Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints delivered strong spiritual guidance on developing faith, seeking divine truth, and rejecting the growing industry of gambling during the 196th Semiannual General Conference. Held on Oct. 3 and Oct. 4, 2026, at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, the global gathering brought millions of members together to hear addresses on morality, personal accountability, and modern temptations.
Addressing the opening session of the fall conference, President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, delivered a sermon directly denouncing all forms of gambling, including the recent explosion in sports betting and digital prediction markets.
President Christofferson Condemns Sports Betting and Prediction Markets
Citing statistics indicating that 46% of adults worldwide-roughly 2.3 billion people-had engaged in some form of gambling over the preceding six months, President Christofferson warned against the dangers of continuous, mobile access to wagering applications. He emphasized that the gambling industry’s entire business model relies on customers consistently losing money.
“We are against it,” President Christofferson declared during the Saturday morning session. He explained that casual or occasional wagers can quickly transform into repeated behavior that displaces savings, increases personal debt, and triggers far-reaching family and social consequences.
During his remarks, President Christofferson highlighted investigative reporting by The Atlantic staff writer and Latter-day Saint McKay Coppins, who was given $10,000 by his publication to investigate sports wagering. Coppins ultimately lost nearly all of the funds, finishing with less than $200. Church leaders praised the insights gained from the investigation regarding the predatory nature of modern gambling platforms.
President Christofferson also took aim at modern online prediction markets-such as Kalshi and Polymarket-where individuals can wager on real-world events ranging from interest rates and elections to wildfires. In a moment that drew lighthearted laughter from the audience at the Conference Center, he joked about wagers tied to religious eschatology: “Or even, if you can imagine, the timing of the Second Coming. Where do you go to collect that bet?”
Pleading with church members to “live life on a higher plane,” President Christofferson reminded the congregation that individuals have been granted life and agency by God, and that everyone remains fully accountable for how they utilize that agency.
Global Focus on Faith, Temples, and Spiritual Resilience
While gambling was a central cultural warning of the weekend, the conference also focused heavily on deepening personal devotion to Jesus Christ. Addressing the Sunday morning session, Church President Dallin H. Oaks emphasized that people worldwide are actively seeking divine truth to navigate personal challenges. He noted that true peace comes through consistent daily efforts, scriptural learning, patience, and drawing closer to the Savior.
“God the Father, the great Elohim, is the Father of our spirits, the framer of heaven and earth, and the author of the plan of our salvation,” President Oaks stated, referencing foundational scriptural texts.
Other senior leaders and general officers of the Church addressed various aspects of discipleship, suffering, and spiritual safety:
- Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invited members to find refuge in sacred spaces, noting that church leaders will dedicate 21 new temples throughout the year-marking the second-highest total in church history.
- Elder Gérald Caussé shared reflections on his recent call as an apostle, urging believers to nurture and boldly share their unique testimonies of Jesus Christ.
- Elder Ulisses Soares spoke on the sanctifying power of fasting and prayer, explaining how the ancient practice draws heaven closer during times of personal hardship.
- Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, offered a comforting perspective on adversity, sharing her personal experience with the sudden death of her son and encouraging members to reframe life’s trials through God’s overarching love.
The semiannual conference concluded with final exhortations from general authorities to maintain spiritual priorities, reject destructive worldly behaviors like mobile gambling, and focus efforts on humanitarian service and gospel living.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 LDS General Conference
When and where was the 196th Semiannual General Conference held?
The conference took place on October 3 and 4, 2026, at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, with proceedings broadcast globally to millions of members.
What specific warning did President D. Todd Christofferson issue regarding gambling?
President Christofferson strongly condemned all forms of gambling, specifically highlighting the dangers of mobile sports betting apps and online prediction markets. He noted that the industry’s business model depends on customer losses and warned that wagering disrupts personal savings and family stability.
What statistics did church leaders share regarding global gambling trends?
During the conference, leaders cited data showing that approximately 46% of adults worldwide-amounting to roughly 2.3 billion individuals-had participated in gambling activities during the prior six months.
How many temples did church leaders announce or schedule for dedication in 2026?
Church leaders highlighted that 21 temples are scheduled for dedication throughout the year 2026, representing the second-highest number of temple dedications in a single calendar year in the history of the faith.
Who spoke during the opening sessions of the October 2026 conference?
Key speakers included Church President Dallin H. Oaks, President D. Todd Christofferson, Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Elder Gérald Caussé, Elder Ulisses Soares, and Sister Tamara W. Runia, alongside other general authorities and general auxiliary officers.
