President Durrant did an awesome job when I was at the MTC. I miss hearing his stories.

Great man.

My ex-boyfriend's family used to gather together twice a year to watch conference and have a big Sunday dinner. I went I think twice, even though I'm not LDS. Dinner was eaten before the final session, and then everyone gathered around the TV in the basement to watch. EVERYone was asleep within about ten minutes without fail, including the grandparents who hosted the party. I thought it was the strangest thing!

I love General Conference.

Preparations begin about a month before; our family prays for the brethren and all speakers; that they will be protected and inspired. We pray for our family that we might be able to hear the messages intended for us. We pray for the honest of heart throughout the world that they may be inspired to find conference.

When our children were little we had toys (beading projects, new markers, etc.) that were just for conference. All work stops and the furniture is given a new arrangement with the TV as focus. We work on quiet projects except when the prophet speaks, then it is time for full attention.

Other preparations begin the week before. Food is planned and cooked.
On the Thursday before, we attend the temple together--the children in the baptistry and the rest in endowments.

On Saturday, chores and devotional are held early. A family walk takes place between sessions, and a buffet is spread out during second session--leftovers are used again on Sunday so there is little work on Conference days. For me and my family, Conference time rivals Christmas for the best holiday of the year! (No presents&it comes twice a year!)

Hello - and thank you for this wonderful article. I also have always enjoyed conference. Sence we do not live in Utah we watch it on TV ( I have also been in the Tabernacle a few times for it). I enjoyed the ideas here and hope to implament some in our watching. Would love to read more if DesNes want to print them. Thanks again
Janis

Yes, you are more righteous then me. Congratulations.

Personally I like watching conference from my laptop but I truly miss the times we had to travel to our stake center to watch.Ok so I'm dating myself.Watching conference at home has turned into a "Tailgate Party".Its "Watch and munch".As a church we have become more caught up in the family social thing and less of the family spiritual thing.I'm wondering if they had "Tailgate Parties" at King Benjamins Sermon.

Thank you Conference Devotee. It was so nice to hear of the great lengths you go to make it a wonderful and special occasion. You provide inspiration to us all. Ignore the "you are more righteous than me" comment. Sounds like sour grapes and a guilty conscience.

One year I had a friend of mine come over during conference unexpectedly, and boiling mad becuase her roomate wouldn't let her watch conference at their apartment so she wanted to watch it with us. She spent the entire time venting about her roomate so loudly it was hard to pay attention to the screen...LOL!!!!

Conference devotee - your family has the right idea. Make it a big event because it is a pretty big event. For my husband and I it's a big event by default becuase BOTH of our birthdays fall on conference weekend.

Let us all be judgmental on here...Off to a good start.

I agree with the sleepy heads on here who sleep through conference.. So do I. I always hear the Tabernacle choir singing while I snooze and dream through most of the talks, and then think Ive died and gone to heaven.

To 9:09
And you my friend are more righteous then me. There is always someone better and more righteous then the next guy. Will the more righteous and perfect ones on here PLEASE stand up?

Found memories of working with my dad on Saturday and lisitning to the sessions together in his shop. Living outside of Utah for the past 20 years gave me a whole new apprciation for the wake up and go downstairs to watch conference opportunity.

As an institute student at UVSC, George Durrant seemed to have his favorites. He was sort of a celebrity; however, after approaching him for a casual friendly conversation I was shot out of the air. George Durrant in my opinion is not the best person to approach for a "feel good" article. In my opinion he has a cold heart.

WHO REALLY CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry, but sitting in the most uncomfortable chair and putting another one in fromt of you so you don't have any leg room? That is wierd. Probably the only way you can stay awake. Conferences are boring. Go on, you can admit it! maybe there are a few nuggets spread throughout. I watch a few minutes of it every year to marvel at the poor speaking techniques.

Since "more righteous than me" got so much play, I must point out that it should be "more righteous than I". Also "For my husband and I it's a big event...." should be "For my husband and me it's a big event....". Come on folks, did they teach English where you went to school?

Wow, to each his own I guess. If it is boring or not depends on whether you come wanting to learn. And before all the self-righteous accusations start, there have been times when I didn't bring a cup to be filled and came away empty too. Those were the times I didn't prepare myself spiritually so things didn't resonate. My fault every time.

I love George Durrant, I had him once for a religeon class (30 years ago) and it was THE BEST CLASS EVER. He is so funny. This story is just, so him. He looks a bit older but just seeing his face brings a smile to mine.

As for conference, we don't fall asleep but I do like how relaxed it is at home. I can watch in my PJ's - it is a good day!!!

I'm going to watch the San Diego/Miami game instead. Do you think John Beck will play?

