Latter-day Saint Life

When was the last time someone outside the First Presidency conducted a session of general conference?

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President Dallin H. Oaks announced that members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will conduct three of the five sessions of conference. Elder Gary E. Stevenson conducted the Saturday afternoon session.

During the Saturday morning session of the April 2024 general conference, President Dallin H. Oaks announced that members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will conduct three of the five sessions of conference. Elder Gary E. Stevenson conducted the Saturday afternoon session, Elder Dale G. Renlund conducted the Saturday evening session, and Elder Quentin L. Cook conducted the Sunday afternoon session.

Nothing scriptural or doctrinal precludes the First Presidency from making conducting assignments during conference. This most recently happened when President Jean B. Bingham (then Relief Society General President) conducted the Saturday evening session of the April 2022 general conference.

This also occurred from April 1983 through October 1985, when President Ezra Taft Benson (then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) conducted two sessions in each of the six conferences. President Benson was assisting President Gordon B. Hinckley (then Second Counselor in the First Presidency) when Presidents Spencer W. Kimball and Marion G. Romney were unable to attend.

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