The Ongoing Restoration
The Great Apostasy
Illustrations by Katy Dockrill
People turn against the Savior and His Apostles. The Church falls into spiritual decay and is no longer on the earth.
1820
The First Vision: God the Father and Jesus Christ appear to 14-year-old Joseph Smith.
1823
The angel Moroni appears to Joseph Smith, telling him about the gold plates.
1829–1830
The Aaronic Priesthood and Melchizedek Priesthood are restored.
Joseph Smith translates the Book of Mormon (in about three months!), and it’s published.
The Church is officially organized, on April 6, 1830.
6 official members at first; soon after, 280
1835–1836
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is organized.
The Doctrine and Covenants is published.
The Savior, Moses, Elias, and Elijah appear in the Kirtland Temple and restore priesthood keys (see Doctrine and Covenants 110).
Over 13,000 members
1 temple
1840–1842
Baptisms for the dead are taught publicly.
The Relief Society is established.
First full temple endowments are given.
1869–1880
Early Young Women and Young Men programs are organized.
The Pearl of Great Price is accepted as a standard work.
Over 133,000 members
1 temple
1936
Early Church welfare program begins.
Over 760,000 members
7 temples
1978
Temple ordinances offered to all worthy adult members, and priesthood ordination offered to all worthy males.
Over 4 million members
17 temples, including in Switzerland, New Zealand, England, and Brazil
1995
The Family: A Proclamation to the World is released.
Over 9.25 million members
47 temples, scattered over 6 continents
2012
Mission age is lowered from 19 to 18 for men and from 21 to 19 for women.
Over 14.5 million members
140 temples
2018–2020
Youth given expanded opportunities to serve in the temple.
Church Sunday schedule shortened from 3 to 2 hours.
Over 16.5 million members
168 temples
2025
The Restoration is still ongoing! There are Church members in more than 200 countries and territories, speaking over 700 languages!
As of April 2024: 189 temples dedicated, 161 more announced (350 total).
Over 17.25 million members