LDS fulfilling prophecy to 'fill the whole Earth'

Alexander Baugh, professor of religion and an editor for the project, told a standing-room-only crowd on Saturday that the rough draft of the third volume in the series was just completed last week, covering the years 1834-35. Some 26 letters by Smith are included in that volume, along with 14 revelations — six of them canonized — as well as eight of Smith's discourses and seven recorded blessings.

Some of the documents include statements by Smith that early Latter-day Saints could not possibly comprehend the ultimate future reach of their fledgling faith into the world at large. They provide intimate details of Smith's life not previously widely known outside the scholarly community, including the text of a blessing Joseph Smith Sr., gave to his son Joseph and letters chronicling personal conflict between Joseph and his younger brother, William.

Some of the papers also provide evidence that a second "Zion's Camp" was anticipated by Smith after the first march from Ohio to Missouri by a large group of LDS men was first completed in 1834. The second march never actually materialized, but its symbolic movement of priesthood power over geographic space and time was analogous to the wide reach of the church's missionary force today.

MHA president Donald Q. Cannon said the church is now present in 143 nations, with nearly 10 percent of its 12 million members living in Mexico alone. Yet rapid growth — particularly since World War II — has not come without cost, said Cannon, a professor of religion at Brigham Young University.

In many parts of the world, retention rates for new converts are "very low and providing leadership has proved difficult." Cultural problems and differences have been exacerbated when "things couldn't be done according to the Utah model."

Cannon's son, Brian, was a missionary in Tahiti 25 years ago and wore his suit "twice — once on his way out and again on his way home." The heat and geography proved the attire impractical, giving way to short-sleeved shirts and sandals, he said.

And Latter-day Saints in the Philippines found the massive air conditioning units installed on their meetinghouses were much too costly to operate. Besides, "they were uncomfortable with the cold air.

"Yet despite the challenges and problems, the gospel has moved steadily forward" throughout its 175-year history, which is being commemorated throughout the church this year, along with the bicentennial of Smith's birth.

"Mormonism has penetrated every continent and swept every clime," Cannon said. "Joseph Smith got it right in his prophetic statements about the globalization of Mormonism. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has indeed become a global church."

In recognition of the faith's importance in the secular realm of tourism, Vermont Gov. James Douglas thanked MHA members personally on Saturday night for coming to his state in honor of their founding prophet.

He said "cultural tourism" is a growing trend that has definite economic implications for Vermont, and Smith's birthplace in Sharon, Vt., attracts thousands of visitors annually.

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