5 lessons I learned from reading the general conference talks a second time around

After every General Conference concludes, I always set the goal to read the talks before the next conference begins. That gives me six months to read approximately 35-40 talks. I have failed all but one time . A couple years ago I managed to read all the talks from conference.  Yes, I waited till a month before the next conference began to read them. Yes, I had to double and triple up on talks in a day to finish. But, I did it and it felt awesome. I still have my notebook I used that one time, and feel a great sense of pride every time I stumble upon it. This time I was determined to not only read all the talks, but to do it before crunch time (mid September.) I decided that if I read one talk after my daily (almost daily) scripture reading, then I would get through the talks pretty quickly. Guess what? I did

get through them quickly. In fact, the summer hadn't even officially began yet and I was all done. It was a great accomplishment but also left me wondering now what? I still had two and a half months before the October Conference began. I had a lot of different ideas but ultimately, I decided to go back and reread each talk. Maybe there was something I missed or maybe I would find a new favorite. It seemed to be a lot more difficult to get through all the talks (summer is pretty busy,) but with just a week before the new session of conference begins I finished! I have read all the talks for a second time, and here is what I learned: 

1. You get way more out of them a second time around

With every talk I reread, new insights literally (okay maybe not literally, but that is how it felt) jumped of the page. It felt, at times, that I was reading the talk for the first time. I would ask myself over and over, "How did I miss that?" or "Wow, that talk was even more amazing then I remember!"  I took a lot more notes the second time around (side not: invest in a good pen and notebook.)

2. You are much more prepared for the 4th Sunday lesson

The 4th Sunday lessons in Relief Society and Priesthood are based around a talk from the most recent general conference (this means some talks I have actually read three times!) Because I had already read, pondered, and put in to place ideas from the talk being discussed, I felt more able to bring my own personal insights to the lesson. I always felt that I was able to learn, more openly, from the insights of others. Truly listening to how others felt about the a talk I had loved was a real testimony builder. 

3. The Holy Ghost is critical when you study

I could read and reread those talks all day long and not learn anything. Sure I would think they were nice talks with good points but they wouldn't feel very relevant to my life at this time. However, with the power of the Holy Ghost, I was able to be guided to the things Heavenly Father wanted me to know. While reading and rereading, I was able to feel the quiet whispering of the Holy Ghost testifying the truthfulness of the words being shared. The talks became much more personal, as if they were written just for me and my family.

4. It is a great way to start the day

I decided to read the talks first thing in the morning before my kids woke up. This would ensure I had a quiet space for reading. I would then go about my day as usual. Making breakfast, getting kids ready, running errands and a million other things we need to get done each day. However, I found that at random times throughout the day, a new thought or insight would enter my mind. Something I hadn't thought about while I was reading it. I would also spend any free time (usually in the pick up line for school) to find other talks or videos that related to that particular talk I had read that day. This meant more time with the gospel and less time with the drama of social media. 

5. New favorites emerged

I should clarify that I loved all the talks, but there were a few that really stood out. If I hadn't of gone back and reread all the talks, these hidden gems would never have been able to make such an incredible impact on my life. For example, I loved the talk, Whatsoever He Saith Unto You Do It by Elder Whitney L. Clayton. It was one of my favorites, however, when I read it again, I was blown away with how much more I learnt from it. I was so filled with the Holy Ghost that I made an entire blog post dedicated to that talk (click here to read it.)  I am so grateful I went back and reread all of the talks and not just one or two that had loved the first time around. 

I urge each of you to watch conference, then read the conference talks and if possible go back and reread them. I know you will be lead and guided by the Holy Ghost each time you do. New insights will aid you in your life to overcome trials or simply enjoy the good time more fully.

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