A central tenant of the Church's teachings is that there is a living prophet on the earth today. The President of the Church, Thomas S. Monson, is a prophet as much as Moses or Abraham or Elijah (and quite possibly the nicest man alive... stories include serving dozens of widows for years, comforting a mother whose son had died in battle as a young teenager, and abandoning his prepared remarks for an address broadcast worldwide in response to a revelation to help a girl he'd never met, but saw in the live audience), and he has two counselors who are just about as good and warm and kind-hearted, and there are twelve apostles, all similarly wonderful models. All fifteen of these men are called and ordained to be "prophets, seers, and revelators," to receive revelation, communication directly from God, for the whole world.
Every six months, fifteen men who are among the best and kindest that the world has to offer, and among the closest to God, as well as other wonderful men and women, speak to the world, everyone who will listen. Not only that, they're saying what God wants them to say.
As someone who knows by a personal revelation from God Himself that this is what is actually taking place, you can probably understand my thinking that this is awesome. We are told the things that we most need to know in order to survive and thrive in the next six months. And they're prophets. The things they say have predictive power. You find solutions to problems by listening to them, even problems that you don't know you have yet (for example, "get out of debt" was part of their refrain in the years leading up to the most recent recession). On top of that, it's a recharge, you're riding the high for days after conference lets out.
But even beside all of that, this awesome semi-annual event is something of a holiday in Mormon culture. The reasons for this include exactly what I've said above, but some other things. For example, most people watch conference in their own homes on the internet. The natural effect of this is that you go to church in your pajamas, which is exciting in and of itself. When you're not listening to awesome thoughts from awesome people to make your life awesome in your own home, you might get together with some friends and have a conference party. When I was in Utah, at BYU, for my undergraduate, we would typically go up to visit my aunt and uncle in Layton for the Sunday sessions ("we" meaning myself and several of my cousins). Last conference, in April, we got a huge group together over at someone's apartment and had homemade pizza and ice cream. Next week I'll probably get together with a smaller group of friends and have another party.
Yes, that's right, I don't think I've mentioned that so far. It's next week.
This time next week, I'll just be listening to the tail end of men and women sent by God speaking to the world and saying what God wants said to the world. And it will be awesome.
Anyone who wants a spiritual and emotional high? Watch General Conference. Anyone who wants answers to deep spiritual questions? Watch General Conference. Anyone who wants answers to practical questions and problems that they are facing now and will face over the next six months? Watch General Conference. Anyone who wants to understand what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints really believes? Watch General Conference. Anyone who wants to understand us, be it only out of curiosity? Watch General Conference, all or part of it, next Saturday and Sunday. I promise you as I can promise about few things: it will be worth your while, and if you go into it with the right attitude, it will be even better than that.
Watch here:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng
October 6 & 7, 10 AM-12 PM and 2PM-4PM Mountain Daylight Time (16-18 & 20-22 UTC), or talk to any Mormon friends you may have, I'm sure they'd be happy to invite you to a conference party, or feel free to comment or e-mail me for any additional information. And if you happen to live close to Chicago, IL, this is your invitation to join me for a conference party. Come join me, not only will it be pure awesomeness, but it's an opportunity like no other to see Mormons in their natural environment!
Excited? That's an understatement.
Title: Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, No. 21
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