Elders Quorum Installs Flock Cameras to Crack Down on Sunday Absences

REXBURG — The Elders Quorum of the Rexburg YSA 499th Ward has reportedly installed Flock cameras and facial recognition technology at its meetinghouse to better track church attendance. The upgrades came after the bishopric and stake presidency expressed concerns over students failing to accurately report their Sunday attendance.

After years of relying on headcounts, attendance sheets and that one sister who swears she saw so-and-so in the hallway, the new system will allow leaders to more accurately track who attends the first and second hour.

Elders Quorum President and former AP Afton Smith defended the decision, stating, "Some people have asked whether this is an invasion of privacy. I would remind them that the Lord sees everything. We're simply trying to keep up."

The new system allegedly allows leaders to track:

• Who arrives on time.

• Who consistently shows up halfway through the opening hymn.

• Who leaves immediately after sacrament meeting.

• Who parks in the lot but never actually enters the building.

• Who claims to have attended despite their vehicle never appearing on camera.

The new initiative has reportedly received mixed reactions from ward members, with some expressing concerns over the increased surveillance.