a total of 25,000 members from 12 countries in Europe at five area conferences in France, Finland, Denmark, The Netherlands and Germany.
President Kimball spoke at a Church-sponsored
President Kimball spoke at a Church-sponsored U.S. Bicentennial devotional attended by more than 23,000 people at the Capitol Centre in Landover, Md. Numerous additional activities involved Church members in the United States during the year-long Bicentennial observance.
President Kimball spoke at three area
President Kimball spoke at three area conferences in England and Scotland, which were attended by more than a total of 17,000 members.
Randall Ellsworth, missionary temporarily paralized by collapse of LDS chapel during Guatemala's February earthquake
Randall Ellsworth, missionary temporarily paralized by collapse of LDS chapel during Guatemala's February earthquake, returns to minister among native Indians there. After months of physical therapy in Utah, the twenty-year-old now "walks with short-legged braces and a cane."
Scotland Glasgow mission is created
Scotland Glasgow mission is created
Spain Barcelona mission is created
Spain Barcelona mission is created
Spain Seville mission is created
Spain Seville mission is created
Spence W. Kimball History
Conducted area conferences in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Colombia.
Sweden Goteborg mission is created
Sweden Goteborg mission is created
Taiwan KaoHsiung mission is created
Taiwan KaoHsiung mission is created
Texas Houston mission is created
Texas Houston mission is created
The 1976 Church Membership 3,742,749
1976 Church Membership 3,742,749
The Choir participates in U.S. Bicentennial
The Choir participates in U.S. Bicentennial tours in Utah, Philadelphia, Boston, New York and Washington D.C.
The CHURCH NEWS prints "A Visit
The CHURCH NEWS prints "A Visit With the Prophet." President Spencer W. Kimball states: "Occasionally the question of pregnancy by rape will be asked. Medical evidence indicates that this is an extremely rare situation. But regardless of how the pregnancy was caused, abortion would greatly compound the wrong. An unborn baby must not be punished for the sins of his father. Letting the baby be born and placing him in an adoptive home would surely be a better solution for an unfortunate situation."
The Teton Dam in southeastern Idaho
The Teton Dam in southeastern Idaho burst, sending a wall of water, between 12 and 20 feet high, onto the mostly LDS towns below. About 40,000 people, most of them members of the Church, were driven from their homes.
The Thai edition of the Book
This translation of Kitab Mormon was done for Indonesia. Additional Information:New translation completed in 2010[6]. Reference information: Craig, Alison (January 1977), "The Saints in Indonesia", Ensign: 86,
TV GUIDE article: "Cute, Cuddly, Courteous
TV GUIDE article: "Cute, Cuddly, Courteous and Worth Millions: Donny and Marie Osmond's TV Success is the Latest Chapter in a Unique Family Saga."
1977
A bishops central storehouse, the second
A bishops central storehouse, the second in the Church and first outside of Salt Lake City, opened at Colton, Calif. Also, the Young Men program was restructured.
An entrepreneur purchases the only LDS
An entrepreneur purchases the only LDS chapel in Washington D.C. from the Church for $300,000 and the same day, sells the building Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church for $475,000. The building, dedicated in 1933 by Heber J. Grant, had been abandoned for two years. Local church leaders felt the building was too costly to refurbish. Rev. Moon, who is accepted by his followers as the new messiah, "sanctifies" the building on September 12.
Bolivia Santa Cruz mission is created
Bolivia Santa Cruz mission is created
BYU president Dallin Oaks writes to Gordon B
BYU president Dallin Oaks writes to Gordon B. Hinckley: "The average rating for the fifteen full-time members of the political science faculty was 4.9. The individual ratings varied from 3 to 8. The average for the history department was on the conservative side of the line, 5.8. There the ratings varied from 3 to 9. . . . The middle-of-the-road average alignment of our faculty in these departments is in sharp contrast to the situation that would prevail in any other major university of which I am aware." Oaks had asked academic vice-president Robert Thomas "to rate each faculty member on a political scale from far left liberal (assigned a value of 1) to far right conservative (assigned a value of 9)." His letter to Hinckley summarized the results.
