The Mormon Church has continued to grow in size and prominence since 1830 when Joseph Smith announced the formation of this new Christian organization. The struggle to gain recognition for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) among the body of Christian groups has been a vigorous and energetic one. Out of the band of closely knit followers have developed leaders who were particularly gifted at proclaiming and defending the beliefs of this faith. One of the men who was foremost in advancing the views of the Mormon people during the years 1880 to 1930 was Brigham Henry Roberts. Throughout the major portion of his life, he was engaged in speaking and writing in behalf of Mormon doctrine and Mormon people. Inevitably it won for him the characterization, "Defender of the Faith."