Keep Rexburg Real: BYU-I Goes to Conference (Day 28)

A man chats in soft words of french to his wife and daughters behind me, his wrinkles crinkling around his lips as the words are formed. Two brothers communicate in brazilian Portuguese on the street corner, displaying signs: "Two Tickets". Somehow lines form out of the crowds of people as they file into the great building. One man lifts himself from his chair, and directs the people to this way or that; he wears a sturdy cowboy hat atop his had, blocking out the hot Utah sun. College kids scurry about from friend to friend. This is not an over-seas embassy- this is General Conference.

Thousands of people come to the heart of Salt Lake City to celebrate the biannual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Men position themselves in the streets, opposing the gathering crowds. Painted crosses and antagonistic signs are their weapons as they attack the Saint's beliefs. The conference is not seen as a good thing by everybody.

The Conference Center was dedicated on October 8, 2000 by President Gordon B. Hinckley. It seats 21, 333 people and is full for every session of conference (known as General Conference among the Saint's) with many people directed to overflows when the doors are closed. Students of BYU-I are among those seated and those turned away.

Protesters position themselves on the stairs
of the Conference Center

Two Brasileiros.

Choir buddies walking towards the Conference Center
for the Sunday Afternoon Session

Two young boys hold signs for tickets with mother.

Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:5

Outside a violinist plays prelude music as the the crowds subside

Brothers, James and Pablo Barajas.

James and Pablo Barajas made the trip from BYU-I together. Being born and raised in Mexico, this is their second time here at Temple Square, they "love it," they say. "I came here years ago with my mom," says James Barajas,"but it was different cause now im a student here- im supposed to speak the language." James has been in the United States for only four weeks. "My brother and I came here by car- he has a car so I am lucky," he says, his face openly smiling.

Colby and his friend

Colby and his gang are down from BYU-I for a mission reunion and also various sessions of Conference. "I get into every session but one, I didn't get into saturday afternoon, I saw it in the tabernacle, I got into the morning- I was fifth row from the front for the priesthood" And the tickets? "A friend of mine was just like here you go- from BYU." Oh, sweet Charity.

End of Stand-By Line.

Some aren't so lucky, however, Craig Handy being an example of that. One of many waiting in the Stand-By Line, Handy may or may not be seated. Tickets are given out free of charge, by request, to members, however, as those ticket holders are often not able to make the trip or they arrive late, those waiting in the Stand-By line are allowed to enter and fill any available seats. Handy came down for a mission reunion as well, and this, the Sunday Afternoon session will be his only chance to watch Conference live.

"You don't have any tickets?"

"No." He responds.

He is remarkably calm considering his blatant lack of power of admittance. Was he seated? I do not know. After an uneasy wait and far too many phone calls, my friend's cousin comes dashing around the corner with my tickets in hand. He made the drive across the canyon just in time as we slip through the back doors and into our seats. Perhaps those were the very seats that Craig Handy would have sat in were we late. We were not late.