The Mormon church is holding its twice-a-year conference this weekend in the midst of a chaotic political climate in the United States & without the participation of its sick 90-year-old president.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Thomas S. Monson will be absent  from the conference for the first time since 1963, when he became the youngest-ever member of the apex governing body called Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

As Mormons live through an unstable time in American politics, some members will be listening to see if church leaders offer guidance on dealing with high tension & strong opinions.

At the Mormon women's conference last weekend, top leader Dieter F. Uchtdorf reverberated recent guidance from the church by cheering Mormons to stand for what they believe in without judging the opposition.

Lots of Mormons also will be listening this weekend to hear if church leaders once again condemn racism.

The group, called Shoulder to the Wheel, wants to break the silence & make church members who advocate racist views feel uncomfortable.

In 2013, the church went further than before in explaining that the ban was put in place during an era of great racial divide that influenced early Mormon teachings.