Modern History of the Church

This website focuses a great deal on the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but what has happened in recent years is no less important. After the Saints’ arrival in Utah, and after many of their persecutions began to subside, the Church began to expand in every sense. This article will follow the administrations of the modern-day prophets from the time of John Taylor through the present, highlighting major accomplishments and the growth of the Church. As the Church grew, it had to adapt its leadership to better meet the needs of the people in a worldwide arena, rather than one focused in the United States. This is by no means a comprehensive history, but a summary to show the development of the Church as an organization, as well as a summary to show the Lord’s hand in the development of His kingdom on the earth today.

John Taylor 1880–1887

• The height of the battle over polygamy; rights taken and property confiscated by the government.

Wilford Woodruff 1889–1898(The Church was led by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 2 years before Wilford Woodruff was sustained as prophet.)

• The First Manifesto: declaring God’s withdrawal of the law of polygamy.
• Amnesty granted to those who entered polygamous marriages before the First Manifesto.
• Confiscated property returned to Church.

Lorenzo Snow 1898–1901

• Preaching of the law of tithing and the issuance of bonds brings the Church out of debt.
• Opening of a mission in Japan.

Joseph F. Smith 1901–1918

• Bureau of Information and Church Literature built on Temple Square.
• The Reed Smoot Case.
• The First  Presidency’s address to the world.
• Prosperity and growth in the Church.
• Revelation on redemption for the dead.
• The Family Home Evening Program.

Heber J. Grant 1918–1945

• Church growth.
• Building of several new temples.
• The purchase of the Hill Cumorah and the Whitmer farm.
• The Church Welfare Program.
• The expansion of and then temporary halt of missionary work due to World War I.

George Albert Smith 1945–1951

• Idaho Falls Temple.
• Helping Saints in Europe after World War II.
• Resumption of missionary work.

David O. McKay 1951–1970

• The new correlation program.
• New focus on family home evening and home teaching.
• The prophet’s visits to countries all around the world.
• Focus on the international character of the Church.
• Saints begin gathering in their own countries rather than in Utah.

Joseph Fielding Smith 1970–1972

• Church organization changes.
• Public relations crises and public opposition to the growth of the Church.
• Organization of the Department of Public Communications.
• Wider use of mass media.
• The First Presidency meets with government officials.

Harold B. Lee 1972–1973

• Organization of the Department of Internal Communications.
• Announcement of smaller temples.
• Completion of the Church Office Building.

Spencer W. Kimball 1973–1985

• Missionary work among the Lamanites (natives of North and South America).
• Expansion of the Church in South America.
• Building of more temples.
• Revelation on the priesthood.
• Church’s stance on politics.
• Dividing of temporal and ecclesiastical affairs among Church leaders.
• Use of computers in the Church Office Building.
• The first General Conference broadcasts.
• The Missionary Training Center.

Ezra Taft Benson 1985–1994

• Every member a missionary.
• Aid to the European Saints after World War II.
• Focus on the Book of Mormon.
• The Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
• Publicizing the Church’s relations with the outside community.
• Explaining concepts of government; warnings regarding communism.

Howard W. Hunter 1994–1995

• Challenge to all adults to carry a current temple recommend.
• Invitation to those who had left the Church to return.

Gordon B. Hinckley 1995–2008

• Use of mass media in the Church.
• Interviews on 60 Minutes and Larry King Live.
• Era of temple building.
• Church growth.
• The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

Thomas S. Monson 2008–Present

• Urges members to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
• Emphasizes the eternal nature of the family and of marriage.
• Importance of preparedness and food storage.