Chile Osorno mission is created
Chile Osorno mission is created
Chile Santiago North mission is created
Chile Santiago North mission is created
Chile Santiago South mission is created
Chile Santiago South mission is created
CHURCH NEWS feature story that "three
CHURCH NEWS feature story that "three LDS men serve their community as members of the five-man committee that controls and regulates the state's Nevada's billion-dollar-a-year casino industry."
CHURCH NEWS headlines: "Church Educational System
CHURCH NEWS headlines: "Church Educational System Now In 55 Countries" and "Entire Andes Village Joins: They All Wanted Baptism." The latter article tells of the Bolivian village of Huacuyo where the people wrote a letter to the Mission President saying, Please send missionaries to us; our children have learned to read Spanish in school. At our village, they read the Book of Mormon to us. We know it is true, and we want to be baptized." Later research shows much of the story, including this quote, to be exaggerated and/or fabricated.
CHURCH NEWS states: "Elder Paul H.
CHURCH NEWS states: "Elder Paul H. Dunn, a pitcher, played for five years with the St. Louis Cardinals organization in Pocatello, Idaho; Hollywood, Calif., and with the parent St. Louis team."
Conference sustains first Japanese-born general authority
Conference sustains first Japanese-born general authority as member of Firstr Quorum of Seventy, Yoshihiko Kikuchi, exactly one year after sustaining first ethnic Japanese general authority, Adney Komatsu. Also newly appointed F. Enzio Busche is first general authority who has been imprisoned by Americans in POW camp.
Death at age eighty-one of Mildred
Death at age eighty-one of Mildred T. Pettit, composer of "I Am A Child Of God," most popular twentieth-century hymn of Mormonism.
First Presidency letter solicits contributions for completion of thirteen bronze statues for "Relief Society
First Presidency letter solicits contributions for completion of thirteen bronze statues for "Relief Society Monument in Nauvoo, Illinois. The purpose of this monument is twofold: first, to honor the founding of the Relief Society in 1842 by the Prophet Joseph Smith, and second, to portray to the world the role of women in the gospel plan."
First-Presidency-commissioned editorial appears in DESERET NEWS
First-Presidency-commissioned editorial appears in DESERET NEWS in which the Church "officially" disclaims "fads . . . advocated under the guise of the Word of Wisdom by unauthorized persons with unwarranted claims respecting health." It also "completely" disclaims "any sponsorship or endorsement of such teachers, remedies, foods or fads" that "use other phases of religion . . . to give further appearance of credibility to their projects." The editorial reaffirms the Mormon view of medical care: "To refuse to accept assistance from the highly skilled men and women now available may be to reject the very help that could save a life. Some patients are known to have died from diseases which 'nature remedies' could not relieve but which proven medical practices could have cured . . ."
Formation of a new Church Activities
Formation of a new Church Activities Committee, with responsibility for coordinating cultural arts and physical activities, was announced.
Guatemala Quetzaltenango mission is created
Guatemala Quetzaltenango mission is created
In 1977 there were 14,561 missionaries
In 1977 there were 14,561 missionaries called to serve.
In response to continued growth in membership worldwide
In response to continued growth in membership worldwide, the geographic subdivisions of the Church, previously known as areas, were renamed zones, and the 11 zones were subdivided into areas. Members of the First Quorum of the Seventy were assigned as zone advisers and area supervisors.
Italy Catania mission is created
Italy Catania mission is created
John Taylor tells general conference that Trustee-in-Trust's office will begin giving "reasonable recompense
John Taylor tells general conference that Trustee-in-Trust's office will begin giving "reasonable recompense for their services" to Twele and to their two counselors.
LDS Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and LDS Congressman Gunn McKay (D-UT) introduce a proposed
LDS Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and LDS Congressman Gunn McKay (D-UT) introduce a proposed constitutional amendment which mirrors the official LDS position banning abortion except in case of rape or when the mother's health is threatened. The proposed amendment was drafted by two BYU Law School professors. The amendment did not pass congress.
