Brigham Young University will host the 2013 BYU Women’s Conference, the largest two-day gathering of women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Thursday and Friday. This year’s theme, “Therefore, continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end,” comes from Doctrine and Covenants 100:12.
President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency of the Church, will speak at the Friday afternoon closing session.
The conference, co-sponsored by the Relief Society of the Church, will feature more than 200 presenters sharing their perspectives and insights on a variety of topics of interest and concern to women of all ages. The conference also includes service projects, an instant choir, book signings and an evening concert.
Early registration offers discounts on the ticket prices (full conference: $45, single day: $28) and is recommended to avoid lines on the days of the conference. Early registration ends Friday, April 5. After April 5, ticket prices are $52 for the full conference or $32 for a single day.
Registration for the conference is available online at womensconference.byu.edu or by calling 1-877-221-6716. In-person registration is also available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Harman Continuing Education Building lobby at BYU and on the days of the conference at the Marriott Center beginning at 7:30 a.m. Online and phone registration closes Friday, April 26.
BYU faculty, staff and students and their spouses with a current BYU ID are eligible for a reduced registration price of $17 for the full conference or $10 for either Thursday or Friday. A BYU ID number will be required to complete the registration. Registration is available at ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/registration_employees.php or by phone at 801-422-8925.
The conference is for women and men age 16 and older. Logistical and safety constraints on campus do not allow the conference to accommodate nursing infants or young children in any conference session. This includes the Marriott Center, residence halls and all Thursday evening activities.
Thursday’s featured speakers will include Elaine S. Marshal, former dean of the BYU College of Nursing, and Kevin J. Worthen, BYU Advancement Vice President, and his wife Peggy Worthen. Friday’s speakers will include Michelle King, host of KSL’s Mormon Times show, and President Eyring.
Each day will begin with a morning general session from 9 to 10:15 a.m., followed by three concurrent sessions at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., and will close with an afternoon general session at 3:45 p.m. Those wishing to participate in the popular “instant choir” for the Thursday morning general session will need to be at the Marriott Center at 6:30 a.m. Thursday.
Participants can choose from session topics such as womanhood and sisterhood, understanding your worth, overcoming trials, gospel principles, marriage, family and other practical and timely topics. As in previous years, the concurrent sessions will include sessions given in Spanish. ASL interpreters will also be available during all Marriott Center sessions.
This year’s service portion of the conference is themed “From Heart to Heart.” Thursday, beginning at 8 a.m., there will be “Take and Make” service projects in the Marriott Center. Participants can take kits from the Marriott Center and make crocheted-edge burp cloths, crocheted headbands, crocheted scarves, infant fleece blankets and pocket hearts while they listen to the sessions. All kits should be returned by 2 p.m. Friday.
The service activities will also include an “Evening of Service” Thursday in the Richards Building and Smith Fieldhouse from 5 to 8 p.m., and “Sharing Stations” Thursday in the Richards Building from noon to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. The various service projects will benefit local community agencies.
Thursday night’s Shadow Mountain Artists Concert, which will begin at 8 p.m. in the Marriott Center, will feature popular Latter-day Saint performers Hilary Weeks, Sandra Turley, Mercy River, Justin Cash, Josh Wright and Michael McLean.
Those interested in on/off-campus housing for the event may explore available housing options on the Women’s Conference website, ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/housing.php. On-campus housing is only available for participants who are registered for the full conference and includes Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, May 1–3.
Parking is available in the lots north and northeast of the Marriott Center. Overflow parking is also available in the southeast lot of LaVell Edwards Stadium. There will be courtesy shuttles available during the conference.
Selected sessions of the conference will be rebroadcast on BYUtv at a later date. The broadcast schedule will be available on the Women’s Conference website or at byutv.org.
For more information about BYU Women’s Conference 2013, visit womensconference.byu.edu or call 801-422-7692.
