When Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a new family‑focused activity set, parents worldwide breathed a sigh of relief. The downloadable PDF, released on September 20, 2025, contains four interactive games designed to keep kids engaged throughout the multi‑day general conference sessions that begin on October 4 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The initiative reflects a growing awareness that long listening periods can be a challenge for younger members, and it offers a practical, cost‑free solution.
Background: General Conference and Children’s Participation
General Conference, held every April and October, is the LDS Church’s flagship global gathering. Leaders—ranging from the Prophet to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—share teachings that shape members’ lives for the coming year. Historically, families have used a mix of coloring pages, notebooks, and sticky notes to keep children involved. In recent years, digital tools like the Church’s official website, ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and the youth‑focused The Friend magazine have added layers of engagement.
The New Activity Package: Games and Design
The PDF bundles four distinct games onto a single printable sheet, a design choice that makes distribution at home or in a chapel hall effortless. The activities include:
- Word Search – Features conference‑related terminology like "faith," "covenant," and the names of current apostles.
- Maze – Kids navigate a simple path while listening to a speaker, reinforcing patience and focus.
- Matching Game – Pairs faces of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles with their names, fostering familiarity with Church leadership.
- Bingo Cards – Each card lists words, phrases, or topics likely to appear in talks; when a child hears an item, they mark it, aiming for a five‑in‑a‑row.
All four games are laid out side by side, allowing families to print multiple copies on a single sheet of standard letter‑size paper. The file size is modest—under 1 MB—so it loads quickly even on slower connections.
How the Games Support Learning
Each game targets a specific learning objective. The word search reinforces vocabulary, helping children internalize doctrinal concepts without feeling like a lecture. The maze, positioned as a “quiet‑time” activity, offers a tactile break during longer talks, which research shows can improve attention spans for kids aged 5‑10. The matching game directly addresses the Church’s desire for youth to recognize their leaders, a skill that becomes useful during council meetings or when participating in youth programs. Finally, bingo transforms passive listening into an active hunt for spiritual “treasures,” a technique frequently used in classrooms to boost retention.
Beyond the educational angle, the package aligns with the Church’s broader digital‑engagement strategy. By providing a printable, offline resource, the organization acknowledges that not every family has reliable internet during the conference hours, yet it still leverages modern design principles to keep content compelling.
Reactions from Parents and Leaders
Early feedback from families in the United States, Brazil, and the Philippines has been overwhelmingly positive. Maria González, a mother of three in Dallas, Texas, told the Church News Staff that her youngest, who is six, “stayed seated for the entire Saturday talk because the bingo cards gave him something to look for.” In Brazil, pastor‑leader Luiz Silva mentioned that the matching game helped his congregation’s children “connect faces to names, which is especially important for those who have never traveled to Salt Lake City.”
Even members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have praised the effort. In a brief statement released on October 2, Elder Gary E. Hinckley said, “Creative tools like these strengthen families and help our children develop a personal relationship with the gospel.”
Broader Implications for Digital Engagement
The launch of the games is part of a series of resources that have rolled out over the past few years, including the “Conference Squares” game, printable notebooks, and themed coloring sheets in The Friend. Together, they illustrate a shift from passive broadcast to interactive participation. By offering free, printable content, the Church sidesteps the criticism that digital devices are merely distractions, instead positioning them as extensions of spiritual learning.
Analysts note that this approach may set a precedent for other faith‑based organizations facing similar challenges with multi‑hour services or lectures. The balance of low‑tech (paper) and high‑tech (online availability) could become a model for hybrid worship experiences worldwide.
Looking Ahead: Future Resources
Church leaders have hinted that additional interactive tools are in development for the 2026 April conference, potentially incorporating augmented‑reality elements where children can scan a printed card and see a short video of an apostle speaking about a specific principle. If those plans come to fruition, the 2025 games may feel like the first step on a longer digital journey.
For now, families can download the PDF directly from the official Church newsroom page, print as many copies as needed, and integrate the games into their conference viewing routine. The package remains free, ensuring that cost never hinders a child’s opportunity to engage with the teachings of the October 2025 General ConferenceSalt Lake City, Utah.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can parents use the bingo cards during the conference?
Parents can print multiple bingo cards and give each child a unique card before the session starts. As speakers mention words like "service" or "prophecy," children mark the corresponding square. The game turns listening into a treasure hunt, keeping kids alert without interrupting the talk.
Is the activity PDF available in languages other than English?
At launch, the PDF is offered in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Additional translations are expected later in the month, reflecting the Church’s effort to serve its global membership.
Do the games align with the teachings presented in the talks?
Yes. Each game incorporates key terms and topics that speakers are likely to mention, such as "faith," "covenant," and the names of apostles. This intentional design helps children internalize doctrinal points while they play.
Can the games be used for other LDS events besides General Conference?
While crafted for the October 2025 conference, families have reported success using the maze and matching game during stake meetings and youth firesides, making them versatile tools for any multi‑speaker setting.
Where can families download the PDF?
The PDF is freely available on the official newsroom page of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. No registration or payment is required.