-- During 1971
[William Morgan] Tragically for Utah and Mormon history, Morgan died at the age of fifty-six in 1971. Much of his projected work on Mormon and Utah themes was still unfinished. Later workers have followed his lead, publishing, in addition to bibliographies and chapters on Joseph Smith initiated by him, a number of works that he more or less laid out while he was still with the Utah Writers Project. (1)
-- 1972 Fall
Gospel Doctrine classes began studying standard works rather than prepared manuals. (2)
-- Jan 14, 1972
The Church Historical Department was formed in a reorganization of the Church Historian's Office. Church library, archives, and history divisions were created within the new department. (3)
Church Historian's Office became Church Historical Department. (2)
-- Jan 18, 1972
The Ogden Temple was dedicated by President Joseph Fielding Smith. (3)
Ogden Utah Temple; Location: Ogden, Utah, USA; Announcement: 24 August 1967; Dedication: 18 January 1972 by Joseph Fielding Smith; Style: Modern, single-tower design (4)
-- Jan 29, 1972
The Adult Aaronic Priesthood Program is renamed to The Prospective Elders Program. (5)
-- Feb 9, 1972
The Provo Temple was dedicated by President Smith. (3)
Provo Utah Temple; Location: Provo, Utah, USA; Announcement: 14 August 1967; Dedication: 9 February 1972 by Joseph Fielding Smith; Style: Functional modern with single center spire design; Notes: Harold B. Lee read the dedicatory prayer prepared by Joseph Fielding Smith (4)
-- Apr 12, 1972
[Spencer W. Kimball] Undergoes open-heart surgery. (6)
-- Jun 3, 1972
Public Affairs Department of the Church organized. Wendell J. Ashton is managing director of public communications. The department is organized into five divisions, including news and information, electronic media, visitors centers, hosting, and pageants. An office is established in New York and later offices in London, Paris, Los Angeles, Toronto, Frankfurt, Sydney, Sao Paulo, and Tokyo are added. (7)
-- During June 1972
[U.S. Religious History] Reverend William Johnson becomes the first openly gay person ordained in any Christian organization: the United Church of Christ. (8)
-- Jul 2, 1972
President Smith died in Salt Lake City at age 95. (3)
Footnotes:
1 - Utah Historical Encyclopedia, William Morgan, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/m/MORGAN%2CDALE.html
2 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
3 - Church News: Historical chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4 - Wikipedia, List of Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_temples_of_The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints#List_of_temples
5 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php
6 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, Salt Lake City, Utah
7 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
8 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline, http://am-rel-hist.gu.ma
Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
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