The Miracle of Modern Technology - Broadcasting

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a multi-stake conference, which was conducted by Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy.  Others in attendance included: Elder Russell M. Nelson, Elder Richard G. Scott, and Sister Carole M. Stephens.  As you might gather, this wasn't just any multi-stake conference.  I was completely shocked when Elder Clayton announced that 135 stakes across the Wasatch front were involved!  But did you know that that only comprises 4% of the stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Due to the amount of stakes, wards, and members involved in this event, the multi-stake conference had to be broadcast from the BYU Marriott Center to various stake centers across the two counties.  What  miracle this was!

During the April 2005 General Conference, President Hinckley said this: "Through the miracle—and it is a miracle—of modern technology, these proceedings have been broadcast worldwide. Ninety-five percent of the membership of the Church in all the world could have participated with us."

Do we even realize how lucky we are to be able to hear the apostles of the Lord at the click of a button?  How grateful I am to live in a day and age where things like stake conferences, general conference, and devotionals can be broadcast to so many people.  We live in close proximity here in Utah, but with broadcasting we are able to reach across the world!  

In just a few weeks, the 184th Semiannual General Conference will be held.  This event is even larger than the multi-stake conference I attended this past weekend, for it will be broadcast to at least 95% of the members of the Church - reaching more than 14 million people!!!  This live broadcast will also be translated into over 90 languages.  Viewing will be available via the LDS General Conference YouTube Channel; General Conference Website; BYUtv; BYUtv International; Mormon Channel Website; Mormon Channel Mobile Apps; Mormon Channel on Roku; and Facebook.com/LDS.  People will also be allowed to view conference on local cable, radio stations, or at local meetinghouses - www.bonneville.info and www.lds.org/maps will have more information for available times.  Or, if you are feeling REALLY up to it, tickets are available to attend live; please check www.lds.org/events or call 866.537.8457 for more information.  So many ways to view; which one will you choose?

Regardless of if we are listening to a mutli-stake conference or General Conference, we are indeed blessed with the technology of broadcasting.  How amazing is it that a meeting in Provo, UT can be seen across half the state?  It is even more mind-boggling to think about a meeting in Salt Lake City, UT being broadcast to China, Italy, Australia, Spain, and many more countries worldwide.

I hope that some of you (SFL 358 students) were able to attend that multi-stake conference yesterday, we were truly fed by prophets of the Lord.  I challenge you (whoever is reading this) to take some time in the next few weeks and prepare for the 184th Semiannual General Conference sessions.  Attend, whether that is via web or live.  Then, take some time to reflect (BLOG!!) about your experience with the media at those meetings.  We really are blessed to have such technology at our fingertips; take advantage of it!