Research Guide
General Conference
Overview
Welcome to the research guide for general conferences of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Conferences have been held continually since 1830. (See a
Conference messages are given to address the needs of a congregation in a specific time. Messages given in the past may not be applicable to contemporary religious practice. Terms and language used are part of the historical record and do not represent current attitudes. For questions and concerns regarding current Church positions and policies, please refer to
Textual Resources
This collection includes reports from 1880 and from 1897 to 2011. Conference reports include information about the conference itself (for example, the sessions held, times, and dates), the General Authorities and Officers of the Church that were present and presiding, leadership changes and deaths of prominent members announced at the conference, statistical and financial information, prayers given, musical numbers and congregational hymns sung, and transcripts of talks given. Before conference was recorded or broadcast, these reports—published by the Church and available for purchase shortly after conference—were how the information delivered at conference was disseminated to many of the Saints who could not gather on Temple Square.
Paper copies of the reports from 1897 to 2017 (when publication ended) are available to view at the Church History Library.
This site contains conference reports from 1830 to April 1897. These reports are gathered from published material (Deseret News and Millennial Star) and transcribed with standardized spelling and grammar. The website is basic but fills a significant gap in conference coverage. This is not a Church-sponsored website, and the Church does not endorse the content.
Video, audio, and written transcripts of conference talks from 1971 to the most recent conference are available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Conference talks on this website are organized by year, month, and session. Speakers are listed in the order they spoke, along with their photograph, the title of their discourse, and their name. Business such as the sustaining of General Authorities and Officers is also included. Conference talks are also discoverable by a topical search on the
This website contains a searchable body of conference talks from 1851 to the present. The site allows unique keyword search options, including identifying how often a topic has been mentioned in conference and providing the context of a word or phrase. These features demonstrate recognizable and significant trends in conference topics and themes. The site provides video tutorials that aid in understanding how to use the site and the information it generates. It is hosted by Brigham Young University. This is not a Church-sponsored website, and the Church does not endorse the content.
Periodical Reports
Church periodicals have been printing conference talks since 1942, with few exceptions. From 1942 to 1950 conference reports were printed in the May and November issues of the
From 1951 to 1970 the talks were printed in the June and December issues, except for the December 1957 issue. October conference that year was cancelled due to the Asian flu epidemic.
In 1971 the Improvement Era became the
In 1974 the Ensign magazine returned to printing conference talks in its May and November issues. A note from the editors in the
This site provides a searchable index to all the scriptures quoted or referenced in conference addresses from 1942 to the present. It also documents scriptures referenced in talks from the Journal of Discourses between 1839 and 1886 and in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. The site is hosted by Brigham Young University. This is not a Church-sponsored website, and the Church does not endorse the content.
This volume is a collection of addresses given by women throughout the history of the Church. While not all the discourses in the book were given at general conference, many of them were. The book also contains an
Audiovisual Resources
The audiovisual collections available in the Church History Catalog have been digitized from source materials of varying types and conditions. Due to the technological limitations of early conference recordings, deterioration over time, and other factors, completeness and quality may vary from one recording to the next. The sound quality has been enhanced, but there are some variations in volume.
This collection contains all known existing audio recordings of general conference held by the Church History Department and are accessible through the Church History Catalog media player. Not all recordings of conference have survived to the present day, so gaps do exist. The finding aid, which can be found on the left under Collection Contents, lists available conferences chronologically, with every session between 1936 and 1970 described in detail with time stamps for speakers and musical numbers. Please note that the post-1971 recordings of conference talks are not accessible here because they are available through
(Help us add to the Historical Record: Since October 1924, general conference has been broadcast on the radio. Some families had early recording equipment used in the 1920s–1940s, and they may have even placed a microphone close to the radio to record general conference talks that the Church History Department does not have. If anyone knows of existing recordings family members may have that could help fill in our gaps, please contact the Church History Department.)
This collection contains video recordings of general conference. Some of the early videos in this collection are selected addresses, and some are full sessions. This collection is currently incomplete, and more recordings will be made available as they are digitized, so please check back for new content. Please note that the post-1971 recordings of conference talks are not accessible here because they are available through
This article in Church News provides information on Church involvement in the media through the years and includes references to performances by the Choir and conference broadcasts. It includes historic photographs and a time line.
