I went to General Conference with a Pastor

Pastor Jeff, known for his Hello Saints YouTube channel, recently invited me to join him at general conference.

This wasn’t his first time attending—he’s been twice before.

The first time, he came solo as a curious pastor, and the second time, he attended with his wife, Joy.

This time, he wanted to experience general conference alongside a Latter-day Saint (me) to gain a closer perspective on how we engage with this sacred tradition.

For me, attending general conference feels routine, so I wasn’t sure how this experience would unfold.

However, as the experience progressed, I found myself reflecting deeply on this cherished tradition.

It helped me better appreciate the significance of general conference and why it holds such an important place in my faith.

Here are four concepts that stood out to me during this experience.

We Truly Are Brothers and Sisters

Every time I attend general conference, I’m reminded of the familial bond we share as saints.

Outside the Conference Center, groups naturally form—people reconnecting through hugs and smiles.

Whether they’re mission companions, old ward members, college friends, or former presidency members, these moments highlight our shared faith and love for one another.

I cherish how effortlessly we connect as spiritual siblings through our mutual beliefs.

There’s Power in Gathering Together

The pandemic showed us what general conference feels like without the in-person gathering—it was different.

Walking into the Conference Center now has a grounding effect that’s hard to describe.

You can feel the love of the people and the unified testimonies of the restored gospel.

No matter where you sit in the vast auditorium, there’s a sense of togetherness.

Even for those who can’t attend in person, the central gathering place renews us all.

I Love Prophets

Seeing leaders like Elder Uchtdorf with his ever-present smile or marveling at Elder Cook’s seemingly ageless appearance reminds me how deeply we grow to love these men over decades of hearing their teachings.

While we sometimes risk overdoing hero worship for these mortal servants of God, their consistent preaching makes them endearing, even when some talks uncomfortably challenge us.

I’ll never forget the week between President Hinckley’s passing and his funeral; I could feel some intense emotion bubbling under the surface.

During the closing hymn of his funeral broadcast, I found myself unexpectedly overcome with emotion—ugly crying on the couch while my wife looked on in shock.

That moment encapsulated how much love we develop for these prophets after years of learning from them.

Now it’s your turn.

How do you experience general conference and why?

Watch my documented general conference experience with Pastor Jeff HERE and share your thoughts there as well.