The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is seen in the morning light before the start of the 190th Annual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
Aaron Shill
By Aaron Shill
Aaron Shill is the managing editor of the Deseret News.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its 190th Annual General Conference on April 4-5, 2020.

Due to the global coronavirus outbreak, the conference was held in a small auditorium rather than the 21,000-seat Conference Center, with only the First Presidency, speakers and those offering prayers in attendance.

President Russell M. Nelson promised a “remarkable conference” that would celebrate the 200th anniversary of the First Vision. Music from the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square was prerecorded.

Saturday morning session

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The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is seen in the morning light before the start of the 190th Annual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is seen in the morning light before the start of the 190th Annual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Trees cast shadows on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Conference Center in Salt Lake City before the start of the 190th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Conference Center in Salt Lake City is pictured before the start of the 190th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Conference Center in Salt Lake City is devoid of conferencegoers before the start of the 190th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Flowers blossom on Temple Square in Salt Lake City before the start of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Trees blossom on Temple Square in Salt Lake City before the start of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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A pair of missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a pair of geese walk through Temple Square in Salt Lake City before the start of the 190th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Conference Center in Salt Lake City is devoid of conferencegoers before the start of the 190th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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A lone man walks outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Conference Center in Salt Lake City before the start of the 190th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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A sign depicts bustling conference crowds outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Conference Center in Salt Lake City, while on this day it is devoid of conferencegoers before the start of the 190th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Conference Center in Salt Lake City is devoid of conferencegoers during the 190th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Conference Center in Salt Lake City is devoid of conferencegoers during the 190th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Conference Center in Salt Lake City is devoid of conferencegoers before the start of the 190th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference is being broadcast without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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The Church Office Building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Office is pictured during the 190th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2020, in Salt Lake City. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference, normally held at the 21,000-seat Conference Center, is being broadcast from the Church Office Building without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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The Church Office Building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pictured during the 190th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2020, in Salt Lake City. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference, normally held at the 21,000-seat Conference Center, is being broadcast from the Church Office Building without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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The Church Office Building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pictured during the 190th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2020, in Salt Lake City. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference, normally held at the 21,000-seat Conference Center, is being broadcast from the Church Office Building without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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The Church Office Building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pictured during the 190th Annual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference, normally held at the 21,000-seat Conference Center, is being broadcast from the Church Office Building without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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The Church Office Building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pictured during the 190th Annual General Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2020, in Salt Lake City. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the conference, normally held at the 21,000-seat Conference Center, is being broadcast from the Church Office Building without church members in attendance. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Saturday afternoon session

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Saturday evening session

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People walk around a nearly empty Temple Square following the evening session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 4, 2020. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Mahonri J. Sanchez, of Orem, and Nancy Chairez, of Provo, pray together as they watch the evening session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Sanchez planned to take Chairez to the Conference Center to attend conference together this year but had to cancel their plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Mahonri J. Sanchez, of Orem, and Nancy Chairez, of Provo, watch the evening session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Sanchez planned to take Chairez to the Conference Center to attend conference together this year but had to cancel their plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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An empty Conference Center is pictured during the evening session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 4, 2020. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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A person walks on the grounds of an empty Conference Center during the evening session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 4, 2020. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Mahonri J. Sanchez, of Orem, and Nancy Chairez, of Provo, walk a nearly empty Temple Square following the evening session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 4, 2020. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Christine Ashworth and Bill Ashworth go for a walk at a nearly empty Temple Square following the evening session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 4, 2020. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Mahonri J. Sanchez, of Orem, and Nancy Chairez, of Provo, watch the evening session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Sanchez planned to take Chairez to the Conference Center to attend conference together this year but had to cancel their plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News

