Millennial Star

The Millennial Star, printed from 1840 to 1970, was the longest running continuously published periodical of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was created and directed towards the members of the Church in the British Isles who, especially in its earlier years, were separated by the main body of members in the United States. The Millennial Star was printed only for the purpose of spreading and preaching the Gospel. It did not devote any of its articles to current events, politics etc.

Parley P. Pratt, an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was the original founder and editor. During the early years of publication the job of Editor changed hands frequently with regards to the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who were currently serving in England. In October 1846, Orson Hyde became the British Mission President and subsequent editor. Thereafter, the current British Mission President was also the editor of the Millennial Star.

Throughout its run, the publication changed the frequency of its issues: sometimes they were monthly, bi-monthly, or even weekly. In late 1842, with the departure of Parley P. Pratt, the publication of the Millennial Star was nearly cancelled, but with the efforts of current editor, Thomas Ward, who contacted Brigham Young several times regarding the publication, it continued its run.

Because of its focus on Mormonism, spreading the Gospel and news of the Church, the Millennial Star has become an important historical tool for the Church historians. Publishing news regarding the members of the Church in America, the doctrines, the events, the cultural changes etc. has provided great insight that was not recorded as well anywhere else.

In 1970, with the effort to correlate the programs of the Church more consistently, the publication of the Millennial Star was replaced with the worldwide Church magazine, The Ensign.