-- During 1981
In H.L. vs. Matheson, the U.S. Supreme Court approves a Utah parental notification law in regard to abortion. The law requires an abortionist to notify the parents of a minor girl who is still living at home as her parent's dependent when an abortion is scheduled. (1)
[Utah Education] Although most Utah school districts gave students graduation credits for attendance at seminary classes, a 1981 Federal court ruling disallowed such credit as being unconstitutional, while upholding the constitutionality of the released-time program. (2)
-- Mar 18, 1982
Three Church executive councils were created: the Missionary Executive Council, the Priesthood Executive Council, and the Temple and Genealogy Executive Council. (3)
-- Apr 1, 1982
It was announced that Church membership had reached the 5-million member mark. (3)
Church membership: 5 million. (4)
-- Apr 2, 1982
At general conference, major changes in financing Church meetinghouses were announced, shifting construction costs to general Church funds and utility costs to local units. Also, the term of service for single elders serving full-time missions was reduced from two years to 18 months. (3)
Church announced it would fund 96% of the cost of meetinghouse construction; 4% would continue to be drawn from local contributions. (5)
-- May 18, 1982
[U.S. Religious History] Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder and leader of the Unification Church, is found guilty in federal court of four separate counts of income tax evasion. (6)
-- Jun 10, 1982
[Equal Rights Amemdment] Despite an extension of time until 10 June 1982, proponents of ERA could not achieve the necessary thirty-eight state ratifications. National polls consistently showed the majority of Americans in favor of the amendment. However, opponents -- who ranged from the John Birch Society and Phyllis Shafley's STOP ERA, to conservatives throughout the political spectrum of Protestant-Catholic-Mormon-Jews -- combined successfully to defeat the amendment. (7)
-- Jun 20, 1982
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings in Royal Albert Hall, London, England. (8)
-- Jul 01, 1982
[U.S. Religious History] Reverend Sun Myung Moon, of the Unification Church married 2,075 couples at Madison Square Garden. Many of the newlyweds were complete strangers to one another. (6)
-- Jul 16, 1982
[U.S. Religious History] Rev. Sun Myung Moon was sentenced to 18 months in prison for tax fraud and obstruction of justice. (6)
-- Sep 5, 1982
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir celebrated 50 years of continuous weekly broadcasts over the CBS radio network. (3)
Footnotes:
1 - History to Go, Utah Today, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/utahtoday.html
2 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah Education, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/e/EDUCATION.html
3 - Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html
4 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
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 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline, http://am-rel-hist.gu.ma
7 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Equal Rights Amemdment, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/e/EQUALRIGHTS.html
8 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php
Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
