Growing from General Conference

by Nola Redd | More from this Blogger

02 Apr 2007 12:31 PM

Now that General Conference is over and done, those of us who have attended my feel as though we've 'done our duty' until the May Ensign comes out and we can study and ponder the talks. However, I'd like to take a minute to challenge you to truly make the most of what you heard over the past weekend.

Take a few minutes of quiet time to think about and ponder the various talks you heard. What stood out the most in your mind? If you took notes during the sessions, look at what you emphasized. I can generally tell which talks most impressed me by the amount of notes I took; I might write only two or three lines for one talk, and half a page for another. I also try, while listening, to put a star by talks that I recognize as most impressive to me. But even if you didn't take notes, think back to the talks that made you sit up and pay attention, the ones that made you nod your head. Make a note of the substance of those talks or the ideas you took from them. Perhaps a talk on one subject triggered a thought or spiritual impression on another; Elder Bednar's 'Parable of the Pickle' turned my mind (once again) towards our family's need for food storage.

Once you have made a list of various spiritual impressions you have received, determine what changes you need to make in your life. Then make a plan for those changes. Do you need to improve your scripture study? Learn how to can? Become a better 'Anti-Nephi-Lehi', or first-generation parent? Write down those goals; then write down how you plan to accomplish them. These goals are best met prayerfully, so take some time to present your plans to Heavenly Father and get His guidance along the way.

The ideal time to take these steps, of course, is immediately after each broadcast. Still, the sooner you complete them, the better your chances of remembering what stood out, and why. Spiritual promptings can be so fragile if you don't address and follow them quickly. And General Conference makes for a wonderful time to receive personal revelations. But like so much in the gospel, the experience is wasted if you don't act. So make a plan to act today!

Related Articles:

Dinner Discussions 2007 Spring General Conference

Visiting Teaching: Spiritual Promptings

Recognizing the Holy Ghost

Learn more about Nola Redd

Freelance writer Nola Redd is a stay-at-home mom to three kids, with a fourth on the way.

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Katie Parker (85) 02 Apr 2007 02:39 PM

It's interesting how inspiration works sometimes. For instance, even though Elder Bednar's intention regarding his pickle story had to do with personal growth, I could easily see someone coming away feeling the need to work on their food storage. Sometimes the messages we get aren't the ones spoken!

Valorie Delp (49340) 02 Apr 2007 06:12 PM

Spiritual promptings can be so fragile if you don't address and follow them quickly

I really like how you worded this! :-)

Nola Redd (7081) 02 Apr 2007 07:28 PM

I told dh that if his talk was on food storage, I was going to have to leave, because I keep recieving promptings to develop ours! LOL. But I was also thinking of all the opportunities my kids are missing without a garden or canning. Hmm, maybe I'll wait a little longer til they can do all the work... just kidding.

Thanks for the feedback, Valorie! It seems to be my highlight for the week. Maybe it means I need to start paying more attention...hmm...