Year in Review: Missionary Age Changes and New Temples Were Prominent 2012 Stories

2012 was a historic year for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, featuring growth, major changes in missionary service and unprecedented media attention due to the presidential candidacy of Mitt Romney, a Mormon. Below, a review of the past year’s stories highlights continued progress and new milestones for the Church.

Missionary Age Lowered

At the Church’s October general conference, President Thomas S. Monson announced that the age for missionary service was lowered for both men and women.

The change was effective immediately throughout the worldwide Church. Men may now enter the Mission Training Center after their 18th birthday (which must follow high school graduation) and women after their 19th birthday. Both can be recommended for missionary service 120 days prior to those respective birth dates. The previous age requirements were 19 for men and 21 for women.

During a news conference following the announcement, Elder Russell M. Nelson and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder David F. Evans, executive director of the Missionary Department offered additional information on missionary service and answered questions.

Since the announcement, a large number of eligible Latter-day Saints have begun the process to serve missions. In the weeks following the missionary age announcement, the Church reported that missionary applications had increased fourfold, with women comprising more than half of the applicants. While the number of post-announcement applications is still double what it has been in the past, the total number of men and women who have applied since October is now about equal.

The “Mormon Moment” Continues

It’s likely that more public attention was focused on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2012 than during any other year in the Church’s history. Primarily because of the media attention on the presidential election, the Church was the topic of thousands of news stories during 2012. Hundreds of journalists visited Salt Lake City to learn more about the Church and thousands more contacted church officials by phone or email. While it was not the first time a Mormon has run for president of the United States, it was the first time a Latter-day Saint campaigned to Election Day as one of the two major candidates.

While the Church is strictly politically neutral and doesn't get involved in politics, the national campaign provided opportunities for greater understanding of the Church’s teachings and a look inside typical Latter-day Saints’ homes and chapels to see how they live the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Mormon Newsroom created a blog to help the media develop a better understanding of the correct practices and doctrines of the Church. The blog points out which stories in the worldwide news media “Get it Right” or “Get it Wrong.” Read this “Mormonism in the News: Getting It Right” from 10 August for an example.

In addition to the regular blogs, commentaries were posted to help media understand particular nuances of the Church, such as this one on 12 July, “The Church and Its Financial Independence.” White board animation was also used to emphasize the Church’s political neutrality and infographics created to show the breadth and depth of the worldwide faith.

Temples Dedicated and Announced

Two new temples were announced and four new temples were dedicated in Brazil, Canada and the United States during 2012. The Kansas City Missouri Temple was dedicated 6 May; Manaus Brazil Temple was dedicated 10 June; Brigham City Utah Temple was dedicated 23 September; and the Calgary Alberta Temple, the Church’s 140th temple, was dedicated 28 October.

Two other temples were renovated — the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple, rededicated 9 September, and the Boise Idaho Temple, rededicated 18 November.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles broke ground for the Provo City Center Temple on Saturday, 12 May. The temple will be built on the site of the Provo Tabernacle, which was destroyed by fire in 2010. The project will restore the tabernacle and restructure it to serve as the 16th temple in Utah. During excavation of the temple lot, archeologists unearthed foundations from the 1800’s for a meetinghouse and the earliest baptistry in Utah County.

Ground was broken in Indianapolis for the first temple in Indiana on 29 September. Renderings were released for the Indianapolis Indiana Temple, the Hartford Connecticut Temple and the Ft. Collins Colorado Temple.

Same-Sex Attraction Website Launched

The Church launched a new website discussing same-sex attraction. Regarding the site, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “What we do know is that the doctrine of the Church—that sexual activity should only occur between a man and a woman who are married—has not changed and is not changing. But what is changing and what needs to change is to help our own members and families understand how to deal with same-gender attraction.”  The website, (www.mormonsandgays.org), includes video clips of Latter-day Saints who have personal experiences with this sensitive subject and provides counsel from Church leaders.

Mormon Helping Hands

The Church helped people throughout the world in the aftermath of hurricanes, tornados, tropical storms and flooding in 2012. Church volunteers, known as Mormon Helping Hands (MHH), distributed relief supplies and helped with cleanup efforts.

After Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast, MHH volunteers immediately began giving assistance. To date, more than 28,000 Latter-day Saints have given approximately 275,000 hours helping people clean up their flooded homes and property.

Mormon Helping Hands participated in a number of projects throughout the year. Here are examples of how MHH assisted people of many faiths:

Mormon Helping Hands Cleanup After Sandy

New Round of Mormon Helping Hands Sandy Cleanup Projects Scheduled

Thousands of Mormon Volunteers Turn Out to Help Victims of Sandy Over Thanksgiving Weekend

(VIDEO) Filmmaker Shows Why Mormons Help Hurricane Sandy Victims

UPDATE: Mormon Volunteers Give More Than 140,000 Hours of Service to Hurricane Sandy Victim

Mormon Helping Hands Busy Lending a Hand

Measles Vaccinations by Mormons, Others "News Worth Celebrating"

Mormon Helping Hands: Fix Up, Clean Up, Build It in California and Hawaii

Pacific Mormon Helping Hands Come to the Aid of Their Neighbors

Church Honored in Spain for Blood Drive Promotion

Mormon Helping Hands Assist in Maryland Park Cleanup (Photo Essay)

Church Commits Funds, Volunteers to Vaccinate Children with Global Immunization Partner, GAVI

Mormon Helping Hands Busy in Africa

East Coast Mormon Helping Hands Work to Stop Hunger

Church President Celebrates his 85th Birthday

Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had a busy year with temple dedications and rededications, and celebrating his 85th birthday with thousands in the Conference Center on Temple Square on 21 August.

