Countdown to Conference: The Road of the Restoration

At the end of the October 2019 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson said that April 2020 conference would be "different from any previous conference." 

"In the springtime of the year 2020, it will be exactly 200 years since Joseph Smith experienced the theophany that we know as the First Vision," President Nelson said. He continued, "In the next six months, I hope that every member and every family will prepare for a unique conference that will commemorate the very foundations of the restored gospel."

Struggling to know how to begin acting on President Nelson's challenge to study the Restoration? With just five weeks until general conference, the team at LDS Living has created a conference countdown called "The Road of the Restoration." Each day from March 1 until general conference on April 4, participants can find an activity related to the Restoration. This activity is just one way to "immerse yourself in the glorious light of the Restoration," as President Nelson said. Find a printable PDF of the calendar, links to the specific weekly prompts, and a guide on how to use it all below. 

Download a printable PDF calendar here.

Jump to the talk and video links by week with the list below, or keep reading to learn more about the countdown.

• The Question (March 1–7)
• The Vision (March 8–14)
• The Book (March 15–21)
• The Priesthood (March 22–28)
• The Prophet (March 29–April 4)

Every week has a theme:

• The Question (March 1–7): This week focuses on the events leading up to the First Vision, including what prompted Joseph Smith to go to the grove as well as the importance of revelation in our personal lives.
• The Vision (March 8–14): This week focuses on the First Vision itself. 
• The Book (March 15–21): This week focuses on the Book of Mormon and its important role in the Restoration.
• The Priesthood (March 22–28): This week focuses on the restoration of the priesthood and how we can incorporate it more into our lives.
• The Prophet (March 29–April 4): This week focuses on both the prophet Joseph Smith and our latter-day prophets.

Each day of the week is tied to a common theme:

• Sunday Scripture: Read a passage of scripture related to the week's theme. 
• Monday Movie: Watch a video on the subject of the week's theme.  
• Tuesday Talk: Study a general conference talk about the week's theme. 
• Wednesday Walk with God: Pray about a specific aspect of the week's theme.
• Thursday Think: Ponder the blessings of the Restoration related to the week's theme. 
• Friday Feelings: Record your thoughts, testimony, or feelings about the week's theme. 
• Saturday Share: Share your feelings about the week's theme.

Happy studying!

PDF Design by Kensie Smith

Sunday, March 1: Read Joseph Smith—History 1:5–14.

Monday, March 2: Watch "Patterns of Light: Spirit of Revelation."

Tuesday, March 3: Study “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives” by President Russell M. Nelson.

Wednesday, March 4: Ask God a question that has been in your heart.

Thursday, March 5: "How do you hear Him?" Watch President Nelson share this question in the video below.

Friday, March 6: Record a time God has answered one of your prayers.

Saturday, March 7: Share a question you are trying to find the answer to with a friend or family member.

Sunday, March 8: Read two of the nine known firsthand and secondhand accounts of the First Vision.

Monday, March 9: Watch "Ask of God: Joseph Smith’s First Vision."

Tuesday, March 10: Study “The Fruits of the First Vision” by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

Wednesday, March 11: Pray about an aspect of the First Vision you want a stronger testimony of.

Thursday, March 12: “How have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones?” (Quoted from President Nelson's general conference talk.)

Friday, March 13: Record your testimony of the First Vision.

Saturday, March 14: Share with a friend or family how you gained a testimony of the First Vision.

Sunday, March 15: Read the Testimony of the Three Witnesses, the Testimony of the Eight Witnesses, and the Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Monday, March 16: Watch "God's Words Never Cease: The Bible, the Book of Mormon, and Continuing Revelation."

Tuesday, March 17: Study “The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion” by President Ezra Taft Benson.

Wednesday, March 18: Pray for an increased testimony of the Book of Mormon.

Thursday, March 19: “How would my life be different if my knowledge gained from the Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away?” (Quoted from President Nelson's general conference talk.)

Friday, March 20: Record your testimony of the Book of Mormon.

Saturday, March 21: Share your favorite verse from the Book of Mormon on social media or in a message to a friend or family member.

Sunday, March 22: Read Doctrine and Covenants 13 and Doctrine and Covenants 27:7–8, 12.
 Bonus: Read Doctrine and Covenants 25,84, and 107.

Monday, March 23: Watch "Priesthood Keys: The Restoration of Priesthood Keys or Barbara Morgan Gardner’s 5-minute Fireside: Women and Priesthood Power."

Tuesday, March 24: Study “We Can Do Better and Be Better” or “Spiritual Treasures” both by President Russell M. Nelson.

Wednesday, March 25: Pray to understand more about priesthood power.   

Thursday, March 26: How would the Church be different without priesthood power?

Friday, March 27: Record your thoughts on the blessings of the priesthood in your life.

Saturday, March 28: Share with someone what the priesthood means to you.

Sunday, March 29: Read Doctrine and Covenants 21.

Monday, March 30: Watch "Listen to a Prophet's Voice."

Tuesday, March 31: Study “The Prophet of God” by Elder Neil L. Andersen.

Wednesday, April 1: Prepare for conference weekend by asking God a question you are seeking an answer to.

Thursday, April 2: How has having a latter-day prophet blessed your life?

Friday, April 3: Record your testimony of Latter-day prophets and the ongoing Restoration.  

Saturday, April 4: Watch general conference. 

Bonus: Don't let your studying stop here! Stay tuned to conference and help your kids get more involved with the Deseret Book Conference packet, full of related coloring sheets, conference bingo, and more. Available now for download!