We were called on a three year Church Guest Services Mission to the Conference Center in July of 2011. We were assigned to the security team of the Conference Center and Temple Square. We provide security service to all major events at the Conference Center, Conference Center Little Theater and to the Tabernacle on Temple Square. Our security service includes checking of purses for weapons, electronic devices, using the magnetometer, scanning event tickets, regulating lines, asking security questions to those who have issues with the magnetometer and baggage check at door 14. The goal is to fill the Conference Center with 21,000 people in less than an hour and a half and empty it within a half hour. When any type of weapon is discovered we raise our fist and a member of the LDS security staff will come to our aid and handle the situation. LDS Church policy is there are no weapons allowed on church property.
During the 100 Year Anniversary Celebration of the Boy Scouts of America, at our door we discovered three concealed guns and four knives. The LDS security staff was very busy for that event.
Karen has mainly worked at checking purses and finding knives with a length of three inches or more. We both have worked in baggage check. When we have worked in baggage check we have met many people from many foreign countries: England, Japan, China, Finland, Canada, Central America, South America and Germany. Most are members of the Church but some are not. When backpacks or suit cases are brought to the Conference Center or to the Tabernacle the people are asked to take them to Baggage Check. The bag is traded in for a check bag slip and the bag is stored on a shelf until the check bag slip is returned and the backpack or suit case is given back to its owner. During the event a bomb sniffing dog is brought into the storage area and the backpacks and suit cases are checked.
When working lines outside, I have had the opportunity to talk to people. On one occasion an older couple from Montana talked to me and were thinking about serving a mission. It was very enjoyable to encourage them to submit their papers to serve a full time mission for the church.
We have had an enjoyable time helping get people in and out of the Conference Center for General Conference twice a year, in April and October, and for the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concerts which usually run Thursday night through Sunday morning. We also helped on Thursdays and Sunday mornings at the Tabernacle for the Choir broadcasts and practices. We have also had various other assignments of concerts and special events. We are truly blessed to be able to help where we can. We believe in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and believe that Jesus is the Christ. We love to read the Book of Mormon and appreciate that we now have prophets and apostles on the earth today. We are so happy to be able to protect these men and the people who attend Conferences. We have met many wonderful people with whom we work and many wonderful people who attend these functions. It has been a great two and a half years.
Laird and Karen Evans
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