Preparing For General Conference

The Church Starts preparations for General Conference in Advance… Shouldn’t we too??? General Conference is one of my favorite times of the year!!! I love hearing from the leaders of the church. When the conference is over I always feel recharged and excited to make changes and improvements. It is a time of reflection and learning. 

I wanted to share some ways to prepare for this special weekend so that we are able to capitalize on this event that only happens twice a year.

1= Block out the Days for both 

Saturday and Sunday Sessions

The first key is to block out the time of General Conference. This looks different depending what season of life you are in. When I was young my Mother knew it would be hard to contain four troublemakers for the both sessions on Saturday. So my parents planned to take us on a picnic that just happened to be a few hours away. We would be restrained and listening while we drove and then during the break we would have lunch and play and then drive home also listening to conference. When we were older we would play bingo and get treats for answering questions. Now that it’s just Caleb and I we try to make sure we don’t make any plans and we watch and take notes from the session. I am a firm believer that when we take time for General Conference we are greatly blessed for our efforts. When we make little efforts it not only teaches patterns but it is also those small steps that make the biggest difference. 

2= Prepare Questions

Elder Neil L. Anderson said, “As you listen, the messages you receive may be very literal or they may be customized just for you.

I promise you that as you prepare your spirit and come with the anticipation that you will hear the voice of the Lord, thoughts and feelings will come into your mind that are customized especially for you. You have already felt them in this conference, or you will as you study the messages in the weeks ahead.”

  

Coming with questions to general conference, gives me something to look for while listening to the meetings. I have received many answers during the meeting and find even more when I study the talks after. 

3= Have a list for improvements and changes 

that need to be made

 “President Boyd K. Packer … has a question he often asks when we have made a presentation or given some sort of exhortation to one another in the Twelve. He looks up as if to say, ‘Are you through?’ And then says to the speaker … ,“‘Therefore, what?’ I think that is what the Savior answered day in and day out as an inseparable element of His teaching and preaching. … These sermons and exhortations were to no avail if the actual lives of His disciples did not change” ---Jeffery Holland

We can't just walk away after conference and go back to the same ol things. We need to make those changes to become better. I make a list of improvements or things that I can change to be better, so that I don't forget.

Here are a few videos that go perfectly with this topic 

Video on Preparations made for conference https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-38-conference-behind-the-scenes?lang=eng

Our preparation affects what we gain from general conference. https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-the-living-prophets-teacher-manual-2016/chapter-6?lang=eng&query=preparing+for+general+conference

jOuRnAliNg

 I love journaling!!!!! It's right up there with Diet Coke and Caleb. I have always loved writing and recording things I am learning in life and in my gospel study. I am a creative speller but I don't let that stand in my way. 

During middle and high school I have sporadic entries from a lot of different journals that were just too cute to pass up. (I am sure you know what I am talking about... You find a journal that is so darling, soooo amazing you cannot live with out it. So you write three or four times and then a few months later there it is the newest most darling journal. So it goes the serial journals). 

I started writing consistently when I decided to go on a mission in 2008 (yikes the years are sneaking up). Since then I have filled 24 journals. I started #25 a few days ago and I finally feel like I have "the perfect set up". I wanted to share how I set up my journals. You will find that you will take tips and tricks from all over and come up with the perfect set up for yourself. 

This is one of my favorite video's that helped me know how and why to journal... It is a must see!!!!!!! Take the time and watch it!!!

https://youtu.be/51AhzkPnn6I

Each new journal includes:

Here is a video that summarizes this blog that I made:
https://youtu.be/hTUZaJn7QGc

  A cute journal=- Lets face it if you don't like the thing you won't want to reach for it. I usually like things matchy matchy but I do love to have different journals. I get them from Deseret Book, Barns & Noble, or Amazon are my favorite places to find them. You want to make sure that it has quality paper so that your writing is legible down the road. 

          Index=-This is in the first couple of pages so that I can find important or meaningful entries quick and easily. For this reason numbering the pages are key. 

This is an index filled out in one of my journals

This is a blank index so you have an idea of how to set it up

           Highlights-= Is how I tract important dates that happen during each journal. This is great to remember important dates and events at a glance. 

  Patriarchal Blessing=- I put a copy of my blessing in each journal so that I always have it with me so that when phrases or words come up I can add notes or insights. I usually write it so that I can work on memorizing it. This time I color-coded it according to warnings, blessings, and promises.

  Book List=- A list of the books I read during the journal span.

          Start and End Dates- in the front cover I add the start date that I start writing and then The last date. That way I can track event with in those dates.

