Latter-day Saints to Discontinue Saturday Evening General Conference Session

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Wednesday that it will discontinue the Saturday evening session of its bi-annual General Conference, starting in April 2026.

The decision, revealed in a brief news release, is part of a shift to focus more on the four daytime sessions of the conference, which traditionally takes place on the first Saturday and Sunday of April and October each year.

President Dallin H. Oaks, who recently became the president of the church following the passing of President Russell M. Nelson on September 27, made the announcement along with his counselors, President Henry B. Eyring and President D. Todd Christofferson.

The Saturday evening session had been a part of the General Conference schedule since October 2022. Prior to that, the slot was reserved for the general priesthood meeting or the general women’s session, alternating each conference. In 2017, the church began rotating these sessions on Saturday evenings to include both genders.

During the October 2025 conference, Oaks spoke about the importance of strengthening faith among church members globally. However, this latest change comes without additional explanation regarding the decision to eliminate the evening gathering.

The upcoming April 2026 conference will mark a significant transition under President Oaks’ leadership. The format of General Conference has evolved over the years, reflecting shifts in church policy and member needs.