It’s that time again- a time for feasting, General Conference! Every Conference we strive to be in our best spiritual mindset to hear and act on the words of the Lord. What are some ways you prepare yourself to receive the revelation you need during this spirit-filled weekend? Read on for ideas.

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Build those spiritual muscles

Ever feel those eyelids become heavy during General Conference? There’s of course the obvious solution of getting more sleep but when you are still struggling even though you aren’t physically tired, try increasing your spiritual capacity! General Conference is a spiritual workout! It is exhausting! We’ve got to build some spiritual muscles to make it through.

Remember when Joseph Smith first saw God the Father and Jesus Christ? Joseph was completely wiped out afterward (see Joseph Smith- History 1:20). Throughout his life, Joseph continued to build up his spiritual capacity so that when he saw Jesus Christ in the Kirtland temple, he no longer collapsed afterward. Obviously, our experience of watching General Conference is just a small fraction of what Joseph experienced but it shows how we CAN build our spiritual muscles and enjoy greater spiritual experiences.

President Russell M. Nelson has also encouraged us to improve our spiritual stamina, “I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that ‘if thou shalt [seek], thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal’ (D&C 42:61).
“Oh, there is so much more that your Father in Heaven wants you to know.”

Continue to build those spiritual muscles as you ponder these questions:

How do you hear the Lord? Is it always in the same way or does He speak to you in several different ways?
When do you hear God’s voice more often?
How can you give yourself grace in your imperfections while still striving for the ideal?
What daily spiritual activities do you want to participate in to build greater spiritual muscles?

Participate in Temple and Family History Work

Going to the temple is a great way to come closer to the Savior and become more familiar with God’s voice. But even if you can’t go to the temple, you can do family history work. Try some indexing, find some ancestors, help others start their family history, or prepare names to take to the temple.

President Nelson has told us, “Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work” (now that’s a great list to work on).

As you participate in temple and family history work, you’ll be serving others and following the prophet! President Nelson has told us over and over that the gathering of Israel is the greatest work on the earth today. And as you know, we always get blessings for following the prophet, including being better prepared to hear the prophet’s next message.

Take Note and Share

Seek to have regular spiritual experiences. Go to church and pay attention. Be more intentional about preparing to partake of the sacrament each week. Gather your family for scripture study using the Come Follow Me manual as a guide. Attend that fireside or Relief Society activity. Go ministering. Seek God daily.

Then remember to record your spiritual impressions and experiences! Elder Neil L. Andersen declared, “Embrace your sacred memories. Believe them. Write them down. Share them with your family. Trust that they come to you from your Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son. Let them bring patience to your doubts and understanding to your difficulties. I promise you that as you willingly acknowledge and carefully treasure the spiritually defining events in your life, more and more will come to you.”

Write things down! It’s so important to remember our spiritual experiences. Treasure them. Read them again. Share them with your family and friends as appropriate.

Feast Regularly

One of the easiest ways to prepare for General Conference is to regularly study the words of the prophets- from General Conference and the scriptures. While reviewing the talks for 35 days before General Conference is great, don’t let that be your first time! Study them throughout the following 6 months and beyond. Go back and read your notes as you study them again and take more notes. When we show we truly value the words of the Lord, we show we are ready to hear and learn more.

Feasting on the words of God also allows us to recognize His voice and better discern when Satan is trying to lead us astray. Studying the scriptures helps us see how the Lord has answered prayers in the past, how others hear Him, and how we can open ourselves up to more revelation.

Prayer Journal

You don’t have to wait until General Conference to receive answers- although it is a great place to receive them! Answers to prayers can come all the time… when you are praying and seeking for them. Take prayer seriously.

I like how Elder Richard G. Scott put it, “Why does the Lord want us to pray to Him and to ask? Because that is how revelation is received.” We have to be asking in order to receive revelation. That’s why writing down questions before General Conference then praying about them is so effective. We’ve got to ask the question first.

President Nelson encouraged us, “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.’”

Regularly communicating with our Father in Heaven means we’re talking, listening, and acting. Set aside time every day to communicate with Heavenly Father. Grab a notebook and record the impressions you have while praying. It’ll quickly become your own book of personal revelation.

As we continually prepare ourselves to receive revelation at General Conference, we’ll notice more revelation all year long. That’s what it’s really about. Not simply preparing ourselves for Conference, but to live our best lives.

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