Missouri Saint Louis mission is created
Missouri Saint Louis mission is created
Ohio Cleveland mission is created
Ohio Cleveland mission is created
Paraguay Asuncion mission is created
Paraguay Asuncion mission is created
Pennsylvania Philadelphia mission is created
Pennsylvania Philadelphia mission is created
Peru Lima North mission is created
Peru Lima North mission is created
Peru Lima South mission is created
Peru Lima South mission is created
Philippines Davao mission is created
Philippines Davao mission is created
Poland granted legal status to the Church
Poland granted legal status to the Church.
Richard G. Scott is sustained to First Quorum of Seventy
Richard G. Scott is sustained to First Quorum of Seventy. He is first general authority with extensive experience in what U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower called "the military-industrial complex." Scott served as nuclear engineer at weapons research laboratory in Oakridge, Tennessee, and developed nuclear submarines for twelve years on staff of Admiral Hyman Rickover. Scott becomes member of Twelve in 1988.
Samoa Temple
Plans replaced by the Apia Samoa Temple
Spence W. Kimball History
Announced that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles would oversee ecclesiastical matters and Presiding Bishopric would oversee temporal affairs of the Church
The 1977 Church Membership 3,969,220
1977 Church Membership 3,969,220
The Church published A Topical Guide
The Church published A Topical Guide to the Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the first product of a continuing scriptural-aids project established by the First Presidency.
The First Presidency announced a new
The First Presidency announced a new format for general conferences. General sessions would be held on the first Sunday of each April and October and the preceding Saturday. Regional representative seminars would be held on the preceding Friday.
The First Presidency announced that the Quorum of the Twelve would oversee ecclesiastical matters
The First Presidency announced that the Quorum of the Twelve would oversee ecclesiastical matters and the Presiding Bishopric would have responsibility for temporal programs.
The first Quorum of the Seventy organized to help lead the growing Church
The first Quorum of the Seventy organized to help lead the growing Church.
The Indonesian edition of the Book
This translation of Mormonova Knjiga was done for Croatia. Reference information: Anderson, Kai A. (June 1997), "In His Own Language", Liahona: 29,
The Kirtland Temple is designated as a United States Historic Landmark in a public
The Kirtland Temple is designated as a United States Historic Landmark in a public ceremony.
1978
A new missionary training program was announced
A new missionary training program was announced: Missionaries to English-speaking missions would receive four weeks training while those learning other languages would continue to receive eight weeks training at the new Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, which replaced the Language Training Mission and the Mission Home in Salt Lake City.
A new special emeritus status for General Authorities was announced in general conference
A new special emeritus status for General Authorities was announced in general conference, and seven members of the First Quorum of the Seventy were so designated.
A Young Women's conference is now held each fall
A Young Women's conference is now held each fall.
An MTC in Provo replaces the Salt Lake Mission Home
An MTC in Provo replaces the Salt Lake Mission Home.
Article in NAVAJO TIMES, Window Rock,
Article in NAVAJO TIMES, Window Rock, Arizona, "The Mormon Church is Largest Profit-Making Religious Organization."
BOISE IDAHO STATESMAN article: "BYU Clarifies
BOISE IDAHO STATESMAN article: "BYU Clarifies Dress Code to Allow Women to Wear 'Female-Cut' jeans."
Bonneville Entertainment Inc
Bonneville Entertainment Inc. organized to produce films and television features.
BYU and the U. S. Justice
BYU and the U. S. Justice Department sign an agreement resolving the alleged discriminatory housing practices of the university. The Justice Department will not oppose BYU's requiring all single students to live in university-approved housing. Non-student housing complexes or wings of complexes, however, must allow both male and female renters, while student housing complexes continue to be strictly segregated.
California San Jose mission is created
California San Jose mission is created
California Ventura mission is created
California Ventura mission is created
Church General Conference broadcasts reach all fifty states and much of the world
Church General Conference broadcasts reach all fifty states and much of the world by this date.
