Turn your HEART toward the PROPHET

Thomas S. Monson

Prophet of the Lord.

President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Yesterday I taught the Young Women of my church (ages 12 to 18) a combined lesson all about General Conference. As most of you may know, I served my mission for 18 months for my church at Temple Square, in Salt Lake City, Utah... and absolutely LOVED it! It was all the wonderful things a mission is, and then the church history and family history and church leadership on top of it all! I learned to love the leaders of this great church. I learned that they are people and that they have great love and carry great burdens. I loved giving a lesson on the week before the world-wide conference and how we prepare ourselves to hear the counsel and love the Lord has for us at this point in time. Here are some tips of how to prepare for these sessions:

Temporal Preparedness:

clear your schedule - homework done, chores done, get work off, sports, etc.

get rest - so it is easier to stay awake!

make it a priority - record it to watch it later if you have to, but make sure you actually watch it!

talk to your family about it - "We get to hear the prophet this weekend!"

prepare activities for younger kids to be a part of it - there are some great ideas on-line

try not to have them leave the room, if you can have them somehow play quietly

take notes - so you can remember what struck you and to apply it to your life

Food - make fun & festive food a tradition!

Shop - get it all done before Saturday so you have no errands to cram in

Spiritual Preparedness:

Pray - for the Prophet, for those speaking, for you to hear what you ought to, etc.

Fast - ever noticed they have Fast Sunday the week before???

Seek the Spirit - you will know what you hear is true

Repent - we always should do this, but what greater way to prepare than to be whole

Atmosphere - make your home a quiet, clean, comfortable place with no distractions

Questions - write down things you may need at this time in your life to be answered, so you can listen for them specifically while you listen

Turn your Heart towards the PROPHET - think of him and what he is going through this week.

Reconstructed log home at the site of the Peter Whitmer, Sr. home in Fayette, New York.

Here the Book of Mormon translation was completed, the testimony of the three witnesses was assigned.

The Church was organized on April 6, 1830.

We got to go here a few years ago while visiting my sister, Cassie's, family.

Final preperations for the first General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. June 9, 1830, at that meeting there were only 30 members in attendance and others who were anxious to learn. I love this picture because it shows Joseph Smith setting up the chairs for the commencement of this vital and enduring tradition. Just like we still do have our Priesthood Leaders do... set up and take down chairs!

I know that it is easy to take the next weekend as a vacation from church. But, let us all realize that this is our opportunity to bask in the love of the Lord through his called leaders. To know what he wants us to know today, in our time, in our circumstances, and to rejoice in the testimony and knowledge that Jesus Christ is our Savior. He knows us. He loves us. He knows if we are watching and listening... :-)

"May we long remember that which we have heard during this conference. ... I urge you to study the messages and to ponder their teachings and then to apply them in your life."

--- Thomas S. Monson, May 2009 General Conference ---