Conference is just a week away. I love the messages that we receive from conference. As a child my mother would only make us watch the Sunday morning session of conference, but as I grew older I began to listen to conference more each year. I remember my junior and senior years of high school were the years that I began to realize that the messages spoke directly to my life. I also began to realize that the spoke directly to everyone who listened.
The wonderful thing about conference is that the messages are for us at this time. As we listen to words of the prophet and the apostles, as well as the other leaders of our church, we can have our prayers answered. It is important that we pray and prepare our selves spiritually that our hearts can be opened to receive the messages that we need through the Holy Ghost. Each person may pull a different point out of a talk, but that is because each person has different needs at the time.
I love to prepare myself by praying about specific areas in my life that I need to work on. I often write down questions that I am seeking answers to. If I look at the list before each session, I am more focused on listening for those answers. When I receive an answer I might jot down the name of the talk under the question, and a few sentences about my impressions during that talk. This creates an easy reference list when I sit down and begin to study the talks more in depth.
Another thing that helps me to pay attention is to avoid getting too comfortable during the talk. This is especially important if you are watching conference from home. While it is nice to watch conference in the comfort of your own home, that afternoon session can turn into naptime if you are lying on the couch under a blanket. By keeping my hands occupied (through crocheting or sitting in a position that prevents me from falling asleep, I am able to get much more out of conference.
Related Articles:
Tips to Help You Use General Conference Talks for Family Home Evening
Preparing Your Family for General Conference