Church History Symposia
The purposes of the Church History Department include keeping and sharing a record of God’s Church and His people. An essential component of sharing the record is sponsoring and co-sponsoring annual conferences and symposia that enable discussions of Church history topics. Find details and resources for past and upcoming symposia events below.
2026 Church History Symposium
“Memorials and Commemoration: How the Saints Remember and Celebrate History”
October 22–23, 2026
Location: Brigham Young University and Church History Library, Salt Lake City
Cooperatively sponsored by BYU Religious Education and the Church History Department
See BYU Religious Education’sChurch History Symposium page for more details, including information on the call for papers.
October 22–23, 2026
Location: Brigham Young University and Church History Library, Salt Lake City
Cooperatively sponsored by BYU Religious Education and the Church History Department
See BYU Religious Education’s
Past Symposia
2025
“I Am in Your Midst: Christ at the Center of Church History”September 5–6, 2025
Location: Conference Center Theater, Salt Lake City
Sponsored by the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
This two-day conference explored how the study of our past reveals the Savior’s central role in the history of the Church. Sessions included roundtables and panels with scholars and educators covering a wide variety of topics and perspectives, including insights from current and past Church historians and recorders.
Making Peace with Challenging Questions in Church History
Roundtable participants provide approaches and advice for dealing with challenging issues in Church history. They also share personal experiences of how they have found peace with several Church history topics.
13
I Am in Your Midst, Elder Kyle S. McKay
Elder Kyle S. McKay, Church Historian, revisits the event of the lost 116 manuscript pages of the Book of Mormon by placing Christ at the center of the story. Elder McKay shares Christ’s central role in Church history and in our lives.
23
Seeing the Savior in Church History: A Conversation with Church Historians
This roundtable discusses placing Jesus Christ as the central figure in Church history, strengthening testimonies through Church history, and using history to prepare Latter-day Saints for the Savior’s Second Coming.
33
2025 Symposia Video Gallery
2024
“Shall the Youth of Zion Falter?” The Young Women and Young Men Organizations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsOctober 24–25, 2024
Location: Brigham Young University and Church History Library, Salt Lake City
Sponsored by BYU Religious Education and the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Keynote speakers included Young Women General President Emily Freeman, Young Men General President Steven J. Lund, and Dr. Monica Mercado, Professor of Women’s Studies and North American Religions at Colgate University.