General conferences of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints take place every six months, originating in the 21,000-seat Conference Center in Salt Lake City and reaching a global audience estimated to be in the millions. Below is a summary of news and announcements from the October 2019 proceedings.
President Nelson Announces Eight New Temples
President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to build eight new temples throughout the world. For the first time, the announcement of eight new temples was made Saturday evening during the women’s session of general conference.
President Nelson’s announcement brings the total number of operating temples (166) and temples announced or under construction (51) to 217 worldwide.
The new temples will be in the following locations:
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Orem, Utah
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea,
Bentonville, Arkansas
Bacolod, Philippines
McAllen, Texashttp://bit.ly/2LO9g9u
Cobán, Guatemala
Taylorsville, Utah
Learn more about each location.
Changes Announced to Strengthen Youth
Church leaders announced changes to Aaronic Priesthood Quorums and Young Women classes to give young men and young women more opportunities for all-around growth. Notable changes are listed below.
The responsibility of the bishop as president of the Aaronic priesthood is being emphasized in accordance with Doctrine and Covenants 107:15.”
Because of this adjustment, Young Men presidencies in local congregations are now discontinued so bishops can spend more time with youth.
Young Women presidents now report to and counsel directly with a bishop.
Young women have a new theme.
The number of Young Women classes in a ward can vary based on local needs.
Young Women classes are now called “Young Women.” Old class names (Beehive, Mia Maid and Laurel) will no longer be used.
At all levels of Church governance, Relief Society, Young Women, Young Men, Primary and Sunday School are referred to as “organizations” instead of “auxiliaries.” Those who lead these organizations at the general level are “General Officers”; those who lead organizations at the ward and stake level are “ward officers” and “stake officers.”
Learn more about these changes.
Leadership Changes
The following General Authority Seventies were released during the Saturday afternoon session and given emeritus status:
- Wilford W. Andersen
- Kim B. Clark
- Lawrence E. Corbridge
- Claudio R. M. Costa
- Bradley D. Foster
- O. Vincent Haleck
- Donald L. Hallstrom
- Steven E. Snow
- Larry Y. Wilson
See a list of released and newly called Area Seventies.
President Nelson Announces New Witness Policy
General Authorities and General Officers of the Church met the morning of October 2, 2019, to be instructed by the First Presidency. President Russell M. Nelson shared with them a new Church policy related to the witnessing of ordinances, including baptisms performed in chapels and temples.
Any baptized member of the Church may serve as a witness of the baptism of a living person. This change pertains to all baptisms outside the temple.
A proxy baptism for a deceased person may be witnessed by anyone holding a current temple recommend, including a limited-use temple recommend.
Any endowed member with a current temple recommend may serve as a witness to sealing ordinances, living and proxy.
Read more about what the First Presidency taught Wednesday.
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