Video, audio, and written transcripts of conference talks from 1971 to the most recent conference are available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Conference talks on this website are organized by year, month, and session. Speakers are listed in the order they spoke, along with their photograph, the title of their discourse, and their name. Business such as the sustaining of General Authorities and Officers is also included. Conference talks are also discoverable by a topical search on the
President Ezra Taft Benson at general conference, circa 1984.
The Tabernacle and the Conference Center
The Tabernacle and the Conference Center were built as gathering places for the Saints. While these buildings are used for many purposes, their primary function was and is to host the annual and semiannual conferences of the Church. Construction on the Tabernacle was completed in 1867 under the direction of Brigham Young. It was designed with acoustics in mind, enabling those in attendance to easily hear the speaker from anywhere in the building. The Tabernacle organ has 11,623 pipes. While general conference is no longer held in the building, it is still home to
The collections in this section are currently not available digitally (unless indicated). They are available upon request at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Written by Tabernacle historian Stewart L. Grow, this volume is a modified version of Grow’s important 1947 thesis
Using Grow’s thesis as a starting point, Scott C. Esplin’s volume expands on the construction and architecture of the building to include information on preservation and restoration efforts. It also provides a time line of significant early Church construction, including the Tabernacle; a list of historical events held in the building; and a discussion on the social and economic effects of the building on the community. This book is
This collection contains color photographs, newspaper and magazine clippings, and information provided by Legacy Constructors concerning site preparation and construction of the Conference Center.
This magazine-style publication created by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership (project architects) describes the various aspects of the project. It includes full-page color spreads of the building and architectural drawings.
This book is a collection of oral histories compiled by W. Dee Halverson and commissioned by Legacy Constructors (the Conference Center construction conglomerate). Halverson includes stories, many of which are miraculous and faith building, and interviews of individuals involved with design, construction, and other aspects of the building process.
This volume, published by Legacy Constructors, contains essays, interviews, commentaries, and stories of the construction of the Conference Center. It also includes photos and a list of all Legacy Constructors employees from 1997 to 2000.
A history of the complex construction and installation of the organ in the Conference Center, written by John Longhurst, Tabernacle Choir organist. The history contains color photographs, architectural drawings, research documentation, and a time line.
The Conference Center at twilight.
The Tabernacle Choir and Conference Music
This website lists all the musical numbers performed at general conference from 1998 to the present. It is organized by title, artist (including congregational hymns), and conference session and has an embedded media player to listen to the numbers.
This is the official website of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. This site provides information on the history of the Choir, including their historic broadcast Music & the Spoken Word, a photo gallery, details about the architecture of the Tabernacle, current information about the Choir’s schedule, and audio recordings and videos. The Choir has provided musical selections for general conference since 1847.
This photograph collection contains images of the Choir and its members, organists, and directors in the Tabernacle and on various tours as early as 1900. Photographs are available upon request at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City.
Church of the Air was a weekly CBS religious broadcast, which began in 1931 and aired until the late 1960s. It featured broadcasts from many different denominations, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, starting in 1935. Church segments were produced by KSL Radio for CBS and often featured music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (now The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square) as well as talks by Church leaders in conjunction with general conference. This collection contains transcripts as well as the recordings. Transcripts are available upon request at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City. Audio recordings are currently not available.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
Conference Sessions FAQ
What is a general session of conference?
General sessions of conference are meetings where all members of the Church gather with Church leadership. In the past, these sessions generally covered three days, with two sessions each day. On occasion, meetings did extend to four days, making a total of eight sessions. In April 1977,Church leaders announced that general conference would be only two days.2
Priesthood sessions were not considered part of general conference until April 1944, toward the end of World War II, when the meetings began to be identified as numbered sessions (for example, first, second). Other meetings such as Relief Society and Primary meetings were considered conferences specific to their organizations and, while held in the spring and fall to increase attendance, were not considered part of general conference. Beginning in March 2014, the general women’s meetings became official conference sessions, bringing the total number of sessions held during general conference to six. In 2018, Church leaders announced that the general women’s session would be held during the fall conference and the general priesthood session would be held during the spring conference.
