LDS Conference Center: Mormon church's enormous house of worship and art is 10 years old

SALT LAKE CITY (Deseret News) — As the LDS Conference Center embarks on its second decade, some may talk of what it might have been — a massive domed arena — or of its lesser-known amenities, like the collection of wood, welding and machine shops and the adjoining 900-seat theater.

Others may focus on its unique features, such as the roof top gardens and multi-acre meadow. Or perhaps the trivial — that a Boeing 747 jet could easily fit inside the massive main assembly hall. Maybe the topic would be the wide range of events held there over the past 10 years, including elaborate productions, musical performances, religious programs and even a barbershop-quartet convention.

But the first and foremost purpose is found in its name — as the 21,000-seat venue hosting the semiannual general conferences of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Presiding Bishop H. David Burton's responsibilities include oversight of church properties and facilities, and he has watched the 21,000-seat Conference Center grow from concept, announcement and ground breaking to construction, completion and function.

"We could go from stem to stern about the various aspects of the building," Bishop Burton said, "but it was a prophetic vision, founded out of years of concern that Latter-day Saints have an opportunity to attend and participate in general conference."

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