PROVO, UTAH
Janie Johnson of Orem, Utah, sat in the Marriott Center on May 1 visiting with friends. They talked about living in California, about the crowds at BYU and about the things they were learning at the 2008 Women's Conference.
When a reporter asked about the seemingly well-established friendship between the women, they laughed. Sister Johnson explained they had just met.
"That is part of the fun of Women's Conference," she said. "You meet people you may have a connection with."
Sister Johnson was one of more than 17,000 women who participated in the annual conference May 1-2. Like many, she has attended the event for the past decade. "I always leave with the feeling I want to be better," she said.
During the two-day event, 209 presenters addressed topics based on the theme, "Awake, Arise and Come unto Him" (from Moroni 10: 30-32). The conference included 96 concurrent sessions and four general sessions. President Thomas S. Monson offered closing remarks for the conference May 2.
Relief Society General President Julie B. Beck; Elder Merrill J. Bateman, Provo Utah Temple president and an emeritus General Authority, and his wife, Sister Marilyn S. Bateman; and Sheri Dew, a former member of the Relief Society general presidency, also spoke during general sessions.
Begun in 1976 as a BYU student-planned event, Women's Conference is now co-sponsored by BYU and the Relief Society.
Susie Nielson of Kemmer, Wyo., attended the conference with her mother and aunt. It is the same every year, she explained. "We come to get inspired."
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Service
During the past decade, those attending Women's Conference at BYU have participated in service. In total, they have completed:
• 7,160 children's games
• 3,453 fleece blankets
• 20,107 greeting cards
• 306 ABC booklets
• 872 Christmas stockings
• 480 crocheted edge blankets
• 1,180 crocheted scarves
• 450 crocheted slippers
• 1,425 infant fleece blankets
• 565 keepsake envelopes
• 673 loomed booties
• 3,226 loomed hats
• 14,830 wooden toys
• 6,000 kits for the homeless
• 7,000 hospital activity kits
• 8,190 pocket hearts
• 522 sharing stations
• 24,898 yards of fleece and layette material for clothing
• 4,287 tied quilts
• 3,428 children's folder games
• 9,200 newborn baby caps
• 47,301 newborn kits
• 113,344 school kits
• 390,425 hygiene kits