How General Conference Guides The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Twice-yearly gathering where church leaders deliver doctrine, policy, and spiritual guidance to members worldwide.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 4, 2026

Branched from How Latter-day Saint Prophets Receive Revelation for the Whole Church

Quick take

General Conference is a semi-annual event where the church president, apostles, and other leaders speak to millions of members in person and online.
Talks given at conference become official church doctrine and guidance that shape how members live and how local congregations operate.
The conference reinforces the church's claim that God reveals truth through living prophets and apostles, not just historical scripture.

General Conference is a twice-yearly gathering—held in April and October—where members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gather in Salt Lake City and watch leaders deliver talks about doctrine, policy, and spiritual direction. The event typically lasts two days, with four or five sessions of two hours each. Members attend in person at the church's conference center (capacity about 21,000) or watch via livestream, broadcast, or later recordings in hundreds of languages. The church president, twelve apostles, and other senior leaders take turns speaking, usually for 10 to 20 minutes each. These talks are recorded, transcribed, and published in the church's official magazine, making them permanent reference material for members and the broader public.

How Conference Works as a Spiritual and Organizational Tool

General Conference serves multiple functions simultaneously. On the spiritual side, members expect to receive personal guidance and inspiration from the talks—many report that a particular speaker's words addressed a specific problem they were facing. On the organizational side, conference is where the church president and apostles announce new policies, clarify doctrine, introduce structural changes, or redirect the church's focus. For example, shifts in how the church teaches history, changes to temple ceremonies, new programs for youth, or announcements about building new temples all typically debut at conference. Local church leaders (bishops, stake presidents) then use conference talks as a framework to guide their congregations. Members are encouraged to study the talks throughout the following six months.

The church's governance structure gives the talks delivered at conference near-scriptural weight. The church teaches that the president of the church is a living prophet who receives revelation for the whole church. When he and the apostles speak at conference, their words are treated as binding doctrine—not suggestions or opinion. Members are expected to follow the guidance given, and local leaders use conference talks as the basis for teaching and discipline. This is why a single talk can reshape how millions of church members understand a doctrine or behave in their daily lives.

Why General Conference Matters to the Church's Identity

General Conference is central to how the Latter-day Saint church distinguishes itself from other Christian denominations. The church's core claim is that God continues to speak through living prophets, not only through ancient scripture. General Conference is the public, global stage where that claim is performed and reinforced. When the president of the church speaks, members are taught to listen as if God is speaking. This belief—that doctrine and guidance can change based on new revelation—allows the church to adapt its teachings and policies over time while maintaining that it is still following God's will. Without General Conference, the church would be just another denomination interpreting old books; with it, the church positions itself as an ongoing conversation between God and humanity.

How Members Engage with Conference

For active members, General Conference is a major religious event. Many prepare by fasting (going without food and drink for a set period) and praying beforehand. During the conference, members take notes, pause talks to look up scriptures, and discuss the content with family. After the conference, members are encouraged to read the full talks, often published within weeks in the church magazine or online. Sunday school classes and family home evening discussions center on conference talks for months afterward. Missionaries use conference talks as teaching tools. Youth memorize quotes from speakers. In this way, a single General Conference can influence church culture and member behavior for an entire six-month cycle until the next conference.

Key Differences from Other Christian Gatherings

Not a democratic vote—members do not vote on doctrine or policy; the leadership announces decisions
Not a council of equals—the president of the church has final authority, not the apostles as a group
Not optional—active members are expected to attend or watch; missing conference is seen as spiritually negligent
Not a one-time event—the semi-annual cycle keeps the church in constant contact with its membership

Recent Examples of Conference's Influence

In 2023, the church president announced major changes to youth programs and temple ordinances during General Conference. These announcements rippled through the entire organization within days—local leaders received instructions, curriculum was updated, and members began adjusting their practices. In prior decades, conference talks have introduced or shifted doctrine on topics like gender roles, LGBTQ+ policies, race and the priesthood, and the nature of God. Whether members agree or disagree with these shifts, the mechanism is the same: the conference talk is delivered, the church claims it represents God's will, and the organization moves forward based on that announcement. This is why General Conference talks are often scrutinized by scholars, journalists, and critics—they signal what the church believes and how it will act.

Can members disagree with what is said at General Conference?

Officially, no. The church teaches that disagreeing with the prophet and apostles is disagreeing with God. However, in practice, some members do disagree privately or express concerns. Public dissent or organized opposition is grounds for church discipline, including excommunication in severe cases.

How is it decided who speaks at General Conference?

The church president and his counselors, along with the apostles, decide the speakers and topics. The selection is not publicly explained, but it is generally understood to reflect current church priorities and the spiritual gifts or expertise of individual leaders.

Are General Conference talks considered scripture?

Not formally—they are not part of the church's four standard works (Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price). However, the church treats them as authoritative doctrine, and some quotes from conference talks have been added to official church teaching materials with the same weight as scripture.

What happens if a new prophet reverses a previous prophet's teaching from conference?

The church frames this as new revelation. The previous teaching is not called false; instead, it is explained as correct for its time, and the new teaching is presented as God's updated will. This is how the church has changed positions on polygamy, race and the priesthood, and other doctrines.

How many people watch General Conference?

The church reports viewership in the millions globally, though exact numbers are not independently verified. Estimates suggest 5–10 million people watch live or recorded sessions, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in the world by total audience.

Sources

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints official website and General Conference archives (conferences.churchofjesuschrist.org)
Church Handbook of Instructions and official publications on church governance
Publicly available General Conference talks and statistical reports from church leadership