One sister in our little branch here in Oklahoma is so self-righteous that she always chastises anyone for staying at home and watching conference on BYUTV in their PJ's, night gown, or anything comfy. So, my Utah-bred husband goes to the chapel and watches conference in a suit, sitting in an uncomfortable chair behind an empty chair out of guilt. I'm fine with that. :)

Re Mary
The self-righteous sister in your little branch needs to do some good repenting. She certainly needs to mind her own business at well, and let others do what is right for them. I really dislike people like her. This kind of member gives the church a bad name. I would say to your husband to stay home in his PJ's and watch conference, the spirit is still the same wherever? Sheesh! No place like home.

I too miss President George Durrant talks and speaches given almost every day at the MTC back in 1988 I served in Argentina with my Twin brother and President Durrant had a hard time telling us apart. thank you President for all you have done for the many missionaries like myself your stories have helped me throughout my life.
thank you
Kevin Stohl
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - Idaho
Technical Support Specialist

I am too old to let anyone guilt me into going to the ward building to watch conference. I figure it should be - to each his own. I do however draw the line at falling asleep during conference. I suppose I really shouldn't say that, because there have been times I have fallen asleep in the uncomfortable chairs at church. :-) I like to blame the speakers :-D

To- mary,
Our RS president is like the lady in your branch, but our RS president also likes to gossip too much. I think it is better to get to know someone before others pin the tail on the donkey with a bad name. Shame on the judgmental group on here. I hope conference says something about the group who like to tell lies and gossip too much. I'm looking forward to listening.

"Don't Judge me, BRO!!!

I LOVE Conference weekend!

We have had a long-standing tradition of going out camping and having a great time!

It is our way of getting a break from the repetitiveness of the primary school stories we have to hear every week at Church. They are mind-numbing! At least we get a break from them twice a year and don't listen to any religious monotony all weekend!

I LOVE Conference weekend!

I LOVE Conference weekend too, I do not have to make a tee time a can walk onto any course in the valley at my leasure while the saturday meeting are in session. It is a great time indeed, for me at least... not so much for the others whom are not so bold as to make a break-away from the redundant retoric of the weekend.

When we were in a tiny branch, we used to pack up the kids and a sandwich lunch and drive an hour to the nearest ward building w/ a satellite dish. We would eat our lunch in the parking lot between sessions, take a drive to a spot near an AFB to let the kids watch planes take off and land, then return to the chapel for the next session. At the time it seemed like such a hassle and a looong day for the kids, but now I really miss those times. A few years ago we started listening to Saturday sessions on the computer and doing yard work during the afternoon break, still going to our new ward building on Sundays with a contribution to the informal potluck lunch set out between sessions. Last fall our local cable company started carrying the broadcasts on their community service channel. This really is a blessing for many, but it still seems strange not to go to the chapel for at least the Sunday mid-day session. This year there will be no potluck lunch. It's the end of an era.

I used to sleep through most church meetings. The only time my wife complained was when I snored too loudly.

I like catching conference the munch and watch, after all overeating if the Mormon sin.

I find it sad that how times change and the Conference is becoming less relevent. We need to pick it up folks or traditions will come to pass as well as what little is left of the specialness of Conference.

After reading this blog, i can see that we have all come to a new time in life. So don't live the PAST, but live for the future. The past is gone and never to return. Try to be happy and move forward.

Brother Durrant is able to do this now that all his children are raised. But when they were young, did he take his entire family to conference all the time? Or did he go alone and leave his wife home with the kids? Whatever the answer is to that question, we know who was taking care of the children. And did she get to hear everything and get the full impact?

Having big family gatherings at conference time is enjoyable and perhaps spiritual for everyone, but guess who is in the kitchen again, doing all of the work? She was probably listening to conference on the radio or on television while cooking.

I feel we can get inspiration from Conference while doing what we have to do. It is not possible for everyone in the Church to attend the Conference Center for conference. This ridiculous article is why I don't enjoy Mormon Times.

We've always loved General conference and call it "pajama church day" (sunday sessions). We do have traditional foods we munch on, we all stay in pajamas, etc. Usually we're all awake for all of it, sometimes though, just like in real church, we doze off.

I love Conference. I become a ghost and nobody can attest to my where abouts over the weekend (Sunday) It is great as last spring it was Wendover and this year it will be Mesquite! These are the only two weekends of the year I can miss meetings without a valid excuse and my neighbors don't question my faithfullness. I love Conference indeed!

Hey folks, quit complaining and get a life.

Yeah , looks like it's going to rain and storm for conference this year, and that is a real pain. I think I'll stay home in my pajamas and watch conference on tv and hangout with my dog.

To Megan

Who called you to be the mighty TROLL on here to condemn others? You must be the most mighty and worthy controlling troll ever posted... Geesers!

Conference weekend in The Church of Jesus Christ (WHQ: Monongahela, Pennsylvania) will be October 10-12 at the General Church Conference Center in Greensburg, PA.
Our conferences are also a wonderful time of fellowship - especially because at every session whether in April or October the 9 Gifts of the Spirit are always manifested in power (Moroni 10:8-17).

Hey! 1:47pm
Please tell that to everyone you know. It's not working on this post. Nice that you think so anyway.