LDS General Conference in October 2009
Prophets, Apostles, General Authorities Speak to Latter-day Saints
Aug 14, 2009
General Conference is the time when members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide have the opportunity to hear from their prophet, apostles, and other general authorities.
For Mormons, conference is often the most uplifting event of the year; for non-Mormons, watching it online can be a great way to learn about LDS beliefs without even leaving home.
General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The LDS general conference is held twice a year, during the first weekends of April and October. Each conference consists of four different sessions, each lasting two hours each.
There is also a priesthood session for boys and men ages 12 and up on Saturday night, and either a Relief Society meeting for women 18 and up or a Young Women meeting for girls 12-17 held the Saturday before conference.
October 2009 General Conference Dates and Times
Sessions of the 179th Semiannual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will meet on the following dates:
- Saturday, September 26, 2009 – Relief Society broadcast at 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. MDT
- Saturday, October 3, 2009 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; priesthood session at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. MDT
- Sunday, October 4, 2009 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. MDT
It's important to note that all times are given in Mountain Daylight Time.
Watching a Mormon General Conference
Those who want to watch the general conference have a few different options. The general conference is held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, but is broadcast to various locations all over the world.
Most Latter-day Saints watch or listen to a live stream of the four general sessions over the Internet, available from the LDS church's website. The LDS general conference is also broadcast via satellite to most local LDS chapels, and anyone is welcome to attend.
General Conference Etiquette and Information for Non-Mormons
Latter-day Saint general conference meetings are completely open to the public. Anyone is welcome to watch conference, regardless of religious affiliation.
Here are a few points of information about conference for those unfamiliar with the proceedings:
- If attending a broadcast in an LDS chapel, most viewers will be wearing their Sunday best regardless of whether the session is on Saturday or Sunday. However, no one should let a lack of dress clothes prevent them from attending conference.
- Each session of conference opens and closes with a hymn by the choir and then a prayer. Various church leaders give 15-25 minute talks on various gospel topics that are similar to what goes on during a Sunday church meeting.
- If attending a broadcast in a local chapel, the congregation will participate as if they were actually present at the Conference Center. They will repeat "Amen" after prayers and talks, sing the intermediate hymn, and raise their hands to sustain the leadership of the church during the Saturday morning session.
The purpose of general conference is to uplift and inspire members to better emulate the life of their savior Jesus Christ. Mormons and non-Mormons alike will probably benefit from the spirit of general conference.
Archives of LDS General Conference
Transcripts of general conference proceedings are published each May and November in the Ensign, the magazine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Video archives of general conference are available at www.lds.org an hour after the broadcast; English text transcripts of conference proceedings are available online later that week.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints look forward to general conference as a time to break from their daily routines to be uplifted and spiritually nourished by their prophet, apostles, and other inspired church leaders. Both members and non are invited to participate in the October 2009 general conference.
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