How to Create Space for Personal Revelation During #genconf

With life being so…well, life, right now, many of us are searching desperately for answers of peace, guidance, hope, or clarity. We find comfort in knowing that we can take sincere questions into the upcoming General Conference weekend and hear insight from a living prophet and modern-day apostles who have been given the keys of revelation for our day.

The @churchofjesuschrist website states: “General conference provides individuals with the opportunity to receive spiritual guidance and inspiration from God.” The messages shared often give us time to reflect on our lives and often speak comfort to our souls.

What is General Conference?

Every six months, the Church holds a weekend conference where we can listen to messages of peace and revelation from a living prophet, apostles, and other divinely called leaders. This month marks the Church’s 193rd Semiannual General Conference and will feature messages from the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other Church leaders.

How Can I Receive Personal Revelation?

The messages shared during general conference are divinely inspired. While all messages are created with the world in mind, certain messages might resonate deeply with you, answering a question or concern you might have. They might even offer a solution or inspire a direction your life should take.

Whatever is weighing on your heart this conference, here are a few suggestions that you might consider as you approach the conference.

1. Clarify Your Intentions

Are you looking for guidance, clarify, or spiritual growth? Internally define your intentions and be sincere throughout your General Conference experience. Doing this helps your energy stay focused on your purpose and tuned into the words or phrases that will resonate with you.

2. Pray

Find a quiet and contemplative space before each session where you can focus your thoughts and intentions. As you invite Heavenly Father to be a part of the process, you align yourself with His will and open yourself up to personal revelation that only He can give. (Hint: If it’s difficult for you to find a quiet time before each session, the opening prayers are a great time to do this.)

3. Follow in the Scriptures

The talks in General Conference are filled with passages of scriptures. You might consider writing down the words or references or even looking them up as they are quoted. These verses often include wisdom and guidance that can lead to personal revelations.

4. Record Your Experience

Keep a journal close by where you can record your thoughts, feeling, and experiences. This can be a digital journal or a physical journal, whatever fits your personal needs. As you take notes, you might find it helpful to focus less on recording exact quotes and more on recording what’s happening inside of you during the conference. This can help you track or identify patterns or insights that may result in some “aha” moments.

5. Be Patient and Open-Minded

6. Make Time for Silence and Solitude

When general conference is finished, it is important to find time to spend in quiet thought and meditation. Perhaps you might enjoy a walk, a car ride, or simply laying down, pondering the messages. As you remove distractions and allow your mind to become still, you allow connection with that you’ve just learned. Insights and personal revelation often come when the mind is calm and open.

7. Discuss with Others

If you’ve just listened to general conference, chances are someone you know has listened, too. Having healthy discussions with others may help clarify your thoughts and lead you to discover the personal revelation you were looking for. Share what stood out to you during your general conference experience and be willing to listen to their experience as well.

More Ways to Enjoy General Conference

Looking for a few more ways to make General Conference a wonderful experience full of learning and spiritual inspiration? Speakers Scharman Grimmer, Andy Shepherd, Kristen Walker Smith, and host Mark Williams talk about some wonderful ways you can prepare yourself for a wonderful General Conference weekend!

How to Participate in General Conference

Five general sessions will be held for all individuals, families and friends.

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Saturday morning session, 10 a.m. MDT.
Saturday afternoon session, 2 p.m. MDT.
Saturday evening session, 6 p.m. MDT.

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Sunday morning session, 10 a.m. MDT.
Sunday afternoon session, 2 p.m. MDT.

October 2023 general conference will be broadcast live worldwide in several languages on ChurchofJesusChrist.org/broadcasts, the General Conference YouTube channel, Gospel Stream and the Gospel Library app. Sessions will also be streamed live in English on KSL-TV and BYUtv.