For FHE, prepare your family to hear the words of the Lord's servants at the upcoming general conference.
Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “At Parting,” by President Thomas S. Monson,
Ensign, May 2011, 114.
Thought:
May we long remember the messages we have heard. As we receive the issues of the
Ensign and Liahona magazines which will contain these messages in written form, may we
read and study them.
(President Thomas S. Monson, “At Parting,” Ensign, May 2011, 114.)
Song:
“Thy Spirit Lord, Has Stirred Our Souls,” Hymns, #157.
Scripture:
And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together
ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how
to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.
(Doctrine and Covenants 43:8)
Lesson:
Ask family members to share some favorite things they enjoy about general conference.
Read the following statement describing some purposes of general conference:
“To worship . . . the Lord . . . ; to build up in faith, testimony, and desires of
righteousness; to transact the business of the Church; to sustain the officers whom the Lord
has appointed to administer the affairs of his kingdom; and to receive, from those appointed so
to serve, the counsel, inspiration, and revelations needed in both temporal and spiritual fields.
. . . They consist of a series of meetings at which the mind and will of the Lord is manifest to
the people by the mouth of his servants.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 155–56.)Read D&C 44:1–5 together and find reasons why this fourth Church conference was
called. Ask:
• According to verse 2, what blessing would the elders receive by assembling together?
• What requirements does verse 2 mention before the Lord’s Spirit would be poured out
upon the people?
• Following the conference, where were the missionaries to focus their efforts? (See
verse 3.)
• What blessings would come to the Church as they were obedient? (See verses 4–5.)
• How have we seen the fulfillment of those promises in the Church today?
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and
Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 90.)
Story:
At general conference in 1975, during the session when I was assigned to speak, my attention was
drawn constantly to a little blond-haired girl seated on the first row in the balcony. That day I directed
my remarks to my young friend in the balcony. I spoke of my experience with Christal Methvin, who
was about her age.
Upon returning to my office, I found waiting for me this same young lady and also her
grandmother. The young girl was Misti White from California. She said to me, “I have had a problem,
Brother Monson, but not any longer. A person very dear to me told me to wait until I was eighteen to
be baptized. My grandmother said I should be baptized now. I prayed for an answer and then said to
Grandmother, ‘Take me with you to conference. There Jesus will help me.’”
To conference they came, and so did divine help. Eagerly Misti took my hand and exclaimed, “You
helped Him answer my prayer. Thank you.”
Upon returning to California, Misti sent me a treasured letter, with this beautiful ending: “Brother
Monson, I was baptized on November 29th. I am now very happy. Love, Misti.” Faith does precede the
miracle.
(Thomas S. Monson, Inspiring Experiences That Build Faith: Fron the Life and Ministry of Thomas S. Monson, [Salt Lake
City: Deseret Book, 1994].)
Activity:
Working together as a family, memorize the names of the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles in
order.
Thomas S. Monson
Henry B. Eyring
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Boyd K. Packer
L. Tom Perry
Russell M. Nelson
Dallin H. Oaks
M. Russell Ballard
Richard G. Scott
Robert D. Hales
Jeffrey R. Holland
David A. Bednar
Quentin L. Cook
D. Todd Christofferson
Neil L. Andersen
Note: If you’d like to do it to music, see “LDS Apostle Song-April 2009” on You Tube.
Refreshment
Honey taffy Popcorn
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light honey
1/2 cup cream
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 quarts popped corn, lightly salted and buttered
Combine sugar, honey, and cream in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Adjust temperature to maintain a steady boil and cook to 269 degrees. Remove from heat and stir in
baking soda, stirring until bubbles subside (syrup will turn a light golden color); add vanilla. Pour over
popped corn, stirring until coated. Cool and break into chunks. Makes 12 servings.
