LDS History, 1988

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- During 1988
Often informally representing the United States abroad, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was an official cultural ambassador in its 1988 concert tour of New Zealand and Australia celebrating the Australian Bicentenary. (1)

[Third Parties in Utah] In 1988 a businessman and former Republican party candidate Merrill Cook organized the Independent Party of Utah. Championing tax reduction and reducing government spending, Cook polled 136,651 votes for Governor, 21 percent of the total vote cast, attracting support from both Republicans and Democrats. (2)

[Utah Education] The burden on Utah taxpayers for the support of education is significant; however, but in spite of a vigorous campaign waged to cut taxes in 1988, the electorate defeated tax limitation proposals by a wide margin. Historically, the establishment and perpetuation of schools in Utah has been contingent not only on aspirations and ideals but, on the availability of suitable personnel, facilities, and, most importantly, financial support. (3)

[Utah Historical Society] In 1988 the Society started monthly historic sites tours and began a computerized guide to manuscript holdings in Utah. (4)

[Utah Republican Party] During the 1970s and 1980s, Utah stayed firmly in the national Republican orbit, and GOP presidential candidates would carry the state by large majorities in each election from 1968 through 1988. (5)

[Utah Republican Party] Utah gave the highest plurality of any state to presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, the latter proving to be immensely popular among Utah Republicans. In 1988 incumbent Republican Governor Norman Bangerter was reelected in a come-from-behind victory over highly favored Democratic challenger Ted Wilson, former mayor of Salt Lake City. (5)

[Utah Socialist Party] The Socialist party returned to the Utah ballot in 1988 when its presidential ticket of Willa Kenoyer and Ron Ehrenreich was listed on the ballot as independent. (6)

In 1988 the Mormon Church owned 51 percent of ZCMI's stock. (7)

-- Jan 09, 1989
[U.S. Religious History] Decided: Dodge v. Salvation Army
Can religious organizations receiving federal, state, and local government funding discriminate against people whose religion they don't like? A district court in Mississippi ruled "no," finding in favor of a pagan and against the Salvation Army. (8)

-- Jan 19, 1989
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs at the inauguration of President George H.W. Bush, who calls the choir a ―National Treasure. (9)

-- During January 1989
[Mormon Tabernacle Choir] The choir performs at the inauguration of President George H.W. Bush, who calls it a national treasure. (10)

-- Feb 24, 1989
In Utah a 150-million-year-old fossil egg, still inside the mother, was found by CAT scan to contain the oldest dinosaur embryo. (11)

-- Apr 1, 1989-2
The Second Quorum of the Seventy was created and all General Authorities serving under a five-year call were sustained as members, along with another eight newly called General Authorities. (12)

Footnotes:
1 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Mormon Tabernacle Choir, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/m/MORMONTABCHOIR.html
2 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Third Parties in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/t/THIRDPARTIES.html
3 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah Education, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/e/EDUCATION.html
4 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah Historical Society, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/u/UTAHSTATEHISTORICAL.html
5 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah Republican Party, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/r/REPUBLICANS.html
6 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah Socialist Party, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/s/SOCIALISTPARTY.html
7 - Utah History Encyclopedia: ZCMI, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/z/ZCMI.html
8 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline
9 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
10 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Newsroom, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=036eb2987ff92110VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRDvgnextchannel=9ae411154963d010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD
11 - Ratnikas, Algis, TimelinesDb, http://www.timelinesdb.com/listevents.php?subjid=201title=Utah
12 - 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/

LDS History, Oct 6, 1988

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- Oct 6, 1988
[Quorum of the Twelve] Richard G. Scott ordained. (1)

-- Oct 16, 1988
Elder David B. Haight created the 1,700th stake of the Church. The new stake was in Manaus, Brazil, a city of 1.5 million in the heart of the Amazon jungle. (2)

-- Oct 24, 1988-28
President Thomas S. Monson led a delegation of Church leaders that met with the German Democratic Republic's top government officials. It was announced Nov. 12 that the Church had been granted rights to send missionaries to the DDR and for LDS members from the DDR to serve as missionaries in other countries. (2)

-- During October 1988
President Ezra Taft Benson calls on Church members to flood the earth with the Book of Mormon. (3)

-- Dec 05, 1988
[U.S. Religious History] A federal grand jury charged Jim Bakker with mail fraud and conspiracy to defraud the public through the sale of thousands of lifetime memberships to PTL theme park, Heritage U.S.A. (4)

-- 1988
Church Membership at end of year: 6,721,210
New Converts : 326,896
Percent Change from previous year: 5.11% (5)

[BYU] In the 1988 fall term Brigham Young University enrolled 26,986 day students, plus extension and other special categories students. They were offered eighty-five different majors through eleven colleges and two professional schools served by almost 1,700 full- and part-time faculty, 2,100 administrative and full-time personnel, and 9,000 part-time student employees in over 500 academic, administrative, residential, and support buildings. During that school year 5,869 degrees were awarded, including 955 master's and 243 doctoral degrees. At the year's end Rex E. Lee became president of this prominent educational institution. (6)

[Freemasonry in Utah] Each year, the Utah Grand Lodge, through its Masonic Foundation, disburses an ever-increasing sum for the support of colleges and universities, public broadcasting stations, hospitals, medical research, and student loans and grants, among other contributions. In 1984 these benevolences totaled $100,564; in 1988 they were $144,844, exclusive of the philanthropic activities of the thirty-one current lodges and other related bodies, each of which selects and supports its own beneficiaries; and exclusive of contributions of individual Masons. (7)

-- During 1988-1997
[Fundamentalist] Alma A. Timpson, Leader, Centennial Park "Second Ward". Under Leroy Johnson's leadership, Marion Hammon and Alma Timpson were dismissed from the Short Creek community in 1983; they went on to create the "Second Ward" in Centennial Park, Arizona, so named to distinguish it from the FLDS Church, which they call the "First Ward". (8)

-- During 1988
The BYU Folk Dancers were the only North American dance company to perform at opening ceremonies of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, viewed by an estimated 1 billion people worldwide. (2)

There are 14, Church converts in Africa. (3)

[Histories of Utah] A one-volume history: Wayne K. Hinton's Utah: Unusual beginning to Unique Present (1988) - an oversize coffee table book, filled with pictures, many in color, the popular and well-written text briefly covered most periods and subjects. (9)

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is honored with a Freedom Foundation Award for its contributions to promoting patriotic pride in America. (10)

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 - 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
3 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
4 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline
5 - Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
6 - Utah History Encyclopedia: BYU, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/b/BRIGHAMYOUUNIVER.html
7 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Freemasonry in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/m/MASONRY,FREE.html
8 - Wikipedia, Mormon Fundamentalist Leaders, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_Fundamentalist_Leaders
9 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah History
10 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Newsroom, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=036eb2987ff92110VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRDvgnextchannel=9ae411154963d010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD

Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

LDS History, May 15, 1988

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- 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/

LDS History, 1987

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- During 1987
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir receives an Emmy award for Christmas Sampler with Shirley Verrett. (1)

