THANK YOU for  all of your wonderful ideas that you have shared about what you do for General Conference!

I have been so inspired and impressed!!!  And I cannot wait to try some of them!!!!

Here is a list of some of your… and some of my ideas.  Take a look and see which ones work for you.

1-  Conference Traditional Meals

A LOT of you mentioned food (and food will appear on some of the other ideas), but I LOVED the ideas of having traditional Conference Meals that your family looks forward to!!! Some of your great ideas were:

• Pizzafest (buy pizza on Saturday, and make it on Sunday)
• All your food has to start with “C” for “Conference”
• Whatever you eat, you throw out a blanket and have a picnic in front of the TV
• Gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches
• Enchilada Night with all of the extended family on Priesthood Night
• Italian Sandwiches that you just wrap up and keep in the fridge

2-  Big Conference Breakfasts

Lots and lots of you mentioned that you have a big breakfast (especially on Sunday morning). Here is some things you mentioned you make:

• Every possible breakfast food is on the table.  Yum!
• Your kids get their favorite sugar cereal for breakfast
• Crepes
• Cinnamon Rolls
• German Pancakes

I also think it would be fun to make Spring or Fall themed Breakfasts.  Like Pumpkin Pancakes in the Fall and Rainbow Pancakes in the Spring. Check out these rainbow pancakes from Chocolate on My Cranium

3-  Conference Packets

Here is my Conference Packet I posted last week. If you want some that are better for younger children, Sugardoodle has some great ones here And the church posted several awesome ideas here

4-  Conference Sacks

Give your kids a gift sack full of Conference goodies.  With things like:

• One of the packets above
• Pens/pencils/markers
• Fruit roll ups, candy necklaces, jolly ranchers…
• Quiet crafts
• Conference Bingo cards
• Etc…

5-  Sticky Notes

I loved this idea from Liz! She put up pictures of all of the Apostles on the wall in the Family Room and then everyone gets a stack of sticky notes.  Everyone writes, or draws what that Apostle spoke about and then you put your sticky note on their picture.  As conference proceeds you get more and more sticky notes on the wall AND you can still see who hasn’t spoken yet.  Then after conference you can use the sticky notes as a review or a game.

6-  Conference Bingo Cards

Here is some clipart from The Friend magazine that you could use. Or Sugardoodle has several on her site. Or you can have your kids make their own.  Ask them to draw pictures of things they think the Brethren will talk about.  I like this idea the best because they will be more invested in what is on the card and be anticipating what their talks may focus on. Here is a blank card:    Conference Bingo Card

 7-  Tents

A lot of you mentioned that you put up tents or forts in your family rooms and have your kids climb in like King Benjamin’s people and point their doors toward the Prophets.   FUN!!!  I love that idea.  You could put up pictures of King Benjamin’s address inside of their tent (so they understand why they are in such a strange Family Room situation) and then fill it with quiet conference crafts.

8- Family Room Transformation/Quiet Zone

Liz also gave this idea…

My children range in age from 12 years down to 18 months and they look forward to General Conference almost as much as Christmas. They love waking up Saturday morning to see our family room transformed into a “Conference Room”. We move the couches and the coffee(“hot chocolate”) table to better point to the T.V. The entry to the room has a big sign that says, “Quiet Zone”. The table just beyond the Quiet Zone sign, outside of the “Conference Room” is ready for quiet crafts that I have planned knowing that they will be able to do the crafts quietly and without adult help.

9-  Conference Viewing Party

I have overheard a lot of my students talking about how they are going to get together and watch Conference.  I imagine that a lot of you make it a family occasion; however, I know that some of those I saw making plans do not come from homes where it is a priority and so Conference has not been a big deal for them in the past.  After doing this trivia game, and then giving them this packet andthese make your own trivia cards… they started making plans with each other to get together and watch Conference.  Hallelujia!!! If you have teenagers at home, you may want to ask them if they have any friends that may want to come and experience a Conference Saturday or Sunday session with your family.  Show them some of your traditions and let them feel the Spirit in your home.  It could have huge impact! 

 10- Conference Treasure Hunt

This idea comes from Hailey.  Check out her blog here.