When was the first general conference?
The first meeting of all Church members was held Wednesday, June 9, 1830, in Fayette, Seneca County, New York, at the Peter Whitmer home. There were about 30 members in attendance, along with several friends and other interested persons. Theminutes of this meeting are available through the Joseph Smith Papers.3
Has conference ever been canceled?
General conference has been held every year since 1830, with two exceptions. The first was 1846; no conferences were held that year, because of the exodus from Nauvoo. The second cancellation was October 1957, because of the Asian flu epidemic. The April 1919 conference was not canceled, but it was postponed until June due to the influenza epidemic, and some conferences in the 1940s were limited in attendance because of safety concerns and wartime restrictions on large gatherings.
When did the Church stop holding spring general conference on April 6?
It was a long-standing tradition to hold conference on April 6 each year in honor of the Church’s founding, regardless of the day of the week on which it fell. For example, the 114th Annual General Conference, in 1949, was held over three days: Sunday, April 3; Monday, April 4; and Wednesday, April 6. Another example is the 146th Annual General Conference, held in 1976 on Saturday, April 3; Sunday, April 4; and Tuesday, April 6. In April 1977, after general conference was standardized, the Church stopped purposely holding general conference sessions on April 6.
General sessions of conference are meetings where all members of the Church gather with Church leadership. In the past, these sessions generally covered three days, with two sessions each day. On occasion, meetings did extend to four days, making a total of eight sessions. In April 1977,
Priesthood sessions were not considered part of general conference until April 1944, toward the end of World War II, when the meetings began to be identified as numbered sessions (for example, first, second). Other meetings such as Relief Society and Primary meetings were considered conferences specific to their organizations and, while held in the spring and fall to increase attendance, were not considered part of general conference. Beginning in March 2014, the general women’s meetings became official conference sessions, bringing the total number of sessions held during general conference to six. In 2018, Church leaders announced that the general women’s session would be held during the fall conference and the general priesthood session would be held during the spring conference.
When was the first general conference?
The first meeting of all Church members was held Wednesday, June 9, 1830, in Fayette, Seneca County, New York, at the Peter Whitmer home. There were about 30 members in attendance, along with several friends and other interested persons. The
Has conference ever been canceled?
General conference has been held every year since 1830, with two exceptions. The first was 1846; no conferences were held that year, because of the exodus from Nauvoo. The second cancellation was October 1957, because of the Asian flu epidemic. The April 1919 conference was not canceled, but it was postponed until June due to the influenza epidemic, and some conferences in the 1940s were limited in attendance because of safety concerns and wartime restrictions on large gatherings.
When did the Church stop holding spring general conference on April 6?
It was a long-standing tradition to hold conference on April 6 each year in honor of the Church’s founding, regardless of the day of the week on which it fell. For example, the 114th Annual General Conference, in 1949, was held over three days: Sunday, April 3; Monday, April 4; and Wednesday, April 6. Another example is the 146th Annual General Conference, held in 1976 on Saturday, April 3; Sunday, April 4; and Tuesday, April 6. In April 1977, after general conference was standardized, the Church stopped purposely holding general conference sessions on April 6.
When did auxiliaries and other organizations begin holding conference sessions?
| Priesthood: | The earliest mention of a Church-wide priesthood meeting April 6, 1862, although several special meetings for priesthood brethren were called in the years prior.4 |
| Relief Society: | The Relief Society held its first annual conference in the Assembly Hall in Salt Lake on April 6, 1889. |
| Primary: | The Primary held a convention for stake Primary presidents in the Assembly Hall on October 5, 1889, but the first official annual conference was held on October 5, 1890.5 |
| Young Women: | The first conference of the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association (Y.L.M.I.A.) was held on April 4, 1890.6 |
| Young Men: | The first conference of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association (Y.M.M.I.A.) was held in the Old Salt Lake Tabernacle on April 8, 1876.7 |
Conference Broadcasts FAQ
When was conference first broadcast on the radio?
