The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a new ‘Behind the Scenes of General Conference’ video on Saturday, August 12, 2026.
“Audio & Light” shows how Church audio engineers and lighting technicians inspect every fixture, speaker, microphone, and visual element to ensure that inspired general conference messages centered on Jesus Christ can reach audiences clearly and without distractions.
Broadcast and events producer Jody Hadfield imagines the effort is much like crewing a ship.
“It takes a lot of different people on a ship to get it to where it needs to be,” she said. “They all have their role, they all know their job, and they do it really well.”
The video is the latest in a series first released in March 2025. The series shows the commitment and hard work of various teams to ensure a good experience for the 21,000-member audience in the Conference Center and the millions watching and listening around the world.
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The Conference Center’s production equipment includes 1,100 light fixtures and more than 500 audio speakers.2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Audio engineers and lighting technicians pay close attention to every detail of the Conference Center’s production equipment. The lighting typically includes between 900 and 1,100 fixtures. More than 500 audio speakers are distributed throughout the Conference Center, and each area has its own speaker to ensure that every seat receives clear sound.
Overhead, two miles of catwalks allow technicians to reach every fixture, without needing to lower equipment to the floor. The technical team also carefully prepares for the unexpected. For example, backup spotlights stand ready in case a primary fixture fails.
On the ground, audio engineers also walk miles to verify sound quality in the Conference Center as well as on the broadcast. Between sessions, they again walk every row and section, checking that all speakers are working correctly.
“It may look like we’re just turning on microphones and making things louder, but we’re also making sure that everybody here has the opportunity to hear the message,” said Aaron Kobel, a lead live audio engineer. “The Lord’s message is going to get across. It will be heard across the world, no matter what.”
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Aaron Kobel, an audio engineer for the Church, tests audio equipment and quality before general conference. Photo is a screenshot from the video.2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Hadfield also works with leaders on their visual elements to ensure they enhance messages.
“We all, as a team, try very hard to make sure we’re in tune with the Spirit so that we can anticipate things,” said Braden Earl Howard, a lighting specialist. “The Lord is very much in the details of general conference — in every facet of it.”
Previously released behind-the-scenes videos feature the work of the staging crew, guest services, interpreters, broadcast team, and Church magazines.
