Each spring, women from all over the country come to Women's Conference to renew their spirituality.

Miki Grant, from Provo, said this spiritual rejuvenation is the reason she came to the conference.

Grant has attended the conference since her daughter was little. Now that same daughter, Kit Kartchner, is a presenter at the conference.

"It's a wonderful time to be here," Grant said.

She said there is a spirit about seeing so many women together. Kartchner did a presentation Thursday with Nance M. Kohlert on teaching families to look to the Lord for direction.

Jolene Merica, program administrator for Continuing Education, said she recognizes this spirit of Women's Conference.

"There is a community that comes with the conference that you cannot put a price tag on. This conference provides them with that community and closeness that they cannot get anywhere else," she said.

Jan Bennett from Henderson, Nev., is attending her third Women's Conference this year. She said she builds herself through attending classes full-time and helping with the service projects.

"This conference teaches me stuff that I can go back and use with my family, and it's important for them to know that I want to be better," said Ti Chambers, from Mission Viejo, Calif.

After listening to President and Sister Bateman in the opening session, Chambers said she felt her Heavenly Father's love.

"The theme always seems to fit what I need. Usually the focus is on a scripture that I haven't yet discovered. It adds one more piece to the puzzle of life. That's why I keep coming back," said Chambers, who returned for her seventh year this year. "I go back home with the feeling that I've gained an immense amount."

More than 18,000 women are expected to participate in this year's conference.

"(Attendance) actually has gone up over the last few years. This year it is down a little," said Janet Scharman, chair of the Women's Conference Committee.

Scharman said she thinks with visitors just coming to the Olympics, some hesitation in traveling since Sept. 11 and the current economic situation are reasons why registration has declined.

Regardless of lower numbers, Scharman said, "18,000 is an optimal number for us."



Copyright Brigham Young University 2 May 2002