The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has set the dates of Saturday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 1, for the upcoming 193rd Semiannual General Conference, with all individuals, families and friends invited to attend the general sessions held over the two days.
For the third straight general conference, the Saturday evening session this fall will be for all members and not specifically for priesthood holders or women and young women like in years past.
In a letter dated Thursday, Aug. 31, to general authorities; general officers; Area Seventies; stake, mission and district presidencies; bishoprics; and branch presidencies; the First Presidency noted that the five general sessions — Saturday morning, afternoon and evening on Sept. 30 and Sunday morning and afternoon on Oct. 1 — would be for all members and friends.
The letter also mentioned that:
- Conference sessions will be broadcast on the Church satellite system, streamed on ChurchofJesusChrist.org and available via other media resources.
- In-person attendance at the Conference Center for general sessions will once again be limited because of ongoing construction on and around Temple Square.
- And decisions about gathering to watch conference session in local meetinghouses are being left to local leaders.
The letter is to be read in sacrament meetings of the Church’s wards and branches worldwide.
In July 2021, the First Presidency announced the decision to continue holding the Saturday evening session of general conference, “albeit in a different format than in the past.” Since then, three of the four general conferences have had Saturday evening sessions geared to a general audience — the Saturday evening session of April 2022 conference was held just for women and girls turning 12 and older.
At that session, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, read a introductory statement from the First Presidency, acknowledging that Saturday evening sessions of general conference have had “a history of different purposes and different audiences.”
The statement continued: “This evening we add to that history as we embark upon a new purpose and procedure for the foreseeable future. The gospel of Jesus Christ does not change. Gospel doctrine does not change. Our personal covenants do not change. But over the years, the meetings we hold to communicate our messages do change and very likely will continue to change over the years.
“For now, this Saturday evening meeting is a session of general conference, not a session of any organization. Like all sessions of general conference, the planning, speakers, and music are designated by the First Presidency.”
The First Presidency’s invitation general conference
In its entirety, the First Presidency’s Aug. 31 letter states:
“Dear Brothers and Sisters:
“We are pleased to announce the upcoming 193rd Semiannual General Conference. The First Presidency, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other General Authorities and General Officers of the Church will share messages of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“General sessions for all individuals, families, and friends will be held Saturday morning, afternoon, and evening, September 30, as well as Sunday morning and afternoon, October 1. The conference will be broadcast on the Church satellite system, ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and other media. Due to the ongoing construction taking place on and around Temple Square, in-person attendance at the general conference sessions will again be limited. Decisions about gathering to watch general conference in meetinghouses will be left to the discretion of local leaders.
“General conference provides an opportunity to receive personal revelation as general Church leaders give counsel and direction. We encourage members to listen to, study, ponder and apply the counsel given. The messages will be published on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, in the Gospel Library app, and in Church magazines for further viewing and study.
“Sincerely yours,”
(Signed)
Russell M. Nelson
Dallin H. Oaks
Henry B. Eyring
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September 02, 2023 at 06:41AM
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