Mormon Life - General Conference Fall 2011 tag

Wordles for October 2011 LDS General Conference

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:46:00 -0600

source: ldsmediatalk.com

Mormon Life says: This is a cool graphic that reflects frequency of word use in word size. The biggest words? "God," "Lord," "Christ," and "Church." For the last several conferences, we have shown wordles (word clouds) of the text from general conference, which show the frequency of use of words (except words like it, the, and and). Frequency of use determines the word size.

The Church's October 2011 World Report

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:12:00 -0600

source: Newsroom.lds.org

Mormon Life says: The full, 42-minute world report is now available on YouTube, or you can see clips at the Church's Newsroom site. The October 2011 edition of The World Report, a semiannual report of news events around the world pertaining to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), is now available on the Church’s Public Affairs YouTube channel.

Watch segments from The World Report, including pieces on the 10th anniversary of the Perpetual Education Fund, San Salvador temple dedication, and Elder Holland's visit to Mongolia, by clicking the link below.

FHE: General Authorities

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:05:00 -0600

by Shauna Gibby
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: As your family prepares to receive and study the printed general conference addresses, discuss the position of general authorities and how we can support them.

Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “An Ensign to the Nations,” by Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, May 2011, 111.

Thoughts:
In general conference we offer our testimonies in conjunction with other testimonies that will come, because one way or another God will have His voice heard.

(Jeffrey R. Holland, “An Ensign to the Nations,” Ensign, May 2011, 111.)

Song:
“Fifth Article of Faith,” Children’s Songbook, p. 125.

Scripture:
Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:81)

Lesson:
Before scripture study, obtain a copy of the May or November issue of the Ensign magazine (preferably a current one). Find the page with the pictures of the First Presidency, Quorum of Twelve, and General Authorities on one page (usually in the middle of the issue). Read D&C 107:22 and ask:

• Who are the three presiding high priests in this picture?
• How are they “upheld”?
• What do we call them?

Read D&C 107:23–24, 33, 35 and ask:

• Who are the Twelve Apostles in this picture?
• How do they differ from other officers? (They are special witnesses of the name of Christ “in all the world.”)
• The entire Quorum of the Twelve is equal in power and authority to which other quorum? (The First Presidency—see verse 24.)
• What are some of their responsibilities? (See verses 23, 33, and 35.)

Read D&C 107:25–26, 34 and ask:

• Who are the Seventy in this picture?
• How are they different from the other officers?
• Their quorum is equal in authority to which other quorum? (Quorum of the Twelve—see verse 26.)
• What are some of their responsibilities? (See verses 25 and 34.)

Read together D&C 107:27, 30–31 and list the Lord’s counsel to these quorums as they make decisions. Ask:

• How would you describe the Lord’s council to these quorums?
• What promise does the Lord give if they make decisions in His way? (See verse 31.)

To help explain the authority of the different quorums, share the following explanation: “There can never be two or three quorums of equal authority at the same time; therefore in the revelation where it reads that the Twelve Apostles form a quorum equal in authority with the First Presidency, and that the Seventies form a quorum equal in authority with the Twelve, it should be understood that this condition of equality could prevail only when the ranking quorum is no longer in existence, through death or otherwise. When the First Presidency becomes disorganized on the death of the President, then the Apostles become the presiding quorum, or council, of the Church with all the power to organize again the First Presidency, when they fall back again as the second ranking quorum of the Church. So with the Seventies, they would become equal only on the condition that the first two quorums ceased to exist.”

(Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl, Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, 699–700.)

Ask your family to tell about a time when they were in the presence of one of these men or heard them testify and share how they felt. Testify to your family that these are men whom God has chosen to lead us.

(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 238.)

