Five Easy Steps for Getting More Out of General Conference
Contributed By Lisa Adachi Childs, ChurchofJesusChrist.org Church News staff writer
Five easy steps and a myriad of print and digital channels, formats, and languages can help you prepare for, experience, share, and apply what you learn from the general women's meeting on September 27 and from general conference October 4–5.
Article Highlights
- 1. Prayerfully prepare.
- 2. Invite others to “come join us!”
- 3. View, read, or listen.
- 4. Get social!
- 5. Keep conference current.
Related Links
General conference provides an amazing opportunity to experience personal spiritual growth and revelation, as well as learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Many new online resources are available to help you get the most from the upcoming general women's meeting on September 27 and general conference October 4–5.
Follow these five easy steps to prepare for, experience, share, and apply what you learn:
1. Prayerfully prepare.
In the days prior to general conference, prepare your heart to receive inspiration by praying and pondering questions or concerns you may be having about your life, loved ones, spiritual matters, or trials.
► Eight tips to help you prepare general conference.
Help young children before and during conference with these ideas and fun resources:
► Prepare children for conference.
► Stories, activities, and media from the Friend.
► Conference coloring pages and games.
2. Invite others to “come join us!”
As individuals and families, prayerfully consider whom you might invite to experience general conference, such as a friend, neighbor, widow, single parent, family, or co-worker. Many people are curious about the Church, and a sincere and loving invitation to learn more is a great chance to share Christ’s love and message.
► Easy ways to invite others to watch general conference.
► Seven simple suggestions for sharing the gospel.
3. View, read, or listen.
To get the most out of general conference, you first must take it in! Technology has made it possible to experience conference through a myriad of print and digital channels, formats, and languages. Enjoy the beautiful messages and music in person, on TV, or online at your convenience.
► Look at all the ways you can find conference!
4. Get social!
Elder David A. Bednar recently gave a call to action “to sweep the earth as with a flood” and fill newsfeeds, blogs, and the Internet with testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. General conference is a perfect opportunity to share your beliefs with your social circle.
Ways to share conference:
• Before: Invite others to watch conference, change your profile or cover picture on social media, and remind your friends to tune in.
• Between sessions: Post updates on your favorite messages and share tweets or photos using #WomensMeeting or #LDSConf.
• After: Post your favorite video highlights, memes, experiences, and testimonies on social media.
► Elder Bednar's invitation to #ShareGoodness.
► Conference and general women's meeting memes, posts, and tweets.
5. Keep conference current.
Your conference experience doesn’t need to end after the Sunday afternoon session. Elder Robert D. Hales said, “The greatest blessings of general conference come to us after the conference is over” (“General Conference: Strengthening Faith and Testimony,” Oct. 2013 general conference). Make a plan to regularly ponder and study the words and counsel of prophets and leaders for the next six months and beyond. All talks will be available to read, download, view, and share in the days (and sometimes hours) following conference sessions.
► When October 2014 general conference materials will be available.
► President Dieter F. Uchtdorf explains why conference is no ordinary blessing.
