Category Archives: General Conference Book Club

General Conference Trivia Contest

Posted in General Conference Book Club by

General Conference makes me feel all magnanimous, so let’s have some fun.

Yesterday, a new round of General Conference Book Club kicked off, so make sure you go there sometime this week to weigh in on all your conference favorites and goals.  While I watched, I wrote down things that I felt prompted to do or work on, and then I mark them with a star in the margin.  Last night, I sat down to make a list of those things, and it filled the front and the back of a sheet of notebook paper.  I’m going to be busy the next six months, but I’m so excited about the blessings and growth that will come.

Okay, so a contest.  Two contests, actually. They’ll both end on Thursday night and winners will be announced as part of the Find-A-Friend Friday feature on (duh) Friday.

Contest #1 is simply a way to reward yourself for tuning in to conference.  Just leave a comment below that declares how many sessions of conference you watched or listened to this weekend. Even one session earns you a shot at the prize.  You will earn as many entries as sessions you participated in.  I will do a drawing, and the winner will receive a general conference journal that I will customize and make it cool (think handy, not crafty) as a guide to help you think through and write down insights and goals as you study all the talks.

Contest #2 is a trivia contest with various questions taken from the past two days of general conference.  Some of the questions are content specific, but many are “trivial” and just for fun– a chance to simply reward your paying attention.  As to not give away your answers to others, please email me your answers at dd.stephanie[at]gmail[dot]com.  I will collect all of those who tie for the highest score and enter them into a drawing to win one of these two books (your choice):

Here goes:

General Conference Trivia Contest Questions

(p.s.  Best if you can do it from memory.  I don’t care about “cheating” as long as it only comes from this official conference site or your own notes.  I mean, why would I punish you for actually reviewing conference?  Any Googling or otherwise hunting down answers is not permitted.  Because it’s lame.)

  1. Name two of the three new temples that were announced.
  2. Elder Cook told a story about a young woman who misplaced her purse at an activity.  Name one of the items that her leaders found in her purse.
  3. Who was Elder Holland referring to when he said “Bedlamites”?
  4. Whose grandson blew kisses at the TV when he watched general conference?
  5. What did the prospector teach the young gold-digger that he was missing while he was looking for gold nuggets?
  6. This conference marked the 75th anniversary of what?
  7. What did the church donate in Japan to help people search for loved ones despite the difficult-to-travel roadways?
  8. Finish this phrase from a quoted poem (in general words is fine/main idea).  “When sheep go wrong, it won’t take long  . . . __________.”
  9. Name Elder Richard G. Scott’s belated wife.
  10. President Eyring announced an upcoming, church-wide day of what?
  11. Fill in the blank:  Desires –> Priorities –> __________ –> Actions
  12. What was Pres. Uctdorf afraid people might be texting during his talk?
  13. What specific item did Elder Pratt’s Mexican ancestor receive from a wealthy traveler just one week after paying his own tithing?
  14. Finish this quote by St. Francis de Asissi:  “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use ____.”
  15. What hymn did Elder Bednar take as a “hint” about his own talk?
  16. Only one of the twelve apostles did not speak during general conference.  Who was it?  (And does anyone know why?)
  17. What powerful hymn did the tabernacle choir sing right after President Monson’s talk about temples?
  18. Elder Grow spoke about a family member who had just passed away after turning around his/her life.  Who was it?
  19. Elder Maynes quoted his grandson’s primary talk where he said, “My family is like a ____ (what?).”
  20. Elder Bednar compared revelation to which two sources of light?

Matching.  Topic —> Speaker

21.  Accept and Seek Correction

22. The Church has an obligation to help poor and needy

23.  Keep Sabbath Day Holy

24.  Forgive and Let Offenses Go

25.  Combat Fears by Strengthening Faith

A.  Elder Russell M. Nelson

B.  Elder D. Todd Christofferson

C.  President Boyd K. Packer

D. Bishop H. David Burton

E. Elder L. Tom Perry

 

Have fun!  Good luck!

General Conference Book Club Week 1: Favorites and Goals

Posted in General Conference Book Club by

We’ve had another two-day feast, haven’t we?  Next week, we’ll begin the regular study of one talk a week to keep these lessons fresh in our minds.  If this is your first time to visit the General Conference Book Club, click here to learn how it works.  Welcome! For this week, I just wanted to reflect on the take-away messages from this conference.  Chime in about all or any of these questions in the comments below:

1.  What were some of your favorite moments or messages or talks from this conference?

2.  Repetition is an important element of general conference.  From your point of view, what seemed to be the themes or repeated messages of this conference?

3.  What are some action items you walked away with?  What goals were planted in your mind and heart?

 

“In the day’s ahead, reflect on the unique phenomenon that General Conference is. … If we speak by the Spirit, and you listen by the Spirit, some one of us will speak … just to you.  … God will have his voice heard.”  — Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, today.

Stay tuned because tomorrow I will put up a post with a General Conference trivia contest.  The winners will be put in a drawing to win some kind of mysterious, wonderful prize (in other words, I have no idea yet, but I’ll figure it out by then).  Plus, I think you deserve to qualify for a prize just for listening to conference.  In the meantime, bask in the glorious messages of the past two days and figure out the best way you can to make it last.

Countdown to General Conference: Packets and Preparation

Posted in Divinity, General Conference Book Club by

UPDATE:  If you’ve landed here looking for stuff related to the upcoming General Conference, click here for more current resources.

