The ''Improvement Era'' (often shortened to ''The Era'') was an official magazine of

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian church that considers itself to be the Restorationism, restoration of the ...

(LDS Church) between 1897 and 1970.

History

The ''Improvement Era'' was first published in 1897 as a replacement to the unofficial magazine, '' The Contributor''. Over the years, it was the official publishing organ for a variety of organizations within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, including the

Seventies File:1970s decade montage.jpg, Clockwise from top left: U.S. President Richard Nixon doing the V for Victory sign after his resignation from office following the Watergate scandal in 1974; The United States was still involved in the Vietnam War ...

, the

Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association The Young Men (often referred to as Young Men's) is a youth organization and official program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Its purpose is to assist the church's Aaronic priesthood-aged young men in their growt ...

, the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, priesthood quorums, church schools, the Church Music Committee, and the Home Teaching Committee. In the July 1960 issue, an insert targeted toward the teenagers of the church was included. Entitled "The Era of Youth," it continued to be included in the ''Improvement Era'' until 1970, when it became the basis for the '' New Era''. With the implementation of the Priesthood Correlation Program in 1970, the ''Improvement Era'' ceased publication and was replaced by the ''New Era'' and the ''

Ensign An ensign is the national flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality. The ensign is the largest flag, generally flown at the stern (rear) of the ship while in port. The naval ensign (also known as war ensign), used on warships, may be diffe ...

''. Editors of the ''Improvement Era'' included

Joseph F. Smith Joseph Fielding Smith Sr. (November 13, 1838 – November 19, 1918) was an American religious leader who served as the sixth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He was the nephew of Joseph Smith, the founde ...

, Heber J. Grant, George Albert Smith,

David O. McKay David Oman McKay (September 8, 1873 – January 18, 1970) was an American religious leader and educator who served as the ninth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1951 until his death in 1970. Ordain ...

, Joseph Fielding Smith, John A. Widtsoe,

Richard L. Evans Richard Louis Evans (March 23, 1906 – November 1, 1971) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) (1953–71); the president of Rotary International (1966–67); and the wr ...

B. H. Roberts Brigham Henry Roberts (March 13, 1857 – September 27, 1933) was a historian, politician, and leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He edited the seven-volume ''History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ...

, Edward H. Anderson, Hugh J. Cannon, Harrison R. Merrill, and

Doyle L. Green Doyle LeRoy Green (1915 – November 23, 1975) was editor of the ''Improvement Era'' and later of the ''Ensign'', '' New Era'', and '' Friend'' magazines for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Biography From 1936 to 19 ...

Notable articles

The February 1968 issue included the first publication of images of the

Joseph Smith Papyri The Joseph Smith Papyri (JSP) are Egyptian funerary papyrus fragments from ancient Thebes dated between 300 to 100 BC which, along with four mummies, were once owned by Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Smith said that ...

, in sepia tone.

References

External links

* Complete issues of
Improvement Era
',

Church History Library The Church History Library (CHL) is a research center and archives building housing materials chronicling the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The library is owned by the Church and opened in 2009 in downt ...

and the

Internet Archive The Internet Archive is an American digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It provides free public access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, software applications/games, music, ...

. * An index to poetry and prose i
''Improvement Era''
Mormon Literature and Creative Arts Database of

Brigham Young University Brigham Young University (BYU, sometimes referred to colloquially as The Y) is a private research university in Provo, Utah. It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-d ...

. 1897 in Christianity Monthly magazines published in the United States The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints periodicals Defunct magazines published in the United States Magazines established in 1897 Magazines disestablished in 1970 1897 establishments in Utah 1970 disestablishments in Utah Magazines published in Utah Young Men (organization) Young people and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Young Women (organization) {{Christian-mag-stub

History

Notable articles

See also

References

External links