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SALT LAKE CITY — RootsTech, a family history conference to be held this week in Salt Lake City, announced a wide variety of keynote speakers on Monday including multiple actors, a psychologist, a member of the United Arab Emirates royal family and Elder Gerrit W. Gong.
The conference attracted over 3 million people last year, and Saturday's event is expected to also attract millions with both virtual and in-person experiences.
This is the 13th year of RootsTech, and the first time in-person events have occurred since the COVID-19 pandemic. There will also be experiences, including an expo hall, that are only available in person in Salt Lake City, at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
Sean Astin, an actor, producer and director known for his roles in "Rudy," "The Lord of the Rings" and "Stranger Things," will be speaking on Saturday at 11 a.m. about establishing "wholesome united relationships."
Other in-person keynote addresses will include Jordin Sparks, a singer and actress who won season 6 of "American Idol"; Me Ra Koh, a photographer; Kirby Heyborne, an actor and comedian; and Steve Rockwood, president and CEO of FamilySearch.
The virtual keynote addresses include His Highness Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, who helped achieve sustainable food security in the United Arab Emirates; Tuti Furlan, a Guatemalan psychologist specializing in the science of happiness; and Mona Magno-Veluz, president of an autism society in the Philippines.
Fifteen different emcees from around the world will direct online attendees through the events in their native languages.
Rockwood, the FamilySearch CEO, said in October when in-person events were announced that families are society's foundation.
"Connecting and uniting families across generations strengthens individuals and nations alike. We are amazed and gratified to see the role RootsTech has been able to play in helping literally millions of individuals connect with their family, past, present and future," he said.
On Saturday, FamilySearch International will host a Family Discovery Day designed specifically for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The theme this year is "uniting" and Elder Gerrit W. Gong, of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, will be presenting the keynote address, which will be virtual.
"Sometimes we think our decisions affect only ourselves. ... Discovering our family reminds us otherwise. We are more connected in our generations than we usually think," Elder Gong said.
Access to the expo hall is free for everyone, however, in-person classes and keynote addresses require a pass. Attending all virtual events is free.
