To Fellowship with the Saints
This might seem like a no-brainier, but it is absolutely true that where, "...two or three shall be gathered together in my name, there I will be also". Being with people who share the same conviction and faith is indeed strengthening. It is a wonderful feeling to have the same spirit felt affect others in the room. No matter if your numbers are two or three or two or three hundred, that same spirit can be felt by all.
To SEE living Prophets and to HEAR the will of the Lord
How wonderful it is in this technological world to be able to SEE living prophets. We don't just have to read about them. we can see them. Each member of the Quorum of the Twelve are sustained as"...Prophets, Seers, and Revelators" When they speak to us in General Conference, we need to remember that they are such. Their words spoken may sound familiar, but they are still needed to be said. I do not doubt that we will hear many things that we heard before, but perhaps we need to stop and think why they are being repeated over and over. The Lord sends His prophets to "..warn the people" and to give His children direction. Maybe it is us that need to wake up and really listen and ponder. We may hear of new houses of the Lord to be built. We may hear new doctrine; all of which gives the "gasp and awe" factor. But, perhaps one of my favorite things to hear them say is "...I bear you my witness...". Hearing those words always brings a chill up and down my spine as they know.
To be inspired to make changes
General Conference is a time when we can perform introspection. We can go through our "checklists" as each speaker presents their topic. If there are deficiencies in certain areas of our lives, three is no better time to make those changes now. A Conference does not pass me by where I feel as if the speaker is directing their talk to me. It is those times when I know that the spirit is trying to tell me that I need to make changes in my life. Goals can be re-accessed and evaluated if we are on the path that we are all striving for.
To have your prayers answered
We all have problems and trials vexing our lives. In General Conference, we can have our prayers answered, either directly by the spirit to us or by others. For me, I have had my prayers answered by others - especially those behind the pulpit. How many times have we heard a talk prefaced by something like, "...I pray the Holy Ghost will confirm the truthfulness of the principles I emphasize.", as said by Elder Bednar at the last General Conference. I have felt the inspiration of the Holy Ghost whispering answers to my prayers often. Knowing that a servant of The Lord is there as the mouthpiece for answering so many peoples prayers is comforting and reassuring to me.
Because it is the right thing to do
I know many people who treat General Conference (and Stake Conference) as a "free pass" from attending or watching. They justify it by saying that they have callings which require their attention every Sunday, and those times are their "free time". This is not the right thing to do. As the hymn suggests, "Do what is right, let the consequences follow". What are the consequences for watching General Conference? The consequence of being spiritually fed and desire to change your life. To try to be a little better. To understand your calling better. And to become a better missionary, neighbor, and citizen. All things that want.
I, personally am excited for General Conference. I look forward to hearing inspired words of counsel and peace. I look forward to the stories told that make the speakers more "human" and relate able. And hearing them say humbly, but with firm conviction, "I KNOW" will help bouy my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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