General conference is coming up!
A year ago, I shared specific approaches I take to enhance my learning and personal change during conference.
These have been so popular in the past, I figured I’d share them again.
Here are four approaches I am taking to get the most out of general conference:
1. No Social Media
Social media is becoming more and more popular during general conference.
It can feel like you are getting more out of conference by reviewing others’ perspectives or feel like you are helping non-Latter-day Saints be aware of the gospel through general conference.
Dump social media during each conference session and you can stay more present.
2. Seek Cognitive Dissonance, Not Confirmation Bias
I’ll often hear people highlight specific talks that confirmed a belief or position that they held previously, or they will dismiss talks that do not confirm their bias.
Talks that confirm your bias are nice to hear because they make you feel like you are in line with the Brethren.
However, instead of looking to confirm your bias or current beliefs, highlight those concepts you hear that go against a previously held belief or that don’t sit comfortably in your mind.
Or even identify your least favorite speakers and treat their talk like the most important address of the century.
Take intense notes and identify specific quotes you can easily review in the days following conference.
I’ve always had a beneficial experience wrestling with those topics that give me cognitive dissonance and then taking them to God for deeper understanding and direction.
3. Identify Core Doctrine
As you listen to each talk, appreciate the stories and anecdotes, and maybe laugh at the clever jokes, but be a hunter of core doctrine and make a note when you hear it.
If you need an understanding of what core doctrine is, check out this past interview with Anthony Sweat.
You might hear a talk that includes a few stories and quotes, but near the end of the talk, ask yourself, “What core doctrine was discussed here?”
Making a list of these doctrines will give you a better understanding of where God is trying to turn our hearts through our prophets, seers, and revelators.
4. Act as if You’ll Never Hear These Talks Again
I remember listening to general conference in the late ’90s.
I knew I wouldn’t be able to review any of the talks until weeks later when the General Conference edition of the Ensign was released, so I seemed to pay closer attention.
Can you imagine listening to Joseph Smith back in the day, knowing that you would never be able to review his talk again?
Now, as I sit and listen to conference, I sometimes feel a nap overtaking me, and I think, “I’ll just review it later.”
But I rarely dive deep into each talk after the fact, especially those not reviewed in my elders quorum lessons.
So, I’d like to try to take on a posture of listening to the talk as if I will never hear it again.
These are my approaches to this general conference.
What helps you increase your experience with general conference?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
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