The yelling is heard before the top of the Conference Center comes into view.

Voices pierce the morning air. Flyers rustle, books and notecards are thrust toward passersby. The noise is constant, insistent. The bright sunlight glints off tall signs. Some might assume the energy belongs to protesters. Visitors brace themselves for confrontation, for more anger or complaints.

"Free hugs!" says a sign in purple marker. "You are doing better than you think," reads another one.

The small group stands on the corner--jumping, smiling and shouting. Joybaiters, they call themselves.

Braden Black, one of the participants, said the joybaiting initiative idea was originally a concept by his friend Jensen. Jensen attributes the idea to the Saturday sessions of General Conference.

The duo spent the next few hours preparing posters.

“We feel like there’s too much negativity with the protests, and we just want to bring some joy, brighten up some people’s days,” Black said. “It’s Conference, it’s Easter, so let’s cheer some people up. Why not do it?”

On Sunday, the group gathered together, jumping and yelling, offering compliments, high-fives and encouragement. One participant, Tate Simmons, spontaneously joined the group. "They had an extra sign," he said with a shrug.

Their efforts drew smiles and laughter from some attendees. The joybaiters’ goal wasn’t to confront protesters, but to offer an alternative — simple acts of kindness that resonated with the spirit of Easter and the conference.

"It was really God’s idea, but I guess the Spirit worked through us,” Black said.