General Conference April 2010

In the Africa Area, we watched General Conference this past weekend, instead of the first weekend in April. I think the jury is still out as to whether it was better or worse doing it this way, but time will tell, and the decision will be made by the Area Presidency as to whether we do it like this going forward in the long term.

There were definitely some advantages though. Because we watched so long after the event I was able to download all of the transcripts from the church site and I printed them out in an A5 booklet form, so as we were watching I could follow along and underline what I found important, and I could also make notes of my impressions along the sides. But I felt that I got more out of it this way. I've also then chosen some quotes from each of the talks that we watched, and I've made little cards which we've put up around the house so that we can regularly be reading the latest words of the Prophet and Apostles.

The other great thing is that we were able to get hold of a copy of the DVD's that were being shown in all of the wards, so we were able to watch at home. We wouldn't have been able to listen at all really if we were at the chapel with Joshua, but this way we could watch a bit, pause and rewind as we needed too, and also break up the session into more manageable chunks in terms of what Joshua would allow us to do. What a difference! Andrew said that he hasn't got as much out of conference for the last 2 years! And I think I have to agree with him!

What a strong theme of parenting this conference! When I was downloading all of the transcripts I picked it up, and watching it brought it out very strongly.

Some of the quotes that I really enjoyed:

Richard G Scott: "The vital importance of teaching truth in the home is fundamental. The Church is important, but it is in the home where parents provide the required understanding and direction for children. It is truly said that the most important callings in time and eternity are those of father and mother. In time we will be released from all other assignments we receive but not from that of father and mother."

M. Russell Ballard: "Clearly, those of us who have been entrusted with precious children have been given a sacred, noble stewardship, for we are the ones God has appointed to encircle today’s children with love and the fire of faith and an understanding of who they are."

Robert D Hales: "[D]oing our duty to God as parents and leaders begins with leading by example—consistently and diligently living gospel principles at home. This takes daily determination and diligence.
"For youth, there is no substitute for seeing the gospel lived in our daily lives."

James B Martino: "[T]he challenge is to gain that eternal perspective while we are going through our tests. To some, our trials may not seem great, but to each of us who are passing through these experiences, the trials are real and require us to humble ourselves before God and learn from Him." (What a reminder not to judge others!)

Neil L Andersen: "If a child is not listening, don’t despair. Time and truth are on your side. At the right moment, your words will return as if from heaven itself. Your testimony will never leave your children."

I also found it very interesting that two of the speakers spoke about the experiences of children in the Book of Mormon. Elder Robert D Hales spoke about the children at the time that King Benjamin spoke to the people. They did not understand what was taught, and they did not feel the same conversion that the adults did, and as a result their "hearts were hardened" as they grew older.

Compared to the children at the time that Christ appeared to the Nephites, which Sister Cheryl C Lant told about. They had a personal experience, seeing and being blessed by the Saviour - and they remembered, to the extent that there was peace for 200 years!

The importance of children have their own spiritual experiences, so that they can have the strength of personal conviction to carry them through!

But Joshua... So we watched one session on Saturday. Then Sunday morning we were going to do a couple things for Andrew's fireside he had to do with the youth later in the day before we started watching, but Joshua asked us to watch conference. So we watched the first bit with the choir singing and the opening prayer, and then the choir again. Then later in the day he asked again for conference, and since then he's been asking again and again. I was at home with him today and he wanted it playing in the background almost continually! And he would actually go and sit on the couch and watch - even the talks, although he likes the choir singing the most. Can he feel a difference in the spirit in the home when it's on? I wonder... But I'm very glad he's so keen to be watching!