For the 184th time, General Conference is almost upon us. It begins next Saturday, September 27, with the general women’s meeting, The general and priesthood sessions will follow the next weekend, October 4th and 5th.
What is your reaction?
Some members of the Church are thrilled. They see General Conference as a regular opportunity to listen to the Lord’s servants and learn and feel. The grab onto the counsel provided to improve their lives, and strengthen their testimonies,. After it is over, they feel that their “spiritual batteries” have been recharged, and are ready to tackle life and its challenges.
Others are frustrated. They see Conference as yet another litany of guidelines that they are unable to live up to. Loads of guilt applied in two-hour sessions. They walk way feeling despondent, like failures. (I wrote about this earlier this year in a post called Failing Conference.)
Some treat Conference as just another regular Sunday. Of course they catch a session or two. They might even watch or attend some of the four Saturday sessions – provided they don’t conflict with their normal Saturday, chores, hobbies, kid’s soccer games, etc.
Others see Conference weekend as a holiday – a Church-free weekend. They are excited to have a “Sunday off’ from their callings. They plan vacations and activities, and relish their free time. Because, you know, they can always read it next month in the Ensign.
Some love Conference weekend, but it still turns out to be a church-free weekend, even though the TV is tuned to every session of conference. Cooking, chatting, sleeping, and being immersed in projects, activities and traditions becomes the focus – did I mention the TV was on?
Do you see yourself in any of these descriptions? Maybe a mixture? I will confess to catching an occasional nap by the time Sunday afternoon rolls around, but usually, our we do our best to clear the decks and pay attention to all the sessions.
I have blogged before about ideas to make Conference more meaningful here – but the purpose of this post is not to extol the virtues of General Conference. I have been thinking more about the time in-between Conferences. (I promise I will eventually get there…but first.)
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that God still speaks to prophets. 15 men have been called of God to serve as “prophets, seers, and revelators,” to teach us, warn us, guide us, and bless us. One is called to serve as THE prophet, seer and revelator – currently it is President Thomas S. Monson. That is one of the single most important theological concepts in our Church.
What a claim! That the Lord speaks to us through these men. Either you believe this, or you don’t, and much of our commitment to the gospel hinges on the acceptance of this concept.
So, twice a year, we head for Salt Lake City, our Stake Centers, or our family television, to hear what the Lord’s servants have to tell us.
But what happens between sessions?
Sure, we get a copy of the Conference addresses in the from of a Church magazine. We can log onto LDS.org and read the talks almost immediately after they are given. We have been counseled to make those messages our “walk and talk” for the six months between Conferences. Some do, some don’t.
But during those six months between sessions – does it all stop? Do the heavens seal themselves up? Does the prophetic revelation and counsel dry up if it isn’t the first weekend in April or October?
I got curious. Are we expected to receive all of this wonderful counsel in two deluges a year? Frankly, General Conference, at times, has the spiritual feel of drinking from a fire hose. Too much, all at once. Thank heavens for the Ensign and the internet to revisit.
My curiosity found that the living water is not just a biannual flood. It is a near constant flow. We believe in continuing revelation – and the key word here is continuing. Check out what I found: In the 6 months since the last “Amen” of April Conference, I have found 16 instances where one of the prophets has spoken to us, either through the written word, or in public forums. 16! This does not even include Stake and Regional Conferences, or temple dedications where a prophet has attended.
Did you know that there have been 16 opportunities to learn from our living prophets since April? I didn’t – and I even keep my eyes open for it. Living prophets speak all the time. They don’t just appear twice a year. It is truly a constant flow of Living Water.
I love the Brethren. I sustain the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I have the privilege of doing this ever year in General Conference, in my Stake and Ward Conferences, and every time I get a new temple recommend. Beyond that, I have an opportunity to sustain them every time they give me counsel – by following it.
I know that they are called of God. And I get to hear them as often as I am willing.
Here is a list I collected of the words of the prophets between General Conference sessions. Check them out!
