Q: Is the committee considering changing the location of this event?

A: No, the plan to meet at Zion Ponderosa was finalized on August 4th and we are sticking with it. Anything you have heard contrary to this should be disregarded. 

Q: Have you considered the Wasatch Front Area for this conference, or even somewhere closer to St. George?

A: We originally booked Challis, Idaho last December, but after the conference in June it has become apparent that we can’t meet there. All of us worked very hard for weeks to find a venue along the Wasatch front as well as in St. George so that more people could come. We only ran into roadblocks. We are sorry to say that all the venues are either too small or are not available. We ended up with 2 options, the current location or a college in Boise. With the activities and purpose of this conference, Zion Ponderosa is really the absolute best option. It provides the atmosphere for all of us to spend time visiting, and it works perfect for our planned activities. We are doing the best we can to accommodate as many people as we can so this can work. 

Q: What about the weather? 

A: The average temperature at this time of year is 65 degrees. It is usually beautiful at this time of year, and we don’t see it as a concern. We have plans to rent a large tent for the talks. If you are willing, able, or feel inclined donations are welcome. We are looking at roughly 11K or so to accomplish this.

Q: What about expenses for this place? Are there options that are more cost effective? 

A: Yes, Zion Ponderosa has given us a discount code that gives 15% off the overall cost for our group. They lowered the 3-night minimum to a 2-night minimum. The bigger houses can be split up between a lot of people and get you better prices which some fellowships are doing. Other fellowships are utilizing tithing to make it work. 

There is a large amount of lodging options nearby in Kanab which is about 40-45 min away. The Roadway Inn in Kanab will offer block pricing. You can call them for more information. There is a Best Western, 23 min away from the ranch in Mt. Carmel Junction. There are other hotels and Air B and Bs and options for lodging. Get creative! Where there is a will there is a way. This is a great opportunity to pull together and help one another. 

Kanab does get busy in October so it would be good to book accommodations sooner than later. 

Q: Is Zion Ponderosa hard to get to or easily accessible?

A: Easily accessible, paved roads the whole way. It is 4 hours 45 minutes from Salt Lake (no tolls if you go the I-89 route), 2 hours from St George (no tolls) or 1 hour 43 min (with tolls), 3 hours 45 min from Vegas. (Your flight into Vegas might be less expensive than into Salt Lake). This venue is very comparable to conferences held in Challis, Idaho if someone were coming from Boise. Not difficult to get to at all.

Q: What about parking? 

A: For those that are NOT staying at the Ranch, there will be a $20/day per vehicle parking fee to park at the Ranch. If you’d like to save money here, we recommend carpooling from your hotel/ lodging arrangements if possible. Please note that many of the activities on the ranch are included with this pass. (Swimming/ hot tubbing, hiking, paddle boards, pickle ball, etc. Please refer to the website for a more complete list.) The bigger activities do require an additional fee.

If you are staying at the ranch, you do NOT have to pay a parking fee. Please note that the same activities are included in your lodging. 

Q: What about the vote? Will the vote to sustain the new Covenant of Christ happen at this conference?

A: Yes. Please refer to the schedule. If it’s not on there yet, it will be announced soon.

We will be holding the vote at this conference. We are doing our absolute best to bring people together to create unity and harmony as it is the focus and theme for this conference. So, we ask that everyone do their best to help create that with us. If people wish to attend to vote but cannot, we know that heaven will acknowledge their heart on this matter. We believe that having the vote at this conference is not an accident and things are unfolding just as they are supposed to. We feel to do anything different would be remiss of what we felt called to do. We trust that the Lord knows what he is doing. 

We are doing our best to follow the Spirit of the Lord on all our decisions. We just ask that you have grace and please join us if you can! We’d love to have you all come and be a part of this! 

Q: We have concerns about the theme of this conference?

A: We understand that the theme of this conference has many emotions and past issues attached to it. We can assure you that our intention is not to cause more issues but is focused purely on bringing healing to us as a people. The Covenant of Christ offers us a wealth of information on how this can be done. We acknowledge the Lord’s hand and are grateful that it has been combined with this conference. We will be pulling out themes from the Covenant of Christ to be studied in zoom meetings the month leading up to the conference. We have fun activities planned that will be reflecting these themes that will help provide opportunities of self-reflection and learning as well as opportunities to come together to complete a fun challenge and grow in unity. Our goal is to make it fun, as well as provide a safe space for self-discovery. We hope we will discover how we work together as a whole too. And we hope to begin the process of obtaining a new heart together. We will reflect on repentance, the two questions asked of us, and how to cry with one voice. 

Q: Do you plan to re-open the Statement of Principles project?

A: No. We will not do this. What we are focusing on is reflection of our past with the purpose of learning what we need to learn to be more unified as a people. We are excited that the Covenant of Christ is being presented in an even more plain and precious, or plain and very valuable way. 

Q: Are there plans for the youth?

A: We believe that our youth are one of the most important parts of our community. They are our future and in a very large way they will determine if we fail or not. The activities we have planned are for them too! They are meant to be fun for the adults and the youth. There will be some contests between youth and adults, there will be some activities where all ages do things together. We also have other plans to involve the youth as much as possible so please encourage them to come and participate! In addition to the conference schedule, we have volunteers who are focused on providing additional activities specifically for the youth. In addition to our planned activities, there are lots of fun things to do on the ranch. Many of those things are included in the parking pass fee and lodging. We hope this will be a great time for all who come! 

Q: I’m concerned that I’ll offend heaven if I don’t show up in person and participate in the vote, what should I do?

A: Only you can prayerfully make the determination of where you need to go and what you need to do, or whether your conduct pleases or offends heaven. As you review your circumstances, we invite you to consider both the words of Nephi, “…I know the Lord doesn’t give people any commandments without preparing a way for them to accomplish what He commands to be done.” (CoC 1 Nephi 1:10) and the words of King Benjamin “…See that all these things are done in patience and wisdom. No one is required to work beyond their capacity.” (CoC Mosiah 2:6). In the end, we have every confidence that you will receive the guidance you need to make the best choice for you and your family.

Q: With the funds needed for the Hebrew translation of the book of Mormon is it wise to spend money right now on this conference?

A: We strongly believe that both this conference (all conferences) and other projects (Hebrew translation of The Book of Mormon, temple fund, etc…) are all worthy of donations. We suggest a very prayerful approach. Again we have confidence that you will be able to hear God’s voice to you concerning these important things.