Tabernacle/Conference Center
General Conference Research Guide
When was the Tabernacle built?
Construction on the Tabernacle began in the spring of 1863. The first meeting was held there on October 6, 1867. By the April 1870 conference the gallery (or balcony) had been added to the Tabernacle. The building was dedicated on October 4, 1875. Elder John Taylor offered the dedicatory prayer in the morning session of conference on Saturday, October 4, 1875. The last general conference held in the Tabernacle was October 1999. Extensive renovation and remodeling occurred from 1999 to 2007. The Tabernacle was rededicated Saturday afternoon on March 31, 2007, with a dedicatory prayer offered by President Gordon B. Hinckley.
When was the first conference held in the Tabernacle?
The first general conference held in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City was held October 6–9, 1867.
When was the Conference Center built?
The building was announced by President Gordon B. Hinckley on April 7, 1996, during the Sunday morning session of the 166th Annual General Conference. During his opening address at the Saturday morning session on October 4, 1997, President Hinckley stated, “We broke ground last July 24th for the large new assembly building.”1
When was the first general conference held in the Conference Center?
The first session of conference held in the Conference Center took place on Saturday morning, April 1, 2000. This session, part of the 170th Annual General Conference, was conducted by President Gordon B. Hinckley. The building was dedicated at the fourth session, Sunday morning, October 8, 2000. President Hinckley delivered the dedicatory prayer at the end of the session. The congregation then participated in the Hosanna Shout, and the Tabernacle Choir sang the “Hosanna Anthem.” The congregation joined in singing “The Spirit of God” (Hymns, no. 2).
[1] “Drawing Nearer to the Lord,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 4.