Mormon General Conference
Keith L. Brown is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and serves as the Ward Mission Leader in the Annapolis, Maryland Ward.
The General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes inadvertently called the “Mormon Church”) is held during the first weekend in April and the first weekend in October each year. As the Church was founded in April 1830, the April conference is referred to as the Annual General Conference of the Church, whereas the October conference is referred to as the Semiannual General Conference of the Church. The next sessions of General Conference will be held on Saturday, 31 March 2012, and Sunday, 1 April 2012. This will be the 182nd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints. The number of the conference refers to the number of years since the founding of the Church.
General Conference has been held in Salt Lake City, Utah since 1848 with the exception of the April 1877 Conference which was held in St. George, Utah; in the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square before 2000 and in the LDS Conference Center after that. Historically, General Conference was over three days with the Annual Conference always including April 6. However, this proved awkward when April 6 fell midweek, as this made conference difficult to attend for those with work and school commitments. In April 1977, during Prophet Spencer W. Kimball‘s Presidency, General Conference was reduced to two days, Saturday and Sunday. (more…)
A thought on thankfulness from President Thomas S. Monson who is President, and Mormon prophet, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints says: “We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude.” (October 2010) 
Yes, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed “Mormons”) do celebrate Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is an opportunity for families to gather and acknowledge the blessings God has given us, particularly in providing religious freedom to America and an abundance of His daily grace. Of course, as we recognize His hand in our lives, we become thankful every day for the blessings provided, in addition, Thanksgiving is a day set aside a day specifically for that purpose.