Inviting Non-Members to Mormon Church Conferences: Guidelines and Expectations

While church meetings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the Mormon Church) are primarily for members, there are many occasions when non-members are welcome. Understanding the specific types of conferences, the requirements for attendance, and the expectations of behavior can help ensure a positive experience for all.

General Guidelines for Non-Member Attendance

Yes, non-members are welcome to attend many types of meetings and conferences within the Mormon Church. However, there are important guidelines and expectations to follow:

Protest Behavior: If your intent is to protest or create a scene, you will be asked to leave. The Church welcomes respectful and reverent behavior from all attendees. Respectful Behavior: Everyone is encouraged to behave respectfully during the conference. This means adhering to dress code requirements and maintaining an appropriate level of quiet and dignity during the event. Won't Interrupt: Non-members should not disrupt the proceedings, as this can be distracting and disrespectful to the members present. Wearing Non-Formal Attire: Attire should be clean and professional but not too formal. For example, a clean blouse and slacks or a modest dress are acceptable. Casual gym clothes or shorts and t-shirts are not appropriate. Ticket Requirements: Certain conferences, like the General Conference, require tickets. These can often be obtained by waiting in line or purchasing them through the Church's official website. Other conferences might be more casual and not require tickets.

Specific Types of Conference

There are several types of conferences within the Church, and the level of openness to non-members can vary:

General Conference

General Conference is the most accessible type of conference, as it is a worldwide, bi-annual gathering broadcast to members and non-members alike. While tickets are required to attend in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, the conference is shown for free in other locations. Non-members are allowed to watch the broadcast anywhere it is shown as long as they do not create a disturbance.

Stake Conferences

Stake Conferences are held twice a year for all people in a specific stake group, which consists of 6-12 congregations. The general sessions of these conferences are open to the public, meaning non-members are welcome. There may be leadership meetings on Saturdays that are only for those with certain responsibilities, so checking the schedule in advance is recommended.

Ward/Branch Conferences

Ward/Branch Conferences are annual meetings when stake leaders visit a specific ward or branch to conduct certain business. These meetings are essentially a public Sacrament Meeting and are therefore open to visitors. However, non-members must still adhere to the dress code and behavior expectations.

Specific Conferences Not Open to the Public

Sometimes, certain conferences are not open to the public. These include:

Zone Conferences: These are for the missionaries in a specific geographic area. Mission Conferences: These might be for the entire mission, not just a specific area.

This type of meeting is not open to the public and is only for those with appropriate responsibilities or training.

Conclusion

The Mormon Church welcomes non-members to many types of meetings and conferences. However, it is important to follow guidelines for behavior and dress, as well as understanding which conferences are open to the public and which are not. By adhering to these expectations, both members and non-members can enjoy these meaningful gatherings.