A behind-the-scenes look at the Joseph Smith devotional held in the Spectrum
The annual Joseph Smith Memorial Institute Devotional was held in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Sunday, Jan 29. Elder Wilford W. Andersen of the Quorum of the Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints traveled to Logan to speak for the occasion.
Events like this being held in the Spectrum are not a rare occurrence. Spectrum Events Manager, Justin Williams said the earlier organizations call in to reserve the space, the better chances they have of reserving it when they desire.
“Obviously too far out, we can’t do it. Some of these events coming our way are because of the Kent Concert Hall being under construction, there was no place for them to go,” he said. “We schedule out based on athletic schedules. Athletics has the priority so we have to wait a little bit until the schedules are released.”
Events Coordinator, Brandon Hansen, said that there are a wide variety of events that are put on in the Spectrum.
“We have a few community events. Dancefest will come up, the LDS church rents it out frequently for their devotionals and firesides. Bridal Faire utilizes it,” Hansen said. “If people ask us about it, there are really very few events that haven’t been able to happen if the timing works out. We are very open to almost any type of event.”
Hansen also said that if any organization wants to come in that could cause controversy, the events team immediately looks to upper administration for approval.
“If there is any question as to whether an event could cause controversy, it heads up the chain to higher up people in the university,” he said. “We were approached last summer, very briefly, about having one of the political candidates potentially have a rally here. So that went up the chain to upper administration. Any event that could be controversial is definitely looked at by upper administration before it is put on in the Spectrum.”
The cost to rent out the Spectrum varies on the event, the organization using the facilities and what extra resources that event may require.
“There are three or four different cost categories. For those without association to campus, it’s about 1850 per day. That covers utilities and having the building as is. If they want to add stage or depending on required staffing, that price goes up,” Williams said.
Assistant Director of the Logan Church of Jesus Christ Institute Kirt Rees said having the Joseph Smith Memorial Devotional in the Spectrum has been a necessity.
“Although the Spectrum isn’t at capacity, we still have more people in our lesser attended meetings than we could host in any other venue,” Rees said.
Rees believes having the devotional in the Spectrum does not have an effect on the reverence of attendees.
“I think the students and the community members have come in and made themselves at home. There are conversations and visiting but it always becomes quite reverent when the devotional starts. I don’t think they would be any quieter in another location,” Rees said.
Since the Spectrum isn’t normally open on a Sunday, staff comes in on overtime to man the Institute’s devotionals.
“We call in our guest services staff to help in case of an emergency evacuation. We let the Institute and most church groups offset those numbers a little bit. The international fire code requires that for every 250 spectators, we need to have 1 trained crowd manager,” Williams said.
After events are held in the Spectrum, the employees that come in on overtime are in charge of clean up, tearing down and putting things back together.
“Our moving crew is here for two or three hours after getting the floor reset in preparation for events or basketball games that may be occurring. We’ll tear down that same night to get ready to go the next business day,” Hansen said.
Thousands of students attended the Joseph Smith Memorial Devotional in the Spectrum Sunday evening.
Rachel Bills is one student who thinks that holding the Institute devotionals in the Spectrum is a great thing.
“It give more room for more people. It is comfortable unlike trying to cram into other places like the Institute which does not have enough room,” she said.
Bills loves the opportunity that the devotionals give her to hear from one of the leaders of the Church.
“I love that I can go and hear from a leader of the church and hear them speak about things that are more relevant and directed to my age group,” she said.
Freshman, Josh Davis also attended the devotional Sunday evening. He loves seeing people gathered together for a common cause.
“It is a great atmosphere. It’s just really cool to see that large amount of people together for one common belief,” he said. “No matter what the faith is, it’s always a positive message centered around being a better person. It’s inspiring to see that many people trying to be better.”
— shelbstoor11@aggiemail.usu.edu
@shelbstoor11