More than 4,500 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered in Los Angeles, California, on Friday, 27 June, 2014, to see the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the St. Louis Cardinals during the Annual Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles threw out the ceremonial first pitch caught by Elder Jerryl L. Garns, an Area Seventy, right over the plate. Elder Bednar was joined on the field by his wife, Susan.
Popular Mormon actor Kirby Heyborne and Emmy Award-winning television and film editor Erik Christensen received a loud round of applause as they joined together to sing the national anthem.
The team also invited a number of Primary-age children and other adults to join them on the field prior to the game. The children received signed baseballs.
Mormon Night has been held for more than 30 years, making it the longest running community event held by the Dodger organization. Elder Bednar complimented Latter-day Saints for their strong support of this annual tradition, and commented on the favorable exposure the Church received during pre-game ceremonies and through messages displayed on the large-screen television throughout the game.
Elder Bednar follows other general authorities in throwing out the first pitch during Mormon Night in previous years; including President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.