Digital Only: Young Adults

3 Ways to Let General Conference Change Your Life

By Alison Wood

Church Magazines

Here are a few ways to walk away from conference with a concrete plan.

I always learn new principles when I listen to general conference. I’m reminded of God’s love for me, I understand new things about the Church and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and I see scriptures in a new light. It’s an awesome opportunity to hear from living prophets and apostles.

But sometimes I have a hard time turning that new knowledge and understanding into something that I can act on, and as Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained, “Most blessings that God desires to give us require action on our part—action based on our faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in the Savior is a principle of action and of power.”¹

Recently I’ve been trying to follow that counsel and come away from conference knowing concrete ways to act. Here are three tips for creating an actionable post-conference plan.

1. Come with specific questions.

We hear this one all the time, but it’s true! Identifying what you’re looking for can help you focus your study and preparation and gain specific insight as you watch or listen to general conference.

And if you’re looking for something actionable, try to include verbs in your questions. Here are a few examples:

• How can I study my scriptures more effectively?

• What can I do to get more out of my temple worship?

• What is one principle I can add to my life that will bring me closer to Heavenly Father and the Savior?

2. Think about others.

While conference has wonderful messages to help us improve our own lives, we’re also frequently admonished to improve our relationships and be aware of the needs of those around us. Coming to conference with someone in mind—a roommate, your spouse, a family member, a friend—can help you have a different general conference experience. You might feel prompted to better get to know those to whom you minister, strengthen an old relationship, or even seek out someone whom you don’t know very well.

As Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, said: “Brothers and sisters, through your ministry, donations, time, and love, you have been the answer to so many prayers. And yet there is so much more to do. As baptized members of the Church, we are under covenant to care for those in need. Our individual efforts don’t necessarily require money or faraway locations; they do require the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a willing heart to say to the Lord, ‘Here am I; send me.’”²

3. Be open to answers from the Spirit.

Not all answers will come from what the speakers actually say. Be aware of what the Spirit is trying to tell you through thoughts and feelings. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “Answers to your specific prayers may come directly from a particular talk or from a specific phrase. At other times answers may come in a seemingly unrelated word, phrase, or song. A heart filled with gratitude for the blessings of life and an earnest desire to hear and follow the words of counsel will prepare the way for personal revelation.”³

And once we receive that revelation, it’s important to write it down. Even after a strong spiritual experience at conference, our good intentions might fade if we can’t remember exactly what words or stories inspired us, or what we wanted to improve on. President Russell M. Nelson counseled us to “pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will ‘grow into the principle of revelation.’”⁴

Asking the Lord to help us implement new changes in our lives will make general conference a more personal experience. It doesn’t have to be anything big or difficult—even just coming away with one or two things you want to apply in your life can be beneficial. As Elder Michael A. Dunn of the Seventy explained, “Every effort to change we make—no matter how tiny it seems to us—just might make the biggest difference in our lives.”⁵ The Lord sees our efforts and will continue to guide us as we seek His counsel and revisit what we learned in general conference.

Alison Wood is an editor for the Liahona and YA Weekly. She loves good books, pickleball, playing the violin, and her husband. She has a deep belief in the gospel and the blessings it brings.

Discover More

You can find more articles about receiving revelation in the Young Adults section of the September 2022 Liahona.

Check out YA Weekly, found in the Gospel Library under Magazines or Adults > Young Adults, for new, inspiring content for young adults each week.

You can submit your own article, ideas, or feedback at liahona.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Notes

1. Dale G. Renlund, “Abound with Blessings,” Liahona, May 2019, 70.

2. Sharon Eubank, “I Pray He’ll Use Us,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 55.

3. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “General Conference—No Ordinary Blessing,” Liahona, Sept. 2011, 4.

4. Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Liahona, May 2018, 95.

5. Michael A. Dunn, “One Percent Better,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 108.