-- May 15, 1988
Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve organized the Aba Nigeria Stake, the first Church stake in West Africa. (1)
First stake organized in black Africa in Aba, Nigeria. (2)
-- May 20, 1988
President Marion G. Romney, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dies. (3)
[Quorum of the Twelve] Marion G. Romney dies. Howard W. Hunter becomes President of the Quorum. (4)
-- May 28, 1988
The First Presidency issued a statement on the subject of AIDS, stressing chastity before marriage, fidelity in marriage, and abstinence from homosexual behavior, yet extending sympathy to those who have contracted the disease. (1)
-- During May 1988
[U.S. Religious History] The United Methodist Church formally rejected the notion or value of pluralism when, during the General Conference in St. Louis, Bishop Jack Tuell declared "The time has come to say the last rites over the notion that the defining characteristic of United Methodist theology is pluralism." This was just one of many examples of Protestant groups in America turning towards more conservative theological, social, and political stances. (5)
-- Jun 1, 1988
The Church was granted legal recognition in Hungary, the first of several such steps in Eastern European nations during the next two years. (1)
-- Aug 01, 1988
[U.S. Religious History] Martin Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ" opens to widespread complaints and protests over its blasphemous content. (5)
-- Aug 10, 1988
[Topaz Japanese-American Relocation Center] On 10 August 1988 President Ronald Reagan signed a redress bill into law, issuing an apology to those interned and calling on Congress to budget compensation for the survivors. (6)
-- 1988 Mid-August
100 millionth endowment performed for the dead. (7)
-- During 1988 August
The Church reached the milestone of having completed 100 million endowments for the dead. (1)
-- During September 1988
The National Interfaith Cable Coalition, of which the Church is a founding member, launches a cable television channel called Vision Interfaith Satellite Network. VISN carries several Church programs and specials. The name is later changed to VISN/ACTS Network in October 1992 and changed again to Faith and Values Channel in 1994. (2)
-- Oct 1, 1988
Richard G. Scott is ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. (3)
Footnotes:
1 - 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
2 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
3 - Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)
4 - 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)
5 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline
6 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Topaz Japanese-American Relocation Center, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/t/TOPAZRELOCATION.html
7 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
