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Three newly released videos highlight the extensive efforts of employees and volunteers who work diligently during the general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which occurs biannually. These videos provide a look at the unseen tasks performed by various teams to ensure the smooth running of the event.
The first set of videos focuses on the staging crew, guest services, and interpreters. "To thank the many hands and hearts for whom general conference is a labor of love," said Craig Middlemas, a digital content manager involved in the Church’s Priesthood and Family Department, highlighting the main goal of the series. These videos aim to showcase the large-scale efforts needed to organize each conference, emphasizing the power of small contributions in achieving significant results.
“By sharing the small miracles that happen every conference, we demonstrate that God is in the details of this work and blesses us to achieve His purposes.” —Craig Middlemas. The stories illustrate the idea that "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" and encourage others to see the value of their contributions in building the kingdom of God, according to Middlemas.
The first video introduces the staging crew. Their task, described as "herculean," involves moving and assembling the stage at the Conference Center, a process that takes three weeks. Joel Wright, the staging crew supervisor, who has been with the team since the first conference in the center in April 2000, commented on the divine assistance perceived in completing their tasks.
Another video in the series highlights the guest services missionaries, who guide 20,000 attendees to and from their seats during the conference. Each missionary interacts with over 5,000 guests during the five sessions. The video notes, "They do it with a love of Christ in their hearts and a determination to make each guest feel loved and invited, regardless of who they are or where they are in their discipleship."
The third video released focuses on the work of language interpretation teams. With 57 teams in Salt Lake City and 143 worldwide, the task of simultaneous interpretation is substantial. "The fact that interpretation happens simultaneously in all regions of the world humbles me," says Eulan, a Korean interpreter. "Countless interpreters are all delivering one message at the same moment, like a beautiful symphony."
The Church plans to release more episodes of the Behind the Scenes of General Conference series, which will eventually be available in Spanish, Portuguese, and French around June.
