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Show Russia opened to LDS church among top stories for 199 1 The official recognition of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by the Republic of Russia was among the top stories involving the church in 1991. Related stories during the year included Mormon Tabernacle Choir concerts in Europe and the Soviet Union and the organization of a mission in Bulgaria. Other major stories involving the Church during the year; Official recognition of the Church in Ivory Coast, Kenya, Uganda, Botswana and the Congo. Humanitarian aid to Russia orphanages, as well as to Middle East refugees, hurricane-stricken Samoa and to the suffering in many parts of the world. Worldwide membership of the Church passed the eight million mark, the number of missions grew to 267, missionaries to more than 45,000, stakes to more than 1,820, and nations and territories with organized LDS units to 135. New missions were created in Bulgaria, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Kenya, Trinidad and Idaho. Nine new General Authorities were called during the year. The 70-year-old temple in Cardston, Alberta, Canada was re-dedicated after a complete renovation. President Ezra Taft Benson, world leader of the church, observed his 92nd birthday anniversary. The Arizona Republic concluded, after an exhaustive investigation of the financial side of the church, that tithing and other Church income is well managed with ' 'no abuse. ' The church observed the centennial of its presence in Tonga. The church withdrew its missionaries from Haiti due to political upheaval. A First Presidency letter to the membership reaffirmed reaf-firmed the church's morality standards of chastity outside out-side of marriage and fidelity within marriage. In a First Presidency letter to local priesthood leaders about the evils of Satanic worship and ritualistic abuse, the church leaders reaffirmed their concern over child abuse of all types and cautioned local leaders to be alert to such problems and address them appropriate- The church joined in a coalition promoting the passage by the U.S. Congress of the proposed Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert saluting U.S. armed forces serving in the Gulf War was carried by Armed Forces Radio to military personnel serving in the Persian Gulf. An expansion program at the largest of the church's several missionary training centers was begun in Provo with plans to increase capacity from 3,000 to 4,000 missionaries. The release of church-produced radio spots on teens and alcohol received national attention. The church unveiled its values-based television magazine show in its continuing participation in the Vision Vi-sion Interfaith Satellite Network (VISN). Mac mil lan Publishing Company released its Encyclopedia En-cyclopedia of Mormonism, a landmark reference work completed with the cooperation of the church. |
