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| General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | |
|---|---|
| Name | General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
| Caption | Conference Center during a session |
| Genre | religious conference |
| Frequency | biannual |
| Venue | Conference Center, Salt Lake Temple, other meetinghouses |
| Location | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Years active | 1830–present |
General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the semiannual gathering of leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to provide doctrinal instruction, policy guidance, and organizational announcements. Held each April and October, the conference features addresses from the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other leaders, and is broadcast to adherents worldwide. The event has evolved alongside developments in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, and modern communications such as television broadcasting and the Internet.
General Conference traces to early meetings in Kirtland, Ohio and Jackson County, Missouri soon after the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830 by Joseph Smith. Early conferences took place in locations including Kirtland Temple and the Nauvoo, Illinois period, continuing through the Mormon migration to Utah and establishment of regular semiannual conferences in Salt Lake City. The nineteenth-century development intersected with events like the Utah War and interactions with the United States Congress over territorial matters. Twentieth-century changes included construction of the Salt Lake Temple, creation of the Conference Center, and expansions in broadcasting via radio broadcasting, television broadcasting, and later the Internet broadcasting and satellite television eras. Revisions to format and timing have reflected organizational adjustments under presidents such as Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, Ezra Taft Benson, and Gordon B. Hinckley.
The conference is convened by the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and administrative offices including the Presiding Bishopric and the Church History Department help coordinate logistics. Sessions typically include morning and afternoon meetings over a weekend in April and October, with special sessions such as the General Women's Meeting and General Priesthood Session historically scheduled for specific constituencies. The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and organizational units like Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary are involved in program elements. Direction for scheduling and policy emerges from councils including the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Sessions generally open with music and prayer, followed by a series of sermons and doctrinal talks from senior leaders and other church authorities. Addresses cover scripture such as the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and teachings tied to doctrines conveyed by figures like Joseph Smith and subsequent prophets. Administrative announcements may include changes to programs like missionary guidelines, adjustments to temple policy, or organizational directives affecting entities such as Area Authority Seventy and stakes. Sessions conclude with music and benediction; special sessions have included testimonies, missionary appeals, and youth-focused presentations.
Speakers are drawn from the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Presiding Bishopric, the Seventy, and other general authorities and officers representing organizations such as Relief Society, Young Men, Young Women, and Primary. The selection process is governed by senior leadership deliberations of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with inputs from departments like the Church Educational System. Speakers prepare talks that are often later published in church periodicals such as Ensign and delivered in multiple languages through translation services managed by the Church's Translation Services and international offices.
General Conference has been distributed through mediums including newspaper, radio broadcasting, television broadcasting, satellite television, and the Internet. The church operates the media apparatus including KSL Radio, KSL-TV, and the Church News; broadcasts are also carried by international partners and digital platforms such as the church's official website and mobile applications. Coverage extends to media organizations across regions like North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The church's audiovisual productions involve venues such as the Conference Center and the Salt Lake Tabernacle, with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square frequently featured.
Primary sessions are held in Salt Lake City at venues including the Salt Lake Temple, the Salt Lake Tabernacle, and the Conference Center. Local stake and ward meetinghouses worldwide also host satellite viewings, enabling participation by members in locations such as Buenos Aires, London, Sydney, Accra, Tokyo, Manila, and Mexico City. Attendance patterns reflect the church's global growth, with membership concentrations in areas like Utah, Idaho, Arizona, California, and expanding presence in Brazil, Philippines, and Nigeria. Special sessions or historical conferences have occurred in other sites tied to church history such as Kirtland, Nauvoo, and Independence, Missouri.
Public reception encompasses responses from adherents, scholars, and media commentators across outlets such as Deseret News, The Salt Lake Tribune, and international press agencies. Conferences have influenced internal policy, missionary strategy, and doctrinal emphasis, while scholars in institutions like Brigham Young University and the University of Utah analyze speeches for trends in leadership and theology. Occasional public controversy arises over social issues addressed or policy changes announced, attracting commentary from entities including United States Congress members, advocacy groups, and religious studies periodicals. The conference remains a central event in the life of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a focal point for global coordination, teaching, and institutional identity.
Category:The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Category:Religious conferences