The first radio broadcast of general conference occurred on October 3, 1924, on local radio station KFPT, formerly KZN (it would become KSL in 1925). The conference was broadcast in its entirety. At the conference, President Heber J. Grant stated, “The exercises of today and throughout the conference are to be broadcasted; and it is estimated that in the neighborhood of a million people will be able to hear all that is said, provided they are listening in during the conference sessions. The radio is one of the most marvelous inventions man knows anything about. To have the voice carried for thousands of miles seems almost beyond comprehension.”8
Note: Amplifiers and other acoustical systems were used in 1923 so that people on the grounds of Temple Square and in the overflow could hear the conference. A microphone was used for the first time in conference in April 1924.
What is the earliest audio recording we have of general conference?
The earliest existing recording of general conference comes from April 5, 1936, during the third session of the 106th Annual General Conference. The talks of President Heber J. Grant and Elders David O. McKay and J. Reuben Clark were recorded onto a 16-inch transcription disc for rebroadcast as part of the CBS Church of the Air program broadcast from New York.
When was the first television broadcast of general conference?
General conference was broadcast over television for the first time on Friday, September 30, 1949, on KSL-TV. President George Albert Smith presided over the meeting and gave the first address.
When was the first satellite broadcast of general conference?
The first satellite broadcast of general conference occurred Sunday, April 9, 1967, and was an audio-only broadcast. Speakers at the conference included Elders N. Eldon Tanner, Alvin R. Dyer, Mark E. Petersen, and Howard W. Hunter. The Tabernacle Choir, under the direction of Richard P. Condie and with Alexander Schreiner at the organ, provided the music. The session was broadcast to Hawaii via the Lani Bird satellite orbiting 22,000 miles above the Pacific Ocean.9
The first satellite audio and video broadcast occurred Friday, October 3, 1975. Speakers included President Spencer W. Kimball and Elders Vaughn J. Featherstone, Hartman Rector Jr., Robert L. Simpson, and Bruce R. McConkie. The Tabernacle Choir, under the direction of Jerold Ottley and with Alexander Schreiner at the organ, provided the music. Through special arrangements of the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network, the Friday morning session was televised to bases of the U.S. Armed Forces throughout the Pacific.10
When was conference first available on the internet?
In October 1997, in affiliation with Bonneville International Corporation, NewsNet hosted audio conference internet casts in English and other languages.11
On October 2, 1999, live video of conference was made available on the internet with the assistance of the BYU Department of Communications. At the conference, then Elder Thomas S. Monson stated, “We extend our greetings to all . . . who are participating by means of television, cable, radio, or the Internet.”12
The first radio broadcast of general conference occurred on October 3, 1924, on local radio station KFPT, formerly KZN (it would become KSL in 1925). The conference was broadcast in its entirety. At the conference, President Heber J. Grant stated, “The exercises of today and throughout the conference are to be broadcasted; and it is estimated that in the neighborhood of a million people will be able to hear all that is said, provided they are listening in during the conference sessions. The radio is one of the most marvelous inventions man knows anything about. To have the voice carried for thousands of miles seems almost beyond comprehension.”8
Note: Amplifiers and other acoustical systems were used in 1923 so that people on the grounds of Temple Square and in the overflow could hear the conference. A microphone was used for the first time in conference in April 1924.
What is the earliest audio recording we have of general conference?
The earliest existing recording of general conference comes from April 5, 1936, during the third session of the 106th Annual General Conference. The talks of President Heber J. Grant and Elders David O. McKay and J. Reuben Clark were recorded onto a 16-inch transcription disc for rebroadcast as part of the CBS Church of the Air program broadcast from New York.
When was the first television broadcast of general conference?
General conference was broadcast over television for the first time on Friday, September 30, 1949, on KSL-TV. President George Albert Smith presided over the meeting and gave the first address.
When was the first satellite broadcast of general conference?
