LDS Church General Conference

General Conference is a large meeting held by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (casually known as the Mormon Church). Conference is held twice annually, on the weekend of the first Sundays in April and October. The April meeting includes annual statistical and financial reports not included in the October meeting. The conferences are identified by the number of years since the LDS Church was founded in 1830.The conference consists of five two hour sessions.  The main four sessions start at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday night, another session is held for the Priesthood (men) of the Church. The conferences are held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Any member or visitor who has obtained a ticket is able to attend. Those who live too far away from Salt Lake are able to watch conference via satellite or the internet, or read the talks on the LDS Church website or in the Church magazine, The Ensign.

The conference is presided over by the President of the LDS Church. In the case of his absence, as in sickness, one of his counselors presides over the meeting. During a session of conference, the leaders of the LDS Church are presented to members and members are able to vote to support them. This is known as “sustaining.”

When a President of the LDS Church passes away, the following conference is referred to as a solemn assembly. During this meeting, the new president is announced and voted for.

The purpose of LDS General Conference is to be able to hear the words of those whom the Lord has chosen to lead His Church.  Conference talks provide guidance and revelation from God concerning our current times.