In my Logistics and Programs post, I explained to you what a usual Sunday service looks like in our church. I briefly mentioned that 2 times a year, we meet together as a Stake (a larger congregation made up of 5-12 wards which are smaller congregations) for Stake Conference, where we are taught by Stake leaders. What I didn’t mention is that another 2 times a year, our whole Church body meets together (whether in person or via satellite broadcasting) and we are taught by our living Prophet, his counselors, and other Church leaders. We call this General Conference, and it takes place the first Saturday and Sunday of April and October.
There are 5 sessions of General Conference, plus a General Women’s Conference that takes place the Saturday evening the week before. General sessions are at 10 am and 2 pm (MDT) on Saturday and Sunday, with a General Priesthood Meeting at 6 pm on Saturday evening. They are held in the Conference Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, UT, and are broadcast all over the world for members to watch or listen to. They are also available online to watch and read a week or two after conference is over, and they are published in our Church magazine (the Ensign) the next month for all to read and study.
I love General Conference. I love that we are able to learn from living prophets of God. I completely, 100% know and believe that what they speak to us about is inspired of God. It is what God wants us to hear. For my non-LDS, but Christian, friends, I believe I could liken General Conference for Mormons to you going to a big Christian Conference where you are taught by your favorite Christian pastors, teachers, leaders. It’s amazing to hear men (and women) of God speak directly to you.
I also love that it’s such a weekend of rest. Sundays are always a day of rest, it’s true, but sometimes just that little bit of effort of getting ready for church, going to church, making dinner, etc., etc., can still be tiring. A lot of us watch the sessions at home. We’re able to snuggle up on the couch with our family, listen to men and women of God, feel the Spirit, and just spend time together. It’s amazing.
I’d like to invite you to tune in tomorrow and/or Sunday and see just what General Conference and the LDS Church is all about. I think that even if you do not believe some of the things talked about, you’ll still walk away edified and uplifted, and don’t we all need that in our life? I sure think so. And if you do end up listening or watching, let me know! I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Wife to Kyle, and momma to Abe, Eliza and Jonah. I'm a stay-at-home momma by day, and a blogger by naptime. I graduated from BYU with a degree in Human Development, and I love to read more than anything. I love my Savior, and sharing His love for others is my greatest passion.
