General Conference: A Worldwide Church Meeting
We listen to prophets and other Church leaders during general conference. They teach us what God wants us to hear.
Each April and October, the Church holds a series of meetings called general conference. Leaders teach and testify about Jesus Christ and His gospel. General conference is held in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, and is broadcast throughout the world in over 80 languages. All members and any other interested people are invited to listen to the talks.
The First Church Conferences
The Church was officially organized during a meeting on April 6, 1830 (see Doctrine and Covenants 20). The first general conference was held on June 9, 1830. Since then, general conferences have been held under the direction of the President of the Church wherever members could gather. In the 1840s, leaders began holding conference twice a year.
How Conferences Are Organized Today
The First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other Church leaders speak during general conference. The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and other Church choirs provide music. Each conference has five sessions: three on Saturday and two on Sunday.
Teachings of Leaders
In the months before conference, Church leaders pray about what to teach. The Lord inspires them to know what they should say. They teach gospel truths and invite us to keep God’s commandments. They also testify of Jesus Christ and encourage us to follow Him.
Learning from Conference
Before general conference, we can pray to hear what the Lord wants us to learn. As we listen to the talks, the Spirit will teach us what we need to know. After conference, the talks appear on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, in the Gospel Library app, and in the Liahona. We can prayerfully study the talks to learn more about Jesus Christ and His gospel.
From the Scriptures
Jesus Christ taught that we should meet together often (see 3 Nephi 18:22).
When Church members worship together, the Lord will be with them (see Matthew 18:20).
The Lord commanded Church members to ”instruct and edify each other” (Doctrine and Covenants 43:8).
As Church members show faith in Christ, His Spirit will be with them as they meet (see Doctrine and Covenants 44:2).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2021/09/general-conference-a-worldwide-church-meeting?lang=eng
Facts about General Conference 2018
Over 100,000 people attend the five sessions at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
People in 221 countries and territories watch general conference
The talks are translated into 94languages
The wood for the Conference Center’s pulpit came fromPresident Gordon B. Hinckley’s (1910–2008) old walnut tree
A Boeing 747 plane—which is about 230 feet (70.5 m) long—could fit inside the Conference Center auditorium
President Russell M. Nelson has given 84 general conference talks in his 34 years as a General Authority
The Conference Center organ has 7,667 pipes—but only about 170 pipes can be seen by the audience
About 35 talks are given each conference
Notable announcements made during general conferences:
Sept. 1995: “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”
Apr. 1998: Construction of smaller temples
Apr. 2001: Perpetual Education Fund started
Oct. 2012: Missionary age lowered
Apr. 2018: Ministering replaces home and visiting teaching
—————
my question is have you ever spent an entire weekend in worship?
do you find it to be something that is restful to you?
do you think this kind of international worship has a potential of building unity, love and hope where politics and the media divide hate and fearmonger?
june
Article URL : https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2021/09/general-conference-a-worldwide-church-meeting?lang=eng