[Histories of Utah] A history of Utah came in connection with the KUED-TV educational television series on Utah history written by and featuring Dean L. May. The series was successful and the text was published as a companion volume under the title, Utah: A People's History (1987). Popular and personal, the work gave due attention to all the people who came to Utah, emphasized the territorial period, and gave brief attention to the twentieth century. (2)

[Leonard J. Arrignton] Arrington served as director of this institute until his retirement in 1987. His book Brigham Young; American Moses won the prestigious Evans biography award. (3)

[Mormon Tabernacle Choir] Over 100 record albums include a National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences "Grammy" award (1959) for Wilhousky's arrangement of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and Grammy nominations in 1967 and 1987. Five "gold" and two "platinum" records have been awarded to the choir. (4)

[Utah Higher Education] The state system has added several schools-namely, a branch of Utah State Agricultural College in Price, now the College of Eastern Utah, and two technical and vocational training facilities that began in the aftermath of World War II and became comprehensive community colleges in 1987. Salt Lake Community College and Utah Valley Community College brought the number of state public institutions of higher education to nine. (5)

-- Jan 01, 1988
[U.S. Religious History] The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was officially incorporated. (6)

-- Jan 28, 1988
A 13-day standoff in Marion, Utah, between police and a polygamist clan ended in gunfire that killed a state corrections officer and seriously wounded the group's leader, Addam Swapp. (7)

-- Jan 30, 1988-31
Seven stakes were created in one weekend in Lima, Peru, by Elder Charles Didier of the Seventy. (8)

-- During 1988
[U.S. Religious History] Jerry Falwell replaced Jim Bakker on PTL television show. (6)

-- Feb 21, 1988
[U.S. Religious History] During a live TV broadcast, televangelist Jimmy Swaggart admitted that he had visited a prostitute and announced that he would leave his ministry for an unspecified length of time. In April of that same year his Assemblies of God denomination defrocked him and ordered him to stay off television for a year, but he returned much sooner. (6)

-- Feb 24, 1988
[U.S. Religious History] The United States Supreme Court ruled 8-0 that Jerry Falwell could not collect damages for a parody that appeared in the magazine Hustler. (6)

-- Apr 08, 1988
[U.S. Religious History] Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart was defrocked by the Assemblies of God after it was revealed that he was involved with a prostitute. Swaggart was ordered to stay off TV for a year, but returned anyway after just three months. (6)

-- During April 1988
Church President Gordon B. Hinckley receives the NAACP Distinguished Service Award. (1)

Footnotes:
1 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
2 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah History
3 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Leonard J. Arrignton, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/a/Arrington_Leonard.html
4 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Mormon Tabernacle Choir, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/m/MORMONTABCHOIR.html
5 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah Higher Education, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/e/EDUCATION%2CHIGH.html
6 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline
7 - Ratnikas, Algis, TimelinesDb, http://www.timelinesdb.com/listevents.php?subjid=201title=Utah
8 - 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/

LDS History, August 1987

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- During August 1987
For most of twentieth century, the Hotel Utah not only serviced travelers but anchored the community as well. Everything that was anything was held there. However, local interest and convention business was not enough to keep this classy lady in her leading role as Utah's premier hotel. A National Historic Site, the Hotel Utah was closed in August 1987, and its owner, the LDS Church, announced plans to convert the facility to offices and community meeting halls. (1)

[U.S. Religious History] In New Hampshire, a United Methodist Church court suspended Rose Mary Denman, a lesbian minister, because she violated a church rule which prohibited practicing homosexuals from being in the clergy. (2)

-- Sep 4, 1987
A letter from the First Presidency announced the discontinuance of the International Mission. Responsibility for its areas reverted to the respective area presidencies of the Church. (3)

-- Oct 01, 1987
[U.S. Religious History] Pat Robertson announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for president. (2)

-- During October 1987
[U.S. Religious History] The Federal Election Commission imposed a $6,000 fine on Jerry Falwell because he illegally transferred $6.7 million in funds intended for his religious ministry to his various political efforts. (2)

-- Nov 30, 1987
[U.S. Religious History] Argued: Lyng v. Northwest Indian CPA
By a 5-3 vote the Supreme Court would allow a road to be built through sacred Indian lands. The Court did acknowledge that the road would in fact be devastating to their religious practice, but simply found this to be regrettable. (2)

-- During November 1987
[U.S. Religious History] Jerry Falwell announced that he was resigning as head of the Moral Majority, retiring from politics completely, because he wanted to spend more time with his Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, and his television ministry. (2)

-- 1987
Church Membership at end of year: 6,394,314
New Converts : 227,340
Percent Change from previous year: 3.69% (4)

[Copper Mining] The copper industry suffered into the 1970s; in 1987 the company was sold to BP Minerals America, a British-owned affiliate of the Standard Oil Company of Ohio. (5)

-- Between 1987 and 1988
[Copper Mining] Between 1987 and 1988 Kennecott invested $400 million to modernize facilities at the Utah Copper Division, making them highly efficient. (5)

-- During 1987-1992
[Editor of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought] F. Ross Peterson and Mary Kay Peterson (6)

-- During 1987-
Paul Elden Kingston, Leader, Kingston Fundamentalist Group (7)

-- During 1987
Genealogy Program renamed Family History. (8)

Footnotes:
1 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Hotel Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/h/HOLTELUTAH.html
2 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline
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 - Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
5 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Copper Mining, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/c/COPPERMINE.html
6 - Wikipedia, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialogue:_A_Journal_of_Mormon_Thought#List_of_Dialogue_editors
7 - Wikipedia, Mormon Fundamentalist Leaders, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_Fundamentalist_Leaders
8 - 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/

LDS History, Feb 15, 1987

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- Feb 15, 1987
Mormon Tabernacle Choir‘s 3,th weekly ―Music and the Spoken Word broadcast. (1)

-- Mar 12, 1987
It was announced that the Church-owned Hotel Utah, a landmark in downtown Salt Lake City for 76 years, would close as a hotel Aug. 31 and be renovated as a meetinghouse and office building. (2)

-- Mar 19, 1987
[U.S. Religious History] Jim Bakker resigned as head of the PTL ministry after the revelation of a 1980 sexual affair a with church secretary, Jessica Hahn. (3)

-- Apr 20, 1987
[U.S. Religious History] In Columbus, Ohio, three smaller Lutheran groups merged to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), becoming the largest Lutheran denomination in the U.S. It was not officially incorporated, however, until the next year. (3)

-- During June 1987
[U.S. Religious History] Televangelist Oral Roberts claimed that he had raised numerous people from the dead. (3)

-- Jul 01, 1987
[U.S. Religious History] President Reagan nominated conservative jurist Robert Bork to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr.. In October, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 9 to 5 against the nomination and the entire Senate later did the same. (3)

-- Jul 15, 1987
The Genealogical Library celebrated the conversion of the last card from its card catalog to computer. (2)

-- Jul 24, 1987-26
Church members throughout Britain commemorated the 150th anniversary of the first missionary work in Great Britain. Thirteen General Authorities, including President Ezra Taft Benson and President Gordon B. Hinckley, attended various events, which included dedication of historical sites, firesides and conferences. (2)

