Over 49,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came to the Seattle Mariners' Safeco Field on Saturday. It wasn’t “Mormon Night” for the Mariners and the Church members didn’t come to watch baseball at all. It was the largest “non-sporting event in the history of Safeco Field,” and the second largest event the venue has ever hosted, according to the Deseret News.
So why did thousands file into the stands, braving a rainy, cold evening? They came to #FollowTheProphet and while many of us dream of someday having a similar opportunity at a nearby ballpark, a quick review of posts with the event’s hashtag provides an idea of what it was like to be a Latter-day Saint in Seattle on Saturday.
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The fun started early in the day as Church members began to flood the city.
Its white shirt and tie central in downtown Seattle today for President Nelson's visit to #SafecoField. It all starts with cheese steaks @TatsDeli !! #FollowTheProphet A post shared by owenallen (@owenallen) on Sep 15, 2018 at 2:23pm PDT
They arrived at the field having taken many different forms of transportation.
They came by car...
#followtheprophet A post shared by Cynthia🌴 (@kayak2go) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:06pm PDT
By train...
Our pic made the jumbo Tran! 😂 #imalatterdaysaint #followtheprophet A post shared by Aubrey Southworth (@aubsouthworth) on Sep 15, 2018 at 3:33pm PDT
And by ferry.
On our way to Safeco Field to hear President Nelson. #followtheprophet A post shared by Megan (@megofthemountains) on Sep 15, 2018 at 12:57pm PDT
First ferry ride for the family! #goingtoseetheprophet #safecofield #lds #ferryride #firstferryride #seattlebound #wethanktheeogodforaprophet #russellmnelson #safecodevotional #followtheprophet A post shared by Kirsten Eyre (@kirsteneyre) on Sep 15, 2018 at 5:40pm PDT
On the way via ferry to @safecofield to see and hear a living Prophet. Love all prophets of the Lord. Miss my two oldest @jtpugmire @aspugmire #russelmnelson #followtheprophet A post shared by Lynnelle Pugmire (@linnell_y) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:28pm PDT
The ballpark awaited them.
Excited to be ushering for President Russel M. Nelson's visit to Seattle! #followtheprophet A post shared by Seattlenightowl (@seattlenightowl) on Sep 15, 2018 at 2:55pm PDT
The line to enter began to form at Noon, which means some people waited six hours to hear from the prophet.
#followtheprophet A post shared by Matthew C. Smith (@mcannonsmith) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:13pm PDT
The prophet is here and so are we. We readaaayyy #FollowTheProphet #Aiga♥️ A post shared by C H E Y E N N E L E P U L E (@clepule) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:54pm PDT
Waiting in line for the devotional, I did not expect to see this many people... #followtheprophet! A post shared by Patrick (@themusicalpatrican) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:20pm PDT
Tino is waiting in line for Devotional with President Russell M Nelson and President Henry B Eyring. #followtheprophet A post shared by Ta And Tino Ber’Logo (@uso.ta.tino) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:04pm PDT
Latter-day Saint youth between the ages of 16 and 18 got the best seats in the house, as 2,200 Laurels and Priests sat on Safeco Field.
Priests & laurels! ➡️ Grab your wristbands so you can get to your special reserved seating on the field. . Check in is on the 100 level behind home plate. #followtheprophet @safecofield A post shared by Redmond Stake Photo Album (@redmondstake) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:29pm PDT
Young adults volunteered to usher in the crowd.
We get be ushers for the prophet coming to Seattle today! What a wonderful opportunity and experience. The church is true and the gospel is wonderful! ❤️ #followtheprophet A post shared by Morgan Miller (@morganemily99) on Sep 15, 2018 at 3:56pm PDT
And with their help, the Saints found their way to their seats.
“I can’t wait to hear from President Nelson!” - Little Darryl @angiemeans #FollowTheProphet #lds #saints A post shared by Darryl Means II (@darrylmeansii) on Sep 15, 2018 at 3:54pm PDT
They were invited to post pictures with the hashtag on social media and many expressed their excitement to hear from the Lord’s servants.
