Public invited to Jehovah's Witness conventions in Ogden

http://www.standard.net/stories/2013/06/14/public-invited-jehovah-s-witness-conventions-ogden

 

OGDEN — The public is invited to worship with Jehovah’s Witnesses from throughout Utah, Montana and parts of Nevada during two upcoming weekends of the Witnesses’ annual convention at the Dee Events Center, 4400 Harrison Blvd.

 

An English convention will be June 28-30.

A Hispanic convention will be held July 5-7.

Each day’s events will begin at 9:20 a.m. and will last until 4:50 p.m. Friday and Saturday and until 3:35 p.m. Sunday.

“People are always in search of the truth,” said Francisco Montaño, a Jehovah’s Witness elder and minister who is part of the convention publicity committee.

“You can’t really rely on humans for truth. We are humans. We make mistakes. The Bible is a place where we can find truth.”

The theme for this year’s convention, which will be the same for events throughout the country this summer, will be “God’s Word is Truth,” taken from New Testament Scripture John 17:17 in the New World translation of the Bible.

“This convention is going to emphasize how truth can be refreshing,” Montaño said. “People are always looking for good things. This will be refreshing, helping people get through the day.”

Montaño said the conventions are for anyone who is interested in participating.

“You don’t have to be a Jehovah’s Witness to attend,” he said. “Everything is free and open to the public.”

He said there will be no pressure for those who attend to join the church.

A highlight for him at each convention, he said, are live witness accounts that typically are interwoven throughout the event.

“People will talk about struggles in their lives,” he said. “They may not be removed from us, but certainly it will help us overcome.”

Germaine Herring, also an elder and a minister, said the convention will answer important life questions for those who attend.

“What source can we go to to receive correction that’s lasting?” he said. “We are all continually making adjustments.”

Both conventions will have the same presentations at the same respective times.

The theme of the day Friday is “The Truth Will Set You Free,” which is from John 8:32 in the New World translation of the Bible.

The chairman’s address that day at 9:40 a.m. will center on how one knows God’s word is truth, which is from 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

The keynote address at 11:40 a.m. Friday will be titled “A Pillar and Support of the Truth,” which will be taken from 1 Timothy 3:15.

A symposium at 2:20 p.m. will be about the various realities from which the truth can set a person free. They will include: alienation from God, a bad conscience, false beliefs, bad habits, hopelessness and bad associates.

A 3:30 p.m. drama, “Show Yourself Attentive to the Wonderful Works of God,” is based on Job 37:14.

Saturday’s events will be centered around the theme “I Shall Walk in Your Truth,” based on Psalm 86:11.

A 10:20 a.m. symposium Saturday will have the title of “Cling to What Is True!” based on Romans 12:9.

The symposium will cover being a true witness, being a true companion, extending true forgiveness and speaking the truth.

An 11:10 a.m. symposium covers the theme “Beware of Apostates!”

A baptism is set for 11:40 a.m.

A 1:50 p.m. symposium will have the theme “Utilize God’s Word as ...”

The event will discuss ways to end that sentence with water, a mirror, a sword, a light, solid food and seed.

A sound drama is planned for 3:40 p.m. Based on Matthew 14:23-34, Matthew 26:31-75 and Luke 5:1-11, it is titled “Be Faithful and Conquer Your Fears.”

Sunday’s events will follow the theme “Firmly Set in the Truth,” taken from 2 Peter 1:12.

A 10 a.m. symposium will follow the theme of “Jehovah’s Promises Always Come True!” from Joshua 23:14.

A Bible discourse based on “What Is Truth?” from John 18:38 will begin at 11:10 a.m.

A 1:40 p.m. drama, “Prepare Your Heart for the Trials Ahead,” will review the trials of Esther.

Find more information about the conference at www.jw.org.

Montaño has offered specific help if families need to make arrangements to attend or would like to ask him questions. He may be reached at 801-661-5405.