First reports of a new strain of the flu – or a variation of the familiar avian A influenza virus that had already circled the globe several times at least as far back as 1889 – raised concerns in February 1957. Appearing first in Singapore, epidemiologists elsewhere began to take notice before it spread to Hong Kong in April and the eastern United States later that summer. Because it was a variation of a known virus with both a vaccine and an established treatment, state health departments in the United States urged vaccination of the elderly, the chronically ill, and pregnant women, and for hospital staffs and others who would be essential in keeping the nation running in the event of an epidemic. Still, there was no guaranty that what had worked for previous strains of this flu would work for the new and variant strain.

By June, warnings were appearing in the Salt Lake press. “Avoid fatigue,” they said. “It’s the only hope to resist the Asian flu bug that now has hit North America.” “Most people are going to be sitting ducks for the virus,” claimed a Chicago expert. “Fortunately, he said, the symptoms are usually mild and brief. People who have been hit are only down for about three days.” Researchers were working on a specific vaccine, but it would be weeks before it would be in production.

By early August, Utah’s acting health director, Dr. Joseph P. Kesler, was concerned enough about the pending epidemic, especially among children and youth who were falling ill elsewhere, that he requested 50,000 inoculations from the U.S. Public Health Service (predecessor of today’s CDC). The national program pushed its original goal of 60 million doses to be available by February 1958 to instead be readied by mid-December 1957. The best projections were that 17 million Americans would be stricken in 1957, with a probable death count of about 5,000.

By late August, as school prepared to open throughout Utah, Dr. Kathryn Brandon, director of the Salt Lake City school district, urged school personnel – the adults who would be likely to contract the flu from children – to come to her office where she would administer flu shots. Dr. Kesler, the state health officer, warned of the anticipated local (Salt Lake) conditions: “An attack of epidemic proportions in Utah is a very definite probability. More than 20 per cent of Utah’s population may be forced to quit work and to stay in their beds or in hospitals during the two-week course of the disease.” He predicted that 25 to 50 people in “borderline” health conditions would die. Its rapid transmission from person to person could force businesses to close, and “cause the suspension of telephone service and garbage pickup, and interfere with the services of fire and police departments.” He urged that block wardens be appointed to check on every home in the assigned area. “An entire family might be taken ill and be unable to go to the stores to buy food.”

Memories of the Spanish flu pandemic less than 40 years earlier were uppermost in health officials’ minds. No, predicted Dr. Kesler; it would not be as deadly as that – but would prove fatal to some who had lung diseases or chronic heart conditions.

Still, life went on in Utah and elsewhere, with news of distant outbreaks in the background. Schools prepared to open. And the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continued through August and September to make preparations for its General Conference to be held the first week in October. Conference week would begin with the Relief Society Conference, to be attended not only by local women but by Relief Society sisters from throughout the United States and Canada. Next would follow the three days of general sessions. Conferences of mission presidents, stake presidents, patriarchs and others, would be squeezed in wherever time would permit. The practice of holding mission reunions in conjunction with Conference was well established. And with so many thousands of visitors in town, hotels, restaurants, and shops expected to do their usual booming Conference business as visitors from everywhere mingled in crowds.

Still, reports of the epidemic nagged at the corners of people’s minds. In August, Iran was reported to have 26,000 ill. In early September, Nigeria reported that half its 33 million citizens were in bed, the virus having been carried there largely by pilgrims returning from Mecca. In the United States, Mississippi and California were especially hard hit, with the New England states and Indiana not far behind. Cases were known in Idaho; state officials there decided not to attempt immunizations on a statewide basis due to the expense.

But in Utah, Dr. Kesler continued his urgent warnings:

1. When symptoms appear, go to bed and stay there. If you do not, you risk the progression from flu to pneumonia, and you risk infecting others.

2. Don’t take antibiotics unless a physician recommended them. They won’t help fight the flu.

3. Get inoculated as soon as possible.

On September 18, Dr. Kesler announced that the anticipated epidemic had begun, beginning with the schools in Magna. 228 students were absent from the high school that day; 175 from the junior high school. “We haven’t had time to confirm the cases in the laboratory,” Dr. Kesler said, “but it looks like this is a strain of the Asian flu.” He anticipated a rapid spread of high temperatures, headaches, a dry, hacking cough, and aches and pains of the joints. Still, he said, Utahns could be thankful that they had “more than our share of vaccine to date, because we got our requests for supplies in early.”

On September 20, the first known American fatality, a man in Missouri, was reported. The deadly potential was becoming real.

On Thursday, September 26, the regular weekly meeting of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve convened in the Salt Lake Temple. After prayer, and the singing of “O Say, What is Truth?” and “How Gentle God’s Commands,” the first item of discussion was the possibility of cancelling the upcoming General Conference, by then only a week away. President David O. McKay reported his discussions with state and local school superintendents. They had not yet decided whether to close the schools, but President McKay was concerned of the contrast if the schools did close and the Conference still convened. Church leaders telephoned Dr. Kesler in the midst of their council meeting, asking him to consult with his associates and call them back at the Temple as soon as possible.

