I love Autumn with its cooler temperatures and brilliant color changes that signal the beginning of the holiday season... but first on the agenda for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) is October 2012 General Conference! In a television interview I did with KSL during my last trip (See 6:30PM Video) I compared the excitement that members feel, relative to General Conference, somewhat akin to the Superbowl. After, I felt kind of silly for making that comparison, but once again, as we draw closer to the big event, I have to admit that I do feel that way -- and more!

I've decided that I'm totally okay with that comparison if I'm able to, in any positive way, convey the enthusiasm that Mormons feel about hearing the words of living prophets and other inspired LDS leaders -- and perhaps convince those not of our faith to watch General Conference and see for themselves what its all about. (Ways to do that in upcoming post*.)

 Mormon General Conference is one of the most important ways that members of the Church become unified. As we listened to inspired messages from Mormon leaders the Spirit bears witness of these truths to each of us individually and the result: we come together as a group in mind, heart and spirit. It's a wonderful feeling to know that God's will is being convey by His Spirit, through those whom He has divinely called. Obedience to living prophets is a unique aspect of membership in the LDS Church.

I love what Jeffrey R. Holland, an Apostle of the Lord, teaches about the importance of General Conference:


General Conference Has Something for YOU!

“If we teach by the Spirit and you listen by the Spirit, some one of us will touch on your circumstance, sending a personal prophetic epistle just to you,” Elder Holland says.



Now, I understand that this zeal for LDS General Conference is mostly found in adult members. Thankfully LDS.org has done an excellent job in providing suggestions for how we can prepare our families so that those of all ages will enjoy their experience: How do I prepare myself and my family for general conference?

The following information on how to watch 2012 October General Conference provided by LDS Church News and Events:

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invite all members and friends of the Church to participate in the 182nd Semiannual General Conference on Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7, 2012. 
Messages will be given by the First Presidency, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other General Authorities and general officers of the Church. 
General sessions will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., followed by the priesthood session at 6:00 p.m., mountain daylight time. Two more general sessions will be held on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. mountain daylight time; the morning session includes the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word. 
Viewing Live 
Members can watch conference in their meetinghouses or in their homes.
To view conference at local meetinghouses, check with local leaders on availability of the broadcast by satellite or Internet feed. 
Tell Your Friends 
Let your Facebook friends know that you will be watching or attending general conference.Find banners and widgets you can use to invite others.
The live broadcast will be available from the following sources: 
Conference.lds.org: Video and audio in 16 languages.
Mormonchannel.org and Mormon Channel mobile apps: Video and audio in English only.
BYU.tv: Video and audio in English only.
BYU.tv International: Video and audio in Spanish and Portuguese.
Facebook.com/LDS: Video in English only. (Choose “General Conference” from the left menu.) 
Roku Channel: Video only in American Sign Language, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. (Search for general conference under the “Spiritual” category.) 
In addition, many local cable and radio stations make conference readily available. Visit www.bonneville.info for broadcast information or check local listings.

 *As promised: Ten Easy Ways to Share to Share General Conference

You might also enjoy some of these wonderful General Conference ideas and resources:

Oodles of fun ideas for children on Jocelyn's Pinterest board: General Conference Ideas

Sugardoodle: October 2012 General Conference Packets

The Redheaded Hostess: 25 of Your Amazing General Conference Traditions!

About.com: General Conference Activities and Games

LDS Living: {Lifestyle} General Conference Activities for Kids

Mormon Share: LDS General Conference - Games, Bingo, Traditions, & Online Fun

Somewhat Simple: GENERAL CONFERENCE ACTIVITY FOR KIDS

tDMg


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