- 1805, December 23
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Joseph Smith born to Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith in Sharon, Vermont (see Joseph Smith—History 1:3–4).
- 1820, Early Spring
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Joseph Smith received the First Vision in a grove of trees near his home in the state of New York (see Joseph Smith—History 1:15–20).
- 1823, September 21–22
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Joseph Smith visited by the angel Moroni and told of the Book of Mormon record. Joseph viewed the gold plates buried in a nearby hill (Cumorah) (see Joseph Smith—History 1:27–54).
- 1827, September 22
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Joseph Smith obtained the gold plates from Moroni at the Hill Cumorah (see Joseph Smith—History 1:59).
- 1829, May 15
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John the Baptist conferred the Aaronic Priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in Harmony, Pennsylvania (see D&C 13; Joseph Smith—History 1:71–72).
- 1829, May
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Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received the Melchizedek Priesthood from Peter, James, and John near the Susquehanna River between Harmony, Pennsylvania, and Colesville, New York (see D&C 128:20).
- 1829, June
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Translation of the Book of Mormon completed. The Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses shown the gold plates (see 2 Nephi 11:3; 2 Nephi 27:12–13; D&C 17).
- 1830, March 26
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First printed copies of the Book of Mormon available in Palmyra, New York.
- 1830, April 6
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Organization of the Church in Fayette Township, New York.
- 1830, September–October
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First missionaries called to preach to the Lamanites (Native Americans) (see D&C 28; 30; 32).
- 1830, December to 1831, January
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The Lord commanded the Saints to gather to Ohio (see D&C 37; 38:31–32).
- 1831, July 20
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Site for the city of Zion (the New Jerusalem) in Independence, Missouri, revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith (see D&C 57; Articles of Faith 1:10).
- 1833, March 18
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Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams set apart as Counselors in the Presidency of the Church and given the keys of the kingdom (see the headings to D&C 81 and D&C 90; see also D&C 90:6).
- 1833, November 7
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Saints began fleeing from mobs in Jackson County, Missouri, across the Missouri River and into Clay County, Missouri.
- 1834, May 5
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Joseph Smith left Kirtland, Ohio, for Missouri as the leader of Zion’s Camp to bring relief to Saints expelled from Jackson County.
- 1835, February 14
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The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles organized in Kirtland, Ohio (see D&C 107:23–24).
- 1835, February 28
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The organization of the First Quorum of the Seventy commenced in Kirtland, Ohio.
- 1835, August 17
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The Doctrine and Covenants accepted as a standard work of the Church in Kirtland, Ohio.
- 1836, March 27
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The Kirtland Temple dedicated (see D&C 109).
- 1836, April 3
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Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple (see D&C 110:1–10). Moses, Elias, and Elijah appeared and conveyed priesthood keys (see D&C 110:11–16).
- 1837, July 19
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Elder Heber C. Kimball and six others arrived in Liverpool, England, on the first overseas mission.
- 1838, April 26
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Name of the Church specified by revelation (see D&C 115:4).
- 1838, December 1 to 1839, April 16
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The Prophet Joseph Smith and others imprisoned at Liberty Jail in Liberty, Missouri (see D&C 121–123).
- 1840, August 15
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Baptism for the dead publicly announced by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
- 1841, October 24
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Elder Orson Hyde dedicated Palestine for return of the children of Abraham.
- 1842, March 17
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Female Relief Society organized in Nauvoo, Illinois.
- 1842, May 4
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First full temple endowments given in Nauvoo, Illinois.
- 1844, June 27
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Joseph and Hyrum Smith martyred at Carthage Jail in Carthage, Illinois (see D&C 135).
- 1846, February 4
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Nauvoo Saints began crossing the Mississippi River to move west. Some Saints sailed from New York City for California on the ship Brooklyn.
- 1846, July 16
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Mormon Battalion mustered into United States service in Iowa.
- 1847, April
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President Brigham Young’s pioneer company left Winter Quarters on the journey west (see D&C 136).
- 1847, July 24
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President Brigham Young entered the Salt Lake Valley.
- 1847, December 27
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Brigham Young sustained as President of the Church.