I wanted to share the summary of a workshop I’ve taught a few times about preparation for General Conferences and how to get more out of it.  Also, at the end, I’ve posted several links of General Conference packets for children of all ages and a few extra resources as well.  I submitted this over at MMB as well, but I’m not sure it will make it up this week, so I wanted to pass it along to my readers.  I think most of you know how I feel about General Conference.  Love.  It is my semi-annual recharging of the spiritual batteries.  I really encourage all of you to consider joining us this next round of General Conference Book Club, too.  It helps so much to keep the words of the prophets fresh on the mind and in the heart.  Maybe those of you who have participated in the past can leave a little testimonial in the comments about your experience in studying a talk a week.

Preparing Yourself for General Conference:

Jeffrey R. Holland, “Prophets in the Land Again,” Ensign, Nov 2006, 104-7

“In my own expression of testimony and gratitude for the messages and meaning of general conference, may I suggest three things these twice-yearly gatherings declare to all the world:

1. First, they declare eagerly and unequivocally that there is again a living prophet on the earth speaking in the name of the Lord. And how we need such guidance! … We all need that word. No one is safe without it…

2. Secondly, each of these conferences marks a call to action not only in our own lives but also on behalf of others around us, those who are of our own family and faith and those who are not.

3. Lastly, a general conference of the Church is a declaration to all the world that Jesus is the Christ, that He and His Father, the God and Father of us all, appeared to the boy prophet Joseph Smith in fulfillment of that ancient promise that the resurrected Jesus of Nazareth would again restore His Church on earth and [return] again.”

Henry B. Eyring, “Finding Safety in Counsel,” Ensign, May 1997, 24

“There seems to be no end to the Savior’s desire to lead us to safety. And there is constancy in the way He shows us the path. … Those means always include sending the message by the mouths of His prophets whenever people have qualified to have the prophets of God among them. Those authorized servants are always charged with warning the people, telling them the way to safety….

In our own time, we have been warned with counsel of where to find safety from sin and from sorrow. One of the keys to recognizing those warnings is that they are repeated.

One of the ways we may know that the warning is from the Lord is that the law of witnesses, authorized witnesses, has been invoked. When the words of prophets seem repetitive, that should rivet our attention…”

Boyd K. Packer, “The Twelve Apostles,” Ensign, Nov 1996, 6

“We are overcome with what the Lord said of those who hold these sacred callings: ‘Whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.’ (D&C 68:4) … These men are true servants of the Lord; give heed to their counsel.”

Think about and write down questions that you would really like some insight about.  (Think about your role as a wife, mother, friend, sister, employee, calling, etc. . . . What would you ask the Lord about?)  Imagine the Savior as your “Counselor”and ask Him things with a desire to hear His advice.  Pray about those questions.  Request that He answers them as you listen to General Conference.

As you watch conference, pay careful attention and identify talk(s) that may give you some direction for your questions.

As you listen to (and later study) these talks, look for two things: (I recommend writing them down.)

1) main points: truths, principles, doctrine
2) action items: what does this speaker want me to DO? What is the “call to action”?

You can watch a highlight video from the latest general conference here at this link.

In summary,

How to make General Conference meaningful:

1. Pray and prepare before General Conference.

2. Carefully study the Conference edition of the Ensign.

3. Watch or listen to General Conference with purpose.

4. Identify action items based on their counsel.

5. Obey.

President Monson stated at the conclusion of a recent General Conference:

“My beloved brothers and sisters, my heart is full and my feelings tender as we conclude this great general conference. We have been richly blessed as we have listened to the counsel and testimonies of those who have spoken to us. I believe we are all more determined to live the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. May we long remember that which we have heard during this conference. I remind you that the messages will be printed in next month’s Ensign… I urge you to study the messages and to ponder their teachings and then to apply them in your life.”

——————————–

Resources to help your children prepare for and be active listeners during General Conference

The Church has provided this page with some print-outs and computer games to help children prepare for General Conference.

The following are all excellent references offered from Sugardoodle.net, including General Conference Activity Packets for all ages (When you click on them, you can download the documents and print them out.):

Youth Packet

Senior Primary Packet and Sticker Pages (print on sticker/label paper from Office Supply Store)

Junior Primary Packet

Primary Packet (compact 2-page)

Nursery Packet

Check out this Sugardoodle.net page for other General Conference ideas, coloring pages, snacks, activities, etc.

Here’s another site with a lot of packets, cards, and other resources.

This is an article that I helped author:  “Preparing Our Children for General Conference” It has some specific ideas of activities/games you can do with children (even small children) before, during, and after conference.

Here are also some great articles to help you get yourself and your children in the General Conference mindset:

Neil L. Andersen, “Teaching Our Children to Love the Prophets,”

Jeffrey R. Holland, “Prophets in the Land Again,”

Henry B. Eyring, “Safety in Counsel,”

Here’s to having your best General Conference experience ever.

GCBC Week 26: The Three Rs of Choice

Posted in General Conference Book Club by

Last week of GCBC.  Wow.

This week we will study President Monson’s talk from the priesthood session.

“The Three Rs of Choice”
President Thomas S. Monson

“Our Heavenly Father did not launch us on our eternal journey without providing the means whereby we could receive from Him God-given guidance to assist in our safe return at the end of mortal life. . . . Each of us has come to this earth with all the tools necessary to make correct choices.”

Share in the comments some things you learned or appreciated as you studied this talk.  If this is your first time visiting the General Conference Book Club, click here for more information.

GCBC Week 25: Pride

Posted in General Conference Book Club by

This week we’ll take a look at one of the great talks from the priesthood session.

“Pride and the Priesthood”
President Dieter F. Uctdorf

“It is almost impossible to be lifted up in pride when our hearts are filled with charity. “No one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love.” When we see the world around us through the lens of the pure love of Christ, we begin to understand humility.”

Share in the comments some things you learned or appreciated as you studied this talk.  If this is your first time visiting the General Conference Book Club, click here for more information.