Five things to watch for in Tuesday's debate

By Peter Hamby and Paul Steinhauser, CNN

October 17, 2012 -- Updated 0146 GMT (0946 HKT)

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and U.S. President Barack Obama shake hands following the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, on Tuesday, October 16, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. See the best photos of the first presidential debate.

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama embrace after the debate.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney point fingers at each other.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speak over each other.

President Obama and Republican presidential nominee Romney point the finger at each other.

CNN's Candy Crowley moderates the second presidential debate between President Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

President Obama and Romney clash during the debate.

Romney and President Obama interrupt each other during the debate.

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and U.S. President Barack Obama debate.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney both speak at the same time.

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and President Obama go head to head.

Romney gestures to make a point as President Obama looks on.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney square off.

U.S. President Barack Obama listens to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

President Obama promotes his policies as Mitt Romney listens.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney addresses a question as President Obama listens.

President Obama awaits his turn to speak.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney greet the audience.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and U.S. President Barack Obama greet each other on stage.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney shake hands.6.

President Obama and Republican presidential candidate Romney shake hands before the start of the debate.

Moderator Candy Crowley of CNN speaks to the audience prior to the start of a town hall-style presidential debate.

Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, speaks with members of the audience before the start of the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, on Tuesday, October 16.

First lady Michelle Obama awaits the start of the second presidential debate.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his wife Ann await the start of the second presidential debate in a holding room.

The audience gathers in the stands prior to the start of the presidential debate on Tuesday.

Co-chairs Frank Fahrenkopf, left, and Mike McCurry of the Commission on Presidential Debates speak in the lead up to the town hall-style debate.

Audience members take photographs while they wait for the debate to begin.

Members of the audience have taken their seats.

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• How well candidates connect with audience members could affect outcome
• Obama must overcome passive first performance without overdoing it
• Women's issues are one area Obama must exploit if he wants to maintain their support
• Strong debate will result in flood of contributions, much needed in stretch run ad blitz

Hempstead, New York (CNN) -- President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney face off Tuesday in the second of their three debates, this one in a town hall-style setting in which they'll take questions from likely voters.

The stakes couldn't be higher: Obama must get his campaign back on track after a poor performance in the first debate that left Democrats demoralized and Obama's lead evaporating both in national polls and those in key battleground states. For Romney, who polls among voters showed won the first debate overwhelmingly, a second strong performance would boost his momentum going into the third debate next Monday and the final two weeks before Election Day.

Here are five things to watch for on Tuesday:

1. Connecting with the audience

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and U.S. President Barack Obama shake hands following the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, on Tuesday, October 16, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. See the best photos of the first presidential debate.

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama embrace after the debate.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney point fingers at each other.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speak over each other.

President Obama and Republican presidential nominee Romney point the finger at each other.

CNN's Candy Crowley moderates the second presidential debate between President Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

President Obama and Romney clash during the debate.

Romney and President Obama interrupt each other during the debate.

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and U.S. President Barack Obama debate.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney both speak at the same time.

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and President Obama go head to head.

Romney gestures to make a point as President Obama looks on.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney square off.

U.S. President Barack Obama listens to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

President Obama promotes his policies as Mitt Romney listens.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney addresses a question as President Obama listens.

President Obama awaits his turn to speak.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney greet the audience.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and U.S. President Barack Obama greet each other on stage.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney shake hands.6.

President Obama and Republican presidential candidate Romney shake hands before the start of the debate.

Moderator Candy Crowley of CNN speaks to the audience prior to the start of a town hall-style presidential debate.

Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, speaks with members of the audience before the start of the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, on Tuesday, October 16.

First lady Michelle Obama awaits the start of the second presidential debate.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his wife Ann await the start of the second presidential debate in a holding room.

The audience gathers in the stands prior to the start of the presidential debate on Tuesday.

Co-chairs Frank Fahrenkopf, left, and Mike McCurry of the Commission on Presidential Debates speak in the lead up to the town hall-style debate.

Audience members take photographs while they wait for the debate to begin.

Members of the audience have taken their seats.

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The second presidential debate

Remember George H.W. Bush checking his watch? Or Al Gore invading George W. Bush's personal space? The town hall format for presidential debates hasn't always been kind to candidates. Here are a few moments when things didn't go so well.