The first satellite broadcast of general conference occurred Sunday, April 9, 1967, and was an audio-only broadcast. Speakers at the conference included Elders N. Eldon Tanner, Alvin R. Dyer, Mark E. Petersen, and Howard W. Hunter. The Tabernacle Choir, under the direction of Richard P. Condie and with Alexander Schreiner at the organ, provided the music. The session was broadcast to Hawaii via the Lani Bird satellite orbiting 22,000 miles above the Pacific Ocean.9
The first satellite audio and video broadcast occurred Friday, October 3, 1975. Speakers included President Spencer W. Kimball and Elders Vaughn J. Featherstone, Hartman Rector Jr., Robert L. Simpson, and Bruce R. McConkie. The Tabernacle Choir, under the direction of Jerold Ottley and with Alexander Schreiner at the organ, provided the music. Through special arrangements of the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network, the Friday morning session was televised to bases of the U.S. Armed Forces throughout the Pacific.10
When was conference first available on the internet?
In October 1997, in affiliation with Bonneville International Corporation, NewsNet hosted audio conference internet casts in English and other languages.11
On October 2, 1999, live video of conference was made available on the internet with the assistance of the BYU Department of Communications. At the conference, then Elder Thomas S. Monson stated, “We extend our greetings to all . . . who are participating by means of television, cable, radio, or the Internet.”12
Conference Speakers FAQ
Who was the first woman to speak in general conference?
The first woman to speak in a general session of conference wasLucy Mack Smith on October 8, 1845 .13 A report of the conference in the Times and Seasons states the following:
“Mother Lucy Smith, the aged and honored parent of Joseph Smith, having expressed a wish to say a few words to the congregation, she was invited upon the Stand. She spoke at considerable length, and in an audible manner, so as to be heard by a large portion of the vast assembly.
“She commenced by saying that she was truly glad that the Lord had let her see so large a congregation.”14
In the early 20th century, three women spoke during conference in overflow meetings on Temple Square. In April 1908, recently returned missionaries Rachel Leatham and Martha M. Lagenbucher both spoke to a few hundred people waiting outside of the Tabernacle. The following April, of 1909, Lilian Jones, recently returned from the Southern States mission, spoke to a much larger crowd (approximately 2,500) present on Temple Square.15
The next instance of a woman speaking in a general session of conference occurred October 5, 1929, when President Heber J. Grant invited Louisa Y. Robinson, General Relief Society President; Ruth May Fox, General Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association President; and May Anderson, General Primary President, to speak briefly in the Saturday afternoon session. The three presidents also spoke briefly in April and October of 1930. On April 9, 1930, Miss Ruth Pyrtle, president of the National Education Association, spoke in a general session. She was not a member of the Church.16
In April 1984Elaine A. Cannon, General Young Women President , and Barbara B. Smith, General Relief Society President , both spoke. Women have spoken regularly in general sessions from 1984 to the present.
Who was the oldest person to speak in general conference?
Elder David B. Haight (1906–2004) was 97 years and 7 months old when he gave his last conference address on April 3, 2004, during the first session of conference. He passed away three months later.
Who was the youngest person to speak in a general session of conference?
The youngest speaker in a general session of conference was Ross N. Farnsworth, born February 14, 1956. Ross was a deacon in the Mesa 6th Ward in the East Mesa Stake. He spoke in the priesthood session on April 5, 1969, when he was 13 years and 1 month old. During the 1960s it was not uncommon for Aaronic Priesthood holders to speak during the priesthood session.
Has there ever been a speaker in a general session of conference who was not a member of the Church?
There have been 10 speakers in a general session who were not members of the Church:
John Taylor spoke in the conference held Sunday, May 5, 1839.17 He was born in Milnthorpe, Westmorland, England.
Has a speaker spoken in a language other than English at conference?
On Wednesday, April 7, 1926, Yeahgah (Yeager) Timbimboo spoke Shoshone in conference.18 Local newspapers reported, “In 1926, church president Heber J. Grant invited Yeager to speak at the faith’s general conference held in the tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. With Bishop George M. Ward standing at his side as translator, Yeager delivered what reporters at the time called a ‘profound’ address.”19
On Friday, October 4, 1946, Emile C. Dunn, former president of the Tongan Mission, bore his testimony in Tongan.20
On Saturday, October 4, 2014, Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong of the Seventy gave his address in his native Cantonese. English subtitles were seen on the screens in the Conference Center; however, there were no subtitles on TV. An English speaker read the translation over the sound of Elder Wong’s voice.21
The first woman to speak in a general session of conference was
“Mother Lucy Smith, the aged and honored parent of Joseph Smith, having expressed a wish to say a few words to the congregation, she was invited upon the Stand. She spoke at considerable length, and in an audible manner, so as to be heard by a large portion of the vast assembly.