Have an empty treasure chest. Tell your family that your treasure chest is empty. Then tell them that we need to fill it up, but not with just normal treasure. We need to fill it up with ‘Spiritual Treasure’. Explain to your family as you listen to Conference we will be filled with the Spirit, we will hear the things that we need to do, we will hear from our Prophet, Pres. Monson, etc. And that is the treasure we are seeking! We learn many great and important things during Conference, so this year we are going to go on a ‘Conference Treasure Hunt’. You could then talk about the different topics that might be discussed during Conference or you could talk about the First Presidency and the 12 Apostles. Tell your family that those are the ‘treasures’ that will fill up our treasure chest.General Conference Treasure Hunt: The treasure hunt will happend during General Conference. For the treasure hunt you could have picture of jewels (just find some online and print them off), treats, boxes (with something inside), etc. On each item you could attach a picture of a topic that might be discussed during Conference, you could put a word (prayer, temples, etc.) or you could put a picture of someone (Pres. Monson, Pres. Eyering, etc.).During Conference have your children listen to each talk. At the end of the talk discuss with your family what was being taught. Then have your children find that treasure and place it in the treasure chest. You could, ahead of time, hide the treasure and make a treasure map for your children telling them where each treasure is: example: ‘Prayer Treasure’-in Mom & Dad’s Bed; ‘Temple Treasure’- in the Laundry Room, etc.At the end of Conference, or each session, go through your treasure chest and discuss what was taught. Then enjoy your ‘Treasure!!’ Read more: http://littleldsideas.blogspot.com/#ixzz1IIBvkwA1

11-  CTR Dollars

We use CTR dollars that they earn during conference. They earn for completing pages, taking notes, being quiet and kind.

12-  Quiet Crafts

If you missed my post on this.  Here it is!

And Don’t forget…

that you can go here to get this Famiy Fun Recip Cards so you can write down all of the ideas you want to keep on file.

Have a wonderful Conference weekend everyone!!!

 

Here is a note-taking packet for you and your family for General Conference!

There is a page for each Apostle with a few fun facts about them.

It would also be a great thing to give to your youth if you are an advisor!

Here is the PDF:  general conference note taking packet

Also…. If you are looking for a fun Family Home Evening Activity next week.

Check out this post for some trivia questions.
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So HERE MY QUESTION FOR YOU AMAZING WOMEN:

WHAT DO YOU DO TO MAKE GENERAL CONFERENCE EXTRA MEANINGFUL FOR YOUR FAMILY?

I would LOVE to hear your ideas and for you to share them with each other!

Since the texts for General Conference are now available, I thought I would post this idea again.  This is a fun way to get your kids to search through the talks and make some cute stuff for your home.  So… here we go… again:

And… by the way…  I made this quote a few conferences ago and this has been hanging in my home ever since.  All I can say is that this quote has had IMPACT!  Having it up everyday has absolutely cemented this quote into our lives.  Plus… others walk by and read it.  It has been wonderful!

Do you remember this quote from Spring General Conference in 2009?  It has really impacted the way I view my own home and what I use to decorate it: Recently, in a stake conference, all present were invited by the visiting authority, Elder Glen Jenson, an Area Seventy, to take a virtual tour of their homes using their spiritual eyes. I would like to invite each of you to do this also. Wherever your home may be and whatever its configuration, the application of eternal gospel principles within its walls is universal. Let’s begin. Imagine that you are opening your front door and walking inside your home. What do you see, and how do you feel? Is it a place of love, peace, and refuge from the world, as is the temple? Is it clean and orderly? As you walk through the rooms of your home, do you see uplifting images which include appropriate pictures of the temple and the Savior? Is your bedroom or sleeping area a place for personal prayer? Is your gathering area or kitchen a place where food is prepared and enjoyed together, allowing uplifting conversation and family time? Are scriptures found in a room where the family can study, pray, and learn together? Can you find your personal gospel study space? Does the music you hear or the entertainment you see, online or otherwise, offend the Spirit? Is the conversation uplifting and without contention? That concludes our tour. Perhaps you, as I, found a few spots that need some “home improvement”—hopefully not an “extreme home makeover.”   (Gary E. Stevenson, “Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples,” Ensign, May 2009, 101–3) I loved going through my home in my own mind and realizing where I could improve.  And truthfully – this is why my husband and I recently splurged on this item for our home:

 A beautiful picture of the Temple we were married in.  We got this from Cultural Hall Home Decor.  And we love it.  Everytime we walk through the front room we say – “we love that picture” and we are reminded of being married there and our thoughts are taken to that beautiful memory. And that was our goal.

