Prepare now for Conference! As we prepare our hearts for a "spiritual feast" and as we listen to our living Prophet, Apostles, and other General Authorities deliver divinely inspired words, we will receive answers to our prayers, comfort for our souls, and peace in our hearts. We will be safely guided on the path that leads us back to our heavenly home.
"It is when children are young that parents must be innovative in helping them develop good habits regarding conference participation. As our children are given opportunities to observe and learn the role of these special witnesses, they will receive a spiritual confirmation of the sacred calling of their Church leaders, and they will feel a deeper love for and interest in these leaders and their message."
- Elder Neil L. Andersen, "Teaching our Children to Love the Prophets," ensign, Apr. 1996, 47.
Before Conference
- Prepare spiritually: Talk to your children before Conference about how exciting it is to hear the prophet and his apostles talk to us.
- Pray individually and with your children that your "hearts" will be prepared for the messages of conference.
- think of questions you have, write them down, and pray for the Spirit to be with you during conference - that you will recognize the answers to your questions.
- Purchase note-taking materials -- notebooks, stickers, etc. ahead of time.
- Gather up conference-related games and activities in issues of the Friend, Era, and Ensign.
- Make a count-down-to-conference chain.
- Mark conference weekend on your family calendar.
- Clear your schedule: Prepare for conference by completing chores, homework, grocery shopping, and other weekend activities by Friday night.
During Conference
- Take notes of the speakers during conference.
- Develop family traditions that coincide with General Conference (a favorite meal, treat, activity, etc.)
- Activities can enhance the conference experience when directed by the Holy Ghost. Fore younger children, it could include posting the center spread with photos of the General Authorities from the most recent conference Ensign and use it to help children learn to identify the names of the speakers.
- Display key words or pictures, that they can listen for, in front of the television and have a treat bowl set out to reward "listening ears." You could also have stickers available for children to stick in their "conference notes" book when they hear a key word.
- Turn a favorite food the family enjoys into a special treat or meal and serve in between conference sessions.
- Do a family activity, such as having a picnic on a blanket in the back yard, watching old family videos, taking a walk, or talking about the session that just ended, etc.
- Spread a blanket on the floor, in front of the television for conference watching (and allow for special treats, if wanted. Liken it to the families in the Book of Mormon who sat on the ground and listened to their prophet, King Benjamin, teach them about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
After Conference
- Establish Family Traditions.
- Hold a family testimony meeting in FHE on the next Monday after conference.
- Have a FHE conference trivia or quiz night on the next Monday. (three questions, etc.)
- Use the most recent conference edition of the Ensign as your Family Home Evening manual. Give each member of the family their own conference edition Ensign and write their names on them. Read a talk together, paragraph by paragraph, pausing to ask and answer questions, to discuss thoughts, and to liken what they learned to their own lives.
- For older children, give them a highlighter to highlight words, sentences, and paragraphs that felt important to them. These phrases can be used for in-depth gospel discussions.
- For younger children, they can color in the pictures in the Ensign, or whatever they feel needs a splash of color.
- Photographs in the Ensign can often enhance the talks and can open another door for gospel discussion that all ages can participate in.
- For empty nesters, individually read a chosen conference talk prior to Family Home Evening. Read, mark, and ponder on passages that impress your mind. Discuss together what you learned.
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