General Conference

In all the training meetings that people dread being a part of in the world, and all of the boring lectures that we have avoided by ditching classes in our lives, one might find it a little odd that an entire demographic of Mormon church-goers and friends excitedly look forward to and wholeheartedly embrace 8+ solid hours of listening to elderly men and women speakers.  Based on all of the people who nod off during regular church meetings, it comes as even more of a shocker that so many people post facebook status's about it and can't wait to hear the new messages, or are sad that conference ended too soon.

It's true that it is a little strange that anyone would be excited about 8 solid hours of listening.  In an effort to explain the (literally) global phenomenon of people who feel this way (including myself), I'll just say that watching or attending conference is much like that feeling of growing to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a holiday/family reunion, and getting fed the best meals ever, while enjoying the company of people you love and admire!  The grandparent generation proffers wisdom and also expresses their savvy and humor in staying current, they advise on necessary course corrections in your life, and want to lead you to happiness and success.

Hearing from leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is always exciting to faithful members of the church.  It is impossible for us to doubt their callings as the Lords messengers when (a) you feel the Holy Ghost when you listen and (b) your life gets incalculably better when you obey or act on their counsel.  For me personally, I enjoy these meetings particularly because of their candid honesty in openly and boldly declaring love for one another and loyalty to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  There is absolutely no shame in what makes us different.  When so many other business, social and political "leaders" carefully calculate their every move to be in-step with what drives profits, popularity, or votes, our leaders walk unabashedly with intergity and purpose.  They are motivated by the gravity of the mission of The Church of Jesus Christ, and how it changes lives.

One story recently published in a church magazine is that of a man who proudly told a friend about a living prophet speaking during General Conference.  When the friend, in return, asked "Wow, what did the prophet have to say?" the man realized that he had forgotten the message, and could not recount it to his friend. He became embarrassed and vowed to pay closer attention.

So, if anyone wants to know, the things that I took away from this conference weekend are:

1) Don't justify delaying children because your husband is going to grad school.  Yikes!
2) The church is growing as prophesied by all scriptures.
3) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is actually a brief title after all (since it accurately explains exactly what we are about).
4) Father's who love their children's mother are the best ones.
5) Temples are very important- that's why we keep building them.