How often has general conference happened without the First Presidency in place?
Oct 3, 2025, 7:58 PM
President Russell M. Nelson, right, raises his hand during a sustaining vote with his counselor, President Dallin H. Oaks, left, during The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ general conference in October 2019 in Salt Lake City. (Rick Bowmer, AP Photo File)
(Rick Bowmer, AP Photo File)
SALT LAKE CITY – Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will gather this weekend for a two-day general conference.
It comes not long after the death of President Russell M. Nelson, who led the church since 2018. He passed away at his Salt Lake City home last weekend at age 101.
Because of that, this is expected to be the first conference in nearly 75 years that will not be overseen by the First Presidency, which is the highest governing body in the faith. The First Presidency was dissolved after President Nelson died.
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“We don’t experience it very often, but we have experienced it in the past,” said Richard Turley, former assistant church historian, who has written more than 20 books.
Richard Turley, former assistant church historian, speaks with KSL TV on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Stuart Johnson, KSL TV)
Turley told KSL TV that in the early days of the church, long periods of time without a First Presidency were common. It happened between the presidencies of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, again between Young and John Taylor, and a third time between Taylor and Wilford Woodruff.
“Wilford Woodruff told his successor, Lorenzo Snow, that they needed to shorten the time,” Turley said. “So, at that point it was shortened, and we didn’t see a general conference overseen by the Quorum of the Twelve until the mid-20th century.”
That happened in 1951, when church President George Albert Smith died. Most of that next general conference was overseen by the Quorum of the Twelve. However, because the church also held President Smith’s funeral during part of conference, the next prophet, President David O. McKay, was quickly sustained.
“The custom in the past, the tradition, has been that the First Presidency isn’t reorganized until after the funeral of the past church president,” Turley said.
The church reiterated that in a statement this week. That means members can expect to see the Quorum of the Twelve leading the conference this weekend, although nothing is certain.
“I get often asked the question what’s going to happen, and my answer is, I don’t know,” said Turley. “I never try to second-guess the Lord. The brethren will do what they feel inspired to do under the circumstances.”
The current president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is President Dallin H. Oaks, who is expected to succeed President Nelson as leader of the worldwide faith. President Oaks is expected to address members during this weekend’s conference, which starts Saturday at 10 a.m.
