Conference Weekend...

Written Apr 4, 2016

Back in Rexburg we found that our kids actually did better when we went to the Stake Center in our Sunday best.  They were more likely to play quietly, so we could get the most out of conference.  Now here in Utah, it isn't broadcasted, so we have spent the past two conferences at home watching online.  It can be a bit chaotic, but the kids do better and better each time.  It's amazing what a difference 6 months makes and also our willingness to keep trying.

Again, we don't know of your faith, but as members for the LDS church, we meet every 6 months for what we call General Conference.  It includes 8 hours of general meetings with 1 1/2 for girls and women 8+ and another 1 1/2 for boys/men 12+.  We believe in modern prophets.  We believe the heavens have been opened once more.  We believe the same organization of apostles that existed during Christ's ministry has been established again, and the authority to set up His church in this way has been restored.

For us, it is a much anticipated weekend.  To hear from the prophet, his counselors, the 12 apostles, and other general leaders for the women's organizations, youth organizations, and also from the quorum of the seventy (also organized during Christ's ministry).  We were truly nourished by the good word.

Having small children it is not the same experience as it was for us a youth or newly weds.  Our experience is more chopped up as we toggle back and forth between our attention to conference and our little ones and their needs.  After conference last fall we started listening to one talk a day as we finish breakfast and clean up.  Together we have reviewed all 11 hours of conference 5 times.  The messages have stuck better than ever before for all of us.  

When Mark and I were children, we would listen on the radio or it was broadcast on TV.  Then it would come out in the church magazines about a month later.  It was much more difficult to review the talks back then.  When we checked this morning, the talks are already up on lds.org/conference.  That is just incredible to me!  We are grateful to have such quick and easy access to these talks, and also recognize the great responsibility we have with them being so readily available.

Our favorite talks from the weekend (subject to change once we get to hear everything in our review) :): Elder Hallstrom, Elder Bednar, Sister Oscarson, Presdient Uchtdorf, Elder Oaks, and Elder Holland.  So many good words of truth, clarity, and encouragement!