Story:
“When We Recognize the Priesthood”
Loren C. Dunn

Shortly after being called [as a General Authority] in April Conference . . . , I returned to Boston to get my personal affairs in order so that I could make a permanent move to Salt Lake City. I was released from the New England Mission presidency, and for the first time in five years had more opportunity to attend my own ward in the Boston Stake, since I was usually traveling on mission business every weekend. I can remember going to our ward and, incidentally, if you want to see a picture of frustration, you should see a bishop in whose ward there is a General Authority with no assignment! I went to my own ward and I was invited to sit on the stand, which I did. A counselor in the bishopric was conducting the meeting, and he said these words, and they will forever be in my mind: “Presiding at this meeting is Brother Loren C. Dunn of the First Council of the Seventy, and the meeting will proceed under his direction.” Now, I didn’t have anything to do with the meeting other than just being there and being a member of the First Council of the Seventy. Yet above me and behind me, I felt a force that came down through me and from me out to the audience, and I was given to know that this was a manifestation of the Spirit of the Lord that made itself manifest because the presiding authority had been recognized.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not talking about Loren C. Dunn. He will go along, and some day he will pass from the scene and turn to dust and be forgotten. He is not very important really, but the mantle and priesthood and authority that have been conferred upon him are extremely important and this is what the Lord, I am sure, was trying to tell me. When we recognize the priesthood, when we recognize presiding authority, the Spirit of the Lord begins to operate.

(Leon R. Hartshorn, Outstanding Stories by General Authorities, vol. 2, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1971].)

Activity:
Choose a number of topics that General Authorities speak about from page 3 of a May or November issue of the Ensign magazine. Write each topic on a slip of paper and put the slips in an envelope. Family members take turns pulling a slip of paper from the envelope and then drawing clues for the rest of the family to guess what the topic is.

Refreshment
Pumpkin Spice Dessert

Crust

1 cup prepared biscuit mix

1⁄2 cup quick rolled oats
1⁄2 cup brown sugar
1⁄4 cup margarine

Mix biscuit mix, rolled oats, brown sugar, and margarine until crumbly. Press into a 9x13-inch pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

Middle Layer

1 can (16 ounces) pumpkin

1 tall can evaporated milk
2 eggs
3⁄4 cup sugar
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1⁄2 teaspoon ginger
1⁄4 teaspoon cloves

Beat pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, salt, and spices until well mixed. Pour over crust. Return to oven and bake 25 minutes longer.

Topping

1⁄2 cup pecans, chopped

1⁄2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
Whipped cream

Mix chopped pecans, brown sugar, and butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over pudding. Return to oven and bake 15 to 20 minutes longer. Cool. Serve with whipped cream. Makes 24 servings.

(Lion House Classics, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 2003] p. 123.)

To get the PDF version of this lesson, click here.

Just Off the Square: Fall 2011 General Conference

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:49:00 -0600

by LDS Living staff
source: ldsliving.com

Mormon Life says: LDS Living went to the streets of Temple Square to ask visitors about their general conference experiences. Make sure you watch to the end to hear how New York Times bestselling author Jason Wright spends his conference weekend!

Click here to check out some of our other Just Off the Square videos.

General conference: Highlights from every talk

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 12:47:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

Mormon Life says: Read quotes and themes from each talk given during general conference.

