During 1990, the Church gained more converts than in any year in its history.
This was despite the fact that in 1989, the number of converts increased over the previous year by nearly 20 percent.New converts entered the Church at the rate of more than 900 a day, which translates into about a ward and a half per day, or nearly two stakes a week, according to the 1990 annual report released at general conference.
However, the same report indicates that 45 stakes and 47 districts were created during the year, indicating that much of the growth is coming in areas outside stake boundaries.
The report also noted that by year-end 1990, Church membership reached nearly 7.8 million, and that it gained about .4 million members in 1990. Continuing this growth rate, the Church will reach 8 million members during 1991.
Full-time missionaries increased by 3,912 in 1990. Missions increased from 228 to 256, the largest number ever created in one year.
GRAPHIC: 10 yers of growth
The following are statistics from the 1990 annual report announced by the First Presidency, compared with statistics of five and 10 years ago.
Number of church units 1980 1985 1990
Stakes 1,218 1,582 1,784
Missions 188 188 256
Wards and branches 12,512 15,005 18,090
District 355 352 479
Nations/territories w/ wards &
branches 83* 115 130
Church membership
Total membership 4,640,000 5,920,000 7,760,000 Children of record baptized for year
65,000 70,000 78,000
Converts baptized for year 211,000 197,000 330,877
Full-time missionaries 29,953 29,265 43,651
*estimated
