Contrast that to the General Conference that we'll be watching in just over three weeks. After breakfast, my family will walk the fourteen steps down to the basement family room, where we will plop on the couch (probably in our pajamas for the morning session) and turn on the television. The kids will curl up in their blankets and get out their "Conference Bingo" games - if I remembered to get the M&Ms they use as markers - and listen eagerly for key words that match the little pictures on their cards. After the first session is over, we'll walk back upstairs and make lunch. And two hours later, we'll make the trek back downstairs - hopefully dressed this time, but maybe not. The biggest part of my preparation for General Conference is to scour the internet for Conference Activities for the kids. I don't have to get the them up early to shower and dress in their Sunday best (although it would probably be appropriate for me to do so). And if, for some reason, I cannot watch the Saturday Session, I can listen on the radio or on the internet. I can be watching a kid's football game and listening to Conference at the same time. Really, all my "I can't watch Conference" excuses have been taken away, thanks to modern technology.
Today I read about what was probably the first General Conference in Christ's Church. King Benjamin had much to say to his people before he conferred the kingdom upon Mosiah, so he ordered that they all be gathered together.
And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents round about, every man according to his family...And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which King Benjamin should speak unto them. (Mosiah 2:5-6)
He built a tower from which to to speak so that the multitudes of people would be able to hear him. The internet, the radio and the television are not unlike a modern day tower. People from all the ends of the earth are able to hear or see our prophet and his apostles and other leaders and teachers speak.
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| ©Darrell Wyatt |
And it came to pass that he began to speak to his people from the tower; and they could not all hear his words because of the the greatness of the multitude; therefore he caused that the words which he spake should be written and sent forth among those that were not under the sound of his voice, that they might also receive his words. (Mosiah 2:8)
Just as not everyone was able to hear King Benjamin, there are some people today who do not have access to General Conference through technological means. For this reason, every Conference talk is printed and compiled into a special issue of The Ensign. Even those of us who have had the opportunity to watch or listen to Conference benefit much from the printed talks. They are modern day scripture. Reading them has, many times for me, reinforced the message that the speaker wished to get across. There have been times that I have read the talks months later and found them very helpful in a trial I was facing.
I so look forward to Conference every six months. I love listening to the Lord speak through his servants. I love knowing that there really is modern revelation and that the Lord knows what we need to hear, and when we need to hear it. He truly knows each one of us. All we have to do is "pitch our tents round about the temple" and open the door - He will do the rest.
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