Saturday Morning

Elder Richard G. Scott: The Power of Scripture

Sister Barbara Thompson: Personal Revelation and Testimony

Elder L. Whitney Clayton: The Time Shall Come

Elder José Luis Alonso: Doing the Right Thing

President Boyd K. Packer: Counsel to Youth

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: You Matter to Him

Saturday Afternoon

Elder David A. Bednar: The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn

Elder Neil L. Andersen: Children Essential to God's Eternal Plan

Elder Ian S. Ardern: A Time to Prepare

Elder Carl Cook: It Is Better To Look Up

Elder D. Todd Christofferson: The Divine Gift of Repentance

Elder L. Tom Perry: Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear

Priesthood

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: We Are All Enlisted

Elder Keith B. McMullin: The Power of the Aaronic Priesthood

Elder W. Christopher Waddell: The Opportunity of a Lifetime

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Providing in the Lord's Way

President Thomas S. Monson: Dare to Stand Alone

President Henry B. Eyring: I Need Your Help

Sunday Morning

President Henry B. Eyring: A Witness

Elder Robert D. Hales: Waiting Upon the Lord

Elder Tad R. Callister: A Book from God

Sister Elaine S. Dalton: Love Her Mother

Elder M. Russell Ballard: The Importance of a Name

President Thomas S. Monson: Stand...in Holy Places

Sunday Afternoon

Elder Russell M. Nelson: Covenants

Elder Dallin H. Oaks: We are followers of Jesus Christ

Brother Matthew O. Richardson: Teaching after the Manner of the Spirit

Elder Kauhiko Yamashita: Missionaries Are a Treasure in the Church

Elder Randall K. Bennett: Choose Eternal Life

Elder J. Devn Cornish: The Privilege of Prayer

Elder Quentin L. Cook: The Songs They Could Not Sing

President Thomas S. Monson: Until We Meet Again

{Food Dish} Ultimate Guide: Decadent Desserts

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:05:00 -0600

by Kate Ensign-Lewis
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: A list of indulgent dessert ideas for your night of fun with the girls, while the men are away at general conference priesthood session.

I know Saturday during the priesthood session of general conference is traditionally a girl's time, so I thought it would be fun to compile a list of awesome desserts for you ladies to enjoy with your gal pals. (Though, if you're more charitable than I, you might wait until the guys get home and enjoy them all together.)

A warning: I love desserts. And I tend to love rich desserts, so (per the title) this post is not for the faint of heart.

Peanut Butter Stuffed Hot Fudge Cupcakes (from How Sweet It Is)

(I may or may not have made them three times since finding them a month ago.)

Ultimate Chocolate Chip n' Oreo Fudge Brownie Bar (from Kevin and Amanda)

Dena's Chocolate Cake with Real Fudge Frosting (my own image)

(My own combination of Dena Kennedy's chocolate cake recipe with Cook's Country's Real Fudge Frosting from their "Wellesley Fudge Cake" recipe – you have to sign up for a free trial to get the recipe, but the fudgy goodness is worth it.)

Banana Parfait (from Framed Cooks)

Red Velvet Brownies (from Pass the Sushi)

Grasshopper Pie (from Feasts and Fotos)

(Easy. Decadent. Delicious.)

Happy eating!

{Food Dish} Conference Casserole and Other Delectables

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:05:00 -0600

by Kaela Worthen
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Delicious food makes life just a little sweeter, and I love that general conference gives us the opportunity to be physically and spiritually nourished at the same time.

The comparisons between being spiritually and physically fed are many. But perhaps one of my favorite things about conference weekend is that they can become one and the same. I love being able to be so spiritually edified while lounging in the comfort of my PJs and consuming delicious food.

For me, the epitome of this is what I have dubbed the “conference casserole.” Technically, we use it on other events, too—Easter, Christmas, etc. But “conference casserole” just has such a nice ring to it. Last conference, I was so excited about having this casserole that when we finished it before the first session was over, I insisted we make a second one so I could have it again during the second session. Because it’s just that good.

And because I want you to be able to focus on the wonderful things the speakers have to say this weekend instead of trying to figure out what you’re going to eat, I’m going to share my mother’s awesome recipe with all of you.

Conference Casserole

26-oz bag of shredded Hash browns
16-oz roll maple (or regular, but maple is yummier) sausage, cooked, crumbled, and drained on paper towels to remove excess fat
2-3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
9 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp of salt
1/4 tsp garlic salt
sprinkle chopped green onion over the top

Layer hash browns, sausage, and cheddar cheese in a greased 9x13 pan. Combine eggs, milk, salt, and garlic salt together, then pour over the first three ingredients in the pan. Sprinkle chopped green onions over the top. Bake at 350 F for 1 hour (30 minutes covered with foil, 30 minutes uncovered). Let cool 10-15 minutes before cutting to allow casserole to set.

One of the greatest virtues of the casserole is that it can be made the night before and refrigerated, then just popped in the oven when you wake up. Perfect for lazy mornings when you roll out of bed five minutes before conference starts. I think the casserole tastes even better when you do let it sit overnight, because the flavors all meld together better. But, of course, it can also be made the day of and put into the oven immediately after combining the ingredients together.

Need another recipe to make ahead the night before for Sunday? Try our other favorite, monkey bread.

Picture from Rhodes. My recipe is a little different, but it ends up looking pretty similar to Rhodes Monkey Bread.

Monkey Bread

18 frozen Rhodes rolls
1 small box non-instant butterscotch pudding
1/3-1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans are awesome)
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter/margarine

Grease a Bundt pan and place frozen rolls inside. Combine sugar, pudding, cinnamon, and nuts together; sprinkle evenly over frozen rolls. Melt butter and pour over other ingredients. Cover with a towel (or coat plastic wrap with non-stick spray and use that instead) and let rise overnight. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes. Invert onto plate immediately after baking and lift Bundt pan away (otherwise the caramel goodness will cement the rolls to the pan).

Your turn: Do you have any favorite conference food traditions or recipes? Let us know in the comments below.

--
Kaela Worthen is the associate editor at LDS Living. A self-titled “ultimate grammar nerd,” she also battles serious addictions to news and food websites and a compulsion to dance to the radio while driving.

{A&E} Call for Videos: Be a Part of Church Social Media History

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:54:00 -0600

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

The Church needs your creativity, social media knowhow, and filmmaking skills!

This week the Church launched a new campaign called Come Listen that asks members to create a video of their general conference experience. The videos will not only become part of church history (sweet!), but they’ll be used to create a short film titled “Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice,” a film to invite non-members to do just that.

They want to see your general conference traditions, travel, faith, reaction, or anything about your personal experience with it.

This whole campaign sounds pretty awesome. The Church is really trying to get members to utilize social media and new technology to share the gospel, and Come Listen is a perfect way to do that. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said it best in his last general conference address:

“With so many social media resources and a multitude of more or less useful gadgets at our disposal, sharing the good news of the gospel is easier and the effects more far-reaching than ever before. With the blessings of modern technology, we can express gratitude and joy about God’s great plan for His children in a way that can be heard not only around our workplace but around the world.”

So get out your video cameras and start sharing the gospel. For more information on guidelines, visit the official Come Listen website here.

FHE: General Conference

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:05:00 -0600

by Shauna Gibby
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: For FHE, prepare your family to hear the words of the Lord's servants at the upcoming general conference. Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “At Parting,” by President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 2011, 114.

Thought:
May we long remember the messages we have heard. As we receive the issues of the Ensign and Liahona magazines which will contain these messages in written form, may we read and study them.

(President Thomas S. Monson, “At Parting,” Ensign, May 2011, 114.)

Song:
“Thy Spirit Lord, Has Stirred Our Souls,” Hymns, #157.

Scripture:
And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.

(Doctrine and Covenants 43:8)

Lesson:
Ask family members to share some favorite things they enjoy about general conference. Read the following statement describing some purposes of general conference:

“To worship . . . the Lord . . . ; to build up in faith, testimony, and desires of righteousness; to transact the business of the Church; to sustain the officers whom the Lord has appointed to administer the affairs of his kingdom; and to receive, from those appointed so to serve, the counsel, inspiration, and revelations needed in both temporal and spiritual fields. . . . They consist of a series of meetings at which the mind and will of the Lord is manifest to the people by the mouth of his servants.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 155–56.)

Read D&C 44:1–5 together and find reasons why this fourth Church conference was called. Ask:

• According to verse 2, what blessing would the elders receive by assembling together?
• What requirements does verse 2 mention before the Lord’s Spirit would be poured out upon the people?
• Following the conference, where were the missionaries to focus their efforts? (See verse 3.)
• What blessings would come to the Church as they were obedient? (See verses 4–5.)
• How have we seen the fulfillment of those promises in the Church today?

(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 90.)

Story:
At general conference in 1975, during the session when I was assigned to speak, my attention was drawn constantly to a little blond-haired girl seated on the first row in the balcony. That day I directed my remarks to my young friend in the balcony. I spoke of my experience with Christal Methvin, who was about her age.

Upon returning to my office, I found waiting for me this same young lady and also her grandmother. The young girl was Misti White from California. She said to me, “I have had a problem, Brother Monson, but not any longer. A person very dear to me told me to wait until I was eighteen to be baptized. My grandmother said I should be baptized now. I prayed for an answer and then said to Grandmother, ‘Take me with you to conference. There Jesus will help me.’”

To conference they came, and so did divine help. Eagerly Misti took my hand and exclaimed, “You helped Him answer my prayer. Thank you.” Upon returning to California, Misti sent me a treasured letter, with this beautiful ending: “Brother Monson, I was baptized on November 29th. I am now very happy. Love, Misti.” Faith does precede the miracle.

(Thomas S. Monson, Inspiring Experiences That Build Faith: Fron the Life and Ministry of Thomas S. Monson, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1994].)

Activity:
Working together as a family, memorize the names of the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles in order.

Thomas S. Monson
Henry B. Eyring
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Boyd K. Packer
L. Tom Perry
Russell M. Nelson
Dallin H. Oaks
M. Russell Ballard
Richard G. Scott
Robert D. Hales
Jeffrey R. Holland
David A. Bednar
Quentin L. Cook
D. Todd Christofferson
Neil L. Andersen

Note: If you’d like to do it to music, see “LDS Apostle Song-April 2009” on You Tube.

Refreshment
Honey taffy Popcorn

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light honey
1/2 cup cream
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 quarts popped corn, lightly salted and buttered

Combine sugar, honey, and cream in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Adjust temperature to maintain a steady boil and cook to 269 degrees. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda, stirring until bubbles subside (syrup will turn a light golden color); add vanilla. Pour over popped corn, stirring until coated. Cool and break into chunks. Makes 12 servings.

(Lion House Christmas, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 2006], p. 37.)

Click here to get the PDF version of this lesson.

New Video Series 'Just Off the Square' (Conference Edition)

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0600

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

LDS Living is excited to introduce our new video series "Just off the Square." We'll be visiting Temple Square to ask people random questions about life, the Church, or whatever fancies us that day!

This week's topic: general conference.

Goodbye Smile at General Conference

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:12:00 -0600

source: youtube.com

Mormon Life says: Just as a note, the kid in the video has identified himself as a visitor from Australia. He is a less active member trying to become active again, and he just wanted to share his happiness after attending conference. We just love his smile and hope he enjoyed conference!

{Food Dish} Apple-Puffed Pancakes for Conference

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 00:03:00 -0600

by Ashley Jones
source: MormonLife.com

As general conference approaches, one item of food specifically comes to mind: Apple-Puffed Pancakes. I’m humming “Tradition” from Fiddler on the Roof right now, because Apple-Puffed Pancakes are a total general conference breakfast tradition in my family. The only problem with it: there’s never enough. That’s how good it is. No, really. It’s that good. Give them a try this weekend and let me know if they meet your expectations. Enjoy!

(P.S. don’t tell my mom I’m sharing this recipe with you. She might have a fit.)

Apple-Puffed Pancakes

4 tablespoons butter, divided (one more tablespoon butter doesn’t hurt… Julia Child would approve.)
4 large apples, peeled and sliced
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar (optional or to taste)
4 large eggs
1/3 cup sugar (can use 1/2 cup sugar)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (or to taste)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Set oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Spray two 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray. (You can also do one large rectangular pan.)

3. Place 2 Tbsp butter in both pans.

4. Place the pans in the oven and bake until the butter has melted; remove from oven.

5. In a bowl, beat the flour, 1/4 teaspoons baking powder, sugar (if using) salt, milk and eggs until smooth, then allow to stand for 30 minutes.

6. Arrange the apple slices into the two pans onto the melted butter.

7. Re-whisk the flour/egg mixture again then divide the batter evenly between pans, over the apple slices.

8. Mix the sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over the batter in each pan.

9. Bake until puffed, and golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.

What's your favorite conference day recipe? Leave a comment below.

--
Ashley Jones practices public relations for Deseret Book. She loves writing, emailing her missionary sister, and making/ eating home-made popcorn.

Poll: How Do You Watch General Conference?

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:24:00 -0600

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Everyone has their own style and means of watching general conference. What's yours?

*If you live internationally, how do you watch general conference?

{Lifestyle} Preparing for General Conference

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 00:02:00 -0600

by Ashley Jones
source: MormonLife.com

Saturday mornings growing up always meant a bowl of Cheerios and early-morning cartoons. But then, there were the special days that called for Apple-Puffed Pancakes and another kind of early morning TV: General Conference.

General Conference weekend is a big deal in my family. Yummy food, family, and taking notes are the usual. But the joy of General Conference doesn’t just start at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning when that recognizable voice welcomes us to the “177th General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” The joy starts a couple of weeks before, when our preparation for General Conference starts.

People prepare a lot of different ways—writing down goals or questions, praying for self or family members to find answers in the talks, praying for the speakers to be inspired as to what they say… the preparation list goes on. Either way, I think the key is doing some kind of preparation so our hearts and minds are ready to hear what Heavenly Father and the Savior want/ need us to hear.

Next topic to wrestle: I’m not married, nor do I have children. So concentrating on watching conference is relatively easy for me. But if you have little ones, what can you do to keep them busy, and actually get to enjoy conference yourself?

• Conference Bingo: anytime your child hears a word said in conference, they get to put a treat on their Bingo board. When they get Bingo, celebrate!

• Coloring: have them draw pictures of anything that has to do with General Conference: President Monson, The Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ, etc.

• Give your older children the assignment to make cookies or some kind of treat, and assign the younger kids to help.

• Do a service project while watching General Conference: make leper bandages, quilt, put together hygiene kits.

• Do hair: one of my favorite things to do while watching conference when I was younger was braiding my sister’s hair or combing and styling my brother’s hair. Random, I know.

Any other ideas you’ve tested and found successful?

I think spring conference is my favorite because of all the flowers and the warm weather. There’s just a happy feeling in the air! So, please enjoy preparing for, watching and learning from General Conference next weekend!

--
Ashley Jones practices public relations for Deseret Book. She loves writing, emailing her missionary sister, and making/ eating home-made popcorn.

Memorable Conference Moments

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:06:00 -0700

by LDS Living Staff
source: MormonLife.com

October 4, 1856 - Brigham Young calls for volunteers to rescue the Willey and Martin handcart companies at Martin’s Cove. Dozens of wagon teams laden with supplies set out for Wyoming.

April 6, 1877 - Conference is held in St. George for the only time; leaders dedicate the newly completed St. George Temple.

October 1890 - Members vote to approve the Manifesto, ending the church’s endorsement of polygamy.

April 6, 1893 – After 40 years of construction, the Salt Lake Temple is dedicated.

April 1919 - A worldwide influenza epidemic postpones conference.

October 3, 1924 – Conference is broadcast on the radio for the first time.

April 1932 - Elder Stephen L. Richards gives a controversial speech on the Word of Wisdom that is reportedly the only conference address in history that wasn’t published. (It was published much later in an issue of Sunstone.)

1942–1945 – World War II rationing closes General Conference to everyone except LDS general authorities and stake presidents.

October 1949 – Conference was broadcast on television for the first time.

April 6, 1959 - President David O. McKay coins the phrase “every member a missionary.”

April 3, 1976 - Members vote to canonize Joseph Smith’s “Vision of the Celestial Kingdom” and Joseph F. Smith’s “Vision of the Redemption of the Dead” as the 137th and the 138th sections of the Doctrine and Covenants.

September 30, 1978 - Members vote unanimously in favor of the revelation to extend the priesthood to all worthy men, regardless of skin color.

April 1985 - Elder Bruce R. McConkie gives his final speech, “The Purifying Power of Gethsemane.” He died of cancer a matter of days afterward. The original poem cited in the speech was later converted into the hymn, “I Believe in Christ.”

April 1988 - President Howard W. Hunter falls backwards while speaking. He was lifted back up by apostles Thomas S. Monson and Boyd K. Packer and a church security guard. Hunter continued his sermon despite sustaining three broken ribs.

April 1989 – President Ezra Taft Benson gives his famous “Beware of Pride” talk.

April 1996 – President Hinckley announces construction of what would become the Conference Center.

April 1999 – President Hinckley announces that the Nauvoo Temple will be rebuilt.

October 2007 – President Hinckley “knights” Henry B. Eyring with his cane as he appoints the Apostle to Second Counselor in the First Presidency.

April 2008 – President Monson wiggles his ears to illustrate a story in his priesthood session talk; the act becomes an overnight internet sensation.

October 2010 – President Packer draws international attention for comments relating to same-gender attraction.

Update:

April 2011 – A visiting member from Australia flashes a memorable smile to the cameras as the last session closes, creating a clip that would go viral on YouTube.

What conference moment is most memorable for you?

General Conference Traditions

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by Ashton Kelley
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Every family and group of friends has a different way of making the two days of General Conference more exciting and memorable. And because it's easy to get distracted during several hours of talks, here are a few traditions that help these people make the experience more meaningful:

Every year I drive to Salt Lake City and meet my family for General Conference. Before leaving for Salt Lake City, my mother or father will wake up early to prepare a picnic lunch for the day. Then, between the sessions, the whole family goes out to their car and sits together for lunch. We usually talk about the most recent session and how specific talks were most meaningful to us. This helps me to remember the points that were most meaningful for me, and talking with my family about it helps me to set realistic goals of how I can use the conference advice to improve my life. - Jordan Lowe, UT

I have young kids and it can be difficult to get them to listen to so many talks in only two days, so our family has a couple of traditions that help us all pay closer attention.

Through the week before General Conference, we read King Benjamin's address in the book of Mosiah. Then, the night before the conference, each of my kids will decorate a cardboard box. On Saturday morning we arrange all of the boxes in front of the TV, making sure that the open end is facing the TV. This is our way of pointing our "tent doors" toward the speaker, just like King Benjamin's people did. - Martin Jenston, CN

Every year before General Conference, we try to memorize the names of all of the apostles. This helps us to know and recognize them when they give a talk. To help us memorize their names, we put their names to the tune of "Ten Little Indians":

Monson, Eyring, Uchtdorf, Packer, Perry, Nelson, Oaks and Ballard, Anderson, Scott, Hales, Holland, Christensen, Cook and Bednar. - James Nelson, AZ

My husband and I attend the temple together sometime during the week before conference. This helps us prepare to hear the messages shared during the conference. - Sherrie Cook, IA

We encourage our kids to watch all four sessions of conference, and sometimes it's hard for them to sit through all of the talks. To help control their wiggles and focus on the speakers, a few days before conference weekend, my wife helps the kids make a small book of blank pages. During the sessions, everyone draws pictures of the speaker, and under the picture we write the speaker's name and some notes on what their talk is about. It's fun to watch how the books and drawings change as the kids get older, and they enjoy being able to look back through all of them. - Bryon Eliason, TN

Here are a couple links that are also sure to help you:

2009 Deseret Book Conference Packet: Includes a word counter, conference topic bingo, finger puppets, and more!

TheIdeaDoor.com: Full of activities, games, and guides for children.