Now, we are supposed to prepare ourselves so we can get the most out of it.
Years ago (and I mean in the 70s), I heard on a Sunday morning religious show the analogy of the wet or dry sponge. If you take those large compressed sponges and have one that is still dry and one that is wet, which one will absorb water faster? It's the wet sponge.
So, if you want the most out of conference, you have to be a wet sponge...you already have to be immersed in spiritual things. We are especially told to immerse ourselves in the last conference in order to prepare (I believe that was in March's Ensign). So review the past conference, read the scriptures, and pray.
Another way to prepare for conference is to figure out ahead of time some questions that you are wanting answers to. I have to admit, I'm not good at this. I go with the flow, happy to listen to whatever is presented to me. I haven't gone in seeking anything. Maybe I should give it a try.
So, as I've been re-reading conference talks (and listening to them at lds.org), I find I still come across things...and the other day it was a whole talk...that sound totally unfamiliar, even though I know I listened to all of conference and perhaps even read when the conference issue of the Ensign first came out. No wonder we are told to read and study the talks more than once. Once just isn't enough...and sometimes neither is 3 or 4 times.
One thing I am trying to change is to do more than listen...I need to find applications. Just hearing doesn't benefit me and my family. You have to "do" after you "hear." Last conference I made an action list. I think I worked on it a little before the goal sheet wound up underneath a pile of other papers.
So, this conference, in order to better be prepared, I am going to:
1- find a question or two I want answered
2- make an action list of what I feel I need to do between now and next conference
3- follow through with the list
