Prophets and politics lead the list of noteworthy LDS-related news events of 2008.
In voting among Deseret News editors and writers, the death of LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley and reorganization of the First Presidency with President Thomas S. Monson as the church's 16th prophet and president was selected as the top story, with elections in California and across the United States as Nos. 2 and 3.
1. Prophet, First Presidency
President Gordon B. Hinckley's death the evening of Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, marked not only a change in administration for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but also a capstone of an unprecedented era of growth and media attention for the church.
Still active until his death at age 97, President Hinckley is believed to be the most traveled prophet in church history, having covered nearly a million miles to dozens of nations worldwide, where he dedicated dozens of new temples, touched hearts and became a high-profile ambassador for his faith among political, civic and religious leaders.
His viewing and funeral in the Conference Center (the latter of which was televised on church networks around the globe) attracted tens of thousands who came to pay their final respects, and he was laid to rest in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, next to his beloved wife, Marjorie.
President Monson, who had served as President Hinckley's first counselor in the First Presidency and was the church's senior apostle, was named church president on Monday, Feb. 4. President Henry B. Eyring was named as first counselor, with President Dieter F. Uchtdorf as second counselor in the First Presidency. President Eyring had been President Hinckley's second counselor; President Uchtdorf had been serving in the Quorum of the Twelve.
2. Proposition 8
Calling it a "moral issue" rather than a mere political issue, LDS Church leaders asked California members in 2008 to donate time, money and volunteer efforts in supporting Proposition 8, that state's constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
The LDS Church also participated with California's Protect Marriage Coalition, joining Catholic and evangelical Protestant organizations as well as other groups and individuals in decrying same-sex marriage.
The proposition narrowly passed in California's November general election, and the LDS Church became the primary, high-profile target of gay and lesbian groups, which organized protests at LDS temples across the country.
The protests and other media attacks on the LDS Church drew an unexpected response of defense of and support for Mormons from other faiths, including Catholic and evangelical Protestant leaders.
3. Mitt Romney
Last year, former Utah Olympic leader Mitt Romney lost his bid to become the nation's first LDS president but is already being talked about as a candidate for 2012.
Romney, a Republican who served as governor of Massachusetts, raised millions of dollars for his campaign from Utahns and drew support from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the country.
He won Utah's GOP presidential primary on Super Tuesday (Feb. 5) with 90 percent of the vote but dropped out of the race after trailing behind the eventual Republican nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, in California and other key states that day.
Romney's run focused considerable national attention on his faith. National polls showed that a significant number of Americans would not vote for a Mormon.
4. Elder Wirthlin
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, the LDS Church's oldest living apostle, died in his sleep late Monday, Dec. 1, at age 91 of causes incident to age. Known for his love of sports, and particularly the University of Utah football team for which he once played, Elder Wirthlin had been a businessman in Salt Lake City before his call to be a general authority.?
During his funeral in the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Dec. 5, President Monson lauded his dear friend and fellow apostle, noting that the U. football team would sport stickers on their helmets for the remainder of the season in memory of Elder Wirthlin as their unofficial team chaplain. They did so, and the U. went on to win the Sugar Bowl and remained undefeated.
5. FLDS
Texas child-protection workers in April raided a polygamist compound belonging to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The FLDS Church broke away a century ago from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, some time after the latter renounced polygamy.
Even though there is no connection between the two churches, there was a lot of confusion among the public and among national and international media.
Mormon public-affairs officials made considerable efforts to clarify, including sending letters to news publishers and television-news executives. Also, several videos were posted on YouTube.com, one an explanation by Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.
6. Temples
Temple activity in 2008 included the dedication of four temples and the rededication of another.
The year began with the dedication of the Rexburg Idaho Temple, followed by the Curitiba Brazil Temple, the Panama City Panama Temple and the Twin Falls Idaho Temple.
Also, the Mexico City D.F. Mexico Temple was rededicated Nov. 16.
Eight other temples were announced in 2008: Gilbert, Ariz.; Gila, Ariz.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Calgary, Canada; Kansas City, Mo.; Philadelphia; Cordoba, Argentina; and Rome.
Ground was broken for temples in Cebu, Philippines; Manaus, Brazil; and San Salvador, El Salvador.
In total, 128 temples were in operation worldwide by year's end, and the number of temples in operation, planned or announced was 145.
