Next month, members and guests of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the Pacific and worldwide will gather in meetinghouses to participate in the April 2011 General Conference of the Church.
Proceedings will be available via satellite, the Internet at www.lds.org, ITunes and in the Ensign and Liahona magazines. People who are hearing-impaired will have the chance to see the sermons signed. Talks will be translated into French, Tongan, Samoan and many other languages. Go to www.ldschurch.org.au or www.lds.org for details.
Six Australians, preparing to attend April General Conference, Emily Kwok, Kimball Hobby, Karina Edward, Vanessa Xu, Seth Hamilton and Rosie Tupou, recently shared what this semi-annual opportunity means to them.
Emily Kwok – Bankstown 3rd Branch, Mortdale Stake.
General conference means everything to me and my family! During this period where a lot of natural disasters have hit the Pacific, I watched as survivors turned to their families, friends, and community aid. I asked myself "who do we turn to before the disasters come?" The prophet. I know of no better way to be prepared for the future than to listen to our prophet.
Kimball Hobby – Quakers Hill Ward, Hebersham Stake
I always look forward to General Conference! The speeches given by the leaders of our Church help inspire me to become a better husband, father, employee and person. It often seems as if the talks given are being directed only at me - and I take a pen and pad to jot down thoughts that come to me as I listen.
My kids are young but they like General Conference, too. Though they don't comprehend most of what is being said, they love seeing our Prophet on the screen and hearing his kind words.
Our Prophet gave a powerful talk on the gift of gratitude at our last Conference which really inspired me to show thanks and appreciate my blessings.
Karina Edward – Greenwich Ward, Harbour Stake
When I was researching the Church for the first time I came across the conference talks on the Church website. I thought that it would be a good idea to watch them to see what kinds of people were leading the Church. So I started at the beginning, expecting to only watch a few. By the end of the following night, I had sat through the whole two days of talks.
I was so impressed by the content of the talks and found myself constantly nodding in agreement. The talks were refreshingly righteous, emotive and inspiring. The fact that the speakers had so much love for the people, that they would discuss topics which were uncomfortable, just to help guide us in our lives.
It made me want to become a Latter-day Saint. I joined the Church two months later and have never looked back. I'm so grateful to have such loving leaders and look forward to this year's conference!
Vanessa Xu – Harbord Ward, Harbour Stake
Conference offers enlightening perspectives and edifying gems of wisdom that often stick with me for a long time.
As someone who joined the Church less than two years ago, I am also touched by the General Authorities, their inspiring examples and the incredible depth of their thinking. Sometimes, a conference talk is an answer to my prayer.
Last year as I was preparing to enter the temple for the first time, Elder Gerrit Gong's talk at the October Conference - "Temple Mirrors of Eternity" - went straight into my heart and enlarged my understanding of the significance of temple work. I have since not only received my own endowment, but also completed temple baptism for my father who had lived all his life in China without ever hearing the restored gospel.
Seth Hamilton – Summer Hill Ward, Harbour Stake
I find General Conference time a definite highlight in my year; a time to self-evaluate and refocus my life; to assess how I measure up against what the Lord expects of me.
I also find it a very uplifting time. I always come away from having watched conference with a feeling of optimism and increased faith, that I can be better and that Heavenly Father will help me.
In recent years I have made it a habit of mine to, in the lead up to General Conference, review the previous conference by listening, reading and watching the talks given at the last conference on www.lds.org. This really has helped me spiritually prepare for what the Apostles, Prophets and Church leaders have had to say and helped me more deeply understand the message they have shared.
I'm excited about General Conference! I hope you are too.
Rosie Tupou – Minto Ward, Macarthur Stake
General conference is a time that holds great meaning to my family.
Since I was young, my family and I, a week before conference, pray in preparation to listening and hearing the prophet's voice. Just like Christmas, we awake early Sunday morning knowing that the gifts (the words) we will receive today are especially for us individually and collectively. I have seen the blessings of general conference and had the chance to witness and be in the presence at a live session in Salt Lake City with my family.
The General conference Ensign edition is collected and read repetitively in our home, and, no matter how many times our family has read it through, we find new insights and teachings every time. The Family Home Evening following conference is a time when each family member shares their favorite talk and something they have learnt. As a result each member on a different week/month teaches a lesson based on that talk.
General Conference is a reminder that my Heavenly Father loves me. By my listening in obedience, I show that I love him too."