Salt Lake City is stepping into the spiritual spotlight this weekend as thousands of Latter-day Saints gather for a solemn assembly during the Saturday morning session of general conference. The session, a formal sustaining of the Church’s new First Presidency, will have members stand in their quorums and raise their hands to sustain President Dallin H. Oaks and his counselors. For many worshippers, it will be their first opportunity to sustain a new prophet in that setting, a moment carrying unusual weight both in Utah and in congregations watching around the world.
Brandon Metcalf, an archivist with the Church History Department, described the solemn assembly as a "rich tradition" and told KSL that "it's more than really just a ritualistic raising of the hand; it's a commitment to uphold, support, and assist those you're sustaining." He noted that the practice has broadened so members worldwide can stand together, which strengthens its unifying effect. That sense of shared purpose is part of why leaders are urging members to be on time for the Saturday morning session.
History of the solemn assembly
The ritual traces back to the dedication of the Kirtland Temple in 1836, when early Latter-day Saints stood in organized groups to acknowledge church leaders. As outlined by Church News, the first solemn assembly held specifically to sustain a new president took place in 1880 for John Taylor, and the format has been adjusted and refined in the years since.
Schedule and broadcast
The church’s broadcast events listing notes four general sessions on Saturday and Sunday, April 4–5, with meetings at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mountain Time, and no Saturday evening session. According to the church’s published broadcast calendar, the sessions will be streamed and translated for a global audience, and summaries will be released after each address, with the listing specifying official times and distribution channels. In practice, that means Latter-day Saints worldwide can join in the solemn assembly even if they are nowhere near downtown Salt Lake City.
Why this weekend matters
The solemn assembly will formally sustain President Dallin H. Oaks and his counselors following his announcement as the church’s president on Oct. 14, 2025. The reorganization of the First Presidency and the plan to hold a solemn assembly were laid out in church coverage leading up to conference, reflecting the longstanding pattern of presenting newly called leaders for the membership’s sustaining support, according to Church News. For many members, the proceedings this weekend will serve as a public reaffirmation of continuity and authority in their faith tradition.
What attendees should know
Parking at the Conference Center will not be open to the general public, and general conference tickets can double as a Utah Transit Authority pass for travel to and from sessions, as reported by KSL. For the Saturday morning session, doors to the auditorium will be closed once the meeting begins at 10 a.m., so anyone aiming for a seat inside will need to factor in downtown traffic, alternative parking, or a trip on public transit. Those without tickets are encouraged to join local watch gatherings or stream the sessions online.