Excited to #FollowTheProphet A post shared by Jennifer McKell (@jenniennifer) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:17pm PDT
Two favorite things: Safeco Field and hearing the Prophet speak. #followtheprophet #SilverLakeYSA A post shared by Taylor Brandt (@teebrandt) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:18pm PDT
He once said he wanted General Conference for his birthday. He is thrilled to #followtheprophet at Safeco today. =D A post shared by Nikki Thelin (@nikkithelin) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:17pm PDT
The Ocañas are ready! #followtheprophet 💛 A post shared by Arlene M Ocana (@arleneocana) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:18pm PDT
Excited to hear the prophet speak! #FollowTheProphet A post shared by rchan321 (@rchan321) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:36pm PDT
At the Safeco-nacle #followtheprophet A post shared by Pace Barker (@paceykins) on Sep 15, 2018 at 8:07pm PDT
They embraced the opportunity to welcome President Nelson to their state.
Welcome to Seattle President Nelson #followtheprophet A post shared by Jason Marley (@jason.marley.3363) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:21pm PDT
A big blessing is it is to welcome the Prophet & his family to Washington ✨ waiting to hear his words & feel the love of the Lord 💕 #FollowTheProphet A post shared by Andrea P. Monterroso (@anmonterroso) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:22pm PDT
Some entertained themselves in other ways while they waited to hear a prophet's voice.
#followtheprophet Playing Fortnite and waiting for the prophet to speak A post shared by Nathan Smith (@guccinate2018) on Sep 15, 2018 at 4:32pm PDT
Look at all those cousins!! #Eternalfamilies #followtheprophet A post shared by Sean Strech (@seanstrech) on Sep 15, 2018 at 5:13pm PDT
Gang #followtheprophet Insta is @Cade__anderson Front row hmu laurels A post shared by @Cade__Anderson (@follow_me_at____) on Sep 15, 2018 at 5:06pm PDT
Finally, seats were taken and it was time for the main event.
I've been to many a Mariners Game, and I've never seen Safeco Field so full... #followtheprophet A post shared by Dallin James (@dallinjames98) on Sep 15, 2018 at 6:23pm PDT
President Nelson was joined by his wife Wendy, and his second counselor, President Henry B. Eyring.
They are so cute! #followtheProphet #Hewavedrightatme A post shared by Melissa Sabin (@sabinmelissa) on Sep 15, 2018 at 8:47pm PDT
What an amazing experience. #followtheprophet A post shared by Jeff Pugh (@jwpzep1717) on Sep 15, 2018 at 7:47pm PDT
Several quotes from President Nelson's address made their way to Instagram.
"The Lord often uses the unlikely to accomplish the impossible." -Russell M. Nelson Awesome night! #followtheprophet #safecofield #49089people #slightlyunderestimatedthesize #seattle #friends #lds #mormon #sharegoodness A post shared by Alexis Milam (@alexisjm8) on Sep 15, 2018 at 7:32pm PDT
“We are happiest when we are thinking about somebody other than ourselves.” -President Russell M Nelson #followtheprophet #lds #latterdaysaints A post shared by Scott Crook (@tbh_rad_dad) on Sep 15, 2018 at 7:32pm PDT
So grateful to be among the 49,089 people at Safeco tonight!"Bring your best thinking & most fervent prayers to the table. The Lord loves EFFORT and will bless our best efforts! If you are doing your best He will work miracles in helping you become the men & women He knows you can become! " 🙏 #ItsAWynderfulLife #presidentnelson #followtheprophet A post shared by ➳❥Karen Wynder (@karinainkhome) on Sep 15, 2018 at 8:02pm PDT
When the closing organ music starts playing after his speech and the prophet of the world runs back up and says “Wait a minute... it’s actually 49,089 people here tonight, not 45,000” 😂😂😂 Side note... singing hymns with 49,088 other servants of the Lord is actually pretty great 🎵 #safeco #seattle #ldslife #followtheprophet #russellmnelson #henrybeyering #wendywnelson #pnwlife #westcoastbestcoast #upperleftusa #devotional A post shared by Rachel Adams (@rachelaleece) on Sep 15, 2018 at 9:04pm PDT
