Question
Gramps,
Why is the April general conference called “Annual” and the October general conference called “semi-annual?” It happens every six months so both are by definition semi-annual.
Brad
Answer
Hi Brad,
Thank you so much for your question. I’m sure others have wondered the same thing. You are absolutely correct that by definition they are both semi-annual conferences.
During the April conference each year there is one distinct difference. This is a time when the church publicly announces some of the statistics from the previous year.
The church auditing department publicly reports to the First Presidency that the church auditing of money received from tithes has been done in accordance with church policy and as prescribed in Doctrine and Covenants Section 120.
The Statistical Report for the previous year is also done during the General Conference session held in April. This statistical report provides information such as the number of church units, church membership, missionaries and temples.
These reports are only provided in general conference once a year, therefore the distinction in the name of annual versus semi-annual.
I hope this helps to answer your question.
Gramps