Concluding the October general conference — the last conference Church leaders anticipate will be held in the Tabernacle on Temple Square — President Gordon B. Hinckley noted that as a new century and a new millennium are ushered in, the Church will meet for general conference in a new meeting hall.
"The building may not be complete at that time," he explained at the Sunday afternoon session. "The organ probably will not be finished. There will be other construction details needing attention. It will likely be dedicated a year from this conference."
The new Conference Center, said President Hinckley, is "a very large and a truly magnificent structure, designed and built to the highest seismic codes."
"It is constructed with reinforced concrete with a granite veneer. That granite is the same stone that was used in the building of the Salt Lake Temple," he said. (Please see Oct. 2 Church News for update on construction of the Conference Center.)
Being constructed across the street to the north of Temple Square, the building will seat 21,000, with its adjoining theater 22,000 — nearly 3.5 times the capacity of the Tabernacle, explained President Hinckley.
"I do not know if we will fill it, but I do know that we have spoken to much larger gatherings of Latter-day Saints," said President Hinckley, noting that he has addressed 57,500 Church members in Santiago, Chile; 50,000 in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and 35,000 in Manila, Philippines.
He explained that the Tabernacle will continue to be used for a variety of purposes, including the weekly broadcast of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
"The new hall will take some getting accustomed to. But it will be more pleasant," President Hinckley said. "It will be air-conditioned. The seating will be more comfortable than these hard wooden pews. . . .
"It is not of the same design as this Tabernacle, but it is also of a unique and wonderful kind. It represents the very latest in architectural and engineering skills. Parking will be improved."
President Hinckley said that, even with the new building, it is his hope that the Tabernacle will be around for a long time. "It is a bold step we are taking. But this boldness is in harmony with the tremendous outreach of the Church across the world.
"We have no desire to outdo Brigham Young or his architects — William H. Folsom, Henry Grow and Truman O. Angell. We wish only to build on the tremendous foundation which President Young laid in pioneering this marvelous work here in the valleys of the West."
President Hinckley said a building develops a personality of its own. "The Spirit of the Lord has been in this structure. It is sacred unto us. We hope, we anticipate, we pray that the new structure will likewise radiate the same spirit."
He then left his testimony, blessing and love with the worldwide conference congregation.
"This work is true," said President Hinckley. "You know that as I do. It is God's work. You know that also. It is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the way to happiness, the plan for peace and righteousness.
"God our Eternal Father lives. His Son, our Redeemer, the resurrected Savior of the world, lives. They appeared to the boy Joseph Smith to part the curtains in opening a great work of restoration, ushering in the dispensation of the fullness of times.
"The Book of Mormon is true. It speaks as a voice from the dust in testimony of the divinity of the Lord. The priesthood with its keys, its authority, and all of its blessings is upon the earth.
"We are partakers of these precious gifts."
