The Odyssey

Now I'm not sure if you've heard of the General Conference Odyssey that has just begun.

Essentially, a group of mormon bloggers have gathered and decided to read 1 General Conference address every week until they are caught up, beginning with the April 1971 Conference.

(The first session easily available online)

And they will read until they are caught up with the current Conference, somewhere around 2029.

Wow.

I was reading about this plan and I think it is fantastic!

However, I am going to adapt it for my own personal use.

In preparation for my mission I am going to read 1 General Conference talk every day leading up to my departure.

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we believe that our prophets are called of God.

Mormon.org has a great description of the role of prophets:

Prophets have many duties that come with their role. Here are a few:

• To testify of Jesus: A prophet’s job first and foremost is to testify of Christ—that He died for us, was resurrected, and lives today. Prophets’ lives of love and service are examples of how to follow Him.
• To lead God’s kingdom on the earth: While each person is entitled to revelation for himself or herself, prophets have the authority to receive revelation for the world.
• To provide guidance and warning: Prophets have often been compared to watchmen on a tower. From the spiritual perspective that comes from their life experience and the revelation given to them from God, they can see things that the rest of the world can’t see and warn us of the consequences of certain actions.
• To keep doctrine pure: God speaks to each of us differently, and sometimes His voice can be difficult to discern. How can we know if what we feel is in accordance with God’s will? The words of the prophets are a measuring stick; if what we feel is consistent with the teachings of the prophets and the scriptures, we can be confident it is from God.

Prophets today address the world as a whole at General Conference twice a year.

Think about it for a minute.

People who have been called of God.

Speaking to us today.

Giving messages that apply to us directly.

April 1971 is a far ways away from my life span.

But my parents were around for it.

And the messages that were shared then are the same messages shared throughout time.

The same messages that apply to us today.

In preparing for a mission I think that reading and studying and being reminded of the words of the prophets and their insights into the scriptures will be of a great benefit.

So I invite you to join in this.

If you are preparing for a mission take the time each day to read a general conference address.

If you aren't preparing for a mission I encourage you to be a part of this Odyssey.

Whether reading one a week or one a day.

Get a refresher on the words of the prophets.

And let your testimony be strengthened.