On this 24th of July, now 163 years since the Mormon Pioneers first entered the harsh Salt Lake Valley, it's appropriate to pause for a moment, freeze time for just a second, drive a stake in the ground and look over our shoulder at all that has happened in a relatively brief span of time, historically speaking.

Church records show that in 1847 — the same year that Brigham Young rose from his wooden bed in the wagon to gaze upon the Salt Lake Valley in vision — there were almost 35,000 Latter-day Saints, an impressive number for a fledgling Church just 17 years in existence, but barely visible as an encampment in the vast bowl of the Salt Lake Valley.

This year began with 13,824,854 members. On average, that's an increase of 84,600 per year since 1847.

Notable areas of growth in the past year include the two areas in Africa where the Africa Southeast Area grew by almost 11,000 members from 126,000 in 2009 to 137,500 in 2010; while the Africa West Area grew from 154,000 to 163,800 for an increase of 9,800 members.

Other areas of the Church are equally interesting. The Asia Area grew by 6,200 members, for a total membership of 146,539. Brazil grew by 42,000 members to a total of 1,102,428. Central America grew from 596,090 to 615,255 for an increase of nearly 19,200 members. The Caribbean Area grew nearly 7,300, for a membership of 172,129. Mexico grew by 39,300, to its membership of 1,197,573. Canada grew from 177,600 to 179,800. Membership in the United States grew from 5,974,041 to 6,058,907 for a difference of nearly 84,900.

As these figures indicate, steady growth was shown across the board, including Europe, where membership grew from 436,818 to 443,536 for an increase of 6,700 members.

And so the caravan rolls on, despite the dogs that nip at the heels.

But for all the large numbers, so many in the Church are pioneers in their lands, like members in Ukraine who are largely first-generation members. Who would have conceived that an area dominated so recently by the Soviet Union would be the site of the Church's next temple, to be dedicated in late August?

It is awe-inspiring to consider how the Lord is growing His Church, first in North and South America, then the whole world, as Joseph Smith prophesied.

There is, however, a danger. Bedazzled by such numbers, we can become complacent or fail to see our role in such a grand undertaking.

"We may be inclined to see the building of the kingdom as something that takes place beyond the horizon, far away from our own branch or ward," said Elder Bruce Porter of the Seventy in an April 2001 general conference address. "In truth, the Church advances both by outward expansion and by inward refinement.

"We do not have to be called to serve far from home, nor do we have to hold a prominent place in the Church or in the world, to build up the Lord's kingdom. We build it in our own hearts as we cultivate the Spirit of God in our lives. We build it within our families by instilling faith in our children. And we build it through the organization of the Church as we magnify our callings and share the gospel with neighbors and friends."

"Our President is dynamically out in front, showing the way," said Elder M. Russell Ballard during the October 1998 general conference. "The question we must all ask ourselves is, 'Are we keeping pace with him?' Each one of us must be prepared to answer that question. I can assure you that it is a subject of considerable discussion among the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I hope the same is true of every council in every ward and stake in the Church. This is not the time to relax or to coast in our callings. Every council of the Church should be working together on ways to be more effective in preparing our members to be worthy to enjoy all the blessings of the Church and especially the blessings of the temple. …

"There is much to be done by us to complete the work assigned by the Lord to this dispensation. We must focus our work, and we must work smarter if we are to accomplish our role in preparing all Church members to receive their temple blessings. Church leaders, both men and women, can and must extend the length of their reach and broaden the power of their influence. We must be wise to protect and teach our own families first and then take full advantage of the inspired Church council system to achieve greater success in the work Heavenly Father has given us to do, within the time frame He has given us to do it."

While we commemorate the accomplishments of pioneers of the past, let us remember that much work lies ahead for all of us, whether descendants or beneficiaries of those stalwarts who blazed noble trails in the past or pioneers of a new generation who press forward in fulfillment of prophecy.