As the Brethren waited to hear from the health department, they continued their discussions. It was agreed that they would have to make a final decision that very day – if they did not, it would be too late; people from around the country would be on trains and it would be too late to reach them and turn them around – some of the sisters were probably already on their way, as the Relief Society Conference was to be held before the general sessions. Adam S. Bennion suggested that if Conference were cancelled, the First Presidency could still give a radio broadcast that would carry something of the spirit into the homes of the Saints. Stephen L Richards noted that 35 of the missionaries in the Mission Home had been ill with the flu the preceding week, but that all but four of them had recovered well enough to leave for their designated fields. Mark E. Petersen was in favor of holding a priesthood meeting in the Tabernacle on Saturday evening, even if the rest of the Conference were canceled. Joseph Fielding Smith stated his conviction that they should absolutely follow the advice of medical authorities.

In the midst of their deliberations, Dr. Kesler returned the phone call. This was the Asian flu, he said, and there was no known antidote for it that was effective in all cases. There was a higher incidence of cases where people had been in close quarters on buses or in meetings. He thought “it would most likely be a source of spreading the disease if Conference were held; … those who have been exposed to it will undoubtedly come down with the disease while they are in Salt Lake City. In cases where they take it and are at home, they can be properly cared for. It has not as yet been fatal, but where people are in hotels or rooming houses it might be a different thing. Then too, if they are exposed to it while here, they will probably come down with the disease on their return home, either in cars, or on trains or planes.” In short, he thought it “would lessen the spreading of the disease if we saw fit to postpone the conference at this time.”

Following the phone call, President McKay stated his feelings: “If we contributed in any way to the spread of the flu, and one life were lost, he thought that holding the Conference would not be worth it, because we can hold Conference again when there is no flu.” George Q. Morris “moved that the Conference be cancelled. Motion seconded by Elder Mark E. Petersen.” President McKay said: “Now, Brethren, we must be united on this and feel all right about it. I believe it will be the wise thing to do.” The motion already made by Brother Morris and seconded by Brother Petersen was unanimously approved.

With that, the Conference was cancelled. President Belle S. Spafford of the Relief Society was notified and asked to do what she could to stop the travel of sisters to Salt Lake City. That conversation was recorded.

President McKay: This will be a cancellation of Conference – not a postponement.

Sister Spafford: Well, we shall call our Board members immediately and have them stop all preparations in their departments, and shall get in touch with our stake presidents and have them notify the ward people.

President McKay: We have already consulted the Presiding Bishopric, and they are going to cancel the dedication of the Aaronic Priesthood Memorial. It is wise to protect the health of the people.

Sister Spafford: We do not want any blame for spreading an epidemic.

President McKay: Yes, it is our responsibility because we are bringing people from all parts of the world.

Sister Spafford: We shall have to notify our chorus in Southern California. Thank you President McKay.

A notice was prepared to be read over the radio and printed in the newspapers.

TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH

With deep regret the First Presidency of the Church, with the concurrence of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, announce that out of regard for the health of the people the Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints scheduled for October 4, 5, and 6, 1957, together with all meetings planned in connection therewith, will not be held. This will include specifically the general sessions of the Conference, the General Priesthood Meeting, the meeting arranged by the Presiding Bishopric for the dedication of the monument to the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood, the General Relief Society Conference, the General Conference of the Deseret Sunday School Union, the meeting provided for Welfare Representatives, missionary reunions, and all other assemblies which bring the people in close contact with one another.

We have consulted with all public agencies available to us which are concerned in the problems of health, and hose opinion on the extent and effects of the epidemic of influenza we regard as helpful in reaching a decision. We are chiefly persuaded to this decision from the opinion we have received from the Utah State Department of Health, the members of which at our request have given careful consideration to the matter. In a written opinion received from this Department of the State there is recited the present status of the epidemic, with the forecast that it is expected to reach its height in the State of Utah about October 4. We quot one excerpt:

“No exact prediction can be made as to whether Conference would be disrupted with a high attack rate of Asian Flu, but in the interest of prevention of disease it is the considered opinion of the Health Department that there exists the possibility that an [e]xcess incidence of Asian Flu might be expected to attend a gathering such as Conference at this time.”

Since the Conference draws people from many sections of our own country, and from foreign countries, and since there is the possibility of the introduction of this disease into sections now free from it through contacts made at the Conference, we think it unwise for the Church to assume the responsibility of further spread of the disease by calling the members together at this critical time. Life is so precious the Lord expects us to do all within our power to conserve it.

We are sure our people will understand the reluctance we feel in foregoing the uplifting, inspiring experiences of a General Conference of the Church, and that they will accord with the decision we have prayerfully reached.

David O. McKay
Stephen L Richards
J. Reuben Clark, jr.
The First Presidency

And so, for the first time in the Church’s modern history, Conference was cancelled – not postponed (as happened in 1919), not restricted in attendance (as happened during the World War II years), but cancelled.

Which brings us to April 2020 – a Conference not postponed, not entirely cancelled, to be held, in a limited fashion, and broadcast by means of technology, for the good of Church members, and our neighbors around the globe.

This is a first draft, researched and written in a rush, and I have not yet had time to research the severity of the 1957 flu in Utah or elsewhere. Please be understanding of this post’s shortcomings.