April 2014
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Utah Valley University’s Constitutional Symposium on Religious Freedom
May 2014
Ensign – April Conference Report
22 talks from the 15
Elder M. Russell Ballard
CES Devotional
Be Still and Know That I am God
Elder Quentin L. Cook
BYU Women’s Conference Devotional
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Radio interview
A Discussion on Religious Freedom
June 2014
President Thomas S. Monson
Ensign – First Presidency Message
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Ensign reprint of Dixie State CES Devotional
Differentiating between asking questions and apostasy
July 2014
President Hanry B. Eyring
Ensign – First Presidency Message
Elder Russell M. Nelson
Ensign reprint of new mission president training
The Book of Mormon, the Gathering of Israel, and the Second Coming
August 2014
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Ensign – First Presidency Message
Elder David A. Bednar
Education Week Devotional
To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood
Elder Russell M. Nelson
BYU Sumer Commencement
Disciples of Jesus Christ — Defenders of Marriage (audio only)
September 2014
President Thomas S. Monson
Ensign – First Presidency Message
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
CES Devotional – BYU
October 2014
President Henry B. Eyring
Ensign – First Presidency Message
Elder David A Bednar
Ensign reprint of new mission president training
Missionary, Family History and Temple Work
Awesome, right?
THanks for this! You’re awesome!!
With all respect, these are talks given by GA’s. Many, many people give talks in the Church. They base their talks on the knowledge they have or information that can be found in the scriptures or other talks. Talks, even those given by GAs, are not revelation and bear no relation to whether or not the heavens have been closed. Revelation is when God speaks to man and that information is then revealed or announced by his Prophet. Has that happened recently?
I see it very differently. Why would we limit revelation to the way you describe it? I know that God can reveal ideas, counsel, policies and anything else He wants to the leaders of the Church. Why try and handcuff Him, or diminish what they share with us?
Yes, there are rare times when a “Revelation” is announced as a formal doctrinal change, or edict, but that doesn’t mean that every single one of the talks I listed can’t be inspired by revelation through the Holy Ghost as it is being prepared, or delivered. The Spirit testifies of truth – it doesn’t have to be “new” truth..
Any Latter-day Saint who has heard the voice of the Spirit knows how broadly revelation can be described. Thank heavens!
A much better description from Elder Bednar:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-spirit-of-revelation?lang=eng
Just catching up on posts! Thanks for all your insights. Elder Holland just spoke at devotional at BYU-I so there’s another one to add to the list!
Wow, Awesome!! Thanks for the links! And the reminder to be consistently living the gospel and sustaining the prophets.
I appreciate you sharing these additional talks with us. I personally look forward to General Conference in our home. I have a journal I write in and have never slept through a session, not in the 11 years I’ve been a member. We have snacks and if we do happen to miss a session we watch it that evening. The Ensign for our family is not a time to hear the talks for the first time, it’s the time we use to take notes, share our thoughts and study things we might have missed.
Just want to be clear that there are many of us who take the words very seriously and hold them close to our hearts. As a convert, General Conference and testimony meetings are the programs I love the most about our church. I also look forward to the First Presidency messages each month and consider those just as important.
I have a really hard time actually listening to conference. For that reason I find the printed talks invaluable. Not everyone learns and feels the same way. Honestly, much of the time I am at church I am reading Ensign articles or the scriptures because I have such high distraction issues. I know I’m odd but I’m not alone in this scenario, either. Just my 2 cents
We love General Conference and have traditions surrounding it to make it more special. We love to tune in to each session and do our best to focus on each and every message. We also feel a bit frustrated when the phone rings in the middle of a session and the person calling is a church member wanting something trivial. we even try to up-date our answering machine to explain that the person calling needs to leave a message; that we are focused on a General Conference Session.
Oh and by the way, I hope quoting you and linking back is not considered “stealing your stuff” ??
Nope. That is called good manners.
A new reading list! Thank you for searching these out.
Kristin
The CES Devotional with D. Todd Christofferson was …wow. Just WOW. I’m thankful that our “prophets, seers, and revelators” speak to us more than every six months. I’m thankful that we have multiple means to access the council they have for us. They really do tell us what we need so we can go and do and serve in today’s time and worldly events. They also remind us each time, so very often how much they love us, but more importantly how much Heavenly Father and the Savior loves us.