-- Jul 26, 1987
Church Members celebrate 150 years in the British Isles. (4)

-- Aug 15, 1987
The Church's Genealogical Department was renamed the Family History Department. (2)

-- Aug 27, 1987
[U.S. Religious History] Jamie Dodge of Mississippi was fired from her job at the Salvation Army because she was Pagan. She later filed suit against the Salvation Army for religious discrimination and won. (3)

-- Aug 28, 1987
[Capital Punishment] Lethal injection was introduced in Utah with the death of Pierre Dale Selby, on 28 August 1987. He was sentenced to die for killing three people in Ogden's HiFi Shop thirteen years earlier, and was the second black to be executed in Utah. Also two Hispanics and two Indians have been executed; all the others have been white men. Of the forty-seven executed men, twenty-five were non-Mormons, and eight Mormons; the religion of fourteen could not be specifically ascertained. The ages of those executed ranged from eighteen to sixty-four years of age--the age of John D. Lee when he was executed after being returned to the scene of the Mountain Meadows Massacre for execution, twenty years after the crime occurred. (5)

Frankfurt Germany Temple; Location: Friedrichsdorf, Germany; Announcement: 1 April 1981; Dedication: 28 August 1987 by Ezra Taft Benson; Style: Modern, detached single-spire design (6)

Footnotes:
1 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
2 - 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
3 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline
4 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php
5 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Capital Punishment, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/c/CAPITOLPUN.html
6 - 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

Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

LDS History, 1986

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- During 1986
Church President Ezra Taft Benson emphasizes the necessity for members to read the Book of Mormon as ―the keystone of our religion. (1)

The Uniform System for Teaching the Gospel is publishedâ€"a new set of missionary discussions based on a commitment pattern. (1)

[Leonard J. Arrignton] He also served as president of the Western History Association, the Agricultural History Society, and the Pacific Coast branch of the American History Association. In 1986 he was named a Fellow of the Society of American Historians. (2)

[Lowell Bennion] When Bennion received the Good Samaritan Award in 1985 from Utahns Against Hunger, Charles Johnson, executive director of United Way, said, "He's a combination of an Old Testament prophet, who wants to give you his vision of what should be, and New Testament good Samaritan, who doesn't stand back and talk, but steps in to do the good work himself." Bennion also has received many other honors, including an honorary doctorate at the University of Utah (1982) and establishment there in 1986 of the Lowell L. Bennion Center for Community Service, election to Utah's Beehive Hall of Fame (1987), the Richard D. Bass award for Distinguished Service by a Utahn in the Humanities (1988), and the Caring Award (1989), given in Washington, D.C., to ten Americans who had most exemplified practical human service. (3)

[Media] The Church wins a national Emmy Award for the Homefront, The Practice. (4)

-- During 1986-1991
[Sunstone Editor/Publisher] Daniel Rector, Publisher (5)

-- During 1986-2001
[Sunstone Editor/Publisher] Elbert Eugene Peck, Editor (5)

-- During (1986-
[Utah Historical Society] Director Max Evans (1986- ) has built upon efforts to bring the Society to local communities by involving volunteer special interest groups in planning annual meetings. (6)

-- During 1986
[Utah Republican Party] From 1974 until 1986 no major office in Utah changed from Republican to Democratic hands. During those same years, Republicans dominated the Utah congressional delegation as well as both houses of the state legislature. Two years later, a little-known Salt Lake lawyer, Orrin G. Hatch, emerged from a crowded field as the party nominee for U.S. Senate. (7)

[Ute Indians] Their political clout increased in 1986 when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the tribe's right to exercise "legal jurisdiction" over all pre-allotment reservation lands, giving them an undefined amount of legal control over the land and citizens of eastern Utah. (8)

-- Jan 23, 1987
Mark Hofmann imprisoned, responsible for two deaths and several forgeries of historic documents. (9)

-- During January 1987
[U.S. Religious History] Televangelist Oral Roberts announced that God had informed him that he would be "called home" if he did not raise USD $8 million by March 31 of that year. This money was supposedly needed for missionary work in underdeveloped nations and the plea was evidently successful - a shortfall of over USD $1 million was made up for at the last minute by Jerry Collins, a Florida racetrack owner. (10)

-- Feb 15, 1987
The Tabernacle Choir marked its 3,000th radio broadcast in a series that had become the longest-running network program in the free world. (11)

Footnotes:
1 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
2 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Leonard J. Arrignton, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/a/Arrington_Leonard.html
3 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Lowell Bennion, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/b/BENNION%2CLOWELL.html
4 - The Mormon Channel: The Broadcast and Media History of the LDS Church Timeline, http://radio.lds.org/eng/about/media-timeline
5 - Wikipedia, Sunstone Magazine, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunstone_Magazine
6 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah Historical Society, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/u/UTAHSTATEHISTORICAL.html
7 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah Republican Party, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/r/REPUBLICANS.html
8 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Ute Indians, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/u/UTES%2CNORTHERN.html
9 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
10 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline
11 - 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/

LDS History, January 1986

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- During January 1986
[U.S. Religious History] Jerry Falwell held a press conference in Washington, D.C., in order to announce that he was changing the name of the Moral Majority to the Liberty Foundation. This new title never caught on and was abandoned before long. (1)

-- During March 1986
[U.S. Religious History] Father Charles E. Curran, a moral theologian at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., revealed that the Vatican had given him an ultimatum: retract his views on birth control, divorce, and other matters pertaining to sexuality, or lose the authority to teach Roman Catholic doctrine. Thousands protested this ultimatum and Curran refused to retract; eventually, the Vatican revoked his license to teach as a Catholic theologian and in 1987 he was suspended from Catholic University entirely. (1)

-- Apr 30, 1986
Church membership was estimated to have reached the 6-million member milestone. (2)

Worldwide Church Membership is estimated to have reached Six Million [6 000 000]. (3)

-- Jun 22, 1986
The 1,600th stake of the Church was created by President Monson in Kitchener, Ontario. (2)

-- Jul 6, 1986
New missionary discussions, which focus on "teaching from the heart," were approved for use in all English-speaking missions. (2)

-- Oct 4, 1986
Seventies quorums in stakes throughout the Church were discontinued. (2)

-- Oct 9, 1986
Joseph B. Wirthlin is ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. (4)

-- Oct 11, 1986
In the first Churchwide Young Women activity, an estimated 300,000 gathered at sites around the world to release helium-filled balloons containing personal messages from the young women. (2)

-- Oct 24, 1986
Denver Colorado Temple; Location: Centennial, Colorado, USA; Announcement: 31 March 1982; Dedication: 24 October 1986 by Ezra Taft Benson; Style: Modern, single-spire design (5)

-- 1986
Church Membership at end of year: 6,166,974
New Converts : 247,491
Percent Change from previous year: 4.18% (6)

[African Americans in Utah] The Utah legislature reluctantly voted in 1986 to make the federal holiday observing Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday a state holiday. The state holiday is named Martin Luther King/Human Rights Day. The favorable vote was influenced by external considerations as well as broad-based support from a cross-section of the Utah populace. (7)

