I Listened to Conference Talks Daily for 6 Months. Here Are 2 Ways They Changed My Life
Making the general conference messages a part of my daily routine changed my life.
As a missionary, I read general conference talks during my daily personal study. However, I’ve found it much harder to review them in the years since coming home. I recently started a new job that requires a long commute, so to make it on time, I wake up before 6 a.m. In the quiet, early morning, I fill the silence by using the Gospel Library app to listen to conference talks.
After the April 2024 conference, I started working my way through all the talks. When I reached the end, I started again. By the time the October 2024 conference came around, I had listened to the previous talks around four and a half times through.
As I watched October’s conference, I recognized two specific blessings I’d received for regularly listening to past talks:
A Christlike Perspective
When I started listening to these talks, I didn’t learn much just from listening to each one once in a while. But through repeated exposure, I found myself learning a little bit more each time, “line upon line, precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30).
Like Elder Alexander Dushku of the Seventy taught, each time I listened to prophetic voices, it was like adding a ray of light to my testimony of the gospel.
I didn’t listen to a talk every single day, but when I did establish a consistent pattern of hearing the voices of the prophets and apostles, I noticed principles and counsel that applied to my current life experiences.
Over time, I found that I was thinking and acting in a more Christlike way. I was kinder, more patient, and had more uplifting thoughts about those around me.
Increased Clarity
As I watched the October 2024 general conference, I noticed that I was better able to listen and receive inspiration from the speakers, even while babysitting three little kids. Despite this distraction, my experience was still fulfilling.
Because the voices of the prophets and apostles were already in my mind, my thoughts were already aligned with their teachings. It was easier to see where my faith was lacking but also receive additional witnesses of what I know to be true, because I had been taught those principles consistently for the last six months.
It was also easier to notice new things I could work on and goals I could set, because I knew what topics and invitations they had previously emphasized.
I still try to read the talks thoroughly when I can, but amid the busyness of day-to-day life, listening to them has brought me these simple blessings and more. This small, daily effort has made the messages of the prophets powerful to me, and it can for you too.
As you find the best way to include their influence every day, you will recognize increased blessings in your life. You will find yourself more aligned with the teachings of the prophet and thinking more of Christ.