And when it was over, there were memories that would never be forgotten…
What a day to remember. #followtheprophet A post shared by Shadyfish (@sadie_steveson) on Sep 15, 2018 at 8:02pm PDT
What a treat today was! 49,000+ (over capacity) Latter-day saints gathered at Safeco Field to witness a Prophet of God speak🙏🏼 No matter your religious beliefs, I'm sure his message would've resonated with you as well. It was one of Love, of the Savior and of doing Good, espcially in the midst of adversity! We are all on the this white water rafting trip called Life together! The Raft is the the only thing that will be sure to get us to our destination safely! It would do us all some good to hold on real tight! Though I am not perfect in my rafting skills, I intend to hold on for as long as I can! 😊😇🙏🏼❤ . . . #followtheprophet #gospelofchristisourRaft #lds #iammormon #madehistory #mormonnight #safecofield #presidentrussellmnelson #sisternelson #presidenthenrybeyring #ldsdevotional A post shared by Joseph Timoteo (@josephraytimoteo) on Sep 15, 2018 at 9:21pm PDT
President Nelson came to Seattle last night and over 49,000 members of our church gathered together to hear him speak! We were all together at Safeco Field and even though it was cold and rainy outside, it felt happy and warm inside- like a giant family gathering full of love and unity and whiny kids! I hope my boys always remember what it felt like to be there. We forgot to do Cash’s hair so McKay put some lotion in it but it didn’t work. 👌🏻 #followtheprophet A post shared by Ali Walker (@aliwalker_) on Sep 16, 2018 at 10:56pm PDT
This weekend was a tender mercy and a testimony builder. Lemme explain why: Elisa and I planned a weekend trip to Washington and bought the tickets months ago. Fast forward to last week where we were both in school and so many things had piled up leaving us both prettyyy stressed out and unsure about our weekend getaway. But once you buy tickets, you can’t go back, ya feel? So we were like “Well, we’re doing this. Let’s go.” LITTLE DID WE KNOW IT WAS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED. and even LITTLER did we know that we’d be here the exact weekend that our dear prophet would be visiting the SAFECO stadium in Washington right where we were at. Long story short: God KNOWS YOU individually. He CARES about you. He knew that this trip, in so many ways, was exactly what I needed- to disconnect, to feel peace and to re-center my life with Christ and all the right priorities. So grateful for Him and His gospel 💛 #FollowTheProphet #Seattle #Washington #safecofield #mariners A post shared by tasha huhem (@tashahuhem) on Sep 16, 2018 at 6:16pm PDT
Including the traffic.
Exodus: chapter 41 #followtheprophet A post shared by Lisa Tomlinson (@tomandlisat) on Sep 15, 2018 at 7:35pm PDT
Post Prophet gridlock #followtheprophet #safecofield A post shared by Back Road Troubles (@backroadtroubles) on Sep 15, 2018 at 8:21pm PDT
But it was totally worth it.
Pres. Nelson, Sis. Nelson, and Pres. Eyring spoke to us tonight from our local baseball stadium! A historic 49,089 people in attendance to hear the living prophet of God. I loved the insights from Sis. Nelson on what it's like being the wife of a prophet. So thankful our whole family plus Uncle Lynn could be there together... Spiritual uplift of the year!!... But then there's nothing as buzz-kill-ish as seeing the gridlocked parking garage traffic... Now I'm very thankful I let my kids bring their tablets in the car... Looking forward to #followtheprophet even more!! A post shared by Danielle Severson Koberstein (@deebkobe) on Sep 15, 2018 at 8:16pm PDT
Lead image by Kristen Murphy, Deseret News