CHURCH NEWS headline "Interracial Marriage Discouraged"
CHURCH NEWS headline "Interracial Marriage Discouraged" in same issue which announces authorization of priesthood for those of black African descent. Sources at headquarters indicate that Apostle Mark E Petersen requires this emphasis.
Church sponsors inserts in Reader's Digest explaining its beliefs
Church sponsors inserts in Reader's Digest explaining its beliefs; cellular telephone service begins in the U.S.; KSL-FM sold.
Ecuador Guayaquil mission is created
Ecuador Guayaquil mission is created
Elder and Sister Rendell N. Mabey
Elder and Sister Rendell N. Mabey and Elder and Sister Edwin Q. Cannon arrived in Nigeria as special representatives of the Church to open missionary work in West Africa.
Emeritus status for some general authorities begins
Emeritus status for some general authorities begins.
England London East mission is created
England London East mission is created
First conference for LDS females over
First conference for LDS females over age eleven, broadcast over closed-circuit radio to meeting houses. Although not part of general conference, as is male equivalent, this is first step in giving LDS females a meeting similar to that which Mormon males experienced since 1830. In Sept. 1993 this is divided into Relief Society's and Young Women's "general meeting."
First Presidency announces "priesthood now available
First Presidency announces "priesthood now available to all worthy male members." First Presidency secretary Francis M Gibbons writes that this change "seemed to relieve them of a subtle sense of guilt they had felt over the years." The DESERET NEWS stops a press run to get the announcement in its first edition. By late morning the headline was on the newsstands--"LDS Church extends priesthood to all worthy male members." TIME and NEWSWEEK also stop press runs to get the story into their weekend editions. President Jimmy Carter implied acceptance of the revelation's divine origin. President Jimmy Carter sends a telegram to President Kimball: "I commend you for your compassionate prayerfulness and courage in receiving a new doctrine." The First-Presidency letter containing the four-paragraph statement becomes the most photocopied document in the history of the Church Office Building.
First Presidency announces emeritus status for general authorities due to age
First Presidency announces emeritus status for general authorities due to age, physical infirmity, or other reasons. Members of First Quorum of Seventy are first general authorities to receive this retirement.
First Presidency announces end to all
First Presidency announces end to all local prayer circle meetings, except those connected with endowment ceremony (and prayer circle meetings of general authorities).
First Presidency letter endorses "Morality in Media Inc., with headquarters in New York City
First Presidency letter endorses "Morality in Media Inc., with headquarters in New York City. The Church is represented on its board of directors, which includes men and woman of many faiths and from many walks of life."
First Presidency letter instructs that interviews
First Presidency letter instructs that interviews of married persons "should scrupulously avoid indelicate inquiries," yet also emphasizes: "Married persons should understand that if in their marital relations they are guilty of unnatural, impure or unholy practices, they should not enter the temple unless and until they repent and discontinue any such practices." This reverses position of First Presidency prior to Spencer W. Kimball's ascendancy.
Five days before the historic announcement
Five days before the historic announcement extending the priesthood to all worthy male members, the Salt Lake Tribune publishes a poll of 600 adult Utahns. Over three-fourths say they perceive "none at all" or only "a little" racial discrimination in Utah. Interestingly, 40% of the non-Mormons "criticize discriminatory practices" in the state, while only 14% of the Mormons perceived discrimination as a problem.
For previous three years Brazilian Mormons
For previous three years Brazilian Mormons have donated their jewelry, including wedding rings, to help pay for constructing this temple. By Apostle Boyd K. Packer's specific instructions, LDS translation department renders his address into phonetic SPANISH which he delivers to Brazilians at the dedication.
Gospel Principles published — first manual from the centralized curriculum department
Gospel Principles published — first manual from the centralized curriculum department; Church membership 4 million.
In 1978 there were 15,860 missionaries
In 1978 there were 15,860 missionaries called to serve.
