Why Do You Love Conference???

This morning I was talking to the kids about General Conference and some of our favorite things about the weekend. Then I asked them all two questions and wrote their answers.

Why do you love conference?

Michael: People who speak in conference, they were called by Heavenly Father and Jesus to say the things they say.

Bekah: They are prophets that we love and they are in General Conference.

Abby: Because it is really good!

Why is General Conference important?

Michael: It is like we are listening to Heavenly Father talk to us.

Bekah: Because it is really good! And because we love the prophets and apostles.

Abby: Because it is really, really good!

I loved sharing the weekend with these sweet kiddos. We had done some good preparation with the apostles' pictures and biographies, so they each knew the apostles by name, and picked their "favorites."

Michael: L. Tom Perry (who has been his favorite ever since he found out he played college football...)

Bekah: Elder Bednar

Abby: President Uchtdorf

I hope that their love for General Conference will continue to grow and solidify into fortified testimonies of the Lord's appointed leaders on the earth. It is so very important to have faith in the prophets and apostles... their messages are filled with inspired ways to help us be truly happy.

I gained so much, as a mother of young children, from the messages this time. Now it is up to me to put what I learned to the test. As Julie Beck taught, "it is possible to be bathed in help, even in turbulent times" if we seek direction and utilize the power of personal revelation in our lives. General Conference is such a part of that for me, and I truly receive personal ways to improve my own life and the lives of my family members.

And that is why I love General Conference!

"What is This Thing that Men Call Death"

I was so touched by one of the songs that was a part of President Hinckley's funeral service on Saturday. Entitled "What is This Thing that Men Call Death," the lyrics were written by President Hinckley. I googled it this morning to find out the rest of the story behind it...

The article is found here. I highlighted my favorite parts.

And I think I'd like this at my own funeral. Take note... it would make a great quartet... and a violin obbligato would be gorgeous...


It is originally titled, “What is This Thing that Men Call Death.” Latter-day Saint songwriter Janice Kapp Perry discovered the poem as her own niece was dying and trying to find comfort. Perry asked Hinckley if he would permit her to put the words to music. He approved her request three days before he died.

President Hinckley passed away Sunday January 27. Ms. Perry got the letter of approval in the mail the next day. Then that afternoon came a request from the Mormon Tabernacle choir director Craig Jessop to perform the song at Hinckley’s funeral.

Saturday at President Hinckley’s funeral service the very words of Hinckley’s poem gave others comfort upon his own passing.

“What Is This Thing That Men Call Death”
By President Gordon B. Hinckley
Music by Janice Kapp Perry

What is this thing that men call death,
This quiet passing in the night?
'Tis not the end, but genesis
Of better worlds and greater light.

O God, touch thou my aching heart,
And calm my troubled, haunting fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.

There is no death, but only change,
With recompense for vict'ry won.
The gift of Him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One.



...such a wonderful testimony. Thank you, President Hinckley!