The Church announced the purchase of Spring Hill in Missouri, known in Church history as Adam-ondi-Ahman. (See D&C 116.). Final deeds for the purchase were dated June 27, 1944, the 100th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith. The deed to the land was passed on to the Church by Eugene Johnson, whose family had been in possession of the property for a century. (1)
-- Apr 20, 1944
[Quorum of the Twelve] Mark E. Petersen ordained. (2)
-- May 15, 1944
A 12-page monthly Church News for the 70,000 LDS servicemen was inaugurated by the First Presidency in order to keep more closely in touch with the servicemen. (1)
-- Jun 6, 1944
Allied forces, numbering 130,000 men, invaded Europe at Normandy, France, on "D-Day" breaking the Nazi stranglehold on the Continent and leading to the eventual surrender of Germany. (1)
-- Jun 25, 1944
Memorial services were held in each ward to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith. Special services were also held in Carthage Jail on June 27. (1)
-- During 1944 July
The Church organized the Committee on Publications comprised of General Authorities to supervise the preparation and publication of all Church literature. (1)
Church Committee on Publications organized with Joseph Fielding Smith as chair. (3)
-- Sep 27, 1944
[U.S. Religious History] Aimee Semple McPherson, founder of the Church of the Four-Square Gospel, died. (4)
-- Nov 28, 1944
Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association celebrated its 75th anniversary. A plaque was dedicated by President Heber J. Grant and placed in the Lion House where the initial organization had taken place. (1)
-- During 1944 November
The name of the Genealogical Society of Utah was changed to the Genealogical Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (1)
Genealogical Society of Utah changed its name to Genealogical Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints. (3)
-- 1944
Church Membership at end of year: 954,004
New Converts : 16,954
Percent Change from previous year: 1.81% (5)
-- During 1944-1948
[Periodicals] Church News, LDS; Salt Lake City, Utah Servicemen's Edition Foreign Language Newspapers Published in Salt Lake City, Utah (News Paper) (6)
Footnotes:
1 - Church News: Historical chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
2 - Wikipedia, Chronology of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_the_Quorum_of_the_Twelve_Apostles_(LDS_Church)
3 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
4 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline, http://bit.ly/Fwgbe
5 - Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
6 - Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.4, Appendix 3: Church Periodicals
Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
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