Photo by RACHEAL ALVSTAD / Scroll
Allison Flores (second from left) attended general conference with her grandmother, Angelica Stamp; her father, Javier Flores; and her grandfather, Rodolfo Stamp (far right). Flores, her father and grandparents are originally from Lima, Peru.

176th Annual General Conference: a family affair

Kadie Sharp SHA04007@BYUI.EDU Scroll Staff

The golden ticket
Jacqus and Marie Vallecalle drove 14 hours from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City with their five children, Virginia, Vanessa, Vanina, Emmanuel and Jeremy. They only had three tickets and a half-hour to find more tickets for their family.

Originally from Toulouse, France, the Vallecalle family moved to the United States 23 years ago. This general conference was the first time their whole family had the opportunity to go together.

“We feel very good to be here as a whole family,” Jacqus said. “It’s very exciting.”

The last time Jacqus was able to attend general conference in Salt Lake City was 18 years ago, but his daughter Virginia has been to conference three times before.

“It’s a good experience. It’s a different experience than listening to it in a stake center,” Virginia said.

Either way, Jacqus said the Vallecalle family will be able to hear from the prophets and apostles of the Lord who guide them as brethren in the gospel.

“Every one of them is my brother,” Jacqus said. “Every one is my leader.”

Although they had to sit apart from one another, they were able to find enough tickets for everyone.

As Vanessa saw the last ticket, she said, “It’s like the golden ticket.”

Family traditions
Tevita and Melane Mahe, from Salt Lake City, attended general conference with their children John, Lose and Sia. The Mahe family is originally from Mukualofa, Tonga. A little while after they moved to the United States, they started the tradition of attending every general conference together.

“We’re able to grow closer as family members and grow closer to God,” Melane said.

Melane said they have made attending general conference a tradition because it encourages their family to be more spiritual.

“I also learn more about my responsibility as a mother,” Melane said.

Soon John will attend Snow College and live away from home, but their general conference tradition will continue.

“It will be like our vacation for us maybe,” Tevita said.

Not taking it for granted
Alison Flores from West Jordan, Utah, came to general conference with her father, Javier Flores, and her grandparents, Rodolfo and Angelica Stamp.

Allison’s grandparents flew in from Lima, Peru, to attend all the sessions of general conference. Rodolfo and Angelica have known they were coming to Salt Lake City since January and even received their U.S. citizenship to remain in the United States. It was Rodolfo’s second time at general conference in Salt Lake City, but it was Angelica’s first.

“I liked conference. I loved the prophet’s talk; it was a really spiritual conference,” Angelica said after the Sunday morning session. “I feel better now because of the apostle’s talks.”

For Allison, who is also originally from Lima, Peru, it is hard for her to see people take the opportunity to attend general conference in Salt Lake City for granted.

“Some people don’t care. They just say, ‘I’ll just watch it at home.’ They don’t understand that people from other countries are really excited when they are able to come,” Allison said.