Twice a year, it's time for Latter-day Saints (and their interested friends and neighbors) across the world to hear words of counsel and inspiration from the prophet, apostles, and other general authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Know when to tune in, how to listen or watch, and what you can do to prepare for and review LDS general conference proceedings.
When Is LDS General Conference?
The first Saturday and Sunday of April and October are reserved for General Conference. There are two sessions on each day, plus a special priesthood session on Saturday night. A Young Women or Relief Society broadcast is aired on the previous Saturday.
October 2011 General Conference Schedule
The schedule for general conference always follows the same structure, but it's hard to remember the exact general conference dates and times when it only happens once every six months. The general conference schedule for 2011 is:
- Saturday, October 1 , 2011 - General sessions from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; LDS priesthood session at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. MDT.
- Sunday, October 2, 2011 - General sessions from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. MDT.
General conference is broadcast live, meaning that viewers may need to adjust for the time zone in which they plan to watch!
How to Watch General Conference
There are many options for watching or listening to Mormon general conference this October.
Most Latter-day Saints with Internet connections choose to view or listen via the LDS Church's website. Be aware that with millions of people accessing the site, however, it's best to get in line early and be sure that your computer will play conference proceedings well before the session is scheduled to begin.
If you live in the Utah area or have satellite television, you may also be able to watch LDS general conference on TV. Both KSL News and K-BYU television broadcast all four general sessions of conference.
Lastly, you may attend your local LDS meetinghouse if it is equipped with a satellite. The church's meetinghouse locator can help you find the building nearest you.
Preparing for General Conference
The LDS church teaches that general conference is a very special opportunity to hear inspired words from prophets, seers, and revelators. In the September 2011 Ensign, President Dieter F. Unchtdorf explains how people can prepare themselves spiritually to get the most out of the general conference messages.
Ahead of time, it may be helpful for listeners to ponder questions they need answered during general conference. They should also listen earnestly to messages even if they feel that they've "heard it all before." Last, they should re-visit the talks from general conference in the months to come and use them as a guide.
Small children can also benefit from the conference notebooks, bingo cards, and coloring pages available from the church's general conference for children area. Parents can also learn to put together simple matching games and other conference activities for kids to help keep their little ones occupied and engaged during the general sessions.
How to Read General Conference Talks Afterward
The November issue of the Ensign carries the full text of all general conference sessions from the previous month, including the talks from priesthood and young women or relief society meetings.
However, it's not necessary to wait until November. English audio and video of LDS general conference talks are up on the church's website almost immediately, and text transcripts usually appear alongside them within the week.
Mormons and non-Mormons alike are invited to join in general conference in October 2011 by Internet, television, or at their local LDS chapels. Most Mormons look forward to general conference weekend as a time of spiritual renewal, and they spend the next six months learning from and applying the messages given at LDS general conference.
Source:
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "General Conference - No Ordinary Blessing." Ensign, September 2011.
Jenny Evans - Jenny Evans is a freelance writer and editor specializing in parenting and the family. She is also the Mormonism Topic Editor for ...
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