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General conference is often remembered for gentle guidance or even powerful inspiration, but some sessions bring announcements and revelations that transform the very fabric of the Church. These historic moments remind us that when prophets speak, the future of the gospel’s work on earth can shift in an instant.
Though there are many such moments over the course of the Church’s history, here are five transformative moments that stood out.
1978 – Revelation on the Priesthood
In 1978, President Spencer W. Kimball sought revelation on a matter that had weighed heavily on the Church for years—the restriction that prevented men of Black African descent from holding the priesthood. After months of prayer in the Salt Lake Temple, he received the answer he had been seeking, which was unanimously accepted by his counselors and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
That October, President N. Eldon Tanner announced in General Conference: “He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple.” (Official Declaration 2).
With that revelation, barriers fell, and the Church entered a new era of growth, particularly in Africa and Brazil, where faithful Saints had long been waiting for temple blessings.
1995 – The Family: A Proclamation to the World
On September 23, 1995, President Gordon B. Hinckley stood at the pulpit and introduced a new document to the Church, beginning with this preface: “We of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles now issue a proclamation to the world as a declaration and reaffirmation of standards.”
What followed was The Family: A Proclamation to the World, a prophetic declaration on the divine nature of the family, marriage, and gender roles. In the decades since, the proclamation has become a touchstone for Church members navigating shifting cultural landscapes, cited in classrooms, homes, and even courts of law as a clear statement of doctrine.
2012 – Age Change for Missionary Service
When President Thomas S. Monson announced in October 2012 that young men and young woman could begin their missionary service at a younger age than they had previously, the reaction was immediate and electric.
“Today I am pleased to announce that … able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18. … Young women … may be recommended … beginning at age 19.”
Overnight, thousands of young people altered their plans for education, work, and service. Missionary applications spiked from 700 to 4000 a week, and the total missionary force swelled “from 58,500 in October 2012 to more than 82,000” by the end of the year—hastening the spread of the gospel to all corners of the world.
2018 – Ministering Replaces Home & Visiting Teaching
For decades, home teaching and visiting teaching were familiar programs—beloved by some, a struggle for others. In April 2018, President Russell M. Nelson signaled a new chapter in how Latter-day Saints would care for each other. “We will implement a newer, holier approach to caring for and ministering to others. We will refer to these efforts simply as ‘ministering,’” he said.
After introducing the concept, President Nelson invited Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and President Jean B. Bingham to explain how the new program would function in practice. He emphasized that the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve were united in endorsing their messages and expressed gratitude for opening “a new chapter in the history of the Church.”
With that announcement, a program that had endured for over a century was transformed. No longer about numbers or visits on a checklist, ministering became a deeply personal call to seek and follow revelation in serving one another, reinforcing the truth that discipleship is measured by love.
2020 – Bicentennial Proclamation on the Restoration
The April 2020 conference was unlike any other, held in an empty auditorium as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe. Yet it was in that unusual setting that President Nelson presented The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World.
“We gladly declare that the promised Restoration goes forward through continuing revelation. The earth will never again be the same.” The proclamation reaffirmed Joseph Smith’s First Vision and the unfolding restoration that continues today. Delivered during a moment of global upheaval, it bore testimony that God’s hand is still guiding His Church and His people, no matter the challenges.
These five moments testify that general conference is not only a time of encouragement but also of revelation that shapes the destiny of the Church. Each conference carries the potential to change history. As we approach October 2025, we watch with anticipation, knowing that the next announcement or testimony could alter the way we live and worship for generations to come.
There are many general conference moments that have changed the Church forever—which ones make your top 5? Share with us in the comments!
Holly Wallace is a writer and storyteller drawn to meaningful questions and overlooked details. Her work explores Latter-day Saint life and culture through faithful inquiry, inviting readers to pause, consider, and engage more deeply with what matters most.
Your title for this article is just plane wrong. Your first two examples were not during general conference they were June and September respectively. Details are important.