By Lynn Arave Deseret News

 OGDEN — Jehovah’s Witnesses are perhaps best-known for their zealous door-to-door proselyting efforts with their Watchtower and Awake magazines. However, more of their trademarks include usually constructing their local Kingdom Hall church buildings in a just few days and their annual district conventions held each summer. All three of these characteristics are highlighted this month in northern Utah by the strong membership of Witnesses here.

First, the City Creek Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses built a Kingdom Hall at 2577 Hempstead St., West Valley City — all 4,400 square feet — in less than five days.

Second, Witnesses have been out in force in local Utah communities this month, dropping off fliers and going door-to-door talking to people, announcing their upcoming district conventions.

Third, “How Can You Draw Close to God?” will be the theme of this year’s district conventions for the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

This year’s three-day English-speaking event in northern Utah will be Friday, July 2, through Sunday, July 4, at the Dee Events Center, Weber State University.

In addition, the Spanish-speaking district convention continues this weekend at the Dee Events Center, 4400 Harrison Blvd., Ogden, through Sunday, June 27.

Richard Wolf, an elder with Jehovah’s Witnesses in Davis County, said the conventions are free, open to the public and will not include any collections

He said the convention theme is based on James 4:7-8, Acts 17:27 and other scriptures.

“We are living in critical times,” Wolf said. “Really, the only answer is to draw closer to God.”

Jeff Tackett, another northern Utah elder for the Witnesses, said new this year, four separate district conventions are being held in southern Utah for the first time.

At the Burns Arena on St. George’s Dixie State College campus, English conventions will be held on July 9-11 and again on July 16-18. In addition, Spanish-speaking conventions will be staged there in July 23-25 and again on July 30-Aug.1.

These new southern Utah conventions were moved from Las Vegas and highlight the growth of Witnesses in the area.

Regionally, all of the area’s 55 Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations from Richfield north, will be involved in the conventions in the Dee Events Center. An estimated 6,500 people are expected to attend the conventions in Ogden. Included will be some congregations from neighboring states, from Jackson Hole, Wyo., south and from Twin Falls, Idaho, as well as Elko and Ely, Nev.

Throughout the U.S., there will be 357 different conventions in 90 different cities. Worldwide, there are 7.3 million Witnesses in more than 105,000 congregations. The Watchtower is circulated in 181 languages, with more than 39.6 million copies.

Morning sessions at the conventions begin at 9:20 a.m. each day. Following a lunch recess, afternoon sessions commence on Friday at 1:50 p.m., on Saturday at 1:35 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Wolf said the full-costume drama, presented Sunday afternoon at the conventions, will always be a favorite. This year’s drama will feature the flight of Christians from Jerusalem in the first century.

He watched actors and actresses practice for several months to prepare for the drama.

The keynote address on July 2 will focus on “How Jehovah Draws Close to Us,” while the afternoon session will center on “Communication Helps Families Stay Close to Jehovah.”

The July 3 scriptural theme will be “His Intimacy Is With the Upright Ones.” New members will also be ordained to the faith as ministers that day.

The July 4 session will highlight Joshua 23:8 and “To Jehovah … You Should Cleave.”

Besides the spiritual instruction Witnesses receive at the conventions, Wolf said they also present opportunities to renew friendships with other church members.

The conventions are also a boost to the local economy, as Witnesses fill Ogden area hotel rooms and even campgrounds, like Cherry Hill in Davis County. Area restaurants also fill in between sessions. 

One misconception some people have about Witnesses is that they don’t believe in Jesus Christ. 

“We absolutely believe in Jesus,” Wolf said, quoting from a key statement in the Watchtower magazine, explaining that Jesus is the Son of God and his death and resurrection makes salvation and eternal life available to us — they are a Christian congregation. 

More information on Jehovah’s Witnesses is available at www.watchtower.org 

A snapshot of basic beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses: 

The people — Witnesses are members of a worldwide Christian religion who actively share with others information about God, whose name they believe is Jehovah, and about his son, Jesus Christ. They view first-century Christianity as their model. 

The Bible — It is God’s infallible, inspired word. However, some portions of the Bible are to be understood figuratively, or symbolically. God — Jehovah, the creator of all things, is worthy of worship and devotion. His outstanding qualities are love, justice, wisdom and power.

Jesus — He is the son of God. He came to Earth from heaven and gave his perfect human life as a ransom sacrifice. His death and resurrection made salvation to eternal life possible for those exercising faith in him.

Interaction with society — Jehovah’s Witnesses are found in all levels of society. However, they avoid un-Christian prejudices and controversies. Although not ascetics, they avoid being excessive in the pursuit of wealth, pleasure or prominence.

Family life — Witnesses view marriage as a serious, lifelong commitment. Parents should teach children scriptural values and provide loving discipline. They believe the Bible does not condone harsh physical punishment.

Other beliefs — While the church’s opposition to blood transfusions is well-documented, the church does not oppose all medical intervention. 

The door-to-door visitation for which the church is known stems from a desire by each congregation to visit all the people in a neighborhood at least once a year with a Bible-based message. Contacts are also made on street corners, in parks and at other public places.

 Witnesses are expected to be ardent defenders of religious freedom and freedom of conscience. While the church recognizes the authority of nations to raise armies and defend themselves, members are expected to follow the example of Jesus and early Christians and refrain from participating in the wars and politics of the various nations. They firmly believe they must “beat their swords into plowshares.”