USU students observe, respond to conference protests
The wind carried the voices of 30 USU students across Temple Square on as they stood outside the Latter-day Saint Conference Center on Saturday and staged their own kind of demonstration.
“There are protesters against the church, and we’re just here to kind of be the other side,” said Tanner Croshaw, a USU student participating in the choir. “We wanted to sing, bring the spirit, help people to understand that we’re just here to make people feel better and have a better life.”
Ken Tafoia, who described himself as a peaceful protester, said his mission is the same, and he comes each year to conference to help members of the LDS faith see why they are blinded and what spiritual truths they are missing.
He said he was given the chance to find truth outside the LDS church and his mission is to help others find truth as well.
Jerry Sisneros, a non-LDS resident of Salt Lake City, said he comes down to the conference center this time each year, and the controversy between members and protestors is always the same.
“It’s pretty much a tradition around here,” Sisneros said.
He also said the only difference in this year’s conference debate is the presence of a new player – the student choir.
Helen Cooper, the musical director for the Smithfield and Providence groups, said she feels the singing is making a positive difference for LDS members and other Salt Lake City residents in the area.
“They sing with us. As they are going up the sidewalk they start to sing the hymn we’re singing,” Cooper said.
She said the organization allowed for several rotations of students from different stakes. Gathering to sing an hour prior to each session of conference, the choir would then attend the meeting together. After the session, the singers were replaced by another group.
Camille Gilbert, a member of the 1 p.m. choir, said the drive from Cache Valley and the time spent are worth it.
“It’s been very fun. I’ve had a lot of fun with the other singers, and I’ve felt a lot of spirit here,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert said she noticed when singing she could no longer hear the shouts of the protesters. Instead she focused on the passers-by who joined the choir in singing.
“I’ve been surprised at how many people sing with us, especially little children,” Gilbert said.
Jim Baire, a resident of Salt Lake City and conference attendee, said he appreciated the effort the singers were making.
“They do a great job – very beautiful,” Baire said.
Although it has been a few years since his last visit to the conference center, Baire said he remembers the protesters well.
“I think they have their agency to choose. As long as they do it peacefully, I think they have the right,” Baire said. “I was talking with my 15-year-old about it, and he said, ‘It’s sort of like our missionaries going out. If they do it peacefully, they’re trying to do what they think is right, so that’s their choice.'”
John Leadbetter, another conference attendee, said his aggravation every year stems from the abuse he says his family receives from the protestors.
“They’re totally clueless. They don’t know what it is they’re even saying,” Leadbetter said.
Throughout the day, all sides continued encouraging their own points without making physical contact or engaging in a verbal assault. At the end, one USU student involved in the choir said he was just glad to shine a little more light on the world and many others agreed.
Whatever their faith, Croshaw said, “We’re just doing this to bring the spirit to the people walking down the street.”
– brianna.b@aggiemail.usu.edu
MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (above) sing hymns near the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday. Street preachers (right) promote their beliefs in contrast to the teachings of the LDS church. D. WHITNEY SMITH photos
A DEMONSTRATOR INTRODUCING HIMSELF AS SATAN displays a sign across the street from the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City after the Saturday morning session of General Conference. Preachers and protesters are usually present at the semiannual conference. D. WHITNEY SMITH photo