Library
A Look at the Church: 1844–1898
August 1999


“A Look at the Church: 1844–1898,” Ensign, Aug. 1999, 46

A Great and Marvelous Work—
Part Three: 1844–1898

A Look at the Church:

1844–1898

Begins with President Brigham Young’s leadership in 1844 and ends in 1898, the year of President Wilford Woodruff’s death. Figures are based on year-end calculations.

Church Membership

31 Dec. 1844

26,146

1850

51,839

1860

61,082

1870

90,130

1880

133,628

1890

188, 263

31 Dec. 1898

267,251

Stakes on 31 December 1898:

40

Languages of the Book of Mormon:

11

Missions on 31 December 1898:

20

Missionaries Set Apart

23 Dec. 1844

1,782

1860

2,852

1870

3,614

1880

5,158

1890

7,547

31 Dec. 1898

12,553

Temples Dedicated in Era:

5

Presidents of the Church in This Era

Death Date

Brigham Young (second President)

29 Aug. 1877

John Taylor (third President)

25 July 1887

Wilford Woodruff (fourth President)

2 Sept. 1898

Painting by William Whitaker

Salt Lake Temple photo by Craig Dimond