[Democrats in Utah] Defeats for Governor in 1984 and 1988, and for the U.S. Senate in 1980, 1982 and 1986 seemed to suggest that the party was facing hard times for the foreseeable future. (8)

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, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html
3 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php
4 - Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)
5 - 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
6 - Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
7 - Utah History Encyclopedia: African Americans in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/a/African_Americans.html
8 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Democrats in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/d/DEMOCRATIC.html

Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

LDS History, Dec 14, 1985

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- Dec 14, 1985
Seoul Korea Temple; Location: Seoul, South Korea; Announcement: 1 April 1981; Dedication: 14 December 1985 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Style: Modern adaptation of six-spire design (1)

-- 1985
Church Membership at end of year: 5,919,483
New Converts : 278,429
Percent Change from previous year: 4.94% (2)

Special fasts raised $11 million for famine victims. (3)

By the end of this year, there are 37 operating temples, of which are outside the U.S. . (4)

Church Missionary Department begins producing Direct Gospel Messages (DGMs) videotapes, ―often shown during prime time television hours in selected areas. (4)

Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is published in Salt Lake City by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, containing one-third of the original hymns chosen by Emma Smith along with added new material. (4)

[General Religious History] The Battle of the Beanfield forces an end to the Stonehenge free festivals. (5)

[Histories of Utah] S. George Ellsworth's Utah's Heritage came out in 1972. Written for the public schools, it also attracted adult readers. The work was detailed and comprehensive, and based on primary or contemporary sources, newspapers, and monographs. Coverage included geology and geography, prehistoric and historic Indians, and much on the pre-1847 period. Attention was given to non-Mormons and the twentieth century was treated in depth. In 1985 the New Utah's Heritage appeared; the book has been revised, reduced by one-third, and chapters added on minority groups. (6)

[Utah] Jake Garn, is first U.S. Senator to fly in space. (7)

[Utah Historical Society] In 1985 it accepted co-sponsorship of the Utah History Fair. The focus in historic preservation expanded to preservation planning, technical assistance, and a local government certification program. The library added microcopies and tape recordings. (8)

-- Jan 10, 1986
Lima Peru Temple; Location: Lima, Peru; Announcement: 1 April 1981; Dedication: 10 January 1986 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Style: Modern adaptation of six-spire design (1)

-- Jan 17, 1986
Buenos Aires Argentina Temple; Location: Ciudad Evita, Argentina; Announcement: 2 April 1980; Dedication: 17 January 1986 by Thomas S. Monson; Style: Modern adaptation of six-spire design (1)

[Thomas S. Monson] Dedicated the Buenos Aires Temple in Argentina. (9)

Footnotes:
1 - 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
2 - Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
3 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
4 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
5 - Wikipedia, Timeline of Religion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_religion#History_of_Religion
6 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah History
7 - History to Go, Utah Today, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/utahtoday.html
8 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah Historical Society, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/u/UTAHSTATEHISTORICAL.html
9 - Deseret News, Timeline: Thomas S. Monson, http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695250351,00.html

Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

LDS History, Oct 10, 1985

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- Oct 10, 1985
M. Russell Ballard is ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. (1)

-- Oct 23, 1985
The Church Genealogical Library in Salt Lake City was dedicated by President Hinckley. (2)

Genealogical Library dedicated . (3)

-- Nov 5, 1985
When Spencer W. Kimball passed away on 5 November 1985 Ezra Taft Benson became the thirteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At eighty-six years of age he became the second oldest man to succeed to the presidency. He called lapsed Mormons to return to the fold. In general conference addresses, he counseled church members to read and study the Book of Mormon. In a humanitarian gesture, he personally delivered a contribution of ten million dollars to President Ronald Reagan to be used to procure food for the world's hungry. (4)

President Spencer W. Kimball died in Salt Lake City at age 90. (2)

President Spencer W. Kimball dies. Ezra Taft Benson becomes the 13th president of the church. (1)

[Spencer W. Kimball] Dies in Salt Lake City, Utah. (5)

[Spencer W. Kimball] President Kimball died 5 November 1985. (6)

[Utah] Spencer W. Kimball, president of the Mormon Church, died at age 90; he was succeeded by Ezra Taft Benson. (7)

-- Nov 10, 1985 - 30 May 1994
[1st Presidency Changes] Ezra Taft Benson Gordon B. Hinckley Thomas S. Monson Reorganization of First Presidency after death of Spencer W. Kimball (8)

-- Nov 10, 1985
President Ezra Taft Benson was ordained and set apart as the 13th president of the Church, with President Hinckley and President Thomas S. Monson as counselors. (2)

[Quorum of the Twelve] The First Presidency is reorganized, with Ezra Taft Benson President, Gordon B. Hinckley First Counselor, and Thomas S. Monson Second Counselor. Marion G. Romney becomes President of the Quorum. Because Marion G. Romney was suffering from health and age difficulties, Howard W. Hunter was set apart as Acting President of the Quorum. (9)

[Thomas S. Monson] Set apart as second counselor in First Presidency to President Ezra Taft Benson. (10)

Footnotes:
1 - Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)
2 - 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
3 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
4 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Ezra Taft Benson, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/b/BENSON%2CEZRA.html
5 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, Salt Lake City, Utah
6 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Spencer W. Kimball, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/k/KIMBALL%2CSPENCER.html
7 - Ratnikas, Algis, TimelinesDb, http://www.timelinesdb.com/listevents.php?subjid=201title=Utah
8 - Wikipedia, First Presidency (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Presidency_(LDS_Church)#Chronology_of_the_First_Presidency
9 - 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)
10 - Deseret News, Timeline: Thomas S. Monson, http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695250351,00.html

Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

LDS History, Apr 19, 1985

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- Apr 19, 1985
Elder Bruce R. McConkie dies. (1)

[Quorum of the Twelve] Bruce R. McConkie dies. (2)

-- During May 1985
[U.S. Religious History] Jerry Falwell apologized to a Jewish group for seeking a "Christian" America. From now on, he promised, he would use the term "Judeo-Christian" America. (3)

-- Jun 11, 1985
[U.S. Religious History] Karen Ann Quinlan, comatose since 1976, died at the age of 31 after a court permitted the removal of her respirator. (3)

-- Jun 29, 1985
The Freiberg Temple, located in the German Democratic Republic, then communist-controlled, was dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley. (4)

-- 1985 29-30 June
Freiberg Temple dedicated in East Germany, behind the Iron Curtain. (5)

-- Jun 29, 1985
Freiberg Germany Temple; Location: Freiberg, Germany; Announcement: 9 October 1982; Dedication: 29 June 1985 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Rededication: 7 September 2002 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Style: Modern, single-spire design with German influence and use of Gothic-style arches; Notes: Originally without an angel Moroni statue, one was installed as part of the 2001-2002 renovations (6)

-- Jul 2, 1985
Stockholm Sweden Temple; Location: Haninge, Sweden; Announcement: 1 April 1981; Dedication: 2 July 1985 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Style: Modern adaptation of six-spire design (6)