During the 2008 presidential town hall debate, GOP candidate John McCain wandered around stage as Democratic nominee Barack Obama tackled questions.

President George W. Bush had a hard time coming up with three wrong decisions that he'd made in response to a question from an audience member during the town hall debate in 2004 at Washington University in St. Louis.

In 2000, Vice President Al Gore invaded GOP rival George W. Bush's personal space, which made for an uncomfortable moment.

President George H.W. Bush looked at his watch during a question at a town hall debate in 1992.

Past town hall debate moments

Barack Obama vs. John McCain

George W. Bush vs. John Kerry

George W. Bush vs. Al Gore

George H.W. Bush vs. Bill Clinton, Ross Perot

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Town Hall Debate Moments

Unlike the first presidential showdown in Denver two weeks ago, this debate will include a town hall audience of approximately 80 undecided voters, some of whom will get the chance to ask questions to the two candidates.

It's a completely different dynamic than the first face-off between the president and the Republican nominee.

"The challenge is that they've got to connect, not just with the people that are looking into the television and watching them, but to the people that are on the stage with them," the debate's moderator, CNN Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley, said.

Get instant updates on CNN's live blog

"They have to keep those folks in mind. It's a much more intimate and up close adventure with voters. The candidate that makes a connection with the person asking the question is also making a better connection with the person back at home," added Crowley, who's also the host of CNN's "State of the Union."

With no podium to hide behind in Tuesday's debate, the candidates' style and body language will be in the spotlight. If you don't think this matters, flash back 20 years to the first town hall-style presidential debate when then-President George H.W. Bush repeatedly checked his watch. It was a sign, some thought, that the incumbent would rather have been anywhere else than debating Democratic challenger Bill Clinton.

The Arkansas governor highlighted his ability to connect to voters by walking towards the town hall audience when answering a question about the recession.

Democratic strategist and CNN contributor Paul Begala, who was chief strategist for Clinton's campaign, agrees with Crowley on the importance of connecting with the audience.

"If you do that -- with empathy, compassion, understanding and cool strength -- you will win the debate and the election," said Begala, who's a senior adviser for a pro-Obama super PAC.

John King: Stakes enormous in second debate

2. Find a warm place

After a lackluster performance in the first debate, it's obvious the president needs to step it up in Round 2. Even Obama himself admits he was flat in the face-off in Denver, telling ABC News, "I had a bad night."

The big question is how aggressive will the president be in this second showdown?

Obama needs to look like a fighter. The normally cool president needs to heat it up, but he can't come off looking overly aggressive or negative. That might smack of desperation.

"Don't over-correct. Don't go from being too passive in the first debate to too aggressive in the second," Begala cautioned. "You need the Goldilocks Strategy: Not as cool as the first debate, not as hot as Vice President Joe Biden."

Rendering of the Fort Collins Colorado Temple Released

Salt Lake City — 
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released the rendering of the Fort Collins Colorado Temple.

Fort Collins Colorado Temple rendering

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The temple will be constructed on the southeast corner of the intersection at Trilby Road and Timberline Road, across the street from a Latter-day Saint chapel in Fort Collins.
President Thomas S. Monson announced construction of the temple at the Church’s April 2011 general conference.
While tens of thousands of Church meetinghouses are open to all people who wish to attend religious services there, temples are open only to faithful Latter-day Saints after they are formally dedicated. (See a Mormon Newsroom article explaining the difference between the Church’s chapels and temples.)
Latter-day Saint temples differ from the meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Temples are considered “houses of the Lord” where Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. In the temple, Church members learn more about the purpose of life and make covenants to follow Jesus Christ and serve their fellow man.

Church Lowers Missionary Service Age

Salt Lake City — 

In a move to expand the opportunities for young members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve full-time missions, Church President Thomas S. Monson announced today that, effective immediately, men may now begin serving at age 18 and women at age 19.

The previous age for beginning missionary service was 19 years of age for young men and 21 for young women.

The announcement was made during the opening session of the Church’s 182nd Semiannual General Conference, broadcast worldwide from Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Church anticipates that lowering the age requirement will significantly increase the number of missionaries who will serve by expanding the options for when they may begin their service.

