LDS Conference Saturday Evening Session Ends

A Major Shift in LDS General Conference

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced a significant change to the biannual General Conference schedule: the Saturday evening session will be discontinued starting with the April 2026 conference. This decision reflects a renewed focus on the four daytime sessions, emphasizing deeper spiritual engagement during the traditional conference weekends.

Historical Context

General Conference has evolved dramatically since its inception. The first conference in June 1830 drew just 27 attendees in Fayette, New York. Today, it's a global phenomenon broadcast in 98 languages, reaching millions worldwide through television, radio, internet, and social media.

The Saturday evening slot has undergone several transformations:

• Traditionally hosted priesthood and women's sessions
• Changed to annual sessions in 2017
li>Discontinued briefly in 2021 before becoming a general session open to all

"The First Presidency has decided that beginning in April 2026, general conference will no longer include a Saturday evening session." Church News Release, November 19, 2025

Why This Change?

Church leaders emphasize that this shift allows for greater focus on the core daytime sessions. Elder Brook P. Hales, a General Authority Seventy, described General Conference as "heaven-directed," with the Lord as the "executive producer." The change aims to enhance the spiritual experience by concentrating resources and attention on the four primary sessions.

The Global Impact

General Conference serves three key purposes according to Church leaders:

1. Declaration of living prophets on earth
2. Call to action for members worldwide
li>Testimony of Jesus Christ's role in the Church's restoration

Looking Ahead

As the Church approaches its 200-year conference history, this modernization aligns with technological and cultural shifts. The Conference Center in Salt Lake City will continue hosting the daytime sessions, while global participation expands through digital platforms.

This change marks another chapter in General Conference's adaptive journey, from Peter Whitmer's home to a worldwide digital pulpit, always centered on its original purpose: "to testify of the Savior Jesus Christ and his gospel."