World Awaits 184th General Conference of the LDS Church

People throughout the world are anxiously awaiting the upcoming 184^th General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be held 4-5 October 2014. 

Some of this anticipation is due to an announcement made in September, stating that speakers whose primary language is not English will have the choice to deliver their talks in their native tongue. Previously, Church leaders had given their talks in English, even if it wasn't their native language. The talks were then interpreted from English into 90+ languages so members and friends around the world could hear them in their own language. Currently, over thirty of the Church's world-wide leaders, referred to as General Authorities, speak languages other than English as their first language.

These world-wide conferences are held twice each year in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah USA. This immense center can house over 21,000 people. Prior to it's completion in 2000, sessions were held in the historic Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square. All sessions are broadcast via satellite to local meetinghouses. They may also be viewed via the internet, YouTube, Facebook and other media channels (see below). For members not able to view live broadcasts, all sessions will be recorded & DVD's sent to local leaders to be shown in various chapels at a later date.

Speakers are chosen from the leadership of the Church, both male and female, and topics focus on instructing, guiding and strengthening its membership of over 15 million. Members gather across the earth to show support of their leaders, and to hear announcements such as locations for newly constructed temples. Some of the significant announcements that have occurred during conference meetings include the 1973 creation of the Welfare Services Department, the unit of the Church that oversees all their worldwide humanitarian efforts. A program to provide educational loans for worthy members in developing countries, the Perpetual Education Fund, was introduced in the April 2001 conference.

Members throughout Africa listened intently to last October's conference, as Elder Edward Dube, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy (from Zimbabwe), addressed the world in a talk entitled, "Look Ahead and Believe". Dube has been serving in his leadership position since April 2013. Another highlight for African members was to hear Sister Dorah Mkhabela open with prayer at last week's General Women's Conference of the Church. Mkhabela, from Soweto, was called earlier this year to serve on the Young Women General Board.

Music is always an integral part of this event, with the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing several times over the weekend. Special choirs from Salt Lake City and surrounding areas are also invited to share their vocal talents in some of the sessions. Musical pieces are carefully selected to compliment the talks given throughout the conference.

As members of the Church anxiously await the counsel of their leaders, people throughout the world will undoubtedly join the viewing ranks, due to increased media access across the globe. 

Viewing Options

	LDS General Conference YouTube Channel Video in English, Spanish, and Portuguese
	General Conference Website Video in 26 languages
	BYUtv Video and audio in English only
	BYUtv International  Video and audio in Spanish and Portuguese
	Mormon Channel Website Video and audio in English and Spanish
	Mormon Channel Mobile Apps Video and audio in English and Spanish
	Mormon Channel on Roku Video in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and ASL
	Facebook.com/LDS Video in English, Spanish, and Portuguese