In a BYU oral-history interview Russel
In a BYU oral-history interview Russel B. Swensen recalls a seminar given in 1927 by apostle John A. Widsoe: "Brother John A. Widtsoe had courses, trying to provide these seminary men with a rational perspective on the relation of science and religion. . . . Widtsoe converted me to the biological theory of evolution. . . . I thought . . . that the theory of evolution was cut and dried. But Brother Widtsoe in his very tentative and very cautious way didn't openly advocate it, but presented the theory so basically and so logically that, in part, it led to my accepting it."
In a letter dated June 8
In a letter dated June 8 and made public the following day, the First Presidency announced the revelation that worthy men of all races would be eligible to receive the priesthood. On Sept. 30, members accepted the revelation by a sustaining vote at general conference. The First Presidency's announcement is now Official Declaration - 2 in the Doctrine and Covenants.
Japan Tokyo North mission is created
Japan Tokyo North mission is created
Japan Tokyo South mission is created
Japan Tokyo South mission is created
John Singer marries a second wife,
John Singer marries a second wife, Shirley Black. She moves into his house along with her three children from a previous marriage. Shirley's ex-husband is granted custody of the children which John Singer refuses to allow. Six months later Singer is shot and killed after pointing a gun at police officers trying to serve an arrest warrant.
John Sorenson's reconciliation of Book of Mormon archaeology and Mesoamerican cultural geography
John Sorenson's reconciliation of Book of Mormon archaeology and Mesoamerican cultural geography, "An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon," is rejected for publication by BYU's Religious Studies Center because Elder Mark E. Petersen finds the topic to be "too touchy." The book is Published by F.A.R.M.S. the year following Petersen's death.
Marcus Helvecio Martin and his father
Marcus Helvecio Martin and his father receive priesthood and are ordained elders in Brazil. Right after the ordination, the son is challenged by his stake president to postpone his wedding (although he and his fiancee have already mailed the invitations) and serve a full-time mission. Marcus declines but later, with the blessing of his fiancee (herself a returned missionary), cancels wedding, and in August Marcus H. Martins becomes first full-time missionary of Black African Descent. His father becomes general authority in 1990.
Mexico Merida mission is created
Mexico Merida mission is created
Mexico Mexico City North mission is created
Mexico Mexico City North mission is created
Mexico Mexico City South mission is created
Mexico Mexico City South mission is created
Michigan Dearborn mission is created
Michigan Dearborn mission is created
NEW YORK DAILY WORLD prints an article about the previous month's LDS announcement granting
NEW YORK DAILY WORLD prints an article about the previous month's LDS announcement granting Blacks the priesthood: "Scrapping a 148-Year Old Racist Tradition."
NEW YORK TIMES article: "Mormon Church
NEW YORK TIMES article: "Mormon Church Ordains First Black Since 1800's" tells of ordination of Joseph Freeman.
North Dakota became the final state
North Dakota became the final state of the United States to have a stake headquartered within its boundaries when the Fargo North Dakota stake was created.
Official Declaration 2
President Spencer W. Kimball announces revelation extending priesthood ordination and temple blessings to all worthy male members regardless of race, opening rapid growth in Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean.
Official Declaration 2 removed priesthood restrictions based on race
Official Declaration 2 removed priesthood restrictions based on race.
Official Declaration OD—2 was given to Spencer W
Official Declaration OD—2 was given to Spencer W. Kimball, N. Eldon Tanner,Marion G. Romney (declaration) in matters relating to the cessation of priesthood restrictions based on race
Official Declaration—2 issued by President Kimball, allowing all worthy males to receive the priesthood
Official Declaration—2 issued by President Kimball, allowing all worthy males to receive the priesthood.
Peru Arequipa mission is created
Peru Arequipa mission is created
President Kimball emphasized the four-generation program,
President Kimball emphasized the four-generation program, which later became the basis for the Church's computerized Ancestral File.
President Spencer W
President Spencer W. Kimball announced that semiannual rather than quarterly stake conferences would be held starting in 1979.
Priesthood extended, by revelation, to all worthy males; President Kimball announces the revelation
Priesthood extended, by revelation, to all worthy males; President Kimball announces the revelation.
