191st Semiannual General Conference returns to Conference Center

SALT LAKE CITY — The 191st Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints returned Saturday with a semblance of normalcy as leaders and speakers gathered in the Conference Center.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square also performed live for the first time in nearly two years.

It was the fourth general conference to be broadcast during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Church President Russell M. Nelson opened the conference by saying he was delighted to speak from the Conference Center once again.

“We welcome you all to this largely virtual conference, wherever you are,” he said. “We are still dealing with the ravages of COVID-19 and its variants. We thank you for following our counsel and the advice of medical experts and government officials in your own communities.”

President Nelson said each conference talk results from prayer and spiritual preparation and that the messages are focused on Jesus Christ.

He invited the global audience to listen for pure truth, the pure doctrine of Christ, and pure revelation during the conference.

President Nelson said it was wonderful to have the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square performing live.

President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, explained that the reduced number of choir members in attendance allowed social distancing.

“Safe medical practices were also followed at rehearsals,” he said. “All participating have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and were recently testing to ensure that they are not infected with the virus.”

As part of the health safety protocol, half of the choir sang Saturday, while the other half will perform Sunday.

"All participating have been fully vaccinated against covid-19 and were recently tested," President Eyring said of Saturday's choir.#GeneralConferencehttps://t.co/GIaBqzayBR

— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) October 2, 2021

Most of the Conference Center auditorium’s seats were empty on Saturday.

It seats 21,000, but only several hundred were in attendance — primarily guests and family members of those speaking.

Due to certain pandemic travel restrictions, several speakers in the morning and afternoon sessions pre-recorded their talks.

During the Saturday afternoon session, a multicultural choir, comprised of 180 men and women, performed.

“It was amazing. You know, it’s like a dream come true,” said choir member Judex Joseph.

“It was a big opportunity for me,” said Francisco Dickson. “It was something awesome.”

Most of the Conference Center auditorium’s seats were empty on Saturday.

The choir was formed before the pandemic and was supposed to sing in the April 2020 General Conference.

That performance was delayed until Saturday, Oct. 2.

“Wow, it was amazing! It was something that I never thought would ever be possible,” said choir director Jamie Kalama Wood.

President Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, went up the stairs to the choir and complimented them at the end of the session, which made the day even more special for them.

Later, the choir gathered outside the conference center for a photo and impromptu performance.

Members of the choir represent six continents, 39 different countries, and 35 languages.

VIDEO: Multicultural choir that performed during the Sat afternoon session of #GeneralConference gathers for a photo and impromptu performance outside the Conference Center

Members of the choir represent 39 different countries#ldsgeneralconference @KSL5TV @KSLcom @kslnewsradio pic.twitter.com/Td1Mf6rYxK

— Ladd Egan (@laddegan) October 2, 2021

Six General Authority Seventies were also released during the Saturday afternoon session:

• Elder J. Devn Cornish
• Elder Timothy J. Dyches
• Elder David F. Evans
• Elder Robert C. Gay
• Elder James B. Martino
• Elder Terence M. Vinson

President Eyring announced Saturday afternoon the release of six General Authority Seventies.

Elder J. Devn Cornish
Elder Timothy J. Dyches
Elder David F. Evans
Elder Robert C. Gay
Elder James B. Martino
Elder Terence M. Vinsonhttps://t.co/qPO8OuL4lY

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 2, 2021

The third session of General Conference, described by the First Presidency as a “refocused Saturday evening session,” began at 6 p.m.

You may remember in June, the First Presidency announced that the Saturday evening session would be discontinued. But a month later, the First Presidency said it felt impressed to continue the session with a different format — no longer alternating between being held for women in October and priesthood holders in April.

The meeting is now intended for all members and friends of the Church, allowing for more gospel topics to be taught and give more general leaders the opportunity to speak, according to Church officials. 

Saturday Evening Sessions To Remain Part Of General Conference

During the session, members heard an update on the Church’s humanitarian efforts.

“Brothers and sisters, through your ministry, donations, time, and love, you have been the answer to so many prayers, and yet, there is so much more to do,” said Sister Sharon Lynn Eubank, first counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency. “As baptized members of the Church, we are under covenant to care for those in need.”

Sister Eubank said pandemic projects were a large focus over the last year and a half, but that during that time, the church also responded to more than 900 natural disasters and refugee emergencies in more than 100 countries.

"To all who prayed after watching a story on the news, to all who volunteered when it was not convenient or who kindly donated money to the humanitarian fund, trusting it would do some good—thank you." —Sister Sharon Eubank #GeneralConference pic.twitter.com/lsyCsWfzt2

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) October 3, 2021

The final two sessions of the 191st Semiannual General Conference will be held Sunday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. MST.

They can be viewed live on KSL-TV, the KSL-TV website, or the KSL-TV app.

A number of documentaries will also be broadcasted on KSL-TV before and in between conference sessions.

• Sunday, Oct. 3 at 9 a.m. — “Guided by a Prophet” (re-run)
• Sunday, Oct. 3 at 12 p.m. — “Sacred Images“
• Sunday, Oct. 3 at 12:30 p.m. — “A Great Work: The Power in Us“
• Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. — “All In“
• Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1:30 p.m. — “Blind Faith“