Photo Essay

Mormonism in Pictures: October 2013 General Conference

“Mormonism in Pictures” is a photo essay feature from MormonNewsroom.org depicting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members around the world. Today we feature photos from the Church's 183rd Semiannual General Conference, which took place 5 and 6 October 2013 in Salt Lake City.

october 2013 conference inside crowd

General conferences originate from the 21,000-seat Conference Center (pictured above) on Temple Square (below) in Salt Lake City.

october 2013 gc temple square

At general conferences, Mormon leaders speak from Salt Lake City to Latter-day Saints gathered in various locations in 197 countries about the teachings of Jesus Christ. In one of this conference’s first addresses, Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said 97 percent of Church members can hear general conference messages in their own language. (See more information about the Church’s interpretation and translation efforts.)

inside conference center group standing sat am oct 2013

 

monson boy sat pm oct 2013

Church President Thomas S. Monson encouraged members to follow the example of Jesus Christ in their interactions with others. Through doing so, he said, “lives will be blessed. Hearts will be comforted. Souls will be saved.”

october 2013 gc Soares

Throughout the two-day conference, Church leaders addressed a variety of subjects, including Jesus Christ, humility, kindness, marriage, family and religious freedom.

october 2013 gc notes soldier

General conferences matter to Latter-day Saints because they present an opportunity to feel closer to God through sermon and song. Although millions hear or view these conferences, Elder Hales reminded those listening that general conference is personal. “In conferences we can receive the word of the Lord meant just for us,” he said.

october 2013 gc singing

 

october 2013 gc girl

Speaking of the importance of family in society, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “Strong families constitute the best way of providing for the health, education, welfare, and prosperity of rising generations.”

october 2013 gc walking

 

october 2013 gc family

 

october 2013 gc couple

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles encouraged members to “work to improve the moral culture that surrounds us. Latter-day Saints in every country should be good citizens, participate in civic affairs, educate themselves on the issues, and vote.”

october 2013 gc temple

The Salt Lake Temple on Temple Square, pictured above, is one of 141 Mormon temples located throughout the world. In addition to regular Sunday worship, Latter-days Saints also follow the biblical practice of worshipping in temples. A Mormon temple is a place where the most cherished of human relationships are made eternal. Sister Carole M. Stephens, first counselor in the Church’s general Relief Society presidency, taught members on Saturday that the work Latter-day Saints do in temples gives members faith and determination to face the vicissitudes of life. (See more information about Mormon temples and how they differ from chapels, where weekly worship services take place.)

monson dibb sun pm oct 2013

In his concluding remarks on Sunday, President Monson encouraged members to “show increased kindness toward one another” and to “ever be found doing the work” of Jesus Christ.

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