If we could be transported one century back in time, we probably would find it difficult to recognize The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it existed in 1900. There were only about 250,000 members, almost all living in the Intermountain West. There were only four temples in service, all in Utah. The saints and their leaders were often objects of slanderous attacks in the press.

While much has changed during the 20th century, much more has remained the same. For example, speaking in the most recent general conference, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve affirmed: "Over time, much in the world has changed. One thing, however, remains the same: . . . the Holy Ghost will confirm the truths of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ." (Ensign, November 2000, p. 23.)

The Church's mission has been another constant. Elder Harold B. Lee of the Quorum of the Twelve explained that "we organize to do the Lord's work better." (Church News, Aug. 26, 1961, p. 9.) Moses learned that the Lord's work is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39.) Only through the atonement of Jesus Christ can we qualify for this great goal. As Moroni concluded the Book of Mormon record, he exhorted his readers to "come unto Christ, and be perfected in him." (Moroni 10:32.) Helping people to do this is the great objective of the Church. The Church fulfills its mission for the benefit of three distinct groups of people: members who need to be strengthened or perfected (Ephesians 4:12); non-members to whom we must proclaim the gospel, so they too can share in these blessings; and finally, those who have died without gospel blessings, for whom we must perform saving ordinances.

In 1823, as the Angel Moroni first revealed the existence of the Book of Mormon, he shed light on yet another important objective. He emphasized that the gospel message recorded in this ancient volume needed to go forth "that a people might be prepared" for the Second Coming and Millennial reign of Christ. (History of the Church 4:537.) A few years later, the Lord re-emphasized this aspect of the Church's mission when He declared, "Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh." (D&C 1:4, 12.) The changes in programs and activities during the past century can be seen as efforts and opportunities to discharge the Church's unchanging mission more effectively.

Priesthood and auxiliary classes provide important occasions for us to study the gospel, but few such opportunities existed for adults when the 20th century dawned. The Relief Society inaugurated "Mothers classes" in 1902, and the Sunday School offered instruction only to children until 1906 when it launched the forerunner of the Gospel Doctrine class. Priesthood quorums met only irregularly until weekly ward priesthood meetings were commenced in 1909.

During the century's opening decades, the auxiliaries also began using magazines as teaching tools. These forerunners of the Ensign, New Era and Friend carried the gospel message into the homes of the saints.

Elder David O. McKay's 1921 tour of missions, as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, gave Church leaders a firsthand assessment of prospects for growth around the world. The 1920s saw the saints spreading out from the areas of pioneer settlement in the Rocky Mountains more than ever before. Most were seeking improved employment, but they also found new opportunities for spiritual growth. When 20-year-old Howard W. Hunter moved from Idaho to Southern California, he had his "first real awakening to the gospel" during a Sunday School class in Los Angeles. (Howard W. Hunter, by Eleanor Knowles, Deseret Book, 1994, p. 71.)

The Great Depression of the 1930s hindered many Church activities. For example, fewer young men were able to fill missions; Gordon B. Hinckley, a journalism major at the University of Utah, was one who did have the opportunity to serve. Harold B. Lee, a young stake president in Salt Lake City, organized various programs to enable the saints in his hard-hit area to cope. In 1935 the First Presidency assigned him to introduce the new "Welfare Plan" throughout the Church. As these efforts to help the saints help themselves attracted increasing attention, the popular image of the Church and its members became predominantly positive for the first time.

Though World War II was destructive and disruptive, it did have a silver lining. LDS servicemen carried the gospel around the world, and other members strengthened the Church as they moved to new areas to find work in defense industries.

In 1943, at the height of the conflict, Spencer W. Kimball and Ezra Taft Benson were called into the Quorum of the Twelve. Each of these new apostles played a key role just after the war as well as in later decades. In 1946 Elder Benson directed the resumption of missionary work in Europe, and Elder Kimball was called to head the Church's Indian or Lamanite work. The prophet during the postwar years was George Albert Smith. Noted for his Christlike love, he was well suited to the task of replacing wartime hatreds with a genuine feeling of brotherhood.

President David O. McKay, who presided in the 1950s and 1960s, led the Church during an era of unprecedented growth. The first "overseas" temple was dedicated near Bern, Switzerland, in 1955. Appointed to prepare films for use in this multi-lingual temple was Gordon B. Hinckley, then executive secretary of the Church's Missionary Committee (he would become a General Authority a few years later). The first stake outside of North America or Hawaii was organized at Auckland, New Zealand, in 1958. Using the inspired slogan "Every Member a Missionary," President McKay urged the saints to become more active in sharing the gospel with their neighbors.

As the Church grew rapidly in many lands, the General Authorities took steps to assure that its basic missions were still being carried out. Under the leadership of Elder Harold B. Lee, who was called to the Quorum of the Twelve in 1941, "Priesthood Correlation" during the 1960s helped organizations focus on their unique purposes and eliminated undesirable overlap. Priesthood executive committees and ward councils were formed to give priesthood direction and coordinate efforts through home teachers to meet specific needs of Church members. Manuals to enrich weekly family home evenings were published in 1965. All this was consistent with President McKay's affirmation that "no other success can compensate for failure in the home." (Conference Report, April 1964, p. 5.)

Beginning in 1972, members in Sunday School studied the Standard Works in rotation. A quarter of a century later, the curriculum of the Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society would be changed to feature teachings of specific latter-day prophets. These innovations helped Church members gain a greater understanding of gospel doctrines as taught in the scriptures and by our living prophets.

The Church's spread throughout the world accelerated following President Spencer W. Kimball's 1978 revelation extending priesthood blessings to all regardless of race or lineage. (Official Declaration 2.) To help administer the growing Church, the First Quorum of Seventy was organized in 1976, and Area Presidencies were formed eight years later. To strengthen and give direction to stake leaders, "Area Authorities" were called in 1995 and organized into three additional Quorums of Seventy two years later.

New editions of the standard works with improved study aids were published in 1979 and 1981. This further enhanced the saints' scripture study as did President Ezra Taft Benson's challenge for Church members to strengthen their faith by regularly reading from the Book of Mormon.

Temple activity also progressed steadily during the 20th century. The four temples in 1900 doubled to eight by mid-century, and doubled again to 16 by 1975. President Howard W. Hunter, during his brief presidency, riveted the saints' focus on the temple as the "great symbol" of their faith. (Conference Report, Oct. 1994, p. 8.) This emphasis was continued by his successor, President Gordon B. Hinckley, who in 1997 gave new meaning to the concept of smaller temples to meet the needs of the Church's far-flung membership. By the end of the year 2000, 102 temples were helping living saints qualify for exaltation and extending these blessings to the dead as well. Meanwhile, development of the computer, the Internet, and other technologies accelerated the related family history research in a miraculous manner.

During the closing years of the 20th century, President Hinckley has led the Church "out of obscurity" (D&C 1:30) to an unprecedented degree. He has been interviewed on prime-time network television and has repeatedly spoken to the press about the Church and its message to the world. During the first five years of his administration, he traveled more than the distance to the moon as he conducted scores of conferences and gave encouragement and instruction to Church members and others worldwide.

At the end of the 20th century the Church has more than 11 million members and has been described recently by a nationally circulated magazine as one of the world's fastest growing religions. (US News & World Report, Nov. 13, 2000, p. 59.) Still, its purpose remains the same as it had been one hundred year earlier — to help people "come unto Christ and be perfected in him."

Richard O. Cowan, professor of Church History and Doctrine, is a member of the Provo 13th Ward, Provo Utah East Stake, where he serves as a high councilor. He is also serving as the Church's Provo Missionary Training Center historian.