Thoughts on General Conference

It may seem strange to many people that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints look forward to approximately sitting through 8-10 hours of church on TV every 6 months.   Haha! But it is true! I LOVE General Conference and the opportunity to hear directly from the Lord's living prophet and apostles. The simple instructions provided help me refocus my life and my efforts in striving to be a more Christlike person and keep evil from my home and family.

I feel that this General Conference I was especially focused on how the messages applied to me. Becoming a mom has been so wonderful, but it also scares me to think of raising Grace in such a confusing and misleading world. I wanted to know how to be a stronger, more prepared mother in teaching my daughter the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

---

Well, General Conference definitely did not disappoint. We ate delicious food (stuffed french toast, anyone? Major yum!) , snuggled on the couch, invited over some friends and family, and glean many insights on how to bring the spirit into my home. The talks and music were truly inspirational.

​For those of you who are wondering what kinds of things were taught in General Conference this October (or for those of you who just want to know what things especially popped out at me), here are a few of my notes and biggest take-aways:

• Although Sunday church meetings are being shortened from 3-hours to 2, the extra hour should be planned for and used to bring spiritual discussion in our home. If we honor this Sabbath day by going to church to partake of the Lord's sacrament and then continue in a spirit of reverence and learning in our homes, we will be strengthened against perilous times.
• Many of the talks centered on facing difficult things. Our Heavenly Father wants us to find joy, and we CAN (even in trying times). We must combat adversity in the Lord's way and always rely on the strengthening power of Christ's mercy and grace to pull us through. Do not fear! Live worthy to have the Spirit, and he will dispel fear and doubt.
• If we want to be strong parents, we must always have a foundation on Christ. Make traditions as a family that strengthen our relationships with each other and with God. These traditions will create a culture of love, respect, and unity.
• The more we love God, the happier we become. One of the best ways to love God is to love and serve his children. Many of the talks focused on how we can befriend others and minister to their needs. We can help others feel God's love for them.
• Along with serving others, another main message I hear was "Act now!" Respond to the whisperings of the Spirit. Even when I feel insignificant in my actions and that I am not enough, Christ will multiply my efforts. Never stop loving and doing small acts of good.
• No one can do what a righteous woman can do. The nurturing influence of mothers is powerful, and mothers play a key role in carrying out God's plan for his children. As a woman, I can participate in the Lord's work. 4 specific things the living prophet has instructed me to do are:
  1. Have a 10-day fast of social media and any other media that does not bring the spirit
  2. Read the entire Book of Mormon by the end of the year (see reading schedule below for suggested pacing)
  3. Regularly attend the temple
  4. Participate fully in Relief Society (the church's women's organization)
• The name of God's church is important to get right: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (not LDS, not Mormons, not the Latter-day church). When we remove the name of Jesus Christ from His church, it is a major victory for Satan. The full name announces to everyone who is the true leader of the church: Jesus Christ, himself. We aren't just following a prophet, or Joseph Smith, or Mormon; we follow the Savior and live His restored gospel in His way.

"Never suppress a charitable thought."

If any of these messages speak to you, I encourage you to read/listen to the messages presented at this General Conference.  You can watch the talks here, or they will be written and published at lds.org. As I listened to the speakers and music this weekend, the Spirit testified to me that God knows me and loves me. He is proud of the work I am doing as a mother. I am so grateful for the guidance provided in the scriptures and through church leaders that helps me leave the worldly influences behind and follow with confidence the will of my Father in heaven.