“She commenced by saying that she was truly glad that the Lord had let her see so large a congregation.”14
In the early 20th century, three women spoke during conference in overflow meetings on Temple Square. In April 1908, recently returned missionaries Rachel Leatham and Martha M. Lagenbucher both spoke to a few hundred people waiting outside of the Tabernacle. The following April, of 1909, Lilian Jones, recently returned from the Southern States mission, spoke to a much larger crowd (approximately 2,500) present on Temple Square.15
The next instance of a woman speaking in a general session of conference occurred October 5, 1929, when President Heber J. Grant invited Louisa Y. Robinson, General Relief Society President; Ruth May Fox, General Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association President; and May Anderson, General Primary President, to speak briefly in the Saturday afternoon session. The three presidents also spoke briefly in April and October of 1930. On April 9, 1930, Miss Ruth Pyrtle, president of the National Education Association, spoke in a general session. She was not a member of the Church.16
In April 1984
Who was the oldest person to speak in general conference?
Elder David B. Haight (1906–2004) was 97 years and 7 months old when he gave his last conference address on April 3, 2004, during the first session of conference. He passed away three months later.
Who was the youngest person to speak in a general session of conference?
The youngest speaker in a general session of conference was Ross N. Farnsworth, born February 14, 1956. Ross was a deacon in the Mesa 6th Ward in the East Mesa Stake. He spoke in the priesthood session on April 5, 1969, when he was 13 years and 1 month old. During the 1960s it was not uncommon for Aaronic Priesthood holders to speak during the priesthood session.
Has there ever been a speaker in a general session of conference who was not a member of the Church?
There have been 10 speakers in a general session who were not members of the Church:
- 1927—General Charles F. Summerall, Chief of Staff, United States Army
- 1928—Dr. Roy O. Wyland, Director of Education, National Organizations, Boy Scouts of America
- 1930—Ruth Pyrtle, President of the National Education Association
- 1947—E. Kent Kane, grandson of Thomas L. Kane
- 1954—Sir Alexander Fleming, discoverer of penicillin
- 1960—Sumner G. Whittier, National Administrator of Veterans Affairs
- 1961—Sir Thomas Penberthy Bennett, architect for Hyde Park Chapel
- 1977—Arch Monson Jr., National President, Boy Scouts of America
- 1989, 1993—Eugene F. “Bud” Reid, Chairman of the International Committee of Boy Scouts of America, World Scout Committee Member, National Executive Board
- 1993—Jere B. Ratcliffe, Chief Scout Executive Board
John Taylor spoke in the conference held Sunday, May 5, 1839.17 He was born in Milnthorpe, Westmorland, England.
Has a speaker spoken in a language other than English at conference?
On Wednesday, April 7, 1926, Yeahgah (Yeager) Timbimboo spoke Shoshone in conference.18 Local newspapers reported, “In 1926, church president Heber J. Grant invited Yeager to speak at the faith’s general conference held in the tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. With Bishop George M. Ward standing at his side as translator, Yeager delivered what reporters at the time called a ‘profound’ address.”19
On Friday, October 4, 1946, Emile C. Dunn, former president of the Tongan Mission, bore his testimony in Tongan.20
On Saturday, October 4, 2014, Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong of the Seventy gave his address in his native Cantonese. English subtitles were seen on the screens in the Conference Center; however, there were no subtitles on TV. An English speaker read the translation over the sound of Elder Wong’s voice.21
Tabernacle/Conference Center FAQ
When was the Tabernacle built?
Construction on the Tabernacle began in the spring of 1863. The first meeting was held there on October 6, 1867. By the April 1870 conference the gallery (or balcony) had been added to the Tabernacle. The building was dedicated on October 4, 1875. Elder John Taylor offered the dedicatory prayer in the morning session of conference on Saturday, October 4, 1875. The last general conference held in the Tabernacle was October 1999. Extensive renovation and remodeling occurred from 1999 to 2007. The Tabernacle was rededicated Saturday afternoon on March 31, 2007, with a dedicatory prayer offered by President Gordon B. Hinckley.
