-- Jan 11, 1983
[Quorum of the Twelve] LeGrand Richards dies. (1)
-- During February 1983
As of this date, the Book of Mormon has been translated into 52 languages. (2)
-- Jun 1, 1983
Atlanta Georgia (Closed for renovations) Temple; Location: Sandy Springs, Georgia, USA; Announcement: 2 April 1980; Dedication: 1 June 1983 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Rededication: 14 November 1997 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Notes: The rededication in 1997 was for the addition of a new baptistry, two new sealing rooms, and remodeling. The church announced on April 4th that the Atlanta Temple will close 1 July 2009 for 15 to 18 months for renovations (3)
-- Jun 10, 1983
[U.S. Religious History] The Presbyterian Church (USA) was created in Atlanta, Georgia, reuniting the long-divided the United Presbyterian Church (UPCUSA) and the Southern Presbyterian Church (PCUS). (4)
-- Jul 04, 1983
[U.S. Religious History] Rev. Jerry Falwell described AIDS as a "gay plague." (4)
-- Aug 5, 1983, 9
For the first time in Church history, two temples were dedicated within a week's time: the Apia Samoa Temple on Aug. 5 and the Nuku'alofa Tonga Temple on Aug. 9; both by President Gordon B. Hinckley. (5)
-- Aug 5, 1983
Apia Samoa Temple; Location: Apia, Samoa; Announcement: 16 July 2003; Dedication: Original temple dedicated 5 August 1983 by Gordon B. Hinckley, rebuilt temple dedicated 4 September 2005 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Notes: The original Samoa temple was dedicated in 1983 and destroyed by fire in 2003. This new temple of a similar design was built on the same site although it is substantially larger. Most lists place this temple according to the date the original was dedicated. (3)
-- Aug 9, 1983
Nuku alofa Tonga Temple; Location: Tongatapu, Tonga; Announcement: 2 April 1980; Dedication: 9 August 1983 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Rededication: 4 November 2007 by Russell M. Nelson; Notes: The Tongan temple was rededicated November 4, 2007 following remodeling that began in June 2006. (3)
-- Sep 15, 1983
Santiago Chile Temple; Location: Santiago, Chile; Announcement: 2 April 1980; Dedication: 15 September 1983 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Rededication: 12 March 2006 by Gordon B. Hinckley (3)
-- Oct 16, 1983
The first of a series of multi-stake (later known as regional) conferences was held in London, England. (5)
-- Oct 27, 1983
Papeete Tahiti Temple; Location: Papeete, French Polynesia; Announcement: 2 April 1980; Dedication: 27 October 1983 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Rededication: 12 November 2006 by L. Tom Perry; Style: Modern, single-spire design with influences of French and Polynesian cultures (3)
-- Dec 2, 1983
[Temple] First smaller temples dedicated (3)
Mexico City Mexico Temple; Location: Mexico City, DF, Mexico; Announcement: 3 April 1976; Dedication: 2 December 1983 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Rededication: 16 November 2008 by Thomas S. Monson; Style: Modern adaptation of ancient Mayan architecture; Notes: The Mexico City Mexico Temple was closed March 30, 2007 for renovations that are now complete. The temple was rededicated Sunday, 16 November 2008. (3)
Footnotes:
1 - 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)
2 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
3 - 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
4 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline, http://am-rel-hist.gu.ma
5 - 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
Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
