Latter-Day Saints Gather Amid Loss and Change

Salt Lake City — Tens of thousands of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered this weekend for the church’s twice-annual General Conference. The event is often called a family meeting. It is a time for members to come together, listen, and find guidance.

This conference came at a heavy moment for the church. President Russell M. Nelson died on September 27. The next day, a gunman attacked a Latter-day Saints church in Michigan. Four people were killed. The building was destroyed by fire. Authorities said the attacker had held a personal grudge against the church.

The mood in Salt Lake City was somber. Leaders spoke openly about grief and loss. Elder Gary E. Stevenson, one of the top leaders, addressed the tragedy in Michigan. “Our hearts are mourning loss,” he told the crowd. He urged members to pursue peace, even in times of violence.

Dallin H. Oaks, 93, the church’s next president, delivered the final address on Sunday. He spoke about family and marriage. “In the United States we are suffering from a decline in marriage and childbearing,” he said. He reminded members of the value of children and the purpose of marriage.

The church will transition to new leadership soon. Mr. Oaks will assume the presidency after Mr. Nelson’s funeral. The timing has not been announced, but transitions in the church usually happen quickly. Members are used to orderly changes. The tradition goes back more than a century.

Attendees reflected on the church’s history. The faith began in New York in the 19th century. Early members faced violent opposition. This drove them west, eventually to Utah. Many members see the current challenges as part of that long history.

Shelise Mayer, a member from Arizona, attended with her family. “This is something that comes with being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” she said. She brought her seven children to the conference.

The conference was open to anyone. Members dressed in their “Sunday best.” Women wore skirts or dress pants. Men wore ties. Every seat in the 20,000-seat building was full. Choirs performed hymns between speeches. The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sang during each session. Music was a source of comfort and inspiration.

Despite recent tragedies, the church is growing. Almost a million new members have joined worldwide in the past three years. New converts come from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The church now has more than 17 million members globally.

Mr. Oaks has had a long career in church leadership. He has helped shape church policy for decades. He is known for his conservative views on marriage and family. He also speaks against political extremism. He has voiced support for racial equality. Historians describe him as someone who values order and balance.

During the conference, leaders encouraged members to focus on faith and family. They spoke about forgiveness, service, and resilience. Members shared stories of personal loss and recovery. Brian and Jilaine Thorne traveled from Alberta, Canada. Their home church had been destroyed by arson in 2023. They now meet in a community center. Their daughter Lydia said attending the conference was on her bucket list.

Church leaders also spoke about the challenges facing society. They highlighted declining marriage rates and fewer children in the United States. Mr. Oaks encouraged members to resist these trends. He urged families to cherish marriage and children.

The church has faced difficult conversations in recent years. Issues around gender, sexuality, and religious liberty have been debated both inside and outside the faith. Mr. Oaks has taken clear positions on these topics. In 1984, he opposed the legalization of same-sex marriage. In 2019, he clarified church teachings on biological sex. Some members have found these positions challenging.

Cynthia Winward, a resident of Provo, Utah, has a gay daughter. She said Mr. Oaks’s statements can feel frightening for some families. Still, she appreciates the church’s focus on family and community.

The conference also highlighted the church’s global reach. Attendees came from many countries. Leaders spoke in multiple languages. Presentations included information on church growth and missionary work. New converts are joining faster than ever. This shows the faith continues to expand worldwide.

Members see the conference as a chance to renew their faith. It is also a time to honor church leaders. Mr. Nelson’s portrait was displayed prominently. Mr. Oaks’s portrait was nearby. Families took pictures in front of the portraits. Many spoke about the legacy of previous leaders and the importance of the church’s teachings.

The church is a small part of the U.S. population. Only about 2 percent of Americans are members. Many people raised in the faith leave as adults. But the church is attracting new members. Almost half of converts are international. This reflects its growing global influence.

Mr. Oaks has long experience as a church leader. He has been involved in major decisions. He balances conservative values with engagement in social issues. Experts say he is both traditional and aware of modern challenges. He has spoken out against political violence and supported racial justice initiatives.

Members say the conference offers hope and guidance. It gives them a chance to reconnect with faith. Choirs sing hymns. Leaders give sermons. Families spend time together. Many leave inspired to serve their communities.

The church will face challenges ahead. Members must navigate change, societal pressures, and internal debates. They also face the pain of recent tragedies. Still, leaders emphasized resilience, forgiveness, and faith. They encouraged members to continue valuing family, service, and spirituality.

The General Conference ended with a sense of unity. Members returned home with renewed commitment. They will carry the lessons and guidance into daily life. Leaders hope the messages inspire action, service, and stronger families.

As Mr. Oaks prepares to take over as president, the church continues its long tradition. Leadership transitions have been orderly for over 100 years. Mr. Nelson lived to 101. Mr. Oaks is 93. Church members are confident the transition will be smooth.

The conference showed the strength of the faith. Even in mourning, members come together. They honor past leaders, support each other, and look to the future. The church continues to grow and adapt while holding firm to its core beliefs.