Conference Traditions

General Conference is this weekend and I'm excited. It's a time to recharge my spiritual batteries and spend a weekend pondering on things that I need to improve in my own life. Our family has a few conference traditions that make the weekend even more special.

• Today I spent the morning giving the house a good cleaning. It's hard for me to focus on the messages when I'm surrounded by clutter. I didn't spend a great deal of time doing extra chores. But the carpets are vacuumed, the hard floors are mopped, the furniture is dusted and the bathrooms are clean.
• Conference breakfast is usually a special treat. Sometimes we enjoy fruit cocktail, sometimes cinnamon rolls, and recently it's been Grandpa Jack's Life-Enhancing Breakfast Casserole.

What's that? You want to know what Grandpa Jack's Life-Enhancing Breakfast Casserole is? Well, the ingredient list doesn't sound too life enhancing. Eggs. Bacon. Hash Browns. Cheddar Cheese. But, it kept my Aunt Alice alive for nearly two years. It's about all she could eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner so it MUST have some magical quality.

• This year for Sunday's breakfast, we are going to do something NEW for Conference breakfast. I got this idea when I taught Laurel's last week. We are going to have a Waffle Bar. Think yummy homemade waffles with several toppings to choose from. Fresh strawberries. Milk chocolate chips. Whip Cream. Syrup. Doesn't it sound yummy?
• Another conference tradition is playing Conference Bingo. You can find these cards on a lot of other websites. I buy a large bag of M&M's and Skittles. Whenever a word is mentioned, you got to place an edible marker on your square. Once you have a BINGO, you get to eat that row or column and start again. My children loved this when they were younger and I've heard rumors that my married daughters STILL do this because after all..."It's TRADITION!"
• When Ron's at Priesthood, one of my FAVORITE traditions is having "Girl's Night In." We pull out the facial cleansers and masks, the foot scrubs, and the nail polish and sit around and pamper ourselves. We watch a movie. This year, it's going to be Tangled. We also usually indulge in hot fudge sundaes. However, with Emily's new health kick, we may be indulging in air popped popcorn this year.
  
• Besides playing Conference Bingo, we take notes. I star the speakers whose remarks especially touched me to make sure I remember what they talked about and study their words when the Conference issue of the Ensign comes out.
• We watch the programming between sessions of Conference on BYUTV. I may not always sit in the room, but I'm listening to what is on. Many times they show a great movie right after the afternoon sessions, too.
  

Conference Weekend! It comes twice a year and I'm always ready for it.

Reflections on Conference

The past two days has been a spiritual feast. I always feel a little sad when the closing prayer of the last session has been given. It's time to get back to real life. But, I hope that I can implement the things that have been taught.

As I reflect on the messages given, I have sensed a theme running through several of the talks-- the importance of receiving our own personal revelation and spiritual guidance. I was very touched with Elder Scott and Elder Nelson's talk about how we can receive answers to our questions and receive spiritual guidance. Both of these men suggested that we write down the impressions that we receive and then study them out and pray about them. I really liked Elder Scott's suggestion that we ask Heavenly Father, "is there more guidance I need?" Elder Nelson taught that we need to ask with "real intent" with the "intent to actually act upon the promptings." I am looking forward to studying these messages in further depth when the November Ensign arrives.

Sister Matsumori, the second counselor in the General Primary presidency also spoke about being guided by the influence of the Holy Ghost. She taught that the Spirit can guide us daily in our lives as we let virtue garnish our thoughts constantly.

Dealing with life's challenges was another theme that ran throughout conference. Elder Clayton spoke about the burdens that will be pressed upon us. Some of our burdens come from living in this world--natural disasters, illness, death. Some come from the actions of others--their bad choices can cause us sorrow and grief. And some of the burdens come because of our choices. But he taught that burdens can become blessings, although well-disguised, as we grow in faith and ability.

One of my favorite talks was given by Elder Bednar about being more diligent and concerned at home. He taught that we need to "Express our love and show it. Bear testimony and live it. Be consistent." I am determined to become more loving, to share my testimony with my family more often, and to be more consistent in family scripture study. I know that our family will be blessed.

President Eyering's talk about becoming better than we are touched me deeply. I love the children song, "I'm trying to be like Jesus." I will try to make this thought be my guiding principle in dealing with others.

Elder Holland's powerful talk on the Restoration and the Book of Mormon thrilled me. This talk stood out in Sunday's afternoon session.

May I say how much I love President Monson? The Spirit bore witness to me as he was speaking that he truly is a prophet of God. I will look for ways to serve others. Posted in my kitchen will be two of his statements from Sunday morning's session. "We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth. What have I done for someone today?" I'm planning on buying a large bag of "warm fuzzies" and it will be fun to see how full our family can fill a glass container by next General Conference as we follow our prophet and serve others.

So, which talk stood out for you?

Conference Weekend

President Thomas S. Monson
Photo Courtesy of LDS Church

I am looking forward to this coming weekend. Twice a year, we have the chance to listen to our church leaders as they speak at General Conference. I begin anticipating the event several weeks in advance. I can't wait to hear what our leaders have to say.

Last April, it seemed that many of our leaders talked about adversity. They spoke about faith and hope. They spoke about the temple. It seemed like every talk was given just for me. I soaked it in and felt reassured that everything would be OK even if my little world was in chaos.

As I listened carefully to what our church leaders had to say the quote that stood out to me six months ago was given by President Monson. During the Sunday morning session of General Conference he said,

"My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."

This piece of advice became one of my lifelines as I tried to follow his counsel.

Six months ago, Ron knew he would be unemployed soon. I remember talking to him between conference sessions wondering what our lives would be like the next General Conference. I can testify that our Prophet was inspired in his message. Our future is bright. We know that Heavenly Father is mindful of us and He hears and answers our prayers. I cannot wait to hear the messages given this weekend.