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, the
Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, 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. Editors of the
Improvement Era included
Joseph F. Smith,
Heber J. Grant,
George Albert Smith,
David O. McKay,
Joseph Fielding Smith,
John A. Widtsoe,
Richard L. Evans,
B. H. Roberts,
Edward H. Anderson,
Hugh J. Cannon,
Harrison R. Merrill, and
Doyle L. Green. ==Notable articles==