-- Aug 2, 1985
A new LDS hymnbook, the first revision in 37 years, came off the presses. (4)

New edition of the hymnal published. (5)

-- Aug 9, 1985
Chicago Illinois Temple; Location: Glenview, Illinois, USA; Announcement: 1 April 1981; Dedication: 9 August 1985 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Rededication: 8 October 1989 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Style: Modern adaptation of six-spire design; Notes: Rededication in 1989 was for the addition only (6)

-- Aug 24, 1985
The Johannesburg South Africa Temple was dedicated by President Hinckley. With the dedication of this building, there was now a temple on every continent except Antarctica. (4)

Johannesburg South Africa Temple; Location: Johannesburg, South Africa; Announcement: 1 April 1981; Dedication: 24 August 1985 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Style: Modern adaptation of six-spire design (6)

Footnotes:
1 - Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)
2 - 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)
3 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline, http://am-rel-hist.gu.ma
4 - 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
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 - 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

Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

LDS History, 1984

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- During 1984
Whitney Store restored as historic site in Kirtland, Ohio. (1)

As of this date, church materials have been translated into 72 languages. (2)

The Apple Corporation markets the Macintosh computer. (2)

[Journalism in Utah] Utah's Mormon settlers brought with them a tradition of newspaper publishing. The first periodical for church members, the monthly Evening and the Morning Star, appeared in Independence, Missouri, only seventeen months after the official organization of the Mormon Church, and other publications followed wherever members located. Utah was no exception. A 1984 checklist lists more than 900 newspapers published in Utah to that date, ten of them in foreign languages and two in Braille. (3)

[Mormon Tabernacle Choir] The virtually round-the-clock schedule of the choir's current programs resulted in the appointment of two associate organists--Linda Margetts and Bonnie Goodliffe--in 1984. Originally unpaid volunteers, both have since been given part-time salaried positions, placing them on similar footing with the three full-time organists. (4)

-- During 1984-
[Periodicals] Khaawaansidthichon; International Magazines Bangkok, Thailand THAI (Periodical) (5)

-- During 1984-90
Belle Spafford was followed in office by Barbara Smith (1974-84) and Barbara Winder (1984-90). Local Relief Societies gradually were incorporated into general ward administration, and returned then to an original emphasis, the spiritual development of church women. The visiting teaching program and the involvement of the local Relief Society president with the bishop in ward welfare work echoed early and mid-twentieth-century programs. (6)

-- During 1984
[Spencer W. Kimball] Area Presidencies are established. (7)

[Third Parties in Utah] In 1984 the Citizen's party nominated Sonia Johnson, a native of Logan, who gained public attention for her support of the Equal Rights Amendment and her subsequent excommunication from the LDS Church. Two other Utahns, Lawrence Topham and Earl Jeppson, were unsuccessful candidates on separate occasions for the American party nomination. (8)

[Utah] Record snowfall causes spring flooding and State Street becomes a river for weeks while the Great Salt Lake overflows its shores, destroying crops and covering roads and highways. (9)

-- Jan 27, 1985
Latter-day Saints in the United States and Canada participated in a special fast to benefit victims of famine in Africa and other parts of the world. The fast raised more than $6 million. (10)

-- During January 1985
LDS Humanitarian Services program begins. LDS in U.S. participated in special fast to benefit victims of famine in Africa and other parts of the world. Fast raised more than $46 million. This essentially was the beginning of the Humanitarian Services program of the Church,769 whose mission is to ―offer hope and the potential for a life that transcends disease, poverty, and despair. (2)

-- Feb 14, 1985
[U.S. Religious History] In the United States, the Rabbinical Assembly of Conservative Judaism formally announced that they would begin to accept women as rabbis. (11)

Footnotes:
1 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
2 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
3 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Journalism in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/j/JOURNALISM.html
4 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Mormon Tabernacle Choir, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/m/MORMONTABCHOIR.html
5 - Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.4, Appendix 3: Church Periodicals
6 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Relief Society, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/r/RELIEFSOCIETY.html
7 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, Salt Lake City, Utah
8 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Third Parties in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/t/THIRDPARTIES.html
9 - History to Go, Utah Today, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/utahtoday.html
10 - 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
11 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline, http://am-rel-hist.gu.ma

Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

Review: Kimball, "Lengthen Your Stride: The Presidency of Spencer W. Kimball, Working Draft" (reviewed by Brent Brizzi)

Review

======

Title: Lengthen Your Stride: The Presidency of Spencer W. Kimball,
Working Draft
Author: Edward L. Kimball
Publisher: Benchmark Books
Genre: Biography
Year Published: 2009
Number of Pages: 665 including index
Binding: Hardback
ISBN:
Price: $99.95


Reviewed by Brent Brizzi for the Association for Mormon Letters


In 1995, Edward Kimball, son of President Spencer W. Kimball, retired
from teaching so that he could devote his efforts to writing the last
chapter of his father's life, having previously written a biography of
his father (with his brother Andrew E. Kimball) that ended shortly into
his father's life as President of the LDS Church.

It was meant to be a last chapter, summing up the remaining years of his
father's life, but as Edward wrote the "last chapter" it kept getting
longer and longer, until it was no longer recognizable as a final
chapter.  It instead has become a tribute to his father's
administration, and shows President Kimball in a much broader light than
a final chapter could have done.

There was a need to finish the story, so work began anew on a more
complete biography, one chronicling in extensive detail the years his
father spent as President of the Church.  His administration, personal
relationships, physical maladies, correspondence, as well as a number of
ecclesiastical subjects, not the least of these being the revelation in
1978 allowing for all worthy male members of the Church to receive the
priesthood, are all covered in this volume.  Bookcraft first published a
biography on President Kimball in 1977. Simply titled "Spencer W.
Kimball," it sold well, selling over 385,000 copies over the years.  It
worked as a catalyst, showing publishers there was a market for
well-written biographies of Church leaders.  This first book was well
received and served to open up a flood of correspondence from not only
the faithful, but those outside of the LDS Church.  Many of these
recollections were sent to Edward over the years; some of them have been
included in this volume.

Background to the publication process is not needed in most cases. In
this review, however, I find it necessary to include some details, as
part of the story of this publication is the process it went through to
reach the final stage culminating in its publication.  Though this book
details the last years of President Kimball's life, and his
administration of the LDS Church, It is not solely devoted to the
ecclesiastical duties of his father's Presidency, but also includes many
personal details on the last years of his father's life.


The route this book took to being published is a short story in itself.
To sum it up, this publication is the zenith of many years of hard work
between the author and both publishers. In a nutshell, Deseret Book (the
first publisher) didn't want to publish the entire manuscript of
"Lengthen Your Stride" due to length and some differences of opinion
referring to content.  The author, not wanting to lose his "golden
words." didn't want to publish only half the story.

