The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | 182nd Annual General Conference

What: the largest congregation of Mormons in the world.
Where: LDS Conference Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.
When: every year, for the past 182 years.
Who: the Mormon elite, including LDS President Thomas S. Monson (a.k.a. the Mormon Pope).

Several weeks ago, I posted about how photography is an excellent way to check things off the old bucket list. While this event wasn't exactly at the top of of my list, the experience was a staggering example of how those different (yet similar) than yourself live their lives. The afternoon was a stressful and rewarding glance into a belief system other than my own. The event was something much greater than I could ever explain, so I will let the LDS Church explain it to you here.

Big thanks to the other Utah photographers and conference veterans who helped me maneuver through the madness in order to get the key shots. Enjoy the tongue of God, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, a gathering of 100,000 Mormons and a moment of divine prayer.

Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Latter-day Saints, address the crowd at the 182nd Annual General Conference Saturday, March 31, 2012, at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs between speakers at the 182nd Annual General Conference Saturday, March 31, 2012, at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Twenty-one thousand individuals packed in to attend each session of the 182nd Annual General Conference Saturday, March 31, 2012, at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Levi Manley, 29, center, sits in the middle of the sidewalk with his head bowed as the finals words of the 182nd Annual General Conference sounded from over the temple's loudspeaker Saturday, March 31, 2012, at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Manley recently returned from his two-year mission. He estimated having attended the conference six different years.

Donkey Basketball

Thought this was a joke when I saw it on the photo budget at the Daily Herald. Nope. Quite literal. Kids playing basketball while mounted on asses. This is what I consider to be a "photographic win."

The most interesting part about this - aside from kids falling headfirst from donkeys that were crapping all over the gym floor - was how challenging it was to photograph. Donkeys, as you may know, do exactly what they want - and nothing else. They stop. They start. They charge you. Which, I may add, is especially terrifying when you're looking at them through a telephoto. Oh, and they do one more thing that I previously mentioned: they crap. A lot. Enjoy the burros!

Shawn Black, left, takes a spill off of his aimlessly wandering animal during a game of donkey basketball Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah. The school's agriculture club used the event as a fundraiser, bringing Donkey Sports, Inc. all the way from Washington state.

Corbin Redd, center, laughs with his brother, Hayden Redd, left, as Colton Baum, right, adjusts his helmet prior to a student and faculty donkey basketball tournament Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Colton Baum, center, reacts to being tossed from his furry ride during a donkey basketball tournament Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Aaron Shirley, right, owner of Donkey Sports, Inc., briefs contestants on the rules of donkey basketball prior to a school tournament Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah. The school's agriculture club used the event as a fundraiser, bringing Donkey Sports, Inc. all the way from Washington state.