[Joseph Smith] LeGrand Richards is ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. (1)
-- Apr 10, 1952
[Quorum of the Twelve] LeGrand Richards ordained. (2)
-- During 1952, June
[David O McKay] Leaves on nine-week tour of Europe, during which time he visits Church members in nine countries. (3)
-- During 1952 June
President David O. McKay made a six-week tour of European missions and branches in Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Wales, Scotland and France. During this trip he announced Bern, Switzerland, as site of the first European temple. (4)
-- Oct 6, 1952
A letter from the Presiding Bishopric introduced a new Senior Aaronic Priesthood program, with men over 21 years of age organized into separate Aaronic Priesthood quorums. Subsequently, special weekday classes were encouraged in each stake to prepare these brethren for the Melchizedek Priesthood and temple ordinances. (4)
-- Nov 20, 1952
[Joseph Smith] Elder John A. Widtsoe dies. (1)
-- Nov 25, 1952
Elder Ezra Taft Benson of the Quorum of the Twelve was chosen Secretary of Agriculture by Dwight D. Eisenhower, newly elected president of the United States. Elder Benson served in that capacity for eight years. (4)
Ezra Taft Benson appointed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (served 1953-61). (5)
-- Nov 29, 1952
[Quorum of the Twelve] John A. Widtsoe dies. (2)
-- Dec 31, 1952
A letter from the First Presidency announced that the Primary Association had been assigned the duty of establishing the Cub Scout program of the Boy Scouts of America for boys of the Church. (4)
Primary program incorporated Cub scouts. (5)
-- 1952
Church Membership at end of year: 1,189,053
New Converts : 41,896
Percent Change from previous year: 3.65% (6)
A Systematic Program for Teaching the Gospel was published for use by the missionaries of the Church. This inaugurated the use of a standard plan of missionary work throughout the Church, although the specific format of the various lessons was modified from time to time. (4)
Footnotes:
1 - Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)
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 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O McKay, Salt Lake City, Utah
4 - Church News: Historical chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
5 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
6 - 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
Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
