Witnesses also believe in following Jesus' example of being "no part of the world," by avoiding the un-Christian prejudice and controversies that divide mankind today. Although not ascetics, they avoid being excessive in the pursuit of wealth, pleasure or prominence.

From May to September of this year, there will be 319 different conventions held in 81 cities. Worldwide, there are 7.1 million Witnesses in more than 103,000 congregations. The Witnesses' official journal, The Watchtower, has a circulation in excess of 37.2 million and is published in 174 languages.

In Utah, there are 6,500 Jehovah's Witnesses in some 66 congregations. The Ogden conventions area include portions of surrounding states.

The Dee Events Center is located at 4450 Harrison Blvd., just south of the Weber State University campus.

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

E-mail: lynn@desnews.com