Which is the purpose of putting up quotes from Conference.  Can you see that there are several layers to this quote?  The more fun and inviting the quote is to look at – the more likely your children will want to participate AND the more likely people are to stop and read it. So – here is how you make this:

Have each member of your family pick a quote they would like to make and display.  You could certainly use any General Conference from any year – but I chose this most recent one for a few reasons: 1-  It displays the most recent counsel from the brethren 2-  It will have your family searching through the talks looking for the quote they want to make 3-  If this becomes a tradition – they will listen to General Conference looking for their favorite quotes for this project You could have them write the quote in their own hand writing, or print it out. I downloaded this font from here: http://www.kevinandamanda.com/fonts/freescrapbookfonts/ Also print off a picture of the Apostle or General Authority who said the quote. If you want this particular quote – here is a PDF of it: Eyring Family Quote

Then highlight your favorite parts of the quote.  Or don’t.  You could just leave it blank.

Then cut them out

Then have your family draw or find a picture that illustrates what the quote is about

Color it and cut it out

And pull out your fun colored and/or patterned papers

Take each picture and glue it on to some colored paper.  I used cardstock for sturdiness.

I threw in a little patterned paper too.

This is my left over piece from a YW’s project.  We were making decorations for Young Women’s in Excellence.  We used this paper as a pattern and made big flowers that were like these.   I thought I would add one of these in to my quote.

They are super easy.  You just draw an imperfect flower.  See?  Easy.

Cut it out and trace another one just slightly larger

Then just layer whatever shapes and colors your heart desires and glue them all together

Add some glitter glue.  Glitter glue makes everything better.

Let it dry.  Or you will have a glitter glued home.

Now here is the magic ingredient that makes your quote multi-dimensional.  Cardboard.

Cut it up into small pieces

And put pieces all over the back of each part of your quote

Now take all of your pieces and play with how you want them to be arranged on a sheet of cardstock

Glue them on and trim around each part

And put it wherever you want it in your home.

I love the dimensions.

More ideas:

1-  You could put each family member’s quote up for 1 week and then switch

2-  You could plan Family Home Evening lessons around the quotes that your family chose

3-  You could make these for quotes for your YW or RS lessons

Enjoy!

Here are some trivia questions in case you want to use them for Family Home Evening, Seminary, or Mutual!

Just cut them up and use them however you want!

At the end of the document are some blank trivia questions where you or your family (or class) can write questions of their own.

And for what it is worth…

one of my favorite conference review memories was when I was invited to my neighbor’s home where they had a big bowl of candy and for every answer we knew, we could pull out a piece of candy.  That was a sweet reward for paying attention!

Here is the PDF: general conference trivia oct 2011

One thing that I love about conference is the unity I feel with the Saints around the world.

The other thing I love is that, somehow, the Spirit can reach us individually; answering our questions, lifting our burdens and touching our minds and hearts so laser sharp specifically.

I hope you have a minute to read the story below by Wendy Watson – it is a GREAT message to read just before General Conference!  And as you are reading it, it will be good to remember that she is currently  married to Elder Nelson.  You will see why this is significant.

I love this!

 

 

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Things are not always the way they appear to be. I learned this, in a very personal way, when I was about your age. I was 24, doing graduate work at BYU (Provo), wildly in love and engaged to be married. The young man seemed to be my absolute dream guy: Returned missionary, well educated, employed, musical, handsome, great social skills, loved my family, and committed to keeping the Lord’s commandments.

ALL the attributes and abilities, on my “husband-to-be wish list”, were there! He had them all…or so it seemed.

And talk about a courtship! He wrote me poems, songs, and letters of love. What a guy! A man with the same desires for marriage and family-and for life-as I had. Or so I thought.

I was teaching family history in my BYU ward at the time, and with some compelling insights about the importance of the temple which I had gained through this calling, I chose to receive my endowments a few months prior to the time I was to be married in the temple.

What a blessing temple attendance was for me! As I returned to the temple week after week, my world view started to open up, to change. And my view of myself and my fiancé followed. I can clearly see in my mind’s eye the day that I walked out of the Provo temple, after having gone fasting and praying, seeking an answer to a question that had started to haunt me: “Should I marry this man?”. A friend who had accompanied me to the temple that day asked, “Well, did you get your question answered?” I replied: “I didn’t get an answer-but I know that everything is going to work out.”

Freeze frame. I’ve learned through subsequent experiences, that the Spirit of the Lord is involved whenever I find myself saying: “Everything is going to work out”.

Little did I know just HOW everything was going to work out!

It seemed that from the very minute I said those words, the Spirit whispered to my fiancé, who was working in another state: “Show her what you’re really like.”

