SALT LAKE CITY — Convening a virtual global general conference today during an international pandemic that reached the White House this week, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expect record participation.
“A pandemic cannot and will not stop the Lord from embracing us,” President Russell M. Nelson said in an email to church members this week. “His love is constant. He never stops watching over us. ... You and I have a special opportunity to feel his love during the upcoming general conference.”
The virtual gathering is the 190th Semiannual General Conference of the church.
The format will be similar to the church’s April general conference, with only senior leaders, speakers and those saying prayers attending the five sessions. That’s a departure from the typical crowds of 20,000 who usually attend each session at the Conference Center.
The format was constructed “because of our concern for the health and safety of others” and the church’s “obligation to be good citizens and to act with caution,” the First Presidency explained in a June letter.
The conference will be broadcast on TV and radio stations in 50 countries, at least a 233% increase over the October 2019 general conference. Church officials worked with governments and stations around the world to expand the number of broadcasts because the pandemic precludes members from gathering in churches to watch a satellite feed, especially in countries that do not have access to streaming video.
A conference typically includes 30-35 talks from the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, general authorities and general officers of the church.
In April, President Nelson said those talks are a balm in difficult times.
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“You can hear the messages that the Savior has especially for you — messages that will bring peace to your soul,” he said. “Messages that will heal your broken heart. Messages that will illuminate your mind. Messages that will help you know what to do as you move ahead through times of turmoil and trial.”
Conferences also often include announcements. The First Presidency made news on Friday when it announced groundbreaking ceremonies for historic first temples for two countries, India and Zimbabwe.
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