Latter-day Saints Prepare for General Conference

Messages of love, doctrine and inspiration will be conveyed by President Thomas S. Monson, worldwide leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apostles and other Church leaders, at next month’s semi-annual general conference of the Church. 

On 5-6 October 2013, up to 21,000 Church members and guests will attend each of the five sessions of general conference in person, at the Church’s Conference Centre in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. 

In addition, millions of others across the world will listen to, read and view the conference proceedings via satellite, television, radio and the Internet.

After the conference, the proceedings can also be read on LDS.org and in Church magazines, The Ensign and The Liahona.

“I love, love, love general conference!” said Fulisia Maiwiriwiri from Suva, Fiji. “I look forward to hearing from our beloved Prophet and the Twelve Apostles.  I try to review the last conference Ensign prior to conference and evaluate myself if I really have actioned anything that was given to us then. I know that I belong to a church that has leaders that love and care for us so deeply that the feeling comes through the TV screen.”

 “We love general conference as wholesome family time,” says Auckland father of seven, Dallas Olsen. “Preparation is key for us. From utilizing the online fun activities for our young children, to having gospel conversations about what was understood and felt, with our youth.”

Tongan woman, Lavenia Fonua Taufalele, says, “I always look forward to conference because it’s a time for self-evaluation and renewal. If feels like every six months I come back to get my little ’oa (tongan for fishing basket) filled for the next six months, and I have never been disappointed.”  

Zed Zedhkeia from Majuro, Marshall Islands said, “I cannot wait to watch, learn and feel the spirit of the conference.  The words from our Prophet and the apostles always strengthen my faith.”

“My family and I love general conference because we’re listening to modern-day prophets of the Lord and their teachings are what we need in our lives right now,” said Molisa Tavete from Vaitoloa, Samoa.

Members throughout the world are able to hear the proceedings in their own language.  The messages of inspiration are translated in multiple languages by over 800 interpreters located in Salt Lake City and in other countries.

In 1830 the first conference of the newly organized church was attended by just a few members.  There are now approaching 15 million Latter-day Saints worldwide.  Members of the Church believe that their faith is a restoration of Christ’s original church established when He lived upon the earth.