Michael Otterson, director of public affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says that something "transformational" happens in downtown Salt Lake City twice each year as general conference time approaches. "Temple Square becomes thronged with people of every nationality," Otterson wrote in his regular "On Faith" blog posting in the Washington Post this week. "Across the (downtown LDS Church headquarters) campus the flavor becomes decidedly cosmopolitan, from the cafeteria crowds to the tourists packing the (Main Street) Plaza, the nearby Family History Library or the adjacent Church Museum.