How I Am Preparing Differently for the Upcoming October General Conference

This October’s General Conference will not be like any other for most of us.

My heart is tender as the Conference approaches, shaped by a week of profound reflection. The passing of President Russell M. Nelson, our beloved prophet, has filled my thoughts with his life and legacy. This deep loss, coupled with the tragic events in Michigan, has been a stark reminder of life’s fragility and our constant need for the eternal hope offered by the gospel.

It is with this mix of sorrow and hope that I turn toward General Conference, not as a familiar tradition, but as a vital source of healing, strength, and divine direction. I look forward to hearing the inspired words of our leaders with a new sense of urgency and feel a deep need to prepare my heart more intentionally than ever before.

I want to share my list of five meaningful ways that can help us approach the General Conference differently, with renewed focus. By applying these suggestions in preparation, I hope we can all discover ways to let its messages strengthen and shape our lives long after the weekend concludes.

1. Pray with Specific, Sincere, and Inspired Questions
   Just as I did last April, I am preparing for the General Conference by writing down heartfelt questions. But this time, I want to ask more specific questions, such as how to find comfort in loss, how to feel peace in uncertain times, and how to better strengthen my family amid trials. I plan to take these questions to the Lord in prayer and trust that answers will come through inspired messages, the sacred music of the Tabernacle Choir, or quiet moments of reflection. Approaching the conference with a prayerful attitude better prepares me to hear the Lord’s voice. This approach has always filled me with hope that God will meet me where I am, and I trust He will do so again during this conference weekend.
   
   
2. Create a Reverent, Loving, and Sensitive Home Environment
   Because this General Conference comes after such significant loss and tragedy, I am preparing my home to feel like a place of peace, safety, and refuge. Before each session, I plan to offer a prayer that acknowledges my emotions and the hope I carry, inviting the Spirit to be present with me and my loved ones. I’m adding gentle touches—like temple pictures, family photos, or soft prelude music—that remind me of the Savior’s love. By creating a sacred atmosphere, I am opening my heart to feel His comfort more fully as I listen.
   
   
3. Create Circles of Support
   Rather than approaching General Conference as a casual viewing experience, I want to gather with family, friends, and some members of our ward to make it a time of unity and shared faith. I feel especially impressed to reach out to those who might be grieving and hurting the most, so no one feels they have to sit and watch the Conference alone. Between sessions, I hope to create space for quiet reflection and tender testimonies, so we can strengthen one another. Even something as simple as displaying a small temple model reminds me of the eternal perspective that gives meaning and hope to our trials.
   
   
4. Take "Small-Plates" Notes for My Post-Conference Study
   I admit I'm not the best at taking notes, so this time, instead of trying to write down everything that is said, I will focus on what I feel. My goal is to record the quiet impressions and gentle whisperings of the Spirit. I'll treat these notes as my personal 'small plates,' like a spiritual guide for the coming weeks as I study the talks and scriptures. I want this General Conference to be more than a routine event we attend twice a year; I want it to be the start of a personal journey of reflection and application. By reviewing these impressions afterward, I hope to allow the messages of the Conference to truly change me.
   
   
5. Plan Concrete, Humble Actions
   More than ever, I feel the need to let the messages of the General Conference move me to action. I am committing to act on one or two specific promptings I receive, whether they feel small or significant. Perhaps this will mean spending more quality time with my family, ministering to a grieving friend, making more time for the temple, or becoming more intentional with my daily prayers and scripture study. By putting these spiritual impressions to work, I can honor President Russell M. Nelson's counsel to 'Let the Lord Prevail' and do my part to bring greater light into my home, church, and community.

As we prepare our hearts for a much-needed spiritual uplift this weekend, I pray that we can approach the General Conference with a softer heart, brighter hope, and firm resolve to live our faith. May we be comforted by the Spirit and receive the strength to act on the invitations the Lord provides through His chosen servants.

By Melville Mercado