Here are some ideas to get the most from stake conference:
Make it a priority to attend stake conference meetings. Don't consider it a vacation from your callings or a time to go away. Consider it a special time when you can go hear uplifting messages and counsel from your stake leaders and any visiting speakers.- Take your scriptures to the meetings. If you have your scriptures with you, then you can follow along with any quotes given and make note of any helpful cross references for your personal study later. You understand and retain better what is being taught if you read along.
Take notes of significant things you hear. Don't trust your memory to remember those things you hear that touch your heart. Write down the subject and the key points of each talk. Taking notes, even if it is just a few words, reminds you later when you are studying or writing in your journal of what you heard and how particular counsel can help you.
Make special note of specific counsel given. In our stake, our stake president always issues a challenge to us, usually in the form of a specific list of things to work on during the next six months. I always write this list down and post it in my journal where I can refer to it often. I don't always achieve all the things he tells us, but I progress much better if I have the challenge there where I can see it.
Discuss conference talks with your family. In our home, when we get back from the general session of stake conference, we have all the family members tell something they learned or something that particularly touched or impressed them from one of the talks. - Karen D. Garrett, West Valley City, Utah
What we did:
Anticipate speakers
I have a great desire to help our five boys, ages 12 to 2, to enjoy stake conference. As the week of the conference approaches, we talk about it at dinner and explain how the coming Sunday will be different from others.
I also like to find out as much as I can about who will be speaking so I can tell my children beforehand about who they will be hearing from. One particular stake conference, our visiting Church leader had a surprisingly low voice. After hearing him at the adult meeting on Saturday night, I went home and told the boys how fun it was to hear him speak and what a good talk he gave. Our boys couldn't wait to go to stake conference Sunday morning to hear "the man with the deep voice." They even remembered some key parts to his talk.
If our family has someone they look forward to hearing from and are aware of the change from regular Church, they really do quite well. - Barbara Schmidt, Albuquerque, N.M.
Topic chart
When I attend stake conference, I look forward to seeing who our special speaker is and try to learn about him before he comes. I use a General Authority chart and circle those who are attending conference. I keep a chart of the topics speakers talk about in stake conference and make a list of goals to remember from the talks. Our children also keep charts of topics. After conference, we always have a family dinner and then compare charts to see what topics we each picked up on from the speakers. We keep our notes in a folder with our name on it and add to it every conference. It makes stake conference special, and we look forward to attending so we can add to our own folders. - Shawna Warren, Springfield, Mo.
Something for everyone
Having investigated many churches over a period of eight years, I was ready to receive the sister missionaries who first visited me Feb. 11, 1961. They invited me to a stake conference at which Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke.
During his talk, he answered all the questions I'd had as though my personal list was before him. I requested baptism after that conference session.
At another stake conference six months later, my future husband came and sat next to me. The next conference was memorable in that my husband and I attended the day after our wedding in the Los Angeles Temple.
Over the years, I have been uplifted, edified and inspired at every conference by the sweet Spirit, music and addresses of all the speakers. There is always something for everyone at these conferences. - Janis A. Starkie, La Mirada, Calif.
Special meetings
Stake conferences are very special meetings and provide an opportunity to hear the word of the Lord. We can't know the mind and will of the Lord and have it make a difference in our lives unless we make ourselves available. Attending these special sessions add "drops of oil" in our "lamps." We will be spiritually fed, uplifted and better able to endure the challenges of daily life with patience and faith.
Make the Saturday evening session a special date night. Enjoy dinner out with your companion/family before the meeting or perhaps a treat after. - Danielle Arnett, League City, Texas
Take notes
I have found several things helpful to me as I strive to benefit more from Church meetings, such as stake conference. One is taking notes. Not only can I remember counsel better, but I can also refer back to it for family home evening or other lessons. Another is following along in my own scriptures. A third idea is sitting up straight, which helps me to stay awake and be more attentive. A fourth idea is applying what is said to my own situations. (See 1 Ne. 19:23.) Finally, I try to make a concerted effort to listen to every word the speakers say and not start thinking of unrelated things. - Elder Kevin B. Richins, Korea Seoul Mission
Stake president challenge
I attended a stake conference alone several years ago, my husband not being a member. At the time, one of my married sons was not attending any meetings in his ward or stake because he had had a misunderstanding with someone in his ward and his resentment caused him to become inactive. When our stake president, in his talk, challenged us to write to some family member or friend who was less-active to come back to Church, I went home and wrote my son a letter.
Every time I went to mail the letter, however, something stopped me from doing so. I just could not put it in the mailbox, until one day I just picked it up and mailed it. My son later told me: "Mom, that letter came just at the right moment. If I had got it a few hours before or after I did, it wouldn't have been as effective as it was. It arrived at precisely the right time!"
Needless to say, he returned to Church. He is now a high councilor in his stake. - Ann Dayes, Whitewater, Calif.
How to checklist:
1 Make attending stake conference meetings a priority.
2 Take notes on talks; take with you and use the scriptures.
3 Discuss counsel with your family; follow the counsel.
4 Write in your journal topics, key points given by speakers.
WRITE TO US:
Oct. 28 "How to teach children to forgive."
Nov. 4 "How to protect yourself and loved ones from pornography."
Nov. 11 "How to safeguard your family from crime."
Nov. 18 "How to develop the gift of discernment."
Nov. 25 "How to foster good relationships with in-laws."
Dec. 2 "How to keep Christ in your heart, mind all year, not just during holidays."
Had any good experiences or practical success in any of the above subjects? Share them with our readers in about 100-150 words. Write the "How-to" editor, Church News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110, or send fax to (801) 237-2121. Please include a name and phone number. Contributions may be edited or excerpted and will not be returned. Due to limited space, some contributions may not be used; those used should not be regarded as official Church doctrine or policy. Material must be received at least 12 days before publication date.