Deseret Book and Edward compromised and the first publication included a
CD-ROM which included many items of interest including the "Working
Draft" (as Edward calls it) of "Lengthen Your Stride."  There was an
immediate interest among those who read the edited version of "Lengthen
Your Stride" to be able to read the complete version without being
tethered to a computer to do so.  Realizing the demand for a "finished"
product that the reader could hold, the owner and publisher of Benchmark
Books, Curt Bench, sought and negotiated with Deseret Book and Edward to
release a limited edition run of the entire "Working Draft" manuscript.
After a period of negotiation, Benchmark Books acquired the rights to
publish a limited run of 500 copies of the completed manuscript. Of this
they published 400 copies, thirty of which are bound in leather.

The CD-ROM is much like this book, but even in this there are more
details added to distinguish it further from its predecessors.  The
inclusion of an expanded table of contents, and a simple index, were
written exclusively for this limited edition.  Also there is a new
Publishers Preface, in part explaining the previous publisher's preface
to the Deseret Book publication.

There are many details that were omitted in the Deseret Book
publication. Here is one example, found early in the book. It concerns a
dream that President Kimball had early on in his administration.

The 2005 Deseret Book publication reads as follows:


"Now there was no one on earth to whom he could turn with his problems.
Yet he did not feel alone.  He dreamed one night that he and President
Lee were looking at real estate together.  The dream left him with a
warm feeling of assurance." [DB9]

The Benchmark Books publication reads as follows:

"But now there was no one on earth to whom he could turn over his
problems.  Yet he did not feel alone.  One night early in his presidency
he dreamed of President Lee:  He was handsome and happy.

We seemed to be together for a long period of time as we moved around in
what seem to be Thatcher, Arizona, looking at real estate….  We did not
seem to be hurried.  It was very pleasant to be with him.  It seemed we
did not use our voices but seemed to understand each other.

Eventually he gradually faded out of the picture and left me with a very
pleasing, happy mood.  Whether it was a dream or a vision, I do not know
but it was a most happy experience and I was grateful for it." [BB21]

Included in this volume are not just the details of Spencer's
administration, but also the physical frailties of which he endured.

Here are just a few of the ailments he faced:  a heart condition, throat
cancer, degenerative arthritis, glaucoma, cataracts, and even some
instances of hallucination following surgery to reduce the pressure on
his brain due to subdural hematomas.[BB588-89].  All are recounted here
in some detail.  There were many other ailments to which President
Kimball also endured, too many to specify in a review.

Through it all, I was struck time and again with his resilience, always
struggling to continue on.  This is not to say that he didn't let the
challenges of his health get to him.  Over the years he would be heard
to say on occasion that he didn't know why he was still here, his body
was broken, and his voice mostly gone.  Many times as he encountered one
health problem after another it would seem as though the end were near,
only to find him on the mend, and continuing his work, sometimes
traveling within a very short period of time after a major physical
ailment.  Sometimes he would miss most of General Conference, only to
reappear for several sessions at one of the following conferences.

No book would be complete about President Kimball if it did not discuss
at some length the revelation received on June 1, 1978.  This book has
extensive details as to how the revelation came to take place, the
Apostles reactions, those who were present, how to go about releasing a
statement (some thought it best to wait until General Conference in
October of that year). The reaction of Elder McConkie was to release the
revelation immediately, "so as to not be forced by Satan into saying
they had to do it"[BB355-56].  In LDS Church history there are several
defining events but not many equal the importance of the revelation
received by President Kimball in relation to the Priesthood being
extended to all worthy males, regardless of race or color.

Curt Bench, in his preface to the Special Limited Edition, had this to
say:  "We express gratitude to Edward Kimball and to Deseret Book for
their permission to publish this special limited edition of one of the
finest biographies ever written of a prominent LDS Church leader."

I concur with the sentiments expressed above.  This truly is a seminal
work on the life and legacy of President Spencer W. Kimball.  Every once
in a while a book comes along that rewrites the rules for publication.
This volume, for an LDS publication, does just that.  It is a complete
unedited version, containing all that the author wants to say, no holds
barred, a quintessential biography.  Rarely does an author come along
with the kind of insight and access that Edward Kimball had to his
father and the foresight to know that there was much more to be written.

The shortcomings of this book Edward assures us are not due to his
editing out of events, but sometimes the lack of complete access to all
the sources. He states:  "Despite my personal access to President
Kimball, I was never an insider in Church affairs.  After my father
became President, my interaction with him rarely related to Church
administration or doctrine.  He never discussed confidential matters
with me, or any other family member for that matter" BB-Preface10.  On
that subject he also had this to say: "I had access to correspondence
files in my parents' home office, but not to the correspondence kept at
my father's Church office".

In spite of these omissions, the book is a lengthy, detailed,
well-written accounting of the years that President Kimball was
President of the Church.  The author spent many years collecting
documents and correspondence, and kept a detailed journal of his own,
recounting events in President Kimball's later years.  It is a testament
to the author's tenacious love for the story, and for his father.
Edward wanted to preserve his father's legacy; he has done just that
with this publication.  It is a great biography of a great man.
Unfortunately, the book is out of print, with no 2nd printing expected.
If you can find a copy of this publication it is well worth owning.  If
you are unable to find a hardback copy, don't let the eye strain stop
you from reading it on the computer.

LDS History, August 1984

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- During August 1984
[Mormon Tabernacle Choir] The choir performs at the Olympic Gala for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics Games. (1)

-- Sep 20, 1984
Sydney Australia Temple; Location: Carlingford, Hornsby Shire, New South Wales, Australia; Announcement: 2 April 1980; Dedication: 20 September 1984 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Style: Modern, single-spire design (2)

-- Sep 25, 1984
Manila Philippines Temple; Location: Quezon City, Philippines; Announcement: 1 April 1981; Dedication: 25 September 1984 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Style: Modern adaptation of six-spire design (2)

-- Oct 19, 1984
Dallas Texas Temple; Location: Dallas, Texas, USA; Announcement: 1 April 1981; Dedication: 19 October 1984 by Gordon B. Hinkley; Rededication: 5 March 1989 by Gordon B. Hinkley; Style: Sloping roof, six spire; Notes: The rededication in 1989 was for the addition only (2)

-- Oct 28, 1984
The Church's 1,500th stake was created 150 years after the first stake was organized in Kirtland, Ohio. The landmark stake was the Ciudad Obregon Mexico Yaqui Stake. (3)

-- Nov 17, 1984
Taipei Taiwan Temple; Location: Taipei, Taiwan; Announcement: 31 March 1982; Dedication: 17 November 1984 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Rededication: 13 November 2006 by L. Tom Perry; Style: Modern adaptation of six-spire design (2)

-- Nov 26, 1984
The First Presidency announced that, beginning Jan. 1, the term of full-time missionary service for single elders would again be 24 months. It had been shortened from two years to 18 months in April 1982. (3)

The First Presidency announces that Full-time Single Elders would return to serving missions for 24 months. This followed a period of several years, where many had been called to serve 18 months, instead of the usual 24. (4)

-- During November 1984
[U.S. Religious History] Reports from the Federal Election Commission reveal that Jerry Falwell's "I Love America Committee," a political action committee created in 1983, was a flop. The PAC raised $485,000 in its first year, but had spent $413,000 in the process. (5)

