Top LDS events of 2011

In February, the church's family history website, FamilySearch.org, reached 15 billion hits since its launch in 1999.

With the 181st anniversary of the publication of the Book of Mormon in March came another milestone — the distribution of its 150 millionth copy.

Less than 60 years after forming "student" wards at BYU, the church decided to eliminate student congregations in June, now forming "young single adult" wards and stakes throughout Utah for single members ages 18-30.

It was also in June that the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles approved changes in the policies regarding length of senior missionary service and missionary housing to encourage more couples to serve full-time missions and to improve their missionary experience.

In an emotional announcement at a December concert, David Archuleta, a singer and celebrity who turned 21 on Dec. 28, announced that he plans to serve a full-time mission.