181st Semiannual General Conference

More than 100,000 people attended the five sessions of the 181st Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, on October 1 and 2. Millions more watched or listened via TV, radio, satellite, and Internet broadcasts.

During the first session on Saturday, October 1, President Thomas S. Monson announced the locations of six new temples: Barranquilla, Colombia; Durban, South Africa; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Paris, France; Provo, Utah, USA; and Star Valley, Wyoming, USA.

Following this announcement, President Monson invited members to contribute to the Church’s General Temple Patron Assistance Fund. “This fund provides a one-time visit to the temple for those who otherwise would not be able to go to the temple,” he said.

On Saturday afternoon, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles announced a new section of youth.lds.org—FamilySearch Youth and Family History (lds.org/familyhistoryyouth). This new section aims to help youth discover family history and serve their ancestors by seeking out their records. (See the article on page 128.)

Also during this session, Elder Claudio R. M. Costa was released from the Presidency of the Seventy. Sustained to the Presidency of the Seventy was Elder Tad R. Callister (see page 128 for his biography). Twelve Seventies and Area Seventies were released or granted emeritus status (see page 23 for the sustainings and releases).

During his talk on Sunday morning, President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, reminded individuals of the call—made during April general conference earlier this year—for all members to participate in a day of service during 2011 (see “Opportunities to Do Good,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2011, 22).

Members around the world listened to the conference in 93 languages. For information about when text, audio, and video versions of conference will be available in different languages, visit lds.org/general-conference/when-conference-materials-will-be-available.

An artist’s rendering shows the Provo Tabernacle, which was destroyed by fire, restored as the second temple in Provo, Utah, USA.