Sunday morning session

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Ron and Wendy Van Tienderen, left, participate in the Hosanna Shout as they watch the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with their children at their home in Millcreek on Sunday, April 5, 2020. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Ron and Wendy Van Tienderen, right, participate in the Hosanna Shout as they watch the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with their children at their home in Millcreek on Sunday, April 5, 2020. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Hank Bengtzen and his family watch the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at home in Millcreek on Sunday, April 5, 2020. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Ron and Wendy Van Tienderen, left, watch the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with their children at their home in Millcreek on Sunday, April 5, 2020. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Edward Castro Bennett, Silvia Castro, Maya Bennett, 10, Luna Thomas, 6, and Gavin Bennett, 15, watch the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their Murray home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. The couple were recently baptized on Feb. 7 and planned to attend a session of conference at the Conference Center before the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the mass gatherings. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Maya Bennett, 10, Edward Castro Bennett, Silvia Castro, Luna Thomas, 6, and Gavin Bennett, 15, watch the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their Murray home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. The couple were recently baptized on Feb. 7 and planned to attend a session of conference at the Conference Center before the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the mass gatherings. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Maya Bennett, 10, Edward Castro Bennett and Silvia Castro watch the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their Murray home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. The couple were recently baptized on Feb. 7 and planned to attend a session of conference at the Conference Center before the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the mass gatherings. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Maya Bennett, 10, Edward Castro Bennett, Silvia Castro and Luna Thomas, 6, watch the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint in their Murray home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. The couple were recently baptized on Feb. 7 and planned to attend a session of conference at the Conference Center before the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the mass gatherings. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Maya Bennett, 10, Edward Castro Bennett, Silvia Castro, Luna Thomas, 6, and Gavin Bennett, 15, watch the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their Murray home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. The couple were recently baptized on Feb. 7 and planned to attend a session of conference at the Conference Center before the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the mass gatherings. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Maya Bennett, 10, Edward Castro Bennett, Silvia Castro, Luna Thomas, 6, and Gavin Bennett, 15, watch the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their Murray home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. The couple were recently baptized on Feb. 7 and planned to attend a session of conference at the Conference Center before the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the mass gatherings. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Silvia Castro shares a moment with her daughter, Luna Thomas, 6, as their family watches the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their Murray home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. The couple were recently baptized on Feb. 7 and planned to attend a session of conference at the Conference Center before the COVID-19 pandemic prevented mass gatherings. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Edward Castro Bennett, Maya Bennett, 10, Silvia Castro and Luna Thomas, 6, pray together at the close of the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their Murray home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. The couple were recently baptized on Feb. 7 and planned to attend a session of conference at the Conference Center before the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the mass gatherings, but watched it on television. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Maya Bennett, 10, Edward Castro Bennett, Silvia Castro, Luna Thomas, 6, and Gavin Bennett, 15, watch the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their Murray home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. The couple were recently baptized on Feb. 7 and planned to attend a session of conference at the Conference Center before the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the mass gatherings. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News

Sunday afternoon session

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Hank Bengtzen and his family watch the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at home in Millcreek on Sunday, April 5, 2020. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Maya Bennett, 10, Edward Castro Bennett, Silvia Castro and Luna Thomas, 6, watch the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint in their Murray home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. The couple were recently baptized on Feb. 7 and planned to attend a session of conference at the Conference Center before the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the mass gatherings. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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The Hadley family, from left, Erica, Dan, Dylan, 5, and Zane, 8, along with Labrador retriever Gandalf, watch the Sunday afternoon session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their Herriman home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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The Conference Center and the Salt Lake Temple during the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 5, 2020. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Maya Bennett, 10, Edward Castro Bennett, Luna Thomas, 6, and Silvia Castro participate in the Hosanna Shout while watching the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their Murray home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. The couple were recently baptized on Feb. 7 and planned to attend a session of conference at the Conference Center before the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the mass gatherings. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Maya Bennett, 10, and her father Edward Castro Bennett participate in the Hosanna Shout during the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their Murray home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. Edward Bennett and his wife were recently baptized on Feb. 7 and planned to attend a session of conference at the Conference Center before the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the mass gatherings. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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Ron and Wendy Van Tienderen, right, participate in the Hosanna Shout as they watch the Sunday morning session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with their children at their home in Millcreek on Sunday, April 5, 2020. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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The Hadley family, from left to right, Erica, Dan, Zane, 8, and Dylan, 5, watch the Sunday afternoon session of the 190th Annual General Conference in their Herriman home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. | Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News
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