The Mormon population has increased significantly in recent decades.
 The global distribution of Mormons resembles a contact diffusion model, radiating out from the organization's headquarters in Utah
Mormon history can be divided into three broad periods: (1) the early history during the lifetime of Joseph Smith, (2) a "pioneer era" under the leadership of Brigham Young and his successors, and (3) a modern era beginning around the turn of the 20th century

