By David Dowling
Snow, metal detectors and angry protesters couldn''t keep people from attending the 173rd General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For the first time in the history of General Conference, metal detectors greeted those waiting to enter the Conference Center.
Don Russell, a public affairs representative for the church, said security at General Conference was similar to that used at the Conference Center during the Winter Olympics.
'There is more security here than in pervious years,' Russell said.
While each door into the Conference Center was equipped with two or three metal detectors, security guards searched bags.
Alice Palmer, from Orem, said her husband works with the security organization used for Conference and knew extra measures had been taken.
'Whatever they need to do to make things safer,' Palmer said. 'I support them.'
Some, like Barbara George from Idaho, said they didn''t notice anything different about the security this year.
However, the extra security did mean that people had to wait for longer periods in the snow, rain and freezing cold temperatures before they could enter the Conference Center.
A week that had begun with warm sunny days concluded with a blast of winter as thousands traveled to Utah to listen to church leaders.
Some, clearly surprised by the late winter storm, wore open toed shoes, while others without coats ran for cover as the snow fell and temperatures dropped.
Braving the winter weather, protesters, in smaller numbers than expected, voiced their opposition to LDS church doctrine.
Yelling at the crowds entering General Conference, sign wielding protesters were respectfully ignored by those they sought to confront.
Chris Lee, 19, from Redlands, Calif., studying at Snow College, said he didn''t see any harm in what the protesters were doing.
'This is America and that''s what makes this country great, people voicing their opinions' Lee said.
In-spite of the weather and the protesters, Lee said the Lord was smiling on the Saints.
It seemed nothing could prevent those attending General Conference from feeling the spirit of the Lord.
'I always find it amazingly strong,' George said. 'There''s a lot of power in the volume of people - I feel their spirit.'