As the days and weeks unfolded, his behavior changed. His letters changed. Our conversations changed. My experience with our relationship changed. And, as I studied it out in my mind, I became increasingly concerned.

Enter: a servant of the Lord, my Bishop.

In preparation for April general conference, which was just two weeks away, my Bishop taught me a truth I had never known before. Although I hadn’t spoken to him about my engagement or my concerns, when my Bishop offered this truth over the pulpit, he was speaking to me. He didn’t use my name-but I knew-he was talking directly to me. He even let others listen in. But clearly, he was speaking to me.

Here’s the truth my Bishop spoke: “If you have a question that you need answered, if you will prayerfully and humbly listen to general conference, you will get it answered every time. Perhaps at the time, perhaps over time, but you WILL get your question answered every time!”

Did I have a question?!! Absolutely. And I was desperate for an answer from the Lord.

I prepared myself for that general conference by fasting and praying-and by purchasing blank audiotapes. Now, I realize that audiotapes are not typically requisite for listening to general conference, however this was in the days that not all conference sessions were broadcast to Canada, and I wanted to audiotape the sessions for my Mom and Dad.

I can still picture the Saturday of that April general conference. I listened eagerly to every talk. I listened with my ears, mind and heart poised and ready to hear the answer to my question: “Should I marry this man?”

I experienced this day of general conference unlike any other. It was a highly unusual day of talks, because each and every talk was on marriage! Every single talk! Multiple speakers-but only one topic: marriage-or so it seemed. And the most amazing thing to me was that at the end of all those Saturday addresses on marriage, the clear answer I received was, “Don’t marry this man.”

I can still picture, at the conclusion of conference, turning off the TV, shutting off the cassette recorder, and walking directly and calmly to the telephone, and dialing my fiancé’s number to cancel our engagement.

I wasn’t nervous at all. I was at peace. I had asked. And I had received my answer. So, what’s a young woman to do when she has asked, and then heard and felt the voice of the Lord telling her what to do? What’s a young woman to do…but to follow through?

Fast forward several years. My ex-fiancé is married and he appears to be happily involved in family life. I have completed my Masters degree, have worked a couple of years, moved to a new city, dated some great men, and continued to be directed by the Lord to pursue further education.

Another fast forward a couple of years: It is Christmas time and among the cards and letters is something from my ex-fiancé. It is a lengthy, hand-written letter from this now- no-longer-young man, declaring that he is choosing a life-style inconsistent with Gospel teachings and Church standards, and telling me of the sorrow that has come to his wife and family since their recent divorce and his declaration.

My dear young brothers and sisters, things are not always the way they appear to be!

Years ago on that Saturday evening when I ended my engagement, it seemed to many people-many who chided me for the breakup, many who tried to convince me to change my mind-that I was terminating a relationship with a marvelous young man-a man with whom I could experience much love and joy, as we entered into the covenant of marriage, and commenced raising up a family to the Lord.

How unkind could I be?! How cruel! How unwise to turn away from this great man and his love-especially at my age (I was 24 after all!!) To many people, it seemed like I was throwing away an opportunity of a life-time.. But-things are not always the way they appear to be.

The Lord knew this young man’s heart, mind and actions. And when I asked-with as much preparation and faith as I could muster-and as I listened to the messages of general conference-I was guided (some days it still feels more like “snatched”) away from something that looked good-but wasn’t.

One last fast forward: It is now 6 months following receiving that Christmas letter of declaration. I am asked to prepare a Relief Society lesson on marriage. Of course I will-and I know just the audiotapes to review to find an excerpt from a general conference address on marriage, to supplement my lesson.

I remember finding the clearly marked tapes, and with anticipation, pushing the “play” button on the tape player. And then, I remember listening and listening for hours, as the talks played on and on.

But something was different about the talks this time. Something was missing. To my dismay, there was nothing-absolutely nothing….about marriage! Not one talk-was on marriage!

It had been the Spirit of the Lord that had taught me as I listened to general conference. The Spirit had helped me to hear exactly what I needed to hear.

General conference had been the vehicle. The Spirit had been the messenger. “Don’t marry this man” had been the message from the Lord. And for that, I will be eternally grateful.

 (Wendy Watson, Things are Not Always the Way They Appear to Be, BYU Devotional, March 19. 2002)

 

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And here is a two minute video by Elder Holland.  I love what he says at the very end.

 

Just a few recommendations on recipes that you can make ahead and then just have around this conference weekend so you can enjoy conference yourself!

