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After ‘exercising patience,’ Jehovah’s Witnesses return to Ogden for their big convention

First in-person gathering since the pandemic will take place at Dee Events Center.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses Convention is returning to Ogden after three years of pandemic-related virtual gatherings.

Sessions will be held at Weber State University’s Dee Events Center, where members have assembled annually for 40 years before 2020.

A Spanish-language convention, which began Friday, continues through Sunday, with an English version to follow June 30-July 2. More than 4,000 participants are expected each weekend. Sessions are free and open to the public.

Saturday at noon on both weekends, a large group baptism will take place for those who have completed a Bible study program and committed to becoming a Jehovah’s Witness. A pool will be set up on the floor of the Dee Events Center for the religious rite.

This year’s national convention theme is “Exercise Patience” — in accordance with the return to in-person conventions and Bible studies.

“If you never interact with a human, you don’t really need patience,” Jehovah’s Witnesses spokesperson Robert Hendriks said. “Being able to get back together is really the way to build yourself up, spiritually and emotionally.”