Easter is coming! I am so excited! But so is General Conference!
I am so excited for that too.
I stumbled upon a very interesting quote by Elder Dallin H. Oaks in the Book of Mormon Institute Manual that has the little wheels in my brain reeling:
“Last week I was talking with a member of the Quorum of the Twelve about comments we had received on our April conference talks. My friend said someone told him, ‘I surely enjoyed your talk.’ We agreed that this is not the kind of comment we like to receive. As my friend said, ‘I didn't give that talk to be enjoyed. What does he think I am, some kind of entertainer?’ Another member of our quorum joined the conversation by saying, ‘That reminds me of the story of a good minister. When a parishioner said, “I surely enjoyed your sermon today,” the minister replied, “In that case, you didn't understand it.”’
“You may remember that this April conference I spoke on pornography. No one told me they ‘enjoyed’ that talk—not one! In fact, there was nothing enjoyable in it even for me.
“I speak of these recent conversations to teach the principle that a message given by a General Authority at a general conference—a message prepared under the influence of the Spirit to further the work of the Lord—is not given to be enjoyed. It is given to inspire, to edify, to challenge, or to correct. It is given to be heard under the influence of the Spirit of the Lord, with the intended result that the listener learns from the talk and from the Spirit what he or she should do about it” (“The Dedication of a Lifetime” [CES fireside for young adults, May 1, 2005], 1, www.ldsces.org).
Are we preparing to listen to conference with the same fervor as those who are preparing to speak to us? Are we prepared to be moved to action? To be inspired, to be edified, challenged or even corrected? Or are we simply excited to enjoy it?
Food for thought!
Some ideas for preparing for the event:
1) Fast the Sunday before that you will be receptive to the individual messages that you need to hear.
2) Write down any questions you would like answered or specific inspiration you may be needing in your life right now.
3) Prepare your family at FHE the Monday before by discussing these suggested points on lds.org!
4) After Conference, be sure to revisit the talks! We are humans, we need reminders! One woman who's family does an excellent job at this is Jocelyn Christensen. She is incredible and her blog is FULL of FHE ideas and General Conference ideas as well! Definitely spend sometime and look around. You won't regret it!
On a less serious note:
Some ideas for preparing for the event:
1) Fast the Sunday before that you will be receptive to the individual messages that you need to hear.
2) Write down any questions you would like answered or specific inspiration you may be needing in your life right now.
3) Prepare your family at FHE the Monday before by discussing these suggested points on lds.org!
4) After Conference, be sure to revisit the talks! We are humans, we need reminders! One woman who's family does an excellent job at this is Jocelyn Christensen. She is incredible and her blog is FULL of FHE ideas and General Conference ideas as well! Definitely spend sometime and look around. You won't regret it!
On a less serious note:
This year we are also doing something fun for Conference:
Yeah this is going to be awesome :) I will let you know who wins!
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