My Favorite quotes about journaling

"The prompting that goes unresponded to may not be repeated. Writing down what we have been prompted with is vital. A special thought can be lost later in the day through the rough and tumble of life. God should not, and may not choose to repeat the prompting if we assign what is given such a low priority as to put it aside."

Elder Neal A Maxwell

"I've found, as I'm sure you have, that when you're trying to learn from the Lord and you feel an impression from the Spirit, it's important to make a note so it will not be forgotten. The more you not only hear but abide by what you've been told, the more the Lord will give to you. It will come more and more rapidly and you will begin to hear and feel those impressions of the Spirit more quickly than you have previously done."

Elder Gene R. Cook

"Get a notebook, my young folks, a journal that will last through all time, and maybe the angels may quote from it for eternity."

President Spencer W. Kimball

"We often leave the most precious personal direction of the Spirit unheard because we do not record and respond to the first promptings that come to us when the Lord chooses to direct us."

Elder Richard G. Scott

"Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place that communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. This practice enhances the likelihood of receiving further light."

Elder Richard G. Scott

https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/o-remember-remember-1

Love this video!!!! This video totally changed my life and how I feel about making sure we are paying attention to how the Lord is present in our lives if we are paying attention.

Studying the Book of Mormon by Topic’s

Studying the Book of Mormon by topic is my favorite way to study scriptures!! I created a video that goes over this blog in greater detail. Check it out here:

Link To video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pheMzack5ao&feature=youtu.be 

First things first, you need to come up with a topic to study. Pick a topic from questions or topics you would like to learn more about.

I wanted to share my topics to give you some Idea’s. I haven’t studied the last three yet but they are next in line. I already had them engraved; I just need to study them now:

-Confidence Wax Strong
-Family and Parenting
-90 Day Challenge
-Little Packets of Light
-The Lord's Communication
-Atonement #1
-Atonement #2
-All God's Plans Work
-Patterns of Learning
-Shae's Baptism Challenge
-BoM for Dummies
-And Thus We See...
-Lessons on Being Delightful
-How To...

-Be Not Deceived

-The Savior's Love
-Power of 2 or More Witnesses
-Christ's Doctrine

Once I have the Topic I then write the date I start studying and my testimony of the topic in the front. Then in the back after I have read it cover to cover I again write my testimony to see the growth and things I have learned.

After that I add quotes and pictures that connect to the theme. I make notes and insert talks that go with the topic.

Scriptures.byu.edu is the best website to look up conference talks for each verse of scripture. It’s one of my favorite study tools. Then start reading through thinking of your theme and the parallels that are in the verses.

I hope this all makes sense Happy Reading!!

Tips on How to Study General Conference

Happy New Year!! 2018 is going to be a great year and I am hoping to post a lot more on the blog. Today we will be talking about how to study general conference talks. My process is always evolving and changing as I find effective ways to learn and remember. Starting in 2009 I started to study general conference talks seriously on my mission. My favorite thing about studying conference talks is that they unfold the scriptures in a personal and detailed way for me. I love love love love general conference. I love hearing from messages that are inspired and have constantly blessed me.

Every six months the process starts. Once I get my Ensign I go to Staples and get my magazine bound and laminated Usually it costs around $5. Ilike to have them bound so that they don’t fall apart and I am able to store them easier.

Ensign Bound and Laminated

Next, I put my questions in the Ensign. These questions that are doctrinally based or things I have been wondering about. As I read each talk I am reminded what answers I am searching for. Recently I started typing my questions instead of writing them in front so I can read and check the whole time I am studying.

These are the questions that are taped to the back cover, I flip it up and can look at them the entire time I study.

I usually write my questions in my journal at the beginning of conference and that way, I have two time of trying to search for the answers I am seeking.

While reading the talk I look for a few things. First I look for answers to my questions. Second I look for scriptures that are linked with quotes from the speaker.

When I read the talk and I find a power explanation of doctrine often they have scriptures in the footnotes that are related. I then go into the scriptures and add the quote in the scriptures on a posted note. I also try to add it digitally to mylds account, but I am an old fashioned girl and love paper and pens.

Records and recording what your learning is an important commandment and the more we show the Lord that we will prize what He is teaching us, the more we will learn. After I read a talk I will write in the extra space and summarize what I learned. Often I need more space so I will then go to my journal and will reference the journal number and page that the extra info is on.

Summary of talk and reference to Journal

During General Conference I keep notes in my journal, I use washi tape to organize the different sessions. Often I add the notes I had from my journal into my ensign. Comparing what I wrote down during conference and then when I am studying the talk really is different and I learn so much each time I study a general conference address.

I hope that you can take something away and start using it in your general conference study. I would love to hear any tips or tricks you use while studying.