Even though I’m passed YSA age, I still listen to CES firesides at home so I can hear leadership counsel. The BYU TV app has alerted me to be more on top of Women’s Conference and Education Week which I usually missed before. I love having General Conference on my phone so I can read a talk on my commute and have my own special devotional. Sometimes technology is awesome.
I would submit Temple dedications. I had the wonderful opportunity to hear from Elder Eyring and Elder Holland today for the Ogden Utah Temple rededication. Wonderful talks and wonderful spirit. It felt like a preview for general conference.
For some of the reasons you mentioned in article,I make a point to dress in Sunday clothes(even on Saturday) and go watch conference in entirety at the meetinghouse.I find if I try to at home, there are too many distractions to be able to fully concentrate and let the spirit sink in.
I find that often I get more out of the Saturday sessions than even the Sunday ones, as in my opinion,the Saturday topics/talks seem often to be geared more towards the membership,and the Sunday ones for the public at large.
I think Saints do themselves a huge disservice if they don’t listen to and spiritually participate in conference when it is broadcast, if at all possible.
My sister used to joke that she knew when the Savior was coming again….during Saturday Conference..as only the faithful would be there and listening.
Love your sister, Holly!! Probably, a Saturday during Stake Conference!
Also, MMM, you mentioned the different conferences and local meetings. For example, Elder Holland and Bednar just spent several days instructing the Europe Area members and leaders, including a Sisters’ Conference, Youth Fireside, and Bishops’ meeting. These happen year-round and are a source of inspiration to all involved. In 2012, we were blessed to have President Monson return here to Germany for a week and speak to members all over the country.
You’re right, there is a constant flow and we can benefit from it if we stay in touch. The Ensign comes out monthly and the Church News weekly for that very purpose.
Cool- more to hear! I listen to talks while I weed (and re-weed) my flower beds and finished April’s conference long ago…I’ve been listening to random BYU speeches, but this will give me more resources. As far as paying attention to what’s being spoken during conference, we’ve taken a page out of my parents’ book and dress up and go over to the church building to watch on Sundays, even though we can get it at home on the Roku now. And I enjoy watching at home on Saturday and putting the house cleaning off for a few days!
Looking forward to General Conference. I love the Brethren. Awesome, Yes!
Thank you.
Yest! Way awesome.
I can add one to your list. Elder Russell M. Nelson speaking at BYU commencement in August 2014: Disciples of Jesus Christ are defenders of marriage
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865608864/?user=app
Thank you! I added it in, and changed the tally to 16.
Awesome!
I LOVE General Conference. The Jewish High Holidays start on Monday. Rosh Hashanah has many similarities to Conference. Discovering this, added depth to my experience with Conference. Its a new start, a time to set goals, leave our sins behind, and renew our lives.
Wow! Great article. Thanks. As a mom of special needs- any Sunday can turn into your descriptions of “the tv is on but…” It’s so nice to find so many bits of uplifting available to me in the moments that I can find. I needed that.
Thank you for the links to all these great talks. My husband (and I) greatly appreciates them. We have church later ( not at 9) and love having your blog as part of what we can read when we’re done getting ready for church. Your insights have inspired great conversations with our boys.
Loved, loved this! I’m so grateful for living prophets and apostles (understatement of the year).
Here’s one to add to your list, Elder Nelson spoke last month at BYU Commencement but he definitely was speaking to members of the Church around the world: https://www.lds.org/church/news/be-a-disciple-24-7-says-elder-nelson-at-byus-commencement-exercises?lang=eng
Thank you! I added it in, and changed the tally to 16.
Yayyy for General Conference!!! And a second Yayyy for continuing knowledge from those wonderful men.
Awesome? Absolutely! Thank you for the links that weren’t in the Ensign. After work last Friday I finally opened the email I’d forwarded from my phone and set up my three free genealogy accounts. I’ve been having fun inserting LDS quotes into my blog posts. And I love playing the matching game and trivia game on my phone in odd moments. Am I perfect in my application of what I see and hear? By no means. But direction is more important than speed. And I am picking up speed in some areas.
Thanks I appreciate you are sharing these links.