The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally organized on April 6, 1830. Several months later, the Church held its first general conference at the Peter Whitmer home in Fayette, New York. Each April and October, members of the Church assemble in Salt Lake City, Utah, for two days of meetings called general conference.
The conference in April is called an "annual" conference and the October event is called the "semiannual" conference. On the first day of each conference (Saturday), members gather for a morning session and an afternoon session, each two hours in length. Later that evening a priesthood session is held. On the second day of conference (Sunday), members gather for a morning and afternoon session.
Each session of conference is carried live via satellite to meetinghouses throughout the world and is translated into many languages. During each session of conference, speakers (drawn from Church leadership) address topics relevant to members of the Church. Conference sermons are printed in Church magazines and are available via the Internet (General Conference).
179th Semiannual General Conference, October 2009
News Articles
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179th Semiannual General Conference -- Church News coverage
Articles and reports from the 179th Semiannual General Conference. -
179th Semiannual General Conference: Sunday afternoon photos
179th Semiannual General Conference: Sunday afternoon photos
Summaries of Talks
Saturday Morning
- Brother Russell T. Osguthorpe: Effective teaching Helps Save Lives
- Elder David A. Bednar: 'More diligent and concerned at home'
- Elder L. Whitney Clayton: Life's burdens made light through the Savior
- Elder Richard G. Scott: 'To acquire spiritual guidance'
- Five new temples are announced
- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Known for love of God, neighbors
- President Thomas S. Monson: 'Welcome to Conference'
- Sister Vicki F. Matsumori: Helping others recognize the whisperings of the Spirit
Saturday Afternoon
- 179th Semiannual General Conference: Saturday afternoon photos
- Elder Dallin H. Oaks: Love and law, guide for parents raising children
- Elder Jorge F. Zeballos: Savior, work and sacrifice make eternal life possible
- Elder Kent D. Watson: 'Being temperate in all things'
- Elder Neil L. Andersen: Feel Savior's love
- Elder Robert D. Hales: 'Seeking to know God our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ'
- Elder Tad R. Callister: God speaks to man just as Joseph Smith testified
- President Boyd K. Packer: 'Prayer and Promptings'
Priesthood
- Elder M. Russell Ballard: Fathers and sons help each other
- Elder Walter F. Gonzalez: Becoming more powerful priesthood holders
- Elder Yoon Hwan Choi: Leaders, Church meetings soften 'loud young men'
- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Two principles for any economy - work and learn
- President Henry B. Eyring: Be ready to do whatever the Lord wants
- President Monson: School feelings from harshness
Sunday Morning
- Bishop H. David Burton: Rescue and preserve that which is virtuous
- Elder L. Tom Perry: 'The past way of facing the future'
- Elder Russell M. Nelson: 'Ask, seek, knock' — accessing personal revelation
- President Henry B. Eyring: 'Our perfect example'
- President Thomas S. Monson: Serving others is the Lord's way
- Sister Ann M. Dibb: 'Hold on tight to the rod of iron and never let go'
Sunday Afternoon
- Elder Brent H. Nielson: To the rising generation, take gospel to all nations
- Elder D. Todd Christofferson: 'Moral discipline'
- Elder Dale G. Renlund: 'Preserving the Heart's Mighty Change' requires constant care, obedience
- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: Book of Mormon — There is no other answer than the one Joseph gave
- Elder Joseph W. Sitati: Blessings of the gospel available to all
- Elder Michael T. Ringwood: Cultivating a soft heart sensitive to the Holy Ghost
- Elder Quentin L. Cook: Stewardships are a sacred trust
- President Thomas S. Monson: Blessings of heaven invoked on members
Past Conferences
- 179th Semiannual General Conference, October 2009
- 179th Annual General Conference, April 2009
- 178th Semiannual General Conference, October 2008
- 178th Annual General Conference, April 2008
- 177th Semiannual General Conference, October 2007
- 177th Annual General Conference, April 2007
- 176th Semiannual General Conference, October 2006
- 176th Annual General Conference, April 2006
- 175th Semiannual General Conference, October 2005
- 175th Annual General Conference, April 2005
- 174th Semiannual General Conference, October 2004
- 174th Annual General Conference, April 2004
- 173rd Semiannual General Conference, October 2003
- 173rd Annual General Conference, April 2003
- 172nd Semiannual General Conference, October 2002
- 172nd Annual General Conference, April 2002
- 171st Semiannual General Conference, October 2001
- 171st Annual General Conference, April 2001
- 170th Semiannual General Conference, October 2000
- 170th Annual General Conference, April 2000
- 169th Semiannual General Conference, October 1999
- 169th Annual General Conference, April 1999
- 168th Semiannual General Conference, October 1998
- 168th Annual General Conference, April 1998
- 167th Semiannual General Conference, October 1997
- 167th Annual General Conference, April 1997
- 166th Semiannual General Conference, October 1996
- 166th Annual General Conference, April 1996
- 165th Semiannual General Conference, October 1995
- 165th Annual General Conference, April 1995
- 164th Semiannual General Conference, October 1994
- 164th Annual General Conference, April 1994
- 163rd Semiannual General Conference, October 1993
- 163rd Annual General Conference, April 1993
- 162nd Semiannual General Conference, October 1992
- 162nd Annual General Conference, April 1992
- 161st Semiannual General Conference, October 1991
- 161st Annual General Conference, April 1991
- 160th Semiannual General Conference, October 1990
- 160th Annual General Conference, April 1990
- 159th Semiannual General Conference, October 1989
- 159th Annual General Conference, April 1989
- 158th Semiannual General Conference, October 1988
- 158th Annual General Conference, April 1988
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