7. "American Idol"
Two young Mormon singers were among the top five finalists in Season 7 of Fox's "American Idol." Twenty-four-year-old Brooke White placed fifth and 17-year-old David Archuleta came in second. White, who said during her audition that she had never seen an R-rated movie, drew comparison to Carly Simon, and Archuleta gained millions of ardent followers early in the competition with his rendition of the Beatles' "Imagine." The bashful young singer was told by the judges that he sang with maturity and was destined for stardom.
8. Joseph Smith Papers
In February, church historian Elder Marlin K. Jensen called the Joseph Smith Papers "the single most significant historical project of our generation."
Apparently, the public was paying attention. Shortly after its first printing on Nov. 24, the project's first volume was sold out.
The publication was a landmark event for the team of scholars, considering the enormity and time-consuming nature of the documentary editing project. The process, which will fill 30 volumes over the next two decades, involves collecting, verifying and transcribing documents written, produced or owned by LDS Church founder Joseph Smith.
Ronald K. Esplin, managing editor, says the intent is not to publish the Prophet's history, but rather provide the "raw materials" from which better histories can be written.
"When scholars have access to the right sources, they use them," Esplin said. "And if they don't use them, they're not credible."
9. New callings
Elder D. Todd Christofferson was sustained as the LDS Church's newest apostle on April 5 in the Saturday morning session of the 178th Annual General Conference — the same day church members sustained a new First Presidency in a solemn assembly.
Several other new leaders were also sustained to positions. Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Seventy was called to replace Elder Christofferson in the Presidency of the Seventy. In addition, new members of the Seventy and a new Young Women General Presidency were called.
Elaine S. Dalton, formerly first counselor in the Young Women, was sustained as president; Mary N. Cook, (formerly second counselor) as first counselor; and Ann M. Dibb as second counselor. Sister Dibb, a former Young Women General Board member, is President Monson's daughter.
10. 30th anniversary
Church members celebrated the 30th anniversary of the 1978 announcement that then-President Spencer W. Kimball had received a revelation lifting a ban on priesthood ordination — and thus temple ordinances — for blacks.
The church held a commemoration fireside in the Tabernacle, and the auxiliary Genesis Group sponsored other events. Speakers at the fireside included black stake presidents from Georgia and New Jersey.
Also
Mountain Meadows: The LDS Church announced in March that it would pursue National Historic Landmark status for the site of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The long-awaited book, "Massacre at Mountain Meadows," was published five months later to favorable reviews and sales — selling out the first four printings.
University of Utah football: While the Sugar Bowl win over Alabama technically occurred in 2009, Utah football fans will long remember 2008. Head coach Kyle Whittingham guided the Utes to an undefeated season that included thrilling victories over Oregon State and TCU and a convincing win over rival BYU. According to the coach, half of the team (55 players and five coaches) is LDS.
Russia: In the spring of 2008, the church curtailed sending missionaries from the United States and other countries to Russia because of legislation that required all foreigners on humanitarian visas, which includes the church's missionaries, to leave the country every 90 days to renew visas. Missionaries called from Russia and certain neighboring countries that do not require humanitarian visas are not affected by the legislation. Missionaries currently serving in Russia who are required to renew their humanitarian visas travel internationally to renew their visas. Until an alternative solution to the 90-day renewal requirement is identified, stated a press release from the church's missionary department, new missionary assignments to Russia will be limited to those nationalities not needing visas.
Family history: In May, the Catholic Church banned Mormons from accessing parish registers, citing LDS proxy baptism for the dead as the reason. In November, a Jewish Holocaust survivors group unexpectedly announced it would no longer cooperate in the church's efforts to halt unauthorized posthumous baptisms of Holocaust victims.
Economic downturn: LDS Church storehouses, canneries and other welfare facilities were busy in 2008, filled with volunteer members working to help those in need and store food for themselves. The church has 138 storehouses in the Western Hemisphere; 108 are in the United States and Canada and 128 are operated entirely by volunteers. Food items for the storehouses are produced at canneries and other facilities across the United States. In 2008, 14 church canneries produced 12.6 million cans of food. In addition, Deseret Bakery produced 453,594 loaves of bread, Deseret Pasta produced 938,505 pounds of pasta and Deseret Soap produced 2.6 million pounds of soap. Deseret Dairy produced 9.8 million pounds of milk, 1.5 million pounds of powdered milk and 727,251 pounds of cheese.
Contributing: Carrie A. Moore, Scott Taylor, Lisa Riley Roche, David Schneider, Shaun D. Stahle, Molly Farmer, Aaron Shill, Sarah Jane Weaver, Michael De Groote
E-mail: mormontimes@desnews.com