Upcoming Conference

[bluebell]

I'll be in the MTC during it, so that should be interesting.

I was in the MTC during a conference. It was a nice change!

[Duncan]

I was in the MTC during a conference. It was a nice change!

where were you at ? I was in the big room where they hold the General Authority devotionals It was a sleepfest!!!

[Senator]

I would like to cut out the hymns and put in another speaker or shorten each session. While I like the music generally I find sitting and listening to music and doing nothing incredibly boring. Music is good as a backdrop. It is tedious to focus on. I am probably in the minority though.

It's interesting (and wonderful) how different we all are. The music is my spirtitual food during conference.

[rongo]

I would like to cut out the hymns and put in another speaker or shorten each session. While I like the music generally I find sitting and listening to music and doing nothing incredibly boring. Music is good as a backdrop. It is tedious to focus on. I am probably in the minority though.

Well, it's a minority of two, then. My wife is used to my standard jokes about making a sandwich during the songs, or auxiliary presidency talks . . . I also don't like how we sing *the same* songs every Conference. Has there ever been one in recent memory without "Redeemer of Israel?" (and no, don't CFR me and show me how three times ago it wasn't sung. I'm being tongue in cheek).

I usually make all five sessions of Conference. Saturday I do light cleaning while I listen to the first two sessions. Priesthood, go to the building. Sunday I usually go visit my parents and eat brunch and have an enjoyable time.

We listen to all sessions on the internet, and my oldest son and I go to Priesthood. My wife loves to scrapbook while listening, and my kids draw and do other things while listening. I work on apologetics and my books while listening. We get a lot out of it and discuss it often (we listen to a conference talk and discuss every Sunday morning) It's wonderful to have a break from Church and be able to participate in Conference. Doubly so when there are an inordinate amount of interesting and powerful talks.

[Duncan]

you probably saw me sleeping! haha!

[Nathair/|\]

It's interesting (and wonderful) how different we all are. The music is my spirtitual food during conference.

St. Hildegard of Bingen taught that songs are the highest form of prayer.

[Nathair/|\]

Too long, and to repetitive. How about some new revelations.

Do you think the Saints as a whole live up to the revelations we have?

[Damien the Leper]

When I used to have home teachers, I asked them not to share the FP Message of the Ensign or GC talks when they would come over. I can read, re-read, watch, and re-watch those anytime I want. They liked it because it opened up discussion on various topics that they felt inspired to address.

[CV75]

The only excuse for ten hours of sermons is that the Saints are too lazy to take responsibility for their own spirituality.

On the contrary, it is a great exercise and development of spirituality to attend all ten hours and get something out of it!

Those who cannot stand 10 hours of the Holy Spirit teaching them while listening to the sermons need to attend all ten hours until they can stand it.

The Holy Spirit is doing His part, and the organizers and speakers theirs, and the humble folowers of Christ theirs, for the full ten hours -- plus all the hours leading up to it and following up and through on the messgaes and personal revelations received. Only those that do take responsibility for their own spirituality have the wherewithal to handle it.

[bluebell]

where were you at ? I was in the big room where they hold the General Authority devotionals It was a sleepfest!!!

I'm pretty sure i was in one of the smaller rooms in the main building where the cafeterias were. All i really remember was that it was the conference where Pres. Hinckely announced all the temples, making it an even hundred that would be in operation when they were all finally built.

[Duncan]

I'm pretty sure i was in one of the smaller rooms in the main building where the cafeterias were. All i really remember was that it was the conference where Pres. Hinckely announced all the temples, making it an even hundred that would be in operation when they were all finally built.

oh man, I don't remember that!- I was mostly totally out as was 3/4 of the others. The only thing I remember from that conference was Elders Ronald Poelman, James Paramore(mostly because I saw him speak at the MTC but I was in the front row and he's short so I only could barely see him) and Lynn Robbins talk about anger or something!

[DBMormon]

I know personally of one GA speaker who has promised to address faith Crisis specifically. I have been looking forward to his talk for 5 months. I am on the edge of my seat, eager to listen to his and the other talks!