-- Dec 14, 1984
Guatemala City Guatemala Temple; Location: Guatemala City, Guatemala; Announcement: 1 April 1981; Dedication: 14 December 1984 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Style: Modern adaptation of six-spire design (2)

-- 1984
Church Membership at end of year: 5,641,054
New Converts : 289,330
Percent Change from previous year: 5.41% (6)

[African Americans in Utah] Governor Scott Matheson appointed Judge Tyrone Medley to the Third Circuit Court in 1984. (7)

[Freemasonry in Utah] Although Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and others in the Mormon Church hierarchy were legitimate Masons, a deep-seated rift developed between the LDS Church and the Masons in Utah. Blame for this animosity has been attributed to both sides. For almost sixty years, no member of the LDS Church could apply for membership or visit a Masonic lodge in Utah. The Grand Lodge of Utah officially rescinded the exclusionary provisions in 1984. (8)

Footnotes:
1 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Newsroom, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=036eb2987ff92110VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRDvgnextchannel=9ae411154963d010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD
2 - 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
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 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php
5 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline, http://am-rel-hist.gu.ma
6 - Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
7 - Utah History Encyclopedia: African Americans in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/a/African_Americans.html
8 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Freemasonry in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/m/MASONRY,FREE.html

Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

LDS History, Apr 4, 1984

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- Apr 4, 1984
Museum of Church History and Art dedicated in Salt Lake City. (1)

-- Apr 7, 1984
The first members of the First Quorum of the Seventy called for temporary three- to five-year terms were sustained. They were later sustained to the Second Quorum of the Seventy, created in 1989. (2)

First general authorities called to serve with a five-year, rather than lifetime, appointment. (1)

-- Apr 12, 1984
Russell M. Nelson is ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. (3)

-- During 1984 April
Personal Ancestral File software released. (1)

-- May 3, 1984
Dallin H. Oaks is ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. (3)

-- May 25, 1984
Boise Idaho Temple; Location: Boise, Idaho, USA; Announcement: 31 March 1982; Dedication: 25 May 1984 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Rededication: 14 February 1987 by James E. Faust; Style: Modern adaptation of six-spire design; Notes: The rededication in 1987 was for the addition only (4)

-- Jun 14, 1984
[U.S. Religious History] The Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution against ordaining women in the Baptist Church. (5)

-- Jun 24, 1984
Members of the First Quorum of the Seventy were appointed to serve as area presidencies in 13 major geographical areas of the Church â€" seven in the United States and Canada and six in other parts of the world. (2)

Area presidencies organized. (1)

-- During 1984, June
Area Presidencies inaugurated, with members called from the Seventies. (6)

-- Jul 24, 1984
In American Fort, Utah, Ron and Dan Lafferty stabbed to death their sister-in-law, Brenda Lafferty, and her daughter Erica, aged 15 months. In 2003 Jon Krakauer authored "Under the Banner of Heaven," an account of the murder and the Mormon background of the Laffertys. (7)

-- During July 1984
[U.S. Religious History] Jerry Falwell was forced to pay gay activist Jerry Sloan $5,000 after losing a court battle. During a TV debate in Sacramento, Falwell falsely denied calling the gay-oriented Metropolitan Community Churches "brute beasts" and "a vile and Satanic system" that will "one day be utterly annihilated and there will be a celebration in heaven." When Sloan insisted he had a tape, Falwell promised $5,000 if he could produce it. Sloan did, Falwell refused to pay, and Sloan successfully sued. Falwell appealed, with his attorney alleging that the Jewish judge in the case was prejudiced. Falwell lost again and was forced to pay an additional $2,875 in sanctions and court fees. (5)

Footnotes:
1 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
2 - 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
3 - Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)
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 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline, http://am-rel-hist.gu.ma
6 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Chronology of Church History, http://scriptures.lds.org/chchrono/contents
7 - Ratnikas, Algis, TimelinesDb, http://www.timelinesdb.com/listevents.php?subjid=201title=Utah

Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

LDS History, 1983

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- 1983
Church Membership at end of year: 5,351,724
New Converts : 189,105
Percent Change from previous year: 3.66% (1)

-- During 1983 to 1986
[African Americans in Utah] Williams was the first African American to serve in the Utah Senate, representing Senate District One from 1983 to 1986. (2)

-- During 1983-1988
[Fundamentalist] J. Marion Hammon, Leader, Centennial Park "Second Ward". Under Leroy Johnson's leadership, Marion Hammon and Alma Timpson were dismissed from the Short Creek community in 1983; they went on to create the "Second Ward" in Centennial Park, Arizona, so named to distinguish it from the FLDS Church, which they call the "First Ward". (3)

-- During 1983
Stake welfare properties placed under general Church control. (4)

Bonneville Telecommunications is formed as a division of Bonneville International. It is later sold to Broadcast International in 1990. As of this date, Bonneville International owns nine radio stations. (5)

Church produced made-for-television movie ―The Last Leaf which airs on network television. (5)

Fiber-optic cable is used for long-distance digital audio transmission, linking New York and Washington, D.C. (5)

Public Affairs Department merges with Church‘s Special Affairs, renamed Public Communications/Special Affairs. (5)

[University of Utah] Enrollment increased from 11,515 in 1960, to 14,364 in 1983, to 23,500 students in 1990. (6)

-- Jan 7, 1984
Premier Zhao Ziyang of the People's Republic of China visited the BYU-Hawaii campus and the adjacent Polynesian Cultural Center during the first visit of a Chinese premier to the United States since the People's Republic of China was formed in 1949. (7)

-- Jan 11, 1984
Elder Mark E. Petersen dies. (8)

[Quorum of the Twelve] Mark E. Petersen dies. (9)

-- Mar 25, 1984
A new program â€" the Four-Phase Genealogical Facilities Program â€" was announced, enabling wards and branches to establish genealogical facilities in their meetinghouses. (7)

Footnotes:
1 - Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
2 - Utah History Encyclopedia: African Americans in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/a/African_Americans.html
3 - Wikipedia, Mormon Fundamentalist Leaders, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_Fundamentalist_Leaders
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 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
6 - Utah History Encyclopedia: University of Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/u/UNIVERSITYOFUTAH.html
7 - 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
8 - Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)
9 - 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)

Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

LDS History, Jan 11, 1983

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- 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/

LDS History, Dec 5, 1982

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- Dec 5, 1982
First use of the satellite network beyond general conference for Churchwide youth fireside. (1)

-- 1982
Church Membership at end of year: 5,162,619
New Converts : 242,170
Percent Change from previous year: 4.92% (2)

-- During 1982-1986
[Editor of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought] Linda King Newell and L. Jackson Newell (husband and wife team) (3)

-- During 1982
[Equal Rights Amemdment] NOW (National Organizations for Women) sent teams of missionaries to Utah for the summer of 198l to knock on doors of Mormons asking them to support the ERA. (4)

Church membership passed five million . (5)

Church first purchases satellite transponder capacity (on Westar IV from PBS). Church begins using direct broadcast satellites (DBS). (1)

Sony releases the first CD player. (1)

