F. Michael Watson
Secretary to the First Presidency

General Session
Saturday, April 5, 1997

Brothers and sisters, for the information of the members of the Church, the First Presidency has issued the following statistical report concerning the growth and status of the Church as of 31 December 1996. These statistics are based on 1996 reports available prior to this conference.

Church Units
Stakes	2,296
Districts	671
Missions	309
Wards and branches	23,528

These wards and branches are in 140 nations and in 21 territories and possessions.

Church Membership
Total membership	9,694,549
Eight-year-olds baptized during 1996	81,017
Converts baptized during 1996	321,385

Missionaries
Full-time missionaries	52, 938

Prominent Members Who Have Passed Away since Last April

Elder Lowell D. Wood, a member of the Seventy; Elder Lloyd P. George, an emeritus General Authority; Sister Florence Smith Prows Cullimore, widow of Elder James A. Cullimore of the Seventy; Brother David M. Kennedy, former special representative of the First Presidency and United States secretary of the treasury; Brother Terrel H. Bell, former United States secretary of education; and Sister Florence Holbrook Richards, former counselor in the Primary general presidency.