The birthday party was highlighted with entertainment, favorite music, an impressive flag detail by boy scouts and well-wishes on video from a number of noted people.

He made a visit to Latter-day Saints in Germany. He visited Hamburg, Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt and spoke to grateful Mormon congregations. In German, President Monson said, “Deutschland, ich liebe dich!” (“Germany, I love you!”).

Special recognition was given to President Monson by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge on 14 September. The honor took place at the Constitution Day Concert in the historic Tabernacle presented by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. President Monson served in the U.S. Navy.

Elder Oaks on Notre Dame Faith and Politics Forum

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles participated with four other religious leaders at the Notre Dame forum: “Conviction and Compromise: Being a Person of Faith in a Liberal Democracy.”

Elder Oaks emphasized the Church’s political neutrality and its encouragement of  members to be involved in the political process. He said the Church does not endorse any party or candidate and does not advise its members how to vote.

Religious Freedom

Church leaders, past and present, have spoken out on how religious freedom affects all people of faith. Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, urged university graduates in a commencement address “to work with people of other faiths to improve the moral fabric of this nation and the world and to protect religious freedom.”

A six-part series on Religious Freedom was featured on Mormon Newsroom. The series presented a strong case that freedom of religion extends way beyond the right to worship. It involves the right to speak freely in public, to live according to one’s moral principles and to advocate one’s own moral vision for society.

An Introduction to Religious Freedom: Part 1 in a Series on Religious Freedom

What Religious Freedom Means: Part 2 in a Series on Religious Freedom

Why We Need Religious Freedom: Part 3 in a Series on Religious Freedom

Why Religious Freedom Matters to Mormons: Part 4 in a Series on Religious Freedom

How Religion is Vital to Society: Part 5 in a Series on Religious Freedom

What Religious Freedom Requires of Us: Part 6 in a Series on Religious Freedom

Church Membership Grows

Church membership continued to grow throughout the world in 2012. More and more people across the world are making promises to follow Christ through baptism. As a result, congregations have increased and new stakes (similar to a diocese) have been created. Such was the case this year in Sierra Leone, Africa as Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles organized the 3,000th stake of the Church.

Earlier this year, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, organized the first stake in India. The Church has had a presence in India since the 1850s. The first meetinghouse in India was dedicated on 2 February 2002, housing the Rajahmundry Branch.

Bible Videos

The Church released additional Bible videos to watch and share with family and friends. The videos feature experiences in the life of Jesus Christ as he ministered, taught and healed. One of the videos presents the Savior’s life leading up to His resurrection.

American Red Cross and Church Sign Partnership

The American Red Cross and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have signed a new partnership, carrying on a tradition of cooperation between the two organizations since 1987. Gail McGovern, Red Cross president and CEO, and Steven K. Peterson, managing director of Church Welfare Services, announced the agreement. The renewed partnership means the Church will increase its participation with the relief organization by hosting more blood drives in meetinghouses and other Church facilities.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Makes Music Available Throughout the World

With the launch of a new YouTube channel, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir made its Music and the Spoken Word program available to people throughout the world.

The choir’s leadership also changed this year. Mac Christensen concluded his service as president of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He served for 12 years and had been behind the extensive planning of the choir’s tours and concerts, including the popular Christmas concerts, and the addition of new choir members. Succeeding him as president is Ronald B. Jarrett, a former member of the choir.

The choir also announced its 2013 tour to the Midwest next June. The tour will include stops in Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Chicago, Illinois; Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Official Status Granted in Italy

The president of Italy signed the Intesa con lo Stato, or legal agreement, on 30 July which grants official status and recognizes the Church as a religious entity in the country.

Lives Blessed From Inner City Outreach

The missionary program of the Church is widely known for its iconic young men dressed in white shirt and tie and young women in dresses traveling two-by-two. But there is more to what missionaries do. A Mormon Newsroom feature this year focused on the Church’s efforts to help people in their daily tasks. The Inner City Project includes assisting people with travel to various appointments, teaching English as a second language and tutoring students in their schoolwork, among other things.

City Creek Center Opens

Launched in 2006, City Creek Center opened 22 March with the goal of revitalizing downtown Salt Lake City. President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency addressed the gala opening. “Everything we see around us is evidence of the long-standing commitment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Salt Lake City.”

Annual Christmas Concerts Erupt in Ovations

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s annual Christmas concerts were a big hit again this year. The concerts featured Peabody Award-winning news journalist Tom Brokaw and Tony Award-winning tenor Alfie Boe. Each performance included the surprise visit of 92-year-old Gail “Candy Bomber” Halvorsen, who in 1948-49 played a role in the Berlin Airlift, dropping candy to German children from little handkerchief parachutes.