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“Statistical Report 1980,” Ensign, May 1981, 19

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 December 31, 1980. (Membership figures are estimates based on 1980 reports available prior to conference.)

Church Units

• Number of stakes of Zion 1,218

• Number of full-time missions 188

• Number of wards 7,868

• Number of independent branches in stakes 2,456

• Number of mission branches 2,267

(These statistics reflect an increase of 1,105 wards and branches during 1980.)

• Number of countries with organized wards or branches 83

Church Membership

Total membership reported by stakes, missions, and Church offices at the close of 1980
4,638,000

Church Growth during 1980

• Children blessed 103,000

• Children of record baptized 65,000

• Converts baptized 211,000

(This convert baptism figure is an estimate based on 1980 reports received at Church headquarters prior to conference.)

Social Statistics

• Birth rate per thousand 28.2

• Number of persons married per thousand 12.2

• Death rate per thousand 3.9

Genealogical Society

• Names cleared in 1980 for temple endowments 5,414,600

Temples

Numbers of endowments performed during 1980:

• For the living 52,000

• For the dead 3,962,000

• Temples in operation 19

• Temples planned or under construction 8

(There were 89,100 more endowments done in 1980 than in 1979.)

Priesthood

• Deacons 156,000

• Teachers 122,000

• Priests 236,000

• Elders 382,000

• Seventies 30,000

• High priests 157,000

(An estimated increase of 42,000 priesthood members during 1980)

• Full-time missionaries 29,953

Church School System

Total enrollment during 1979–80 school year:

• Seminaries and Institutes including special programs 309,000

• Church schools, colleges, and continuing education 75,000

Welfare Services

• Persons assisted with cash or commodities 160,600

• Persons assisted by LDS Social Services 51,600

• Persons placed in gainful employment 26,400

• Man-days of labor donated to welfare services 527,900

• Commodities distributed from storehouses in pounds 35,441,200

Prominent Members Who Passed Away during the Year

Elder William H. Bennett, emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy; William Pakimana Taurima, president of the Gisborne New Zealand Stake; Thomas Lee Chappell, president of the Loa Utah Stake; Donald Leon Hansen, president of the San Bernardino California East Stake; Clara Alberta Wright Moyle, widow of Henry D. Moyle, former First Counselor in the First Presidency; Betsy Hollings Richards, widow of George F. Richards, former President of the Quorum of the Twelve; Edgar B. Brossard, former member of the United States Tariff Commission for 36 years; Leona Holbrook, president of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, and former member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and participant in the International Olympic Academy; Junius M. Jackson, former president of the Church Genealogical Society; Pearl B. Johnson, secretary to members of the First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve for over forty years and former member of the YWMIA General Board.