Spring time.  Conference time. Easter time. I love it all.  It amazes me how blessed we are with the knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the Plan of Happiness our Father designed for us.  It’s part of the good news of the gospel that we have a living prophet on the earth today who teaches us and tells us what the Lord wants us to know.  We have ancient prophets’ words in the scriptures and latter-day prophets to help us navigate our current crazy, scary world.  It’s a singular blessing of being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

For me, watching General Conference is like paying tithing, in that the Lord opens the windows of Heaven and pours out blessings, that there is not room enough to receive it. The information and inspiration poured out in one weekend, may overflow our cup and overwhelm us. When I feel that way, I try to welcome the flood, capture all I can, and then slowly and thoughtfully, drink it in over the next few months, going over it again and again, reading, discussing, praying, and applying the messages.  

The year after my divorce, I came to Conference seeking help, healing, and wisdom.  Many messages seemed just for me. Later, I used my notes to compose this pledge for myself.  I read it often and it continues to be a strength and a guide for me.

I am not a victim, but a woman of faith.  I choose to repent of my mistakes, weaknesses, and sins, forgive those who have harmed me, and allow the Savior’s atonement to heal me and my loved ones so that we can be whole.

Today, and the rest of my life, I will keep my focus on Jesus, seeking and embracing joy amidst the sorrows, which I will endeavor to learn from, so that I may be more like my Savior.  I know I don’t walk alone.

I will share with others what I’ve learned from my experiences.  I will open my heart and cherish the wonderful relationships I’ve been blessed with and be grateful for countless blessings from my Heavenly Father.  I will pray more earnestly and sincerely, on my knees, to be blessed with the spiritual gifts I need, and to be taught and led by the Holy Ghost.  I will ask to feel Him more in my life, with a commitment to do what I feel inspired to do.  I will seek God’s will above my own and give my heart more fully to His will for me, trusting Him rather than “wrestling” with Him.

I will remember, especially during difficult times, that steady and sustained progress is enough, and that I can do this—with my Savior’s grace.  In gratitude for the precious gifts of the gospel He has given me, I will love and share and always press on, because God needs brave daughters.

For General Conference, I try to be as prepared as possible to receive what I need to know. I’m at a stage in life where I can attend the temple, take time to ponder what I need help with, and sit and quietly listen to the speakers.  It’s new, and wonderful, but the times of Conference with my big family surrounding me, are treasured memories, happily softened around the edges by time.  Here’s a glimpse, from the past, of my busy mom version of Conference preparation:

1. Monday—Before Family Night, spend the afternoon cutting out tiny pictures of all the Apostles and First Presidency. Realize it’s getting late and think (for an hour) about what really quick thing I could make for dinner. Listen to hungry, grumpy children while I crank out grilled cheese sandwiches. Play the apostles game while the kids whine, “How many more do we have to do,” and “What’s the treat?”
2. Tuesday—Conference tradition: Drag out all nine 72-hour kit backpacks and place them in the family room. Take out the old food items (what’s left after the kids have stolen the granola bars) and make a grocery list of items to replenish. Inventory the rest of the pack for missing socks, mittens, toilet paper, and Band-Aids used in other emergencies.
3. Wednesday—Add to the grocery list items needed to make fun food for Conference days; so the kids will think of it as a special weekend. Absolutely do not forget cheese balls and beef jerky! Also be sure to include treats—they help the kids concentrate and sit quietly. Count to ten before asking the kids to stop taking everything out of the 72-hour kits and blowing the whistles. Attempt to reroll the TP.
4. Thursday—Spend hours scouring the internet for fun Conference activities. Print, copy, and staple together a packet for each child. Feel really proud of myself. Clean up all the messes that somehow happened while I was accomplishing this amazing feat. Add new crayons and jigsaw puzzles to the shopping list.
5. Friday—Enlist the kids’ “help” getting the house clean for Conference. “Why? Is somebody coming over to watch with us?”  “No, but it’s easier to concentrate in a clean environment.” Tired and overwhelmed, go grocery shopping, mentally substituting easier “fun” meals, and decide to save the 72-hour kit stuff for next week, or month, or whenever.  At home, unload all the groceries myself, hiding the surprises in my closet.   Give in and pick up dinner even though I just bought $235.00 of groceries.
6. Saturday—Get up super early. Make individual snack bags for each child, so I don’t have to listen to fighting over who’s hogging the skittles. Rearrange all the furniture, set up the puzzle table, get out clipboards, packets, and crayons, and set out snack bags. Realize I didn’t get to the temple and feel a little defeated. Make the breakfast casserole and put it in the oven. Fifteen minutes before Conference, attempt to get the big kids up. Five minutes before, try again, mentioning food bribes. Two minutes before, turn on the TV and try to find the BYU password to login. Give up and make a new password. Sit down to listen to conference. Breathe deeply.  About an hour in, fall asleep while taking notes on my phone and accidentally erase them all.

Although, this seems amusing to me now, I was giving my all, at that time, to show my family how important General Conference was to me.  Over the years, there have been varying levels of success in attempts to make it just right, but the habit, the preparation, the tradition of sitting down together for Conference, because a prophet of God was going to speak to us, made an impact.  We made a place where the Spirit could be welcome and teach us. I try to always be home and ready for those special times—two of my favorite weekends of the year.

One year, my son was home alone during Conference because I went to help my daughter. He sent me this. 

“Of all the traditions we should cultivate within ourselves and our families, a ‘tradition of righteousness’ should be preeminent. Hallmarks of this tradition are an unwavering love for God and His Only Begotten Son, respect for prophets and priesthood power, a constant seeking of the Holy Spirit, and the discipline of discipleship which transforms believing into doing. A tradition of righteousness sets a pattern for living which draws children closer to parents, and both closer to God, and elevates obedience from a burden to a blessing.” Donald L. Hallstrom