“I am not suggesting that all young men will — or should — serve at this earlier age,” President Monson said. Rather, he said, the option is now available based on individual circumstances, as well as upon a determination by local Church leaders. (Read President Monson's full remarks.)
(Download a broadcast-quality file of this video.)
“We are thrilled by this morning’s exciting announcement by President Thomas S. Monson,” Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said at a press conference following the announcement. He referred to a mural in the room that illustrates Jesus Christ’s instruction to His apostles to preach to all the world. “We are expanding our efforts to give more young men and women an opportunity to participate in that divine commission.”

Church leaders are emphasizing that the change does not suggest that all missionaries should or will serve at an earlier age than before. The change simply provides an option for young people to begin their missionary service earlier, if they are prepared to do so.

“No young man or woman should begin his or her service as a missionary before they are ready,” Elder Nelson said. “Over the past decade permission has been given for young men from 48 countries to serve at age 18. This experience has been very positive. ... We’ve found that these missionaries are capable and qualified to serve.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson speaks at a press conference regarding a change in the age requirement for missionary service

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Since the founding of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830, over 1.1 million Latter-day Saint men and women have served full-time missions in countries throughout the world. Missionary service is a priesthood responsibility and expectation for young men in the Church, and young women are also encouraged to serve as they feel moved to do so.

The most immediate effect of the change will likely be an increase in the number of full-time missionaries serving. In the coming months, many young men and women who have been anxiously waiting for the months or years to pass so they can serve full-time missions will be able to begin that experience sooner.

Regarding lowering the age requirement for women, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that while it is not an obligation for young Latter-day Saint women to serve missions, “those who do serve are stunningly successful and we enthusiastically welcome your service.” He said, “Personally, I am absolutely delighted if this change in policy allows many, many more young women to serve.”

Currently 58,000 missionaries are serving, and that number has been increasing in recent years and will likely rise significantly with this change. Elder Holland said it is likely that additional missions will be needed around the world and many missions will have more missionaries serving in them.

Elder Holland also explained that missionaries will be asked to enhance their pre-mission preparation prior to entering the Missionary Training Center (MTC) and that time spent in the MTC will be reduced by approximately one-third for all missionaries. That change will help accommodate an overall increase in missionaries.

In addition to impacting future missionaries, the change, which is effective immediately, will have an impact on many of the other 14.5 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including the tens of thousands of mothers and fathers who will send their children on missions. In speaking to them, Elder Holland said parents need to help their children prepare for missionary service.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' missionary program is one of its most recognized characteristics. Mormon missionaries can be seen on the streets of hundreds of major cities in the world as well as in thousands of smaller communities. The missionary effort is based on the New Testament pattern of missionaries serving in pairs, teaching the gospel and baptizing believers in the name of Jesus Christ.

Missionaries receive their assignment from Church headquarters and are sent only to countries where governments allow the Church to operate. Missionaries do not request their area of assignment and do not know beforehand whether they will be required to learn a language. Missionary work is voluntary. Missionaries fund their own missions — except for their transportation to and from their assigned mission — and are not paid for their services.

Upgrade of LDS.org Has Launched!

