General Conference Weekend MMM Style

I am so ready for this weekend.  I love General Conference.  But, unlike my EC, I would prefer to watch it on TV, rather than attend in person. (snacks)  Either way, it can be a great experience -every time- if you let it.Fresh off March Madness, I was going to do up a bracket chart, and we could all pick which speaker gave the best talk.  I had President Julie Beck as a cinderella choice to go far.  At the last minute, I heard a quiet voice telling me that it would be quite inappropriate. I turned around and no one was there. (except my EC, with arms folded, shaking her head)Instead, I have decided to make a list of 13 things you can do to make this Conference your most enlightening EVER. Why? Because I’m just thoughtful like that, and I worry about your souls.

1) Dress up in your Sunday clothes and attend all of the sessions at your local Stake Center.  (April Fools!!!  I crack myself up sometimes! Like that’s going to happen.)

2) Get a notebook and take notes. Here’s what I do:  I write down the key points, but more importantly, I write down things that I think pertain directly to me, promptings, and things that I am feeling inspired to do.  I use a different notation in the margin to differentiate between them.  More than once I have written down something important, only to find out that it was never actually said in the talk itself. Hmmm.

3) Invite your kids to take notes.  My third-grader does – it makes him feel grown up. Get them their own cool notebook.

4) DVR. Don’t be afraid to use it.  Remember, the DVR and the pause button were created by inspired people, intent on preserving the lives of our children. You can also go back to catch that perfect quote.

5) Benadryl + Kids = Peace & Quiet.  (A Joke. It’s a joke!)

6) Vote when it is time to sustain.  It is good for our commitment, and good for the kids to see.

7) Don’t ever, ever, ever watch in bed.  Kiss of death. Seriously Terrestrial behavior. (I think it says so in D&C 76)

8) Watch it live. Show your family that this is important enough to be a priority. Still record it, even if you are watching – you can use it for FHE or to review the parts you watched while resting your eyes.

9) Sit on the floor directly in front of your wife so that she will get the hint and give you a backrub. If she tries this tactic on you, remind her that the Prophet is speaking and that you are trying to focus.

10) Watch ALL of it. Contrary to popular belief, there are actually Conference sessions on Saturday.  What?  I’m serious! Three of them!  And they aren’t just “special” sessions for the extra-consecrated saints.  Anybody can watch! They are usually the best sessions.

11) Remember, you actually get to watch and listen to living Prophets. Sweet! You seriously expect me to believe that your kid’s game is more important than that?

12) Turn off the phone. And the cellphone. And the laptop. The world can survive without you for 2 hours at a crack.

13) Snacks! Lots and lots of snacks!

Enjoy the weekend. I hope it is a great experience for you.

Remember to focus: There will be a test.