Lesson 208—Preparing for General Conference: Hearing the Savior’s Words through General Conference
“Lesson 208—Preparing for General Conference: Hearing the Savior’s Words through General Conference,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)
“Preparing for General Conference,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual
Lesson 208: Teachings of Church Leaders
Preparing for General Conference
Hearing the Savior’s Words through General Conference
Intentionally preparing for and participating in general conference enables us to receive personal revelation. The messages of inspiration and guidance given in general conference come from the Lord through His chosen leaders. This lesson can help students prepare to hear personal messages from the Savior in general conference.
Possible Learning Activities
Preparing for events
What do you or your family do to prepare for and participate in general conference?
The purpose of general conference
In February 1831, the Lord gave a revelation to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon instructing them to gather the elders together for a conference, which was held in June of that year.
How can the Lord’s promise in this verse help you understand why we have general conference?
Read the following statement from President Russell M. Nelson, looking for the purpose of general conference.
The purpose of this and every general conference is to help us to hear Him. (Russell M. Nelson, “Opening Message,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 7)
Why is it important to know what Jesus Christ would say to you?
What are some ways you can hear the Savior in general conference?
How well do you prepare to hear the Savior speak to you through the messages in general conference?
What do you need or hope to receive from general conference?
Preparing for general conference
My preparation for general conference
The following questions can help students apply the counsel from Elder Uchtdorf’s statement on the handout. Students could respond to the questions in their study journal or on a small piece of paper or note card that they could take home as a reminder.
What questions do I have? What guidance or direction do I need for the challenges I face?
What is something specific I will do to prepare to hear the Lord’s direction for me in general conference? (Pick one or two ways you listed on your handout.)
Help students report on their general conference experience
After general conference, consider asking students to share how their preparation for general conference impacted their experience. Some students may not have participated in conference. You could provide time for these students to review summaries of the talks.
What did you do to prepare? In what ways was this helpful?
How did your preparation help you hear the voice of the Savior and receive direction from Him?
Students could also share their feelings or testimony about what they felt or heard during general conference.