How often has general conference happened without the First Presidency in place?

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.

“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,