When was the first conference held in the Tabernacle?
The first general conference held in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City was held October 6–9, 1867.
When was the Conference Center built?
The buildingwas announced by President Gordon B. Hinckley on April 7, 1996, during the Sunday morning session of the 166th Annual General Conference. During his opening address at the Saturday morning session on October 4, 1997, President Hinckley stated, “We broke ground last July 24th for the large new assembly building.”22
When was the first general conference held in the Conference Center?
The first session of conference held in the Conference Center took place on Saturday morning, April 1, 2000. This session, part of the 170th Annual General Conference, was conducted by President Gordon B. Hinckley. The building was dedicated at the fourth session, Sunday morning, October 8, 2000. President Hinckley delivered the dedicatory prayer at the end of the session. The congregation then participated in the Hosanna Shout, and the Tabernacle Choir sang the “Hosanna Anthem.” The congregation joined in singing “The Spirit of God” (Hymns, no. 2 ).
Construction on the Tabernacle began in the spring of 1863. The first meeting was held there on October 6, 1867. By the April 1870 conference the gallery (or balcony) had been added to the Tabernacle. The building was dedicated on October 4, 1875. Elder John Taylor offered the dedicatory prayer in the morning session of conference on Saturday, October 4, 1875. The last general conference held in the Tabernacle was October 1999. Extensive renovation and remodeling occurred from 1999 to 2007. The Tabernacle was rededicated Saturday afternoon on March 31, 2007, with a dedicatory prayer offered by President Gordon B. Hinckley.
When was the first conference held in the Tabernacle?
The first general conference held in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City was held October 6–9, 1867.
When was the Conference Center built?
The building
When was the first general conference held in the Conference Center?
The first session of conference held in the Conference Center took place on Saturday morning, April 1, 2000. This session, part of the 170th Annual General Conference, was conducted by President Gordon B. Hinckley. The building was dedicated at the fourth session, Sunday morning, October 8, 2000. President Hinckley delivered the dedicatory prayer at the end of the session. The congregation then participated in the Hosanna Shout, and the Tabernacle Choir sang the “Hosanna Anthem.” The congregation joined in singing “The Spirit of God” (
The Tabernacle Choir FAQ
When was The Tabernacle Choir formed?
A choir was organized to sing at a special conference in the bowery on the temple block on Sunday, August 22, 1847, shortly after the Saints arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. This is considered the official date the Choir was formed, although some believe that the origin of the Choir goes back as far as March 27, 1836, during the dedicatory service of the Kirtland Temple. By 1869 the Choir became known as the Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir. By July 15, 1929, the Choir was known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In October 2018 its name was changed to The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
When did The Tabernacle Choir first perform “Battle Hymn of the Republic” (“Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord”) in general conference?
On Sunday, April 6, 1958, the Choir performed “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord” (or “Battle Hymn of the Republic,”Hymns, no. 60 ) in the morning session of general conference.
Have there been any special musical performances in general conference?
In addition to The Tabernacle Choir, guest choirs from local stakes and Relief Societies and from Church universities routinely provide music for conference sessions. Occasionally members of The Tabernacle Choir have sung solo parts or songs in small ensembles during conference, and the Choir has been accompanied by instrumentals provided by members of the Orchestra at Temple Square. During the priesthood session in April 1961, President David O. McKay introduced Dennis Clancy from Scotland, who sang a solo of “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.”23 In April 2004, on invitation from President Gordon B. Hinckley, Liriel Domiciano sang “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” as a soloist with the Choir.24
A choir was organized to sing at a special conference in the bowery on the temple block on Sunday, August 22, 1847, shortly after the Saints arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. This is considered the official date the Choir was formed, although some believe that the origin of the Choir goes back as far as March 27, 1836, during the dedicatory service of the Kirtland Temple. By 1869 the Choir became known as the Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir. By July 15, 1929, the Choir was known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In October 2018 its name was changed to The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
When did The Tabernacle Choir first perform “Battle Hymn of the Republic” (“Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord”) in general conference?