Robert Stevenson, an African-American Mormon, marries
Robert Stevenson, an African-American Mormon, marries Susan Bevan, a white Mormon.. They had met at Brigham Young University as students, but her Mormon family questions the viability of the relationship. Stevenson later notes that "everybody from the garbage man to the stake president had told her that marrying me would be to her eternal detriment." They seek an interview with a general authority, Boyd K. Packer. Packer calls in Marion D. Hanks. According to Stevenson, "Elder Packer squared off on one side, and Elder Hanks squared off on the other." Packer argued that Stevenson "could accomplish his mission in life and be more effective without being married to a white woman." Hanks said, "I think it's the best thing in the world that you marry Susan. I think that you'll be more effective and you'll be able to break down racial barriers easier."
São Paulo Brazil Temple
São Paulo Brazil Temple was dedicated 30 October–2 November 1978 by Spencer W. Kimball.
Spence W. Kimball History
Organized the one thousandth stake of the Church in Nauvoo, Illinois.
Spencer W. Kimball declares that the place of Mormon women was in the home
Spencer W. Kimball declares that the place of Mormon women was in the home where they might "fully express themselves as mothers, as nurses to the sick, as proponents of high community ideals and as protectors of good morals." Stating that this had been the position of the Church since the days of Joseph Smith, President Kimball goes on to ask "What more can any woman want for herself, what more could any man want for his wife . . . ?"
Spencer W. Kimball dedicates Relief Society
Spencer W. Kimball dedicates Relief Society Monument to Women at Nauvoo, Illinois, and assistant to governor formally apologizes for role of Illinois government in expelling Mormons in 1846.
Stake conferences are held twice yearly instead of quarterly
Stake conferences are held twice yearly instead of quarterly.
The 1978 Church Membership 4,166,854
1978 Church Membership 4,166,854
The Ensign for the blind replaces The New Messenger; first Teletext broadcast on KSL-TV
The Ensign for the blind replaces The New Messenger; first Teletext broadcast on KSL-TV.
The Missionary Training Center in Provo,
The Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, previously the Language Training Mission constructed in 1976, began training all missionaries.
The Relief Society Monument to Women
The Relief Society Monument to Women was dedicated in Nauvoo, Ill., by President Kimball.
The São Paulo Brazil Temple was dedicated by Spencer W
The São Paulo Brazil Temple was dedicated by Spencer W. Kimball.
TIME magazine reports a ninety-minute interview
TIME magazine reports a ninety-minute interview with President Spencer Kimball. The article reports that President Kimball's version of the process leading to the change allowing Blacks to hold the priesthood was much more "matter of fact" than the sensational speculations circulating in Salt Lake City: "I spent a good deal of time in the temple alone, praying for guidance, and there was a gradual and general development of the whole program, in connection with the Apostles." The article says that President Kimball "says flatly that Mormonism no longer holds to . . . a theory" that blacks had been denied the priesthood "because they somehow failed God during their pre-existence."
Two days after suicide of Mormon
Two days after suicide of Mormon schismatic Immanuel David due to collapse of his sect, his wife Rachel throws each of their seven children off eleventh floor of Salt Lake City hotel, then jumps herself. She and six children die in front of dozens of horrified witnesses on street, while her fifteen-year-old daughter is paralyzed for life.
Two visions added to the Pearl of Great Price
Two visions added to the Pearl of Great Price (later Doctrine & Covenants sections 137 and 138).
Washington Spokane mission is created
Washington Spokane mission is created
What is now Official Declaration -
What is now Official Declaration - 2 allowing all worthy males in the Mormon Church to hold the priesthood, is accepted by unanimous vote of the members.
Wisconsin Milwaukee mission is created
Wisconsin Milwaukee mission is created
Women and girls 12 years of age and over gathered for a first-ever special
Women and girls 12 years of age and over gathered for a first-ever special closed-circuit audio conference, similar to general conference priesthood broadcasts.
