Conference

General Conference has evolved for me. I remember as a child going to the church building and sitting through the two hour Sunday morning conference broad casted from Temple Square in Salt Lake City. I looked forward to the potluck meal we would have right afterwards. As a teenager I even got lucky enough to leave a little early from the chapel and go to the kitchen and help with the set-up of the dinner.

I didn't realize that there were two sessions on Saturday. Either that or I don't remember that I knew.

And now I look forward to General Conference. I love hearing from a prophet of God. I know the Prophet receives revelation from God and delivers a message that He wants us to hear. And this is one of the ways that I know:

Over the last few months I have been a bit overwhelmed with having 5 children. The clean-up alone is enough to overwhelm. But there is so much more then that. I have five children because I love them. I love having children. Children are a breath of fresh air. They come with unique personalities, they love to learn, and they amaze me. I can sit and just watch for hours and be fully entertained. And they teach me so much. I am a different person then I was 10 years ago. I have learned patience, understanding, and my ability to love has unfolded.

I love to watch other moms with their children. There is so much to be learned and ignored. My church is full of moms with only one, two, and three children. They are amazing mothers, love their children so much, and are able to read, play, and really enjoy their kids. That is how I was. Then I got more children and more, and now I don't even really scrapbook. Days go by that I am so busy with the business that comes with a big family that I didn't get a chance to brush Spencer's teeth, or I let Nathan eat chalk, I didn't read with Danielle today, he has been wearing that dirty shirt all day.

The message from last Conference was there is good, better, and best out there. When we have to choose what to do, always choose the best. That has been on my mind. I wanted to make the best with my time. I quit farming on Facebook Farm Town because that wasn't the "best" way to spend my time. I don't really watch tv. I blog because it is sort of a journal. I try to choose wisely how I spend my time, but still relax and not run faster then I have strength, to have some down time for me so i don't get burnt out. I want to be a good mom and let go of what isn't important and focus on what really is.

And as I have been pondering what is most important, I had thoughts come to me. Smudges on my children's face are fine. If I miss a day of brushing teeth, they will live. If my dishes don't get done tonight, they will still be there in the morning with even more. The laundry can wait, usually. What is more important? My children. They are growing up so fast and I don't want to miss a moment. But, having a lot of children means I will miss something, I have to choose the good, better, or best. This was the thought that came to mind: I need my children to know how to recognize and feel the spirit. Each of us feel the spirit in our own way. And knowing how the spirit feels and speaks to us is what will guide us the rest of our lives. I must teach them to know for themselves of Jesus Christ. They need to know that He loves them. That He atoned for their sins. That He was resurrected so we can live again. This is the stuff that will carry them through the hard times in their lives. There will be many bumps for them, but knowing about the Savior and trying to become more like Him will make the bumps a little smoother.

As I flipped Conference on Saturday morning, the first talk was about exactly the thoughts that had been so heavy on my mind for months. Then the next talk was about the same thing, just a little different. And so was the rest of Conference. God lives. He speaks to prophets today. He leads and guides us. I don't think it a coincidence that conference was about exactly what had been on my mind. I needed to hear it, have my thoughts clarified. He spoke to me through the mouth of a prophet, a latter-day prophet that leads and guides us just as Moses of old.

I need to choose the best. I need to teach my children to recognize and feel the spirit. And I am so thankful for His inspiration and guidance.