General Conference unwrapped...

So you may have heard of it. Its called General Conference. But what is it and how can you get the most out of it? Well, rest assured that is just what this blog is all about. So if you are reading this before a General Conference or if you're reading this after a General Conference just happened I can assure you that there'll be something that can help you to understand what it's all about.

So what is General Conference? General Conference is a time when the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are able to address the entire Church, and those that may not be members of the LDS Church that are interested in listening, all across the world and takes place two times during the year, once in April and again in October. The Conference center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, near the Salt Lake temple. Speakers at General Conference prepare talks and messages to share with us months in advance and they seek direction from God to share things that will best help us not only until the next General Conference but also for the rest of our lives.



The First Presidency of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Left to Right: President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, President
Henry B. Eyring, and President Thomas S. Monson.





Why does this all matter? General Conference is important because its a time that we can hear the Prophet and other leaders of the Church. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we believe that we have a living prophet upon the earth much like Moses, Noah, and Abraham. And Just like those prophets of old we believe that the prophet and other leaders of the Church receive significant revelation and direction from God to give to us. What a wonderful opportunity to hear the words of God! So as you listen to their words remember that those are the same words which God would share with us.

So we know what Conference is all about and we know that it has some important messages in there for us, so how do we get the most out of it? Well, just keep readin'. President Uchtdorf, one of the top leaders of the Church, gave us some counsel to help get the most out of General Conference. I'm going to shorten the information up a little for your reading pleasure but you can read the full version here.

1.) General Conference is a time to receive answers and direction from our Father in Heaven.
We can prepare questions that we want answered ahead of time and listen for the answers as we watch General Conference.

2.) Don't discount message because it sounds familiar.
If something sounds basic and like its a no-brainer maybe its something that needs to be worked on. Most often times I find myself looking for answers to other questions when really I need to work on something so simple and fundamental.

3.) The words shared at General Conference can act as a guide for the coming months.

The words that will be shared with us will be from God and we have the opportunity to hear them and to try them and see if they are true. So remember those things that you hear and remember to try them out during the coming months, I can promise that you will find great blessings as you do so.

So I'm excited for General Conference and for your opportunity to be able to view and experience it. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true and that God does have a prophet on the earth today that leads and guides this Church under Jesus Christ's direction. I know that if you follow the counsel that you receive that you feel a greater sense of peace and direction and with that I close with some words from President Uchtdorf himself. "Our merciful and loving Heavenly Father has not forsaken and will not forsake His children. Today, as well as in times past, He has appointed apostles and prophets. He continues to reveal His word to them. What a marvelous privilege it is to hear God’s messages for each of us during general conference! Let us prepare well for this great blessing of divine guidance delivered by His chosen servants."