Like Pieces of Glass

Why we should pay attention to General Conference

As the October 2023 General Conference approaches, I have been thinking about the reasons I listen to and study the addresses given. As part of my personal study, I have been listening to the Joseph Smith Papers Podcast. In “The Road to Carthage” they talk about the urgency Joseph felt towards the end of his life and the need to instruct the saints as much as possible before his death. One quote hit me as I thought about why we should pay attention to General Conference.

“I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all. How many will be able to abide a celestial law, and go through and receive their exaltation, I am unable to say, as many are called, but few are chosen [see D&C 121:40].”⁷

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 520

For me, the General Conferences of the Church are there to prepare me to receive the things of God. I firmly believe the scripture found in Amos 3:7 “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Through my personal experiences, I know that the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are prophets. Through them, the Lord reveals God’s will for us in these days.

What about the other leaders that speak at conference? We don’t sustain them as prophets, but we do sustain them in the callings that God has given them through the prophets. They have stewardship in their callings and the right to divulge God’s will inside those stewardships to us. This is confirmed by the Lord in Doctrine and Covenants 1:38 “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” These leaders are also speaking the words of God to us and preparing us to receive God’s things.

Not Being Like Glass

The quote from Joseph Smith should be a warning to us to not be like glass. General Conference is when we can be prepared to receive, and also receive the things of God. “The Restoration is a process, not an event, and will continue until the Lord comes again.” President Nelson made this declaration in his 2021 address titled “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation.”

A process requires changes over time. The Restoration is no different. We receive things “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” (2 Nephi 28:30). Sometimes the things revealed to us can cause an uncomfortable stir. Sometimes we may feel the initial need to rebel against them. That is normal and what Joseph called “contrary to [our] traditions.” It is in these moments that we must not break like glass and fly to pieces. We must take a moment to breathe, allow for the Spirit to work within us, and validate what has been revealed.

This does not apply only to new revelations, but also to topics discussed that may prick our hearts with shame. I know there have been several times over the years where something has been said in a conference session that has caused me to sorrow over my choices. It can be a hard thing to hear something that does that to you and not want to discard it. More times than not, that pricking has led me to evaluate myself and caused me to repent and change. Those changes have been positive and have led me closer to God and Christ.

Conclusion

General Conference is a time for God’s prophets and leaders to prepare our minds for the things God has in store for us. It is also a time to receive inspiration and revelation about God’s plan for us and the world. We must guard against the feelings of discontent when something in the conference goes “contrary to [our] traditions.” We must not “fly to pieces like glass” when we encounter something we don’t like or that makes us feel like repenting. Instead, we should delight in the Spirit that accompanies the secrets God reveals to us through His prophets.