By Christina Robertson
Sitting tight in a little room, a volunteer adjusts the volume on the microphone.
Joe Price is a Hmong language translator for the 171st General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
'Lub tuam rooj sab laj' translates into 'general conference,' he said.
Price, 24, from Portland, Ore., learned the language when he was called to serve in the Roseville, Calif., mission, speaking Hmong.
Hmong is one of 35 languages translated by volunteers, said Willie Stevens, the Hmong language coordinator.
Stevens has helped translate conference for the past nine years.
'It''s the most wonderful thing I''ve been able to do with my language skill. It''s a great experience to translate the prophet''s words, the general authorities''words, so they can receive counsel and hear the words of the prophets in their own language,' he said.
Stevens has 20 translators on his team. Price has volunteered on Stevens'' team before.
Price said he enjoys the opportunity to translate the words of the prophets and living oracles.
'It''s like being a missionary all over again,' he said.
Volunteers must maintain high standards to serve, Price said. They must go through two interviews, own a current temple recommend, remain worthy and take a language test to translate, he said.
Stevens said he looks at language skills and worthiness when hiring volunteers. Once accepted, volunteers attend three sessions of training from the Church of Jesus Christ, he said. Those sessions last three hours each.
Stevens said he also leads training meetings for translators on his team.
One method he uses is called shadowing. While listening to a speaker, volunteers translate the words into the target language, he said.
Paraphrasing is used when translators are unable to get every single word, but they portray the intent of the message, he said.
Translator equipment is set up in the basement of the Tabernacle. Two people fit into each room. While one translates, the other writes down vital information the translator may forget or miss, Price said.
Price said sometimes he is scared that he will mess up.
'It''s a great feeling to know that the Spirit ... will make up for your weaknesses and your lacking,' he said.
Stevens said the abilities of the translators are limited.
'If they are in tune with the Spirit, that is the biggest key to be successful -- to say what the Lord wants to say and get his message out,' he said.