Worthy Black males are permitted to hold the priesthood by revelation
Worthy Black males are permitted to hold the priesthood by revelation.
1979
1979 Church Membership 4,404,121
Last Year of Mission Branches
A letter to the editor in the DESERET NEWS states
A letter to the editor in the DESERET NEWS states, "As a member of the LDS church . . . I must express my feelings about your recent article on medical quackery (April 9). The article would have us believe the drug and surgery doctors are the'good guys' and all other health practitioners are the 'bad guys.' I resent that because it leaves my church and my God on the wrong side of the fence. In particular, I resent the inclusion among the 'quacks' of the doctors who treat with herbs."
A new 2,400-page edition of the King James version of the Bible
A new 2,400-page edition of the King James version of the Bible, with many special features, including a topical guide, a Bible dictionary, and a revolutionary footnote system, was published by the Church.
A new King James Bible is released by the church
A new King James Bible is released by the church.
Alabama Birmingham mission is created
Alabama Birmingham mission is created
Announced that two visions will become Doctrine and Covenants sections 137 and 138
Announced that two visions will become Doctrine and Covenants sections 137 and 138.
Brazil Recife mission is created
Brazil Recife mission is created
By authorization of one apostle, Ann
By authorization of one apostle, Ann Kenney is set apart as stake Sunday School president of University of Utah 2nd Stake. A counselor in the stake presidency, assures her that he has been "strongly impressed" to issue the calling and also had a general authority approve the calling. Apostle Ezra Taft Benson, president of Twelve, requires her release month later by his definition that Sunday School president must have Melchizedek priesthood.
Chile Vina del Mar mission is created
Chile Vina del Mar mission is created
Church first experiments with satellite-direct broadcasting during General Conference to nine U.S
Church first experiments with satellite-direct broadcasting during General Conference to nine U.S. locations.
CHURCH NEWS article "Computers Aid Church"
CHURCH NEWS article "Computers Aid Church" refers to use of computers by Missionary Department. Due to massive increase of missionaries, computers have assigned Mormons to their full-time missions since church-wide computerization in 1970. First Presidency has neither oversight nor review of mission calls. Special committee (LDS bureaucrats and one or two general authorities) reviews computer print-outs of proposed missionary calls and occasionally changes some mission assignments. Signature machine signs church president's name to letter informing LDS missionaries of their assignments. Management Systems Corporation is dissolved in 1979, its functions absorbed by Information Systems Department.
Church publishes its own edition of the King James Bible with LDS Topical Guide
Church publishes its own edition of the King James Bible with LDS Topical Guide and footnotes.
Connecticut Hartford mission is created
Connecticut Hartford mission is created
Ezra Taft Benson History
Church's one thousandth stake organized at Nauvoo.
Howard W. Hunter History
Toured Middle East and dedicated Orson Hyde Memorial Garden on Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
Idaho Boise mission is created
Idaho Boise mission is created
In 1979 there were 16,590 missionaries
In 1979 there were 16,590 missionaries called to serve.
In one of his nationally syndicated
In one of his nationally syndicated essays political conservative William F. Buckley praises LDS missionary program as "a kind of privately financed peace corps."
Joseph Smith's Vision of the Celestial
Joseph Smith's Vision of the Celestial Kingdom and Joseph F. Smith's Vision of the Redemption of the Dead were transferred from the Pearl of Great Price to the Doctrine and Covenants, becoming Sections 137 and 138, respectively.
Korea Seoul West mission is created
Korea Seoul West mission is created
LDS amputee Kenneth Archer wins wheelchair
LDS amputee Kenneth Archer wins wheelchair division of Boston Marathon. Curt Brinkman wins in 1980.
Mark Hofmann and Doralee Olds are
Mark Hofmann and Doralee Olds are sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.
Mark Hofmann writes to his mother,
Mark Hofmann writes to his mother, "During our Easter feast you gave it as your opinion that certain materials in the Church archives should not be made public because there exists sic certain faith-demoting facts that should not be known. While you may take comfort in knowing that this has been the traditional attitude of the leadership of the Church; you have expressed anxiety because I do not share this belief. . . . My conviction is that the truth is the most important thing." By this time Hofmann has already tried his hand at forgery.
