Mormonpedia

Mormon History Timeline

This timeline summarizes significant moments in Mormon history. Where applicable, linked articles provide further context.

• 1805 – Joseph Smith was born in Sharon, Vermont.
• 1820 – First Vision: Joseph claims to see God and Jesus.
• 1823 – Angel Moroni reportedly appears to Joseph, revealing the golden plates.
• 1827 – Golden plates are taken for translation.
• 1830 – Book of Mormon published; Church officially organized (Apr 6).
• 1833–39 – Persecution and expulsions in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois.
• 1833 – The Word of Wisdom revelation was received and later published in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants. The original text included an introductory paragraph that was italicized in 1835 editions, interpreted as a preface rather than part of the revelation. The text outlines blessings for obedience but contains no punishments for noncompliance.
• 1837 (June 4) – Heber C. Kimball set apart as first mission president (British Mission).
• 1843 (May 11–23) – Addison Pratt, Noah Rogers, Knowlton F. Hanks, Benjamin F. Grouard called to first foreign language mission to the South Pacific.
• 1843 – Doctrine of plural marriage revealed to Joseph Smith.
• 1844 (Apr 9) – Brigham Young calls missionaries to “preach the Gospel and electioneer.”
• 1844 – Joseph and Hyrum Smith killed in Carthage Jail; schism ensues.
• 1844 – Succession crisis unfolds, potential successors include Brigham Young, William Smith, David Whitmer, Oliver Cowdery.
• 1846 – Nauvoo Temple completed and dedicated.
• 1846 (July 16) – Mormon Battalion mustered into U.S. Army, aiding westward migration.
• 1847 – Brigham Young leads Saints into Salt Lake Valley.
• 1852 – Brigham Young publicly announces polygamy.
• 1857 – Mountain Meadows Massacre: At least 120 emigrants killed.
• 1860 – Reorganized Church formed under Joseph Smith III.
• 1869 – Golden Spike ceremony at Promontory Summit completes transcontinental railroad.
• 1874 – Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association organized in the Salt Lake 13th Ward.
• 1888 – First MIA General Annual Conference held.
• 1890 – Wilford Woodruff issues First Manifesto ending new plural marriages.
• 1898 – Jennie Brimhall Knight & Inez Knight set apart as first single women missionaries.
• 1904 – Second Manifesto issued; new plural marriages lead to excommunication.
• 1914 – James E Talmage's Jesus the Christ written.
• 1915 – Family Home Evening program initiated in Salt Lake.
• 1921 – President Heber J. Grant, under inspiration, requires all Saints to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea in order to receive a temple recommend.
• 1924 – First Church roadshow presented in Granite Stake.
• 1928 – Priesthood quorums meet during Sunday School; MIA Tuesdays begin.
• 1929 – Young Woman’s Journal merges with The Improvement Era.
• 1931 – Aaronic Priesthood Correlation Plan announced.
• 1932 – Senior Department created for men 24–35.
• 1937 – Ordination by age for Aaronic Priesthood begins.
• 1939 – M‑Men & Gleaners expand; Senior Department discontinued.
• 1940 – Special Interests Department formed for members over 25.
• 1842 – Hyrum Smith reaffirmed that "hot drinks" in the Word of Wisdom refers to coffee and tea, helping standardize interpretation among early Church members.
• 1945 – Fawn M. Brodie publishes No Man Knows My History, a critical biography of Joseph Smith.
• 1950 – While not officially prohibited, a cultural norm began forming among Latter-day Saints to avoid caffeinated beverages. This trend would strengthen over time, particularly in the 20th century, and was reflected in BYU’s caffeine-free policy maintained for many years.
• 1952 – Senior Aaronic Priesthood program launched for men over 21.
• 1955 – Duty to God award introduced.
• 1962 – Worldwide Youth Conferences begin; Scouting and Aaronic Priesthood correlated.
• 1965 – For the Strength of Youth pamphlet published.
• 1969 – Bishop Youth Councils begin in each ward.
• 1970 – Improvement Era discontinued; Aaronic Priesthood Achievement Program begins.
• 1971 – The New Era launched; “All‑Church” festivals ended.
• 1972 – Melchizedek Priesthood takes over adult youth groups.
• 1974 – Young Men Presidency released; MIA name retired.
• 1975 – June Conferences discontinued.
• 1977 – Young Men organization renamed under Priesthood Executive Committee.
• 1978 – Priesthood opened to all worthy males regardless of race.
• 1980 – Sundays consolidated into a 3‑hour block with Young Men meeting.
• 1980 – Mark Hofmann begins forging Mormon documents, including the Salamander Letter.
• 1981 – Hofmann sells forgeries to LDS Church and earns trust.
• 1985 – Hofmann's bombs kill two in Salt Lake City; he is severely injured by a third.
• 1987 – Hofmann pleads guilty to murder and theft; sentenced to life in prison.
• 1997 – Aaronic Priesthood Sesquicentennial Fireside “Faith in Every Footstep.”
• 2001 – Aaronic Priesthood Achievement Program and new FSY pamphlet introduced.
• 2004 – General Authorities no longer serve in the Young Men General Presidency.
• 2005 – Rough Stone Rolling, a biography of Joseph Smith by Richard Bushman, is published. The book explores Smith’s early life, the founding of the Mormon Church, and his death.
• 2010 – Fulfilling My Duty to God booklet introduced.
• 2011 – FSY pamphlet updated.
• 2012 – Missionary age lowered to 18 for young men.
• 2013 – New youth curriculum introduced Churchwide.
• 2015 – John Dehlin, founder of Mormon Stories podcast and vocal critic of Church practices and policies, was excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in January.
• 2018 – Former bishop Sam Young was excommunicated after publicly campaigning to end one-on-one, often sexually explicit interviews between youth and clergy. His persistent activism against Church policy led to his removal following a disciplinary council in September. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
• 2018 – Priests authorized to baptize for the dead; age-based ordination change implemented.
• 2019 – Church ends Boy Scouts partnership; new Young Men’s theme; Ward youth presidencies discontinued.
• 2020 – Children and Youth Program launched; FSY conferences aligned with stakes.
• 2021 – For the Strength of Youth magazine replaces New Era.