A half century ago, Utah members of the LDS Church fortunate enough to own a television set tuned in to see the image of President George Albert Smith welcoming viewers to the 120th Semiannual General Conference. For the first time, general conference had become a live, multimedia event as members far removed from the Salt Lake Tabernacle participated in the six sessions via radio and television.

"Significant traditions have grown into the practices of bringing the conference messages of the leaders of the church to their people," the Church News reported. "Beginning with the first conference held in Fayette, New York, with its 27 members, and then to Independence and later to Nauvoo and finally to the Salt Lake Valley, the proceedings were first recorded with a few notes, and then from minute shorthand notes which were later transcribed and published in newspapers and magazines.

"Two decades ago the conference congregation was increased by the mighty voice of radio bringing the sessions into the homes of thousands.

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This story is provided by the LDS Church News, an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is produced weekly by the Deseret News.