-- Jan 22, 1973
[U.S. Religious History] Decided: Roe v. Wade
This landmark decision established that women have a basic right to have an abortion Through various cases, the Supreme Court developed the idea that the Constitution protects a person's to privacy, particularly when it comes to matters involving children and procreation. (1)
-- During 1973
[U.S. Religious History] The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Jerry Falwell's Thomas Road Baptist Church with "fraud and deceit" in the issuance of $6.5 million in unsecured church bonds. Falwell admitted that the SEC was "technically" correct, but a biography of Falwell written by his staff claimed that his church won the suit and was cleared of the charges. This is a lie and the church's finances were actually put in the hands of five local businessmen to settle matters. (1)
-- Feb 4, 1973
The Marriott Activities Center at BYU was dedicated. Seating 22,000, it was the largest such arena on any university campus in the United States. (2)
-- Feb 11, 1973
The Southampton England Stake is Organized. It was the 600th Stake to be organized in the Church. (3)
-- Feb 13, 1973
[U.S. Religious History] The National Council of U.S. Catholic Bishops announced that anyone undergoing or performing an abortion would be excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. (1)
-- During 1973 February
The first Church agricultural missionaries to leave the United States were sent to the Guatemala-El Salvador Mission. (2)
Agricultural missionary program began with missionaries sent to South America. (4)
-- Mar 8, 1973
The first stake on mainland Asia was organized in Seoul, Korea. (2)
[Harold B. Lee] Organizes first stake on Asian mainland at Seoul, Korea. (5)
-- Apr 7, 1973
The creation of the Welfare Services Department was announced in general conference. The new organization brought the three welfare units â€" health services, social services and welfare â€" into full correlation. (2)
Welfare Services Department announced, correlating health services, social services, and the Welfare Program. (4)
-- Aug 24, 1973-26
[Harold B. Lee] Presides at the area general conference in Munich, Germany. (5)
-- Sep 04, 1973
[U.S. Religious History] The Assemblies of God opened its first theological graduate school in Springfield, Missouri. This was the second Pentecostal school of theology in the United States, with the first opened in Tulsa, Oklahoma by Oral Roberts. (1)
Footnotes:
1 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline, http://am-rel-hist.gu.ma
2 - Church News: Historical chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
3 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php
4 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
5 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, Salt Lake City, Utah
Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
