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Summarized by Kent Larsen
Mormons Convert 300,000 in 1999
Albuquerque NM Journal (AP) 2Apr00 N1
By Hannah Wolfson: The Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- In coverage of the LDS Church's General
Conference, which ended yesterday, the Associated Press focused on
the growth of the LDS Church. According to statistics announced
during the Saturday afternoon session of the Conference, The Church
baptized 306,171 people around the world last year, bringing total
membership to more than 10.7 million at the end of 1999. The increase
was about 3.3%, and should mean that the Church will pass the 11
million mark before the next conference.
"Someone who knows organizations in the world might predict failure
for a rapidly growing church depending on so many novice lay
members," said Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve in
his address to Church members in the Sunday morning session, "Even
those called have felt some apprehension." But Elder Joseph B.
Wirthlin of the Twelve noted that the Church has strength in its
members, "Brothers and sisters, you are not alone. In The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today, millions of people stand
beside you. When we work together to benefit those in need, we
eliminate the weakness of one person standing alone and substitute
the strength of many serving together," Wirthlin said.
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