384: THE PRE-GAME SHOW (LDS CONFERENCE)

The following are just a few photos that I took this afternoon of preparations that are underway to get downtown SLC ready for the LDS Conference tomorrow. I walked  around the Salt Lake Temple, Deseret Book and the LDS owned commercial buildings affectionately called City Creek. I offer little to no commentary and I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Written yesterday without much time for editing.. thus there are some grammatical errors. :)

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The First Presidency have all their latest books on sale at Deseret Book across the street from the Temple. At first glance they all look like children's books. Here is the list of the books in the photo I took.

• Pres. Dieter F Uchtdorf's book, "A Summer with Great Aunt Rose" listed price 15.99.
• Pres. Henry B Eyrings book of quotes entited, "On the Path Home" listed price 15.99
• Pres. Thomas S Monson' s book, "One Little Match" reduced price 17.99
• Elder M Russell Ballard's book, "One Drop at a Time" listed price 15.99

Gone are the days of doctrinal books. However the feel good, short, cute stories with one line quotes are the big sellers. I am not sure a scripture can be found in any of them.

In addition to the books, a big seller are the new one-time use oil packet that you put in your wallet in case an emergency priesthood blessing is needed. Just consecrate the packet, then open (kind of like a ketsup packet from McDonald's and give the blessing. No need to carry around your key chain oil t have to carry around an vial. Besides they look cool and styling. (personally, they actual look like something else that a young man might have in his wallet)

They sell in a pack of 10 for $9.99

 

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The latest City Creek Skyscraper and upscale office building is almost complete. This is the newest addition to City Creek. It is called 111 Main. Here is the  LINK TO THE WEBSITE

 

I walked by the lobby and they have what looks to be at least a 50 foot flat inch movie screen with LCD projection monitor of beautiful videography. The streaming videos are of various locations around Utah. In the photo below you can see the video of  Bridal Veil Falls up Provo Canyon.

 

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 It was reported in the news that an unprecedented sting to  clean up the downtown street to rid it of those who are the "unwanted".  It is being called "Operation Diversion". It happened yesterday just a couple of day before General Conference  as police officers arrested 49 homeless people. In the raid,  almost 50 people were taken to an empty bank building next to the Salt Lake City police headquarters. From that receiving center, 12 went to jail, 30 went to treatment programs and two were taken to an area hospital to receive medical attention. Officers skipped the receiving center for five people, who went directly to jail. Most of these people struggle with addition to drugs and alcohol.  In the below photo I took today they are still monitoring the problem and trying to clean up for all the conference attendees.  

Below is one of the City Creek security officers who went to get reinforcement from the Salt Lake Police Department.  

City Creek Security are now patrolling the perimeters of the Mall to make sure their is little to no homeless or panhandlers. They are not good for business since those who still have some heart might actually give money to the poor instead of buying stuff at the mall.  

 

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Also at City Creek is new international advertising especially targeting  the Japanese visitors. Below is one of the advertising signs written in Japanese. Probably a smart ad campaign since I think they are the only ones who can afford shopping at the Rolex, Coach, and the other very high end stores. 

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After walking around the Salt Lake temple today, a scripture came to mind in Mormon 8: 37
"For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted."