General Conference Memories

What a pleasure it is to hear from the leaders of our Church. I was reminded this past weekend of how much I needed General Conference while I was serving my mission. I recall several times on my mission where I would think, "You know, I am really enjoying teaching others about the gospel, but it would sure be nice to have someone teach me for a change." Being able to enjoy General Conference was always a nice charge to my mission batteries. Strangely enough I remember being the most homesick during Conference. I was usually busy enough on major holidays, and never really had time to feel homesick, but as I would sit in a chapel to listen to conference, I would begin to imagine my family sitting together at home listening to the instruction of our leaders.

Now that I have two small children of my own, sitting around watching General Conference with them, is well, how should I put this......difficult! It was still a pleasure to sit and listen to our church leaders, however, instead of being in a quiet chapel on an island in the Pacific, I was instead listening to our leaders while helping to dress Barbies and playing with Play Doh. Although if I had to chose, I would chose to play with Barbies, than be alone in a chapel. Missions are fun, but Children are much more fun.

This Conference also made me realized how blessed I am to live in such close proximity to our General Authorities. In fact, it dawned on me that I have met all the members of our current First Presidency. I have met President Monson twice (both times at funerals), I met Elder Eyring as my wife and I were waiting in the Temple to be sealed, and I met President Uchtdorf while sitting just two seats away from him at a Utah Jazz game.

As always, Conference was a pleasure, but I am definitely going to need to read all of the talks in next months Ensign. I may have missed some important teachings while making sure Barbie was dressed modestly.