[Duncan]

I know personally of one GA speaker who has promised to address faith Crisis specifically. I have been looking forward to his talk for 5 months. I am on the edge of my seat, eager to listen to his and the other talks!

how do you know this? is he a Seventy or an Apostle? details, I need details!

[CASteinman]

Am I the only one who thinks General Conference is too long? Really, we need 10 hours of sermons?

I like it the way it is.

[CASteinman]

Given the amount of coverage in the news, it is possible that a woman will pray in GC this time. I don't think there's any convincing rationale for not having a woman pray, so I don't doubt it. I'm half hoping that it won't happen though, given the pressure exerted to try to make it happen I think it will appear as the Church caving to pressure and will only have a slight positive impact, if any.

Your post and my thoughts are like twins.

[CASteinman]

I was there as well for conference and let me tellya, when they shut off most of the lights it was goodnight all! It was amazing to see so many people sleeping or half asleep!!

I have to admit, when I used to travel day and night to get there, I would get sleepy during conference. I am grateful that I can watch it on TV or on the internet.

[CASteinman]

It's interesting (and wonderful) how different we all are. The music is my spirtitual food during conference.

People ARE different!

Presentation is also different. I don't enjoy the Music on TV. But when I am there, it is very moving.

[Brenda]

People ARE different!

Presentation is also different. I don't enjoy the Music on TV. But when I am there, it is very moving.

Ditto! At home, during the music is when I head for the bathroom or kitchen.

[Paloma]

I'll be thinking of you all two weekends from now!

I remember attending a session of General Conference several years ago ... not as an LDS member, and not even as an investigator, but as an interested observer.

It was helpful for me to have that experience at a time when I was really intent on learning all I could about LDS beliefs 'from the source'.

I can remember my shock at being one of about all of 8 people in the large meeting room as we gathered to listen to the session (lasting about 2 hrs. I think) by satellite feed.

It was only some time later that I learned that most people listen at home! I hadn't wanted to comment to my friends on how few people (seemingly!!) actually attended this important event!

I have to add that I liked the music! But I think I disappointed my friends when I didn't join in to sing the hymn, "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet" (or was it "Praise to the Man"?) - one of those two that require a specific adherence to the LDS faith to be sung with conviction and authenticity.

Edited March 25, 2013 by Paloma

[Sevenbak]

Am I the only one who thinks General Conference is too long? Really, we need 10 hours of sermons?

Methinks you would have hated living in the early days of the church.

[Duncan]

Methinks you would have hated living in the early days of the church.

even 40 years ago when they did solemn assemblies that took like 30-35 minutes, now they are half that time. I can imagine brethren like Pres. Hinckley, Monson, Packer having to sit through all that and wanting to change it when the times comes!

[escott3564]

I would love to have GC every week! Church in pajamas! Party on!

[Senator]

People ARE different!

Presentation is also different. I don't enjoy the Music on TV. But when I am there, it is very moving.

A good audio system helps.

[Brenda]

Methinks you would have hated living in the early days of the church.

Especially sitting on hard wooden benches with no AC. Or outside sitting on logs. But then again, to listen to Joseph Smith expound on new doctrine .... I'd sit on a log all day.

[Mark Beesley]

I've been thinking about the comments regarding length of Conference.

When Christ Himself was on the Earth people flocked to Him and wished to hear him speak constantly. It's stated that whether from Him or the mouth of His servants it is the same (D&C 1:38). Shouldn't we want to hear His words through His servants the same as we would if He were speaking? That's my feeling I have when I listen to the Prophet and Apostles, I just don't want it to end.

D&C 1:38 isn't really relevant since it is essentially talking about declarations by the Lord about what will come to pass. It doesn't apply to every word spoken a General Conference, or are we ready to declare the infallibility of all General Authorities, and if so, why are sermons spoken over the pulpit at General Conference subject to editing prior to publication.

Sorry, but comparing 10 hours of General Conference sermons with 10 hours at the feet of the Savior is a stretch.