Photo from LDS.org
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.TheyounggirlwasMistiWhitefromCalifornia.Shesaidtome,“Ihavehadaproblem, 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 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in order.
Russell M. Nelson
Dallin H. Oaks
Henry B. Eyring
M. Russell Ballard
Jeffrey R. Holland
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
David A. Bednar
Quentin L. Cook
D. Todd Christofferson
Neil L. Andersen
Ronald A. Rasband
Gary E. Stevenson
Dale G. Renlund