On Sunday, April 6, 1958, the Choir performed “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord” (or “Battle Hymn of the Republic,”
Have there been any special musical performances in general conference?
In addition to The Tabernacle Choir, guest choirs from local stakes and Relief Societies and from Church universities routinely provide music for conference sessions. Occasionally members of The Tabernacle Choir have sung solo parts or songs in small ensembles during conference, and the Choir has been accompanied by instrumentals provided by members of the Orchestra at Temple Square. During the priesthood session in April 1961, President David O. McKay introduced Dennis Clancy from Scotland, who sang a solo of “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.”23 In April 2004, on invitation from President Gordon B. Hinckley, Liriel Domiciano sang “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” as a soloist with the Choir.24
Notes
Notes
1. “Report of the 144th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Ensign, May 1974, 1.
2. See “General Conferences to Be Two-day Conferences,” Ensign, Feb. 1977, 91–92.
3. See “Minute Book 2,” 1, The Joseph Smith Papers, josephsmithpapers.org.
4. See Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apr. 6, 1862, 1, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
5. See Woman’s Exponent, Mar. 15, 1890, 158.
6. See Woman’s Exponent, 158.
7. See “Association Intelligence,” The Contributor, Dec. 1879, 71.
8.Conference Report, Oct. 1924, 2 .
9. SeeConference Report, Oct. 1924, 2 .
10. See Conference Report, Oct. 1975, 1; see also Ensign, Oct. 1975.
11. See “Live video of conference available on the Internet,” Church News, Oct. 1, 1999, 13.
12. InConference Report, Oct. 1999, 25 .
13. See Lucy Mack Smith, “This Gospel of Glad Tidings to All People ,” in Kate Holbrook and Jennifer Reeder, eds., At the Pulpit: 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint Women (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2017), ChurchHistoriansPress.org.
14. “Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, Nov. 1, 1845, 1013.
15. See Holbrook and Reeder, eds., At the Pulpit,appendix , ChurchHistoriansPress.org.
16. See Conference Report, Apr. 1930, 163.
17. See May 5, 1839, in Wilford Woodruff journal, 1838 January–1839 December, Wilford Woodruff journals and papers, 1828–1898, 96.
18. See Conference Report, Apr. 1926, 136–38.
19. Deseret News, Apr. 10, 1926, 6; see also Salt Lake Tribune, Apr. 7, 1926.
20. See Conference Report, Oct. 1946, 101.
21. See Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, “Rescue in Unity,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 14–16.
22. “Drawing Nearer to the Lord,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 4.
23. See Conference Report, Apr. 1961, 90.
24. See Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Dawning of a Brighter Day,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 81.
2. See “General Conferences to Be Two-day Conferences,” Ensign, Feb. 1977, 91–92.
3. See “Minute Book 2,” 1, The Joseph Smith Papers, josephsmithpapers.org.
4. See Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apr. 6, 1862, 1, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
5. See Woman’s Exponent, Mar. 15, 1890, 158.
6. See Woman’s Exponent, 158.
7. See “Association Intelligence,” The Contributor, Dec. 1879, 71.
8.
9. See
10. See Conference Report, Oct. 1975, 1; see also Ensign, Oct. 1975.
11. See “Live video of conference available on the Internet,” Church News, Oct. 1, 1999, 13.
12. In
13. See Lucy Mack Smith, “
14. “Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, Nov. 1, 1845, 1013.
15. See Holbrook and Reeder, eds., At the Pulpit,
16. See Conference Report, Apr. 1930, 163.
17. See May 5, 1839, in Wilford Woodruff journal, 1838 January–1839 December, Wilford Woodruff journals and papers, 1828–1898, 96.
18. See Conference Report, Apr. 1926, 136–38.
19. Deseret News, Apr. 10, 1926, 6; see also Salt Lake Tribune, Apr. 7, 1926.
20. See Conference Report, Oct. 1946, 101.
21. See Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, “Rescue in Unity,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 14–16.
22. “Drawing Nearer to the Lord,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 4.
23. See Conference Report, Apr. 1961, 90.
24. See Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Dawning of a Brighter Day,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 81.