[Leonard J. Arrignton] Grace Fort Arrington died in 1982, and Arrington later married Harriet Ann Horne. (6)

[Leonard J. Arrignton] In 1982, when the LDS Church History Division was disbanded, most of its employees were transferred to the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History at Brigham Young University. (6)

[Mormon Tabernacle Choir] Schreiner was also the moving force behind the installation of G. Donald Harrison's magnificent Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, recently renovated (1988) and enlarged (11,623 pipes in 206 ranks) under the careful supervision of organists Robert Cundick (1965), John Longhurst (1977), and Clay Christiansen (1982). (7)

Barney Clark receives the first permanent artificial heart at the University of Utah and it functions for 112 days. (8)

[Utah] Jon M. Huntsman forms Huntsman Chemical Corporation in Salt Lake City. (8)

-- Jan 11, 1983
Elder LeGrand Richards dies. (9)

Footnotes:
1 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
2 - Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
3 - Wikipedia, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialogue:_A_Journal_of_Mormon_Thought#List_of_Dialogue_editors
4 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Equal Rights Amemdment, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/e/EQUALRIGHTS.html
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 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Leonard J. Arrignton, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/a/Arrington_Leonard.html
7 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Mormon Tabernacle Choir, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/m/MORMONTABCHOIR.html
8 - History to Go, Utah Today, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/utahtoday.html
9 - Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)

Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

LDS History, Sep 10, 1982

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- Sep 10, 1982
U.S. President Ronald Reagan visited Utah to tour a Church cannery and see the Church Welfare Program in action. (1)

-- Oct 3, 1982
Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve and a member of the Scriptures Publication Committee announced that a subtitle was being added to the Book of Mormon: "Another Testament of Jesus Christ." (1)

First Presidency announced addition of subtitle to the Book of Mormon: ―Another Testament of Jesus Christ. (2)

[Spencer W. Kimball] A subtitle for the Book of Mormon is announcedAnother Testament of Jesus Christ. (3)

-- Oct 30, 1982
A visitors center and historic site opened its doors in the three-story Grandin printing building in Palmyra, N.Y., where the first copies of the Book of Mormon were printed in 1830. (1)

Partially restored Grandin Print Shop in Palmyra, New York, opened as a historic site with a visitors' center. (4)

The Church opens a Visitor centre at The Grandin Printing Building, Paymyra, New York. This was where the Book of Mormon was first printed, back in 1830. (5)

-- Nov 27, 1982 - 2 December 1982
[1st Presidency Changes] Spencer W. Kimball Marion G. Romney Gordon B. Hinckley (Counselor) Death of N. Eldon Tanner (6)

-- Nov 27, 1982
President N. Eldon Tanner dies. Consequently, Marion G. Romney is named as First Counselor, and Gordon B. Hinckley is named as Second Counselor. (7)

[Quorum of the Twelve] N. Eldon Tanner dies. (8)

-- Dec 2, 1982 - 5 November 1985
[1st Presidency Changes] Spencer W. Kimball Marion G. Romney Gordon B. Hinckley Marion G. Romney called as First Counselor; Gordon B. Hinckley called as Second Counselor (6)

-- Dec 2, 1982
[Quorum of the Twelve] Marion G. Romney set apart as First Counselor. Gordon B. Hinckley set apart as Second Counselor. (8)

[Spencer W. Kimball] Reorganizes the First Presidency, with President Marion G. Romney as First Counselor and President Gordon B. Hinckley as Second Counselor. (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 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, Salt Lake City, Utah
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, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php
6 - Wikipedia, First Presidency (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Presidency_(LDS_Church)#Chronology_of_the_First_Presidency
7 - Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)
8 - 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)

Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

LDS History, 1981

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- 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/

LDS History, Nov 16, 1981

LDS History Chronology /Timeline

-- Nov 16, 1981
Jordan River Utah Temple; Location: South Jordan, Utah, USA; Announcement: 3 February 1978; Dedication: 16 November 1981 by Marion G. Romney (1)

-- 1981
Church Membership at end of year: 4,920,449
New Converts : 280,627
Percent Change from previous year: 6.05% (2)

[African Americans in Utah] The recent efforts of the Aryan Nation, a white supremacist group, to establish an office in the Salt Lake area were strongly rebuffed by a broad cross-section of the community representing a variety of racial, religious, political, and ethnic groups. This is in striking contrast to a non-response to the NAACPs 1979 request that civic and religious organizations and government officials join in denouncing the Ku Klux Klans efforts to actively recruit and spread their message of hate throughout the state. The visibility and acceptance of African Americans in a variety of positions is gradually increasing at many levels within the state of Utah. Companies in the private sector such as Delta Airlines, American Express, Northwest Pipeline, Innovations Consulting, Inc., and Zions Bank realize that they have a vital interest in promoting diversity and have sought to lead by example. Public and higher education has also played an important role in advanci
ng diversity within the workplace and the role of local, state, and federal governments cannot be overlooked.
According to Professor Larry Gerlach of the University of Utah, an expert on the Klan in Utah, "the silence was deafening: not a single religious leader, governmental official, or newspaper publisher publicly voiced opposition to the formation of the Klan." In 1980 and 1981 opposition to the Klan efforts was expressed by the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, by Mayor Glen Cannon of Draper, and by the local media. Most Utahns chose to ignore the issue. (3)

-- During 1981 to 1982
[African Americans in Utah] Terry Williams, a Democrat from Salt Lake City, was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 1980, and served from 1981 to 1982. (3)

-- During 1981-
[Fundamentalist] Gerald Peterson, Jr, Leader, Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4)

-- During 1981
Installation of extensive satellite system for the Church. (5)

Bonneville Entertainment Company incorporated into Bonneville International Corporation. (6)

IBM introduces a 16-bit personal computer. (6)

[General Religious History] The Stregherian revial, the Arician Tradition is founded and "The Book of the Holy Strega" and "The Book of Ways" Volume I & II are published. (7)

-- During (1981
[Mormon Tabernacle Choir] The choir's numerous citations and awards have included the Peabody Award for service to American Broadcasting (1944, 1962) and the Freedom Foundation's "George Washington Award" (1981, 1988). (8)

-- During 1981
[Spencer W. Kimball] Oversees the publication of a new edition of the triple combination, with an updated footnote system and index. (9)

-- During 1981 to 1985
[Spencer W. Kimball] Oversees the dedications of 17 temples. (9)

-- During 1981
[Spencer W. Kimball] Brain surgery in 1979 slowed him, and recurring troubles in 1981 ended his active leadership. During his last four years, his counselor Gordon B. Hinckley shouldered major responsibilities. (10)

Footnotes:
1 - 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
2 - Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
3 - Utah History Encyclopedia: African Americans in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/a/African_Americans.html
4 - Wikipedia, Mormon Fundamentalist Leaders, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_Fundamentalist_Leaders
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 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
7 - Wikipedia, Timeline of Religion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_religion#History_of_Religion
8 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Mormon Tabernacle Choir, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/m/MORMONTABCHOIR.html
9 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, Salt Lake City, Utah
10 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Spencer W. Kimball, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/k/KIMBALL%2CSPENCER.html

Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/