How Can I Prepare for General Conference?

Prepare to Receive Revelation

So how can we prepare to receive revelation during conference? Here are three ideas:

1. Attend the temple.
2. Prepare physically.
3. Review past conference talks.

Attend the Temple

In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin provided a general conference of sorts for his people. He encouraged them to assemble at the temple to hear his words. Following their example, one way we can prepare our hearts for general conference is to attend the temple.

As we spend time serving in the temple, we can feel peace and prepare our minds and hearts for what the Lord wants us to hear at conference. The people of Zarahemla went to the temple to give sacrifice and to hear the words of King Benjamin, “and also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men” (Mosiah 2:4).

Like the people of Zarahemla, Wilford Woodruff knew how good and merciful God is, and he encouraged us to show our gratitude to Him. He taught, “The Latter-day Saints are, in truth, a highly favored people, and praise to God should ascend from every heart and habitation in our land for the great mercy and goodness which He has shown unto us. He has made us promises of the most precious character, and he has fulfilled them up to the present time.”^[2]

The temple is one of the greatest blessings God has given us, a place where He has made those precious promises to us that Wilford Woodruff mentioned. While attending the temple, we can pray with gratitude in our hearts for all the Lord has given us and pray for those who are about to speak to us in conference.

Prepare Physically

The people of Zarahemla also prepared themselves physically to hear the words of King Benjamin: “And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents roundabout, every man according to his family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, and their sons, and their daughters . . . And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them” (Mosiah 2:5–6).

We can prepare ourselves for conference physically as well as spiritually. We can gather what we need: a pen and notebook to take notes, a cozy blanket to stay warm, or snacks to enjoy. We can also make sure we are sufficiently rested. Sitting and listening for multiple hours can be difficult, but getting enough rest before conference and moving our bodies in between sessions can help. We should “prepare every needful thing” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:119) to sit at the feet of the prophet and apostles and hear the counsel and direction we need to navigate the world we live in today.

Review Past Conference Talks

The third way we can prepare for conference is to review the talks given in the last general conference. So many people attended general conference in Zarahemla that not everyone could hear King Benjamin, even after he erected a tower. He had his words written down and distributed to those who could not hear him (Mosiah 2:8). We are so fortunate today that we have the written word in addition to video and audio recordings of our leaders’ messages.

You may be thinking, “I don’t have time to go over last conference’s talks”—but think of pockets of time that you do have. Maybe while getting ready for school or work, maybe in the car as you travel, maybe as you prepare yourself for bed, look for ten to fifteen minutes you could listen to or read a talk. This practice lays the groundwork to be prepared to receive instruction from our leaders and refreshes us on the counsel we received last conference.

Our prophet Russell M. Nelson has counseled us, “I exhort you to study the messages of this conference frequently—even repeatedly—during the next six months. Conscientiously look for ways to incorporate these messages in your family home evenings, your gospel teaching, your conversations with family and friends, and even your discussions with those not of our faith. Many good people will respond to the truths taught in this conference when offered in love. And your desire to obey will be enhanced as you remember and reflect upon what you have felt these past two days.”^[3]

One great way to review past conference talks is to use online resources like “Consider Conference,” a new series released by FAIR Latter-day Saints.^[4] This series goes over each talk from the most recent general conference session in depth and provides study materials and other references.

Conclusion

Wilford Woodruff shared, “The preaching of the First Presidency has been soul tiring indeed. We may safely say in a measure that such sermons were never heard before, as have been delivered unto us of late by the prophet of God, and they are weighing the people, and the people feel that they are dealing with the quickening spirit and power of God which discerns and knows their hearts and they feel the importance of repentance and baptism for the remission of sins and leading holy lives before God that we may be prepared for the events which await the whole earth.”^[5]

Wilford Woodruff bore testimony of the incredible, life-changing events that can happen when prophets and apostles speak to us. These happen in our day just as they did in his as we sincerely listen to the messages of our Church leaders.

As we prepare ourselves for the upcoming conference, let us remember whose conference this is. The Lord has instructed, “Wait patiently and diligently for further instructions at my general conference” (Doctrine and Covenants 124:88; emphasis added). As we each receive that counsel for ourselves, we can remember that this is His general conference and we will hear the messages He needs us to hear: “Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:38).

Wilford Woodruff reminded us, “God never had had a people on the earth, but what he always held communication with them through his servants the prophets.”^[6] How blessed we are to have a prophet in our midst to guide us and direct us!