Peggy Fletcher StackOn Saturday, those who attend or view General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will see the congregation raising their hands in unison.
Some years ago, a new Associated Press reporter, witnessing this act, said that church members had “unanimously reelected” their president.
In fact, it is not an election but rather a ritual known as a solemn assembly, which dates back to the 1800s and is mostly used to showcase members’ “sustaining vote” for a new president.
During Saturday’s morning session, it will take place for Dallin H. Oaks, who was named in October as the 18th president of the 17.5 million-member faith. His predecessor, Russell M. Nelson, died in September.
This will mark the first time that the entire membership will have a chance to symbolically indicate their support for Oaks as prophet-president and his two counselors in the governing First Presidency, Henry B. Eyring and D. Todd Christofferson.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Members of the new First Presidency — Dallin H. Oaks, center, Henry B. Eyring, left, and D. Todd Christofferson.
Members, either sitting in the giant Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City or watching in chapels or at home around the globe, will stand in groups to raise their hands for their new leader. It begins with adult males according to their priesthood office, followed by adult women, male teens in their priesthood groups and girls ages 12 through 17 in the Young Women program. Finally, all members join together in sustaining their top Latter-day Saint leaders.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Conferencegoers sustain President Russell M. Nelson and the First Presidency in a 2018 solemn assembly.
Solemn assemblies are special meetings held for a variety of holy purposes, such as dedicating new Latter-day Saint temples. In April 2020, it was held to honor the 200th anniversary of church founder Joseph Smith’s “First Vision.”
At that time, the solemn assembly included the sacred “Hosanna Shout,” in which participants typically wave a white handkerchief, while reciting three times the phrase: “Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna to God and the Lamb; Amen, Amen and Amen!”
Though the shout has been used in some previous solemn assemblies for new presidents. The church has announced it will not be part of the ritual for Oaks.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) President Russell M. Nelson leads the "Hosanna Shout" at General Conference in April 2020 celebrating the 200th anniversary of church founder Joseph Smith's "First Vision."
Hired in 1991 to cover Utah's various faiths, particularly Mormonism, Peggy has talked forgiveness with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, nearly fainted waiting for the Dalai Lama, fasted with Muslims during Ramadan — and has reported on 50 consecutive semiannual LDS General Conferences.