by Larry Richman

LDS.org has just been upgraded. The release follows a successful 3-month testing period wherein tens of thousands of users accessed the site under the name of new.lds.org. The site has a new visual design, many new sections of content, an upgraded search engine, and translated content. The new site is designed to focus on helping Church members learn, live, and share the restored gospel.
To make the transition to the new site easier, the old LDS.org is still available at classic.lds.org if you want to refer to old content that is not yet part of the new LDS.org. The development of parts of the new LDS.org will continue for many months. Therefore, as you navigate through the site, you may find sections that refer you back to classic.lds.org to find content that has not yet been rebuilt in the new design.
Watch videos that introduce the new tools and sections of  LDS.org.
Below are a few highlights of what is now available:
Prophets and Apostles Speak Today
The section Prophets and Apostles Speak Today chronicles the ministries of living apostles and prophets, providing access to the Brethren’s messages and insight into their ministry. It includes stories about and interviews with members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Prophets and Apostles Speak Today also provides links to general conference and First Presidency messages, The Family: A Proclamation to the World, The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles, and “classic” addresses by apostles and prophets that remain relevant today.
You can reach the site from the prominent link on the LDS.org home page or from the Study section in the menu.
Calendars
The calendars have been restructured to be easier to use and more useful for wards, stakes, branches, and districts throughout the world. You can now have as many separate calendars as you need. For example, you can have a calendar for Ward Activities, Scouts, Relief Society, Elders Quorum, and Bishopric. Members can control the type of events they see.
When you first log on, you’ll see instructions for transitioning to the new calendars, including an Import Wizard that lets you import events from your existing calendar at stakes.lds.org (or ward.lds.org). The new calendar has a few bugs and will continue to be enhanced during 2011, but it is already better in many ways than the old calendar. Further enhancements in January 2011 will make the interface much more intuitive, so you may want to wait until the January release before widely adopting it in your wards and stakes.
The calendar on LDS.org is available in 10 languages: Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
Directories
The directory has also been enhanced. In addition to members’ names and contact information, the new directory includes a place to upload pictures of individuals and families and allows members to edit their information.
The directory on LDS.org is available in 10 languages: Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
You can reach the directory by clicking Tools. You can also go directly there at lds.org/directory.
Church News and Events
This is a source of official news of the Church online. It also brings together headlines from each of the Church’s official news sources, including the Public Affairs Newsroom (newsroom.lds.org), Church magazines (magazines.lds.org),  Mormon Channel (MormonChannel.org), and Church News (ldschurchnews.com). The old Around the Church site on classic.lds.org and its associated e-mail and RSS feed will no longer be updated.
Church News and Events works closely with these outlets to cover news and events of interest to Church members and provide a global perspective. Articles can be filtered by topic to help you quickly find information that’s important to you.

Church News and Events

General sessions will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., followed by the priesthood session at 6:00 p.m., mountain daylight time. Two more general sessions will be held on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. mountain daylight time; the morning session includes the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word.

Members and Friends of the Church Invited to Participate in October 2012 General Conference

• October 6-7, 2012

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invite all members and friends of the Church to participate in the 182nd Semiannual General Conference on Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7, 2012.

Messages will be given by the First Presidency, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other General Authorities and general officers of the Church.

Viewing Live

Members can watch conference in their meetinghouses or in their homes.

To view conference at local meetinghouses, check with local leaders on availability of the broadcast by satellite or Internet feed.

The live broadcast will be available from the following sources:

• Conference.lds.org: Video and audio in 16 languages.
• Mormonchannel.org and Mormon Channel mobile apps: Video and audio in English only.
• BYU.tv: Video and audio in English only.
• BYU.tv International: Video and audio in Spanish and Portuguese.
• Facebook.com/LDS: Video in English only. (Choose “General Conference” from the left menu.)
• Roku Channel: Video only in American Sign Language, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. (Search for general conference under the “Spiritual” category.)

In addition, many local cable and radio stations make conference readily available. Visit www.bonneville.info for broadcast information or check local listings.

Attending Live

Tickets to attend conference can be obtained through local Church leaders for members living in the United States or Canada. Visitors from other countries who wish to attend conference may obtain tickets at the Conference Center Ticket Office, located at Door 4 of the Conference Center, from Monday, October 1, 2012, through Sunday, October 7, 2012, during the following times:

• Monday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Thursday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Friday 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
• Saturday 8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
• Sunday 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Members may receive one ticket each for each eligible session of general conference. International members will need to show both a passport and form I-94 to receive tickets. 

Guidelines for those attending in person can be found online.

Inviting Others to Participate

The General Conference section of LDS.org includes banners, video and audio widgets, and infographics that can be embedded onto a personal blog or website to invite friends and associates to participate in conference. This page also includes a link to the Church’s Facebook page, which contains a General Conference event.

Reviewing Archives

Within 24 hours of a conference session’s conclusion, video and audio files of that session will be available in major Church languages at conference.lds.org. The Thursday following general conference, text of all talks will be posted in English at conference.lds.org. The November issues of the Liahona and Ensign will feature conference addresses. More information on what and when conference materials become available can be accessed online.

To watch or listen to past conference addresses visit the General Conference section of LDS.org.