General conference (Latter Day Saints)

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General conference is a churchwide meeting for members of the Latter Day Saint movement. It is a time for hearing messages from church leaders, making decisions, and receiving guidance.

Origins and history
- In 1830, Joseph Smith said the church should meet in conference about every three months to handle church business.
- The first general conference was on June 9, 1830, in Fayette, New York, presided over by Smith, with 27 members.
- Early conferences happened roughly every three months, but starting in 1832 they were less frequent and often called for special matters. Some revelations given at these conferences were later added to the Doctrine and Covenants.
- When the church gathered in Nauvoo, Illinois, the pattern shifted to two general conferences a year, in April and October.
- After Joseph Smith’s death in 1844, different Latter Day Saint groups continued the practice in various ways.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)
- General conferences are a semiannual event with sermons and guidance from church leaders.
- They happen on the weekend that includes the first Sunday in April and the first Sunday in October.
- Since 1848, conferences have been held in Salt Lake City. They were in the Salt Lake Tabernacle from 1867 to 2000, and in the Conference Center after that.
- The talks are usually given by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with other church leaders sometimes speaking as well.
- Almost all general authorities attend, while others may speak in some sessions.
- In a conference session, leaders are presented for a sustaining vote to confirm leadership changes. Important announcements—such as plans for temples or new church programs—are often shared at these meetings.
- Music is typically provided by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square along with the Conference Center organ.

World Conference (Community of Christ)
- The Community of Christ holds a triennial World Conference, its main legislative body. Delegates are elected from local mission centers, and motions are debated and voted on. This is a separate tradition from the LDS Church and has its own location and procedures.