Every six months, tens of thousands of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a global faith with more than 16 million members in 196 nations and territories, gather at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Millions more tune in via the internet, television and radio to watch and listen to general conference, but this past year was a little different. Due to COVID-19, the First Presidency announced that general conference would be virtual in 2020.
In a letter sent to Church membership in June 2020 the First Presidency said, “Because of our concern for the health and safety of others, we have decided that the October 2020 general conference will follow the same pattern as the conference held in April of this year. The general sessions will be broadcast as usual. However, the general sessions will not be open to the public.” Speakers include the general authorities and general officers of the Church, who prayerfully seek inspiration to know God’s will before addressing the worldwide congregation.
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Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wait for the broadcast to start at the Conference Center Theater on Temple Square in Salt Lake City during general conference on Saturday, October 3, 2020. 2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wear masks as they wait for the first session to begin of the 190th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 3, 2020.
An empty Conference Center with the Salt Lake Temple in the background. Due to Covid-19, the October 2020 general conference was digital-only and was broadcast from Temple Square in Salt Lake City.
The Salt Lake Temple is undergoing a major renovation, as shown during the October general conference held October 3–4, 2020.
Latter-day Saints from all over the world participated virtually in the semi-annual conference, which was held on the first weekend in October.
A family from the Dominican Republic watches the Saturday morning session of general conference from their home on October 3, 2020.
A brother and sister from Brazil watch general conference together on a laptop held on October 3–4, 2020.
Siblings in Kenya take notes as they listen to speakers in general conference on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
Family and friends gather at a home in Malaysia to tune into the broadcast of the 190th Semiannual General Conference, Saturday, October 3, 2020.
A family in Russia watches Church leaders give talks about Jesus Christ during general conference held on October 3-4, 2020.
A young couple in Chile watch general conference through a phone on Saturday, October 3, 2020. General conferences are the semiannual worldwide gatherings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Parents in Japan help their child learn from sermons given during the October general conference, Saturday, October 3, 2020.
While listening to general conference in their minivan, children in a family in Idaho raise their hands to sustain and show their support of worldwide Church leaders on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
A grandmother from Utah watches the Saturday morning session of general conference from her home on October 3, 2020, with her granddaughter.
A family in India gathers to learn from the sermons given by Church leaders in general conference, Saturday, October 3, 2020.
A family in Samoa watches general conference from their home on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
A family in Ghana sits together as they watch general conference on television, Saturday, October 3, 2020.
A woman in Japan streams the morning session of general conference on her phone, Saturday, October 3, 2020.
A Guatemalan family participates in the worldwide general conference from their home on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
Children in Samoa listen to Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve speak at general conference on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
Young adults in Idaho gather to watch general conference on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
A family from Italy sits together Sunday morning to watch the 190th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 4, 2020.
A couple in Kenya prepare to hear sermons from Church leaders by singing sacred hymns together, Saturday, October 3, 2020. Music, considered an important part of conference, is primarily provided by the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, organists and Church choirs from Utah. This year the music was taken from previous conferences.
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A family from the Dominican Republic watches general conference together held on October 3–4, 2020. Latter-day Saints and their friends from all over the world tune in to this event to gain hope and inspiration. 2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.A family from the Dominican Republic watches general conference together held on October 3–4, 2020. Latter-day Saints and their friends from all over the world tune in to this event to gain hope and inspiration.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Samoa wake early in the morning to watch general conference on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
A family from Italy sits together Sunday morning to watch the 190th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 4, 2020.
Children in California play general conference Bingo during general conference on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
A man in Kenya watches general conference on his phone, Saturday, October 3, 2020.
Latter-day Saints will gather again in April 2021 to hear words of inspiration from their leaders during the 191st Annual General Conference.