Mississippi Jackson mission is created
Mississippi Jackson mission is created
Philippines Quezon City mission is created
Philippines Quezon City mission is created
President Spencer W
President Spencer W. Kimball, on a tour of the Middle East, dedicated theOrson Hyde Memorial Gardens on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
Puerto Rico San Juan mission is created
Puerto Rico San Juan mission is created
Sally Rand dies at age 75
Sally Rand dies at age 75. Her "fan dance" scandalized visitors at the 1933 Chicago World's fair and brought herself national recognition. In 1934 she scandalized St. Louis with a Lady Godiva horseback ride. "It was my form of social protest," she said according to UPI, "People were starving during those depression days and here the aristocratic women were spending a thousand dollars for a dress to go to a party." She appeared at fairs, nightclubs, and on the burlesque stage. At age 61 she was arrested for dancing nude behind the five-foot ostrich fan which became her trademark. She celebrated her seventieth birthday with a fan dance at the Los Angeles Music Center. She joined the Mormon Church in June 1978, baptized by her son Sean who had joined the Church at her urging.
Spence W. Kimball History
Attended and conducted the dedicatory services for the Orson Hyde Memorial Gardens and received Medal of the City from Jerusalem's mayor.
Spencer W. Kimball dedicates Orson Hyde
Spencer W. Kimball dedicates Orson Hyde Memorial Gardens in Jerusalem.
Taiwan T'aichung mission is created
Taiwan T'aichung mission is created
The Church Genealogical Department announced a new "family entry system" to allow submissions
The Church Genealogical Department announced a new "family entry system" to allow submissions of names of deceased ancestors for temple work whose birthplaces and birthdates are unknown.
The Church organizes its 1,000th stake in Nauvoo, Illinois
The Church organizes its 1,000th stake in Nauvoo, Illinois.
The Church's 1,000th stake was created
The Church's 1,000th stake was created at Nauvoo, Ill., by President Ezra Taft Benson of the Quorum of the Twelve.
The Croatian edition of the Book
This translation of Ai Vola i Momani was done for Fiji. Reference information: Anderson, Kai A. (June 1997), "In His Own Language", Liahona: 29,
The DESERET NEWS reports that Utahns
The DESERET NEWS reports that Utahns have a higher divorce rate than the national average, marry younger, and bear more children.
The first two converts of eastern
The first two converts of eastern Africa were baptized in Kenya.
The Tabernacle Choir, which celebrated the golden anniversary of its nationally broadcast radio program
The Tabernacle Choir, which celebrated the golden anniversary of its nationally broadcast radio program in July, toured Japan and Korea.
The WASHINGTON POST devotes the entire
The WASHINGTON POST devotes the entire top of a page to a photograph of the banner flown by the tow plane over the neighborhood where and LDS area conference is being held: "Mother in Heaven Loves Mormons for ERA." This is the only mention of the conference in the newspaper.
Venezuela Maracaibo mission is created
Venezuela Maracaibo mission is created
Wilbur Fugate swears to an affidavit
Wilbur Fugate swears to an affidavit concerning the origin of the "Kinderhook Plates:" "they are a HUMBUG, gotten up by Robert Wiley, Bridge Whitton and myself. . . . We read in Pratt's prophecy that 'Truth is yet to spring out of the earth.' We concluded to prove the prophecy by way of a joke. . . . Bridge Whitton cut them out of some pieces of copper; Wiley and I made the hieroglyphics by making impressions on beeswax and filling them with acid and putting it on the plates. . . . Our plans worked admirably. . . .On the following morning quite a number of citizens were there to assist in the search, there being two Mormon elders present (Marsh and Sharp). . . . The Mormons wanted to take the plates to Joe Smith, but we refused to let them go. Some time afterward a man assuming the name of Savage, of Quincy, borrowed the plates of Wiley to show to his literary friends there, and took them to Joe Smith