In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we have a bi-annual, world-wide General Conference. Broadcast from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, the messages of those asked to speak are sent across television, internet, and radio to members of the Church as well as anyone who would like to listen. Uplifting messages about families, faith, hope, Jesus Christ and other topics are spoken about in 8 different sessions across two different weekends.

As a younger child and teenager, Conference Weekend was something I both looked forward to and dreaded. 8 hours of listening (4 sessions, 2 each on Saturday and Sunday) is a lot of religion for someone so young. But it was also a break from regular church attendance and Sunday morning my dad would always make us waffles for breakfast and we’d sit around the breakfast table listening to inspired messages from the leaders of our church. I looked forward to that tradition every time.

Now, I typically can’t wait for Conference to begin! Maybe because I have more patience, or I experience more trials and tests of faith but I love listening to the carefully prepared messages from our Prophet and Apostles. Many times I have had answers to prayers as the messages touch my heart and I apply them to my life and situation.

Last night was the first ever General Women’s Meeting to accompany the General Sessions and Priesthood Sessions which will occur next weekend. I was able to take Rachel, age 8, with me and we sat together and listened to righteous women praise virtue, keeping covenants, listening to the prophets, and a worldwide sisterhood. I was so proud of my daughter. This was the first time Rachel has sat and listened to that long of a meeting without the coloring books or church magazines we typically let them have during our weekly sacrament meetings. I loved when she stood up with girls all over the world and sang “Teach Me to Walk in the Light”. I’m so grateful she is my daughter and I’m excited for the young women she will become over the next few years.

I invite you to listen with us next weekend! Messages are available to stream over the internet from the lds.org website. If you are looking to be inspired, have questions about faith, or are in need of spiritual uplifting, perhaps one of the messages given will touch your heart.

“As you prepare for general conference, I invite you to ponder questions you need to have answered. For example, you might yearn for direction and guidance by the Lord regarding challenges you are facing.

Answers to your specific prayers may come directly from a particular talk or from a specific phrase. At other times answers may come in a seemingly unrelated word, phrase, or song. A heart filled with gratitude for the blessings of life and an earnest desire to hear and follow the words of counsel will prepare the way for personal revelation.”

-Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Sept. 2011 First Presidency Message)