Twice a year, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gather to hear inspiring (and inspired) messages from church leaders. General Conference sessions begin the week before the main event with a General Women’s Meeting for all ladies of the church age 8 and above. Talks are given by leaders of the three auxiliary organizations led by women, Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society. Then there are morning and afternoon sessions on Saturday and Sunday, each two hours long. A Priesthood session for men and boys is held Saturday evening. General Authorities of the church from all over the world speak during these sessions.
I truly enjoy these semi-annual conferences, and here are 5 reasons why:
5.Twice a year, I get to do church in my pajamas.
Every October and April, General Conference replaces a weekend of regular church services. Attending General Conference in person is an amazing experience, but most people “attend” through TV, online streaming, or even listening to the radio. Some people still opt to wear Sunday dress while watching at home, but at our house, pajamas are totally an option and snacks are definitely a must. I really like the idea of tending to 72-hour kits during conference times by letting everyone eat the snacks and restocking with fresh ones, as well as swapping out changes of clothes to account for seasonal changes and growing kids.
4.Pretty printables abound!
I’m not gonna lie, sometimes I write down lines from conference talks just to see if they show up as printables in the flurry of beautiful designs that come forth in the days following. I’ll get a few each time, but sometimes I’ll see a quote that I totally missed and I have to go listen to the talk again to find it. Many of the quotes are meaningful and uplifting for any follower of Christ.
Some of my favorite sources are:
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3.The talks and music are amazing.
As an enthusiastic public speaker, a well written and skillfully delivered address is a thing of beauty. General conference speakers work on these messages for months, and the attention to detail is perfect. I love getting the transcripts of the talks, not only for the uplifting messages, but for the simple joy of reading excellent material with plentiful references.
The music is wonderful too. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs, as well as other select choirs composed of local members. And frankly, watching the organists play is mesmerizing no matter who is singing.
Some of My Favorite Talks
Like a Broken Vessel – Elder Jeffery R. Holland, October 2013
Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear – President Dieter F. Uctdoft, April 2017
Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among You – Elder Jeffery R. Holland, April 2016
2.I get to hear from prophets, seers, and revelators on the earth today.
When I was investigating the church, the unique belief of a living prophet on the earth was a logical extension of what I knew about my Heavenly Father. He will guide and lead His people in what they need to be doing. He did it in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Why would the heavens close? Why wouldn’t there be a conduit for messages from Him to his church? Ultimately the church is led by Jesus Christ Himself, who provides guidance to our prophet, the President of the Church. He in turn is supported by other General Authorities.
During conference, we get to hear directly from church leaders. Topics are not assigned, but it is amazing how often a theme emerges with multiple speakers addressing the same key issues. It is so powerful to hear their personal stories and testimonies that point us to the Savior.
1.I can receive answers to personal questions – and you can too.
One purpose of general conference is to give direction to the church as a whole, as seen when new leaders, initiatives, policies and building projects are announced. While these items of business are interesting, the most important reason I love General Conference is because it is for ME. The prophet gets revelation on behalf of the entire church. The Holy Ghost brings personal revelations straight to me.
Conference is a special time to receive personal revelation because the Spirit is so strong in the messages. If I take the time to ask my questions in prayer before watching, listening, or reading conference talks, I ALWAYS come away with inspiration. A better perspective on how to handle challenges. A reminder of what I need to be prioritizing. The warmth of the Holy Ghost and the genuine love of everyone who participates.
I love General Conference, and I think you might too.
If you would like to watch the October 2017 general conference please click here for live streams, video & audio recordings, and transcriptions of the talks.
These are my own personal feelings and opinions as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I imply no endorsement from or affiliation with the Church. Please visit lds.org or mormon.org for more information from official church sites. Thank you!
Featured Photo: Stock Photo
Well said! Totally agree!