- 1848, May–June
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Crickets in the Salt Lake Valley devastated the crops. The fields were saved from complete destruction as flocks of seagulls consumed the crickets.
- 1849, December 9
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Sunday School organized by Richard Ballantyne.
- 1850, June 15
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Deseret News began publication in Salt Lake City.
- 1856, October
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Willie and Martin handcart companies detained by early snowstorms. Found by rescue party from the Salt Lake Valley.
- 1869, November 28
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Young Ladies’ Retrenchment Association organized, forerunner of the Young Women program.
- 1875, June 10
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Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association organized, forerunner of the Young Men program.
- 1877, April 6
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St. George Utah Temple dedicated. President Brigham Young received revelation to set in order the priesthood organization and stakes of Zion.
- 1878, August 25
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Aurelia Spencer Rogers held the first Primary meeting in Farmington, Utah.
- 1880, October 10
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John Taylor sustained as President of the Church. The Pearl of Great Price accepted as a standard work.
- 1883, April 14
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Revelation given to President John Taylor on the organization of the Seventy.
- 1889, April 7
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Wilford Woodruff sustained as President of the Church.
- 1890, October 6
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“Manifesto” sustained in general conference, ending the practice of entering into plural marriage (see Official Declaration 1).
- 1893, April 6
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President Wilford Woodruff dedicated the Salt Lake Temple after 40 years of construction.
- 1898, September 13
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Lorenzo Snow became President of the Church.
- 1899, May 17
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President Lorenzo Snow received revelation in St. George, Utah, prompting him to emphasize tithing.
- 1901, October 17
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Joseph F. Smith became President of the Church.
- 1918, October 3
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President Joseph F. Smith received the vision of the redemption of the dead (see D&C 138).
- 1918, November 23
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Heber J. Grant became President of the Church.
- 1936, April
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Church Security Program instituted to assist the poor during the Great Depression; became Church welfare program. This program grew out of a revelation received previously by President Heber J. Grant.
- 1941, April 6
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Assistants to the Twelve first called.
- 1945, May 21
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George Albert Smith became President of the Church.
- 1951, April 9
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David O. McKay sustained as President of the Church.
- 1961, September 30
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Under the direction of the First Presidency, Elder Harold B. Lee announced that all Church programs were to be correlated through the priesthood to strengthen families and individuals.
- 1964, October
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Observance of family home evening emphasized.
- 1970, January 23
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Joseph Fielding Smith became President of the Church.
- 1971, January
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New Church magazines—Ensign, New Era, and Friend—commenced publication.
- 1972, July 7
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Harold B. Lee became President of the Church.
- 1973, December 30
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Spencer W. Kimball became President of the Church.
- 1975, October 3
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President Spencer W. Kimball announced reorganization of the First Quorum of the Seventy.
- 1976, April 3
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Two revelations added to the Pearl of Great Price. In 1981 they were moved to become D&C 137 and D&C 138.
- 1978, September 30
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Revelation granting the priesthood to every worthy male member regardless of race or color sustained by the Church (see Official Declaration 2).
- 1979, September
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LDS edition of King James Bible with study aids published.
- 1981, September
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New editions of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price published.
- 1984, June
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Area Presidencies inaugurated, with members called from the Seventy.
- 1985, November 10
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Ezra Taft Benson became President of the Church.
- 1989, April 1
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Second Quorum of the Seventy reorganized.
- 1994, June 5
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Howard W. Hunter became President of the Church.
- 1995, March 12
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Gordon B. Hinckley became President of the Church.
- 1995, April 1
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Announcement of a new leadership position to be known as an Area Authority.
- 1995, September 23
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President Gordon B. Hinckley read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” from the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, at a general Relief Society meeting.
- 1997, April 5
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Area Authorities to be ordained Seventies. Third, Fourth, and Fifth Quorums of the Seventy organized.
- 1997, October 4
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President Gordon B. Hinckley announced plans to build smaller temples.
- 1997, November
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Church membership reached 10 million.
- 1998, April 5
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President Gordon B. Hinckley announced goal of having 100 temples in service in the year 2000.
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Church History Chronology
“Church History Chronology,” Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Class Member Study Guide (1999)