Conference Was Amazing!

[slamjet]

This was one of the best trips I've taken in a long, long time. It ended with attending the Sunday morning session in the conference center. First off, that place is HUGE!

So I arrived there at 6:30 am to be first in line. I wanted to get an isle seat (I'm a big boy, I wanted the room). I was there with one other nice Sister. We talked as I looked pathetic in my hoodie trying not to freeze to death. Come to find out, she' s the sister to one of the GA's. She took my seating info and offered to swap seats with me. I expected that I wasn't going to see her again.

So I get in and I get to my seat. Well, it's the terrace level, section 12. All the way to stage-left of the auditorium. So I descended all the way down to floor level (or just about). What a hike! I needed to use the restroom so I had to hike back up the long, long stairs. Now the air is thin in Salt Lake so by the time I finished the round trip, I was just about gasping for oxygen. Then to my surprise and utter shock, I heard someone call my name and there she was! So, I took her up on her offer. I followed her husband back up the long, long, long stairs and down, down, down to the, get this, PLAZA LEVEL! I kid you not, there was nine rows separating me from the rostrum. And it was also stage-left so the First Presidency were seated right in front of me.

I sat with her family. When I told them my status, one of them got on the phone and called the GA to come down to shake my hand. So in no time, there was Elder Teh of the Seventy and his wife. I tell you, the compassion that I felt from that man was palatable. It was really special to meet him and his wife.

It was amazing to be able to see the speakers without needing the monitors and to see the Prophet and Apostles so close was an amazing. To hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir really was a treat. They really do sound wonderfully better in person than as an MP3. And when the whole conference center sang the rest hymn, from where I was sitting I got the whole 20,000+ voices. What an experience that was!

The conference was the most wonderful cap to an amazing trip. It started with the wonderful experience of diner with the forum crew, re-connecting with a friend I'd been out of contact with for over a decade, to my experiences at conference.

Just thought I'd share.

[Suzie]

This was one of the best trips I've taken in a long, long time. It ended with attending the Sunday morning session in the conference center. First off, that place is HUGE!

So I arrived there at 6:30 am to be first in line. I wanted to get an isle seat (I'm a big boy, I wanted the room). I was there with one other nice Sister. We talked as I looked pathetic in my hoodie trying not to freeze to death. Come to find out, she' s the sister to one of the GA's. She took my seating info and offered to swap seats with me. I expected that I wasn't going to see her again.

So I get in and I get to my seat. Well, it's the terrace level, section 12. All the way to stage-left of the auditorium. So I descended all the way down to floor level (or just about). What a hike! I needed to use the restroom so I had to hike back up the long, long stairs. Now the air is thin in Salt Lake so by the time I finished the round trip, I was just about gasping for oxygen. Then to my surprise and utter shock, I heard someone call my name and there she was! So, I took her up on her offer. I followed her husband back up the long, long, long stairs and down, down, down to the, get this, PLAZA LEVEL! I kid you not, there was nine rows separating me from the rostrum. And it was also stage-left so the First Presidency were seated right in front of me.

I sat with her family. When I told them my status, one of them got on the phone and called the GA to come down to shake my hand. So in no time, there was Elder Teh of the Seventy and his wife. I tell you, the compassion that I felt from that man was palatable. It was really special to meet him and his wife.

It was amazing to be able to see the speakers without needing the monitors and to see the Prophet and Apostles so close was an amazing. To hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir really was a treat. They really do sound wonderfully better in person than as an MP3. And when the whole conference center sang the rest hymn, from where I was sitting I got the whole 20,000+ voices. What an experience that was!

The conference was the most wonderful cap to an amazing trip. It started with the wonderful experience of diner with the forum crew, re-connecting with a friend I'd been out of contact with for over a decade, to my experiences at conference.

Just thought I'd share.

You sound so happy and I just wanted to say I'm VERY happy for you. :)

[Saldrin]

Right on Slam!

[applepansy]

I'm so happy for you. Conference used to be like that every time when it was at the Tabernacle. I'm glad more people are able to attend in the new Conference Center but I really miss the intimacy of the Tabernacle.... yes even with the harder than a rock bare wood benches. :)

I'm sorry I missed the get together. I would have loved to have met you.

[classylady]

I'm so happy for you. Conference used to be like that every time when it was at the Tabernacle. I'm glad more people are able to attend in the new Conference Center but I really miss the intimacy of the Tabernacle.... yes even with the harder than a rock bare wood benches. :)

I'm sorry I missed the get together. I would have loved to have met you.

Wish you could have been at the dinner too.

[slamjet]

Yes, Apple, it would have been nice to see you also, but alas, you were absent.

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, it was quite an eye-opening experience for me. This really made a difference on how I feel about Pres. Monson and his prophetic calling. Especially after the experience of getting word back that they wanted me to wait longer for my re-baptism. I accept the decision, but this experience puts it in a whole new perspective.

[Tyler90AZ]

Wow neat!!!!!! That strengthened my testimony that God will see us through any difficulty!

[slamjet]

Found this on my camera. I was told I could take pictures before and after but not during the conference.

[Jean]

That was a beautiful experience and I appreciate you sharing it. The only time I ever got to attend a conference session was in 1995 just before one of my sons went to the MTC. It was still being held in the tabernacle but I remember the sweet spirit I felt inside that room.