It’s only a few days until General Conference, and I’m excited to hear what the brothers and sisters will share with us.
This last 6 months has definitely been my best ever at really listening to the conference talks and trying to get all I can from them. It’s been such a blessing to be able to listen to talks in the car instead of listening to the radio. Honestly, the radio is full of filth subtly disguised by an up-beat rhythm.
Today I wanted to think about and study about how I can best prepare myself and my family for the upcoming conference. What can I do to help my kids get the most out of conference? What can I do to get the most out of conference? And what plans and strategies will I use after conference to continue to apply the words I’ve heard.
Before I begin looking for answers, I’ll just write down a few things that come to mind:
Specific Things I Can Do to Prepare for General Conference
- Pray for guidance and direction
I’ve really learned over the past days, weeks, and months, that prayer is a powerful tool in recovery, in connecting with God, and in surrendering my will over to His. As I think about this upcoming conference, it will help me listen closer if I have questions or thoughts in mind that I can submit to God through prayer and then be listening for answers. I’ve heard a talk that said, “We communicate with God through humble prayers, and often He answers those prayers through the scriptures (or words of the living prophets and apostles).”
I look forward to starting my prayers today for this very purpose – to inquire of God what He wants me to get out of the upcoming conference.
- Fast with a purpose
This would be a stretch for me, but could really help. Fasting is a sacrifice of my will. Fasting shows God that I’m willing to give up worldly things in order to feel His Spirit more in my life and surrender. I could fast one of these days before conference for two meals.
- Get good sleep the night before
I think this is a really important one. In the past, I’ve been tired which doesn’t help me to stay alert and attentive all the time. I doze off and then miss the overall feeling of the talks. Sure, I can justify and say that I’ll read them or listen to them later, but I feel like I need to be more serious about the importance of being well rested so I can get the most out of the talks when they are initially presented.
- Have a notebook to takes notes on
I remember doing this a lot after my mission and when I was dating Becky. It was during those times that I was closer to God because of diligent scripture study and journaling and prayer. Writing my thoughts down, taking notes, and then reviewing those notes can be one way I can stay alert and be ready for answers that will be shared throughout conference weekend.
- Review that notebook and talk about what I got from each talk with Becky and the kids
I’ve loved going on walks with Becky and the kids. These are great times to talk about the things we’ve learned from conference. I will make a concerted effort to do this over the next 6 months.
- Have some sort of activity that will be fun and non-disruptive for the younger kids
I’ll get ideas for this at LDS.org, as I saw some articles already about helping the kids get the most out of conference.
- Study about others ideas on how they prepare for conference
That’s where I’m headed now. 🙂
Here are some quotes I found in the two articles at LDS.org:
Jeffrey Meservy, director of the Taylorsville Utah CES Institute, said, “You’re going to get more out of general conference the more you prepare for it.”
No matter where individuals are participating—whether from home, in the Conference Center, or in their local Church building—if they listen with a prayer of faith, they will be able to receive personal revelation.
“We counsel students to list personal questions or concerns … and then to specifically listen for those answers during general conference,” Brother Meservy said.
…take notes, not so much on what the speakers say, but their own thoughts and feelings and impressions.
“Be a student of conference talks,” he said. “It sends a message to Heavenly Father whether we take serious the messages that are delivered to us. If I study it well, and I come prepared, then I’m not treating lightly the revelation-type things that He has given me.”
I like all these suggestions. I also found some great ideas to print out regarding how I can help the kids prepare for conference. I’m excited to have those ready and surprise them all (including Becky) with the activities before conference starts.
Ultimately, I’m so grateful for the words of the prophets. I’m grateful that today, I’m living in recovery and wanting, of my own free will and choice, to live the gospel, to surrender my will to God’s, and to stay as far away from the “carnal Nate” as I possibly can. I want to feel the Spirit in my life. I want to be the provider and protector that I was meant to be; and I want to show Becky and my kids that our eternal family is the most important thing to me.
I’m grateful for the study this morning.
I look forward to a day in recovery!
Hasta luego!
Nate
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