Some are mine… some are not.  But all are tried and true and will have your family’s tummies very happy.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

The perfect thing to keep in the fridge with a bag of rolls nearby.  So Yummy.

Yummy Chicken Salad Sandwiches

 

Chocolate Coma Brownies

 

If you like chocolate…. and your family doesn’t.  DO NOT MAKE THESE.

That was just a warning that I didn’t really mean.  Well, kind of.  Because I’m not sure if you will love me or hate me after your chocolate overdose.

Chocolate Coma Brownies

 

Easy Roast Beef Man Sandwich

I made this again the other day and my husband jumped and clapped and cried like a little girl.

Just kidding Dear.

But he DID come in… smelled it…walked straight to the stove… saw it… and looked up with this look of “Please…????” and asked “Can I have one right now?”

And I said yes.  And then started talking about how I really want to go to Hawaii again.

Its good to have a few tricks up our sleeves.

By the way… this mixture refrigerates really well.  And if you want to go the extra mile… make this one for the guys and the chicken salad for the ladies.  And no one will leave your house this weekend.

Easy Roast Beef Man Sandwich

 

BANANANANANA Bread

I don’t think I will ever try another Banana Bread recipe.

This is deluxe stuff.

Banana Bread

 

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Strawberries are out now.  And they are beautiful

I crave this salad.  The dressing is amazing.

Spinach Strawberry Salad with Heavenly Dressing

 

Cinnamon Rolls

My mother made these.

And we died.

The. Best. Ever.

And my mother has ALWAYS made good cinnamon rolls.

But she has officially changed recipes.

I mean we talked about these after.

For like a week.

They are The Pioneer Womans.

And she can cook.

The Best Cinnamon Rolls everevereverever

 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

And it just wouldn’t be right if I didn’t talk about these.

The perfect cookie.

For so many reasons.

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Hasn’t General Conference been wonderful?

One thing I have learned being a seminary teacher, is that I cannot ignore General Conference.

I must prepare them and review with them.

They will directly associate my talking about it, with how important I think it is.

So over the years I have reviewed a variety of different ways…

This year, I gave all of my students these trivia cards:

Go here for the printout and instructions

But I am dying to know what you do for review with your family or classes.

So the question this week is:

What do you do to review General Conference?

Please include ideas for:

• FAMILY HOME EVENING
• PRIMARY CLASSES
• SHARING TIME
• YOUNG MEN OR WOMEN
• RELIEF SOCIETY
• SEMINARY
• ETC…

Please be as specific as possible.

Leave a comment and you may be chosen to receive on of the below 3 items.

And last week’s winner is:  LIZ HALL

Please send me an email at theredheadedhostess@yahoo.com and let me know what of the following you would like:

1- Doctrine and Covenants Key Phrase Scripture Mastery Cards

2-  Doctrine and Covenants memorization Scripture Mastery Cards

3-  A page of YW scripture stickers or Scripture Mastery Stickers

 

 

 

If you are looking for some quiet crafts …

Quiet Crafts:  crafts that can be done during General Conference that do not distract from the speakers and help keep little hands busy.

Here Ya Go…

Book of Mormon Paper Dolls

 

Proclamation to the Family Banner

 

Proclamation to the Family Pillow

 

These Church Magazine Mosaic Plates

 

 

 

This Felt Easter Garland

 

These Easter Sticks

 

Or this Birch Moss Wreath

 

If YOU have any ideas – leave a description or the link in your comments!

 

 

 

Here are 12 wonderful stories about President Monson!

These will make you cry and laugh and make you want to be a better person.

You could use these to help your family anticipate, even more, the messages he will share during General Conference.

 You could have your kids illustrate the story.  So either draw one picture representing the story, or several pictures and use them to tell the story.

Here is the File:    President Monson stories

I am dying to know what fun and meaningful things you do for general conference.

What are some fun traditions that you do every General Conference?

What do you do to prepare your family?

What do you do to help your family get the most from the teachings?

Do the guys do anything special for Priesthood?

Do the girls do anything special while the guys are gone at Priesthood?

Please share…

leave a reply and you just might be chosen to win one of the following:  (your choice)

1- Doctrine and Covenants Key Phrase Scripture Mastery Cards

2-  Doctrine and Covenants memorization Scripture Mastery Cards

3-  A page of YW scripture stickers or Scripture Mastery Stickers

* The winner will be announced at next Monday’s question of the week.

And the winner for last week is Ann Snider!