I remember when I first found out that the General Young Women Meeting was not one of the official five sessions of General Conference. I thought, that can’t be right. It’s in the Tabernacle, it’s broadcast to the whole Church, and it’s got the General Young Women Presidency there. It kind of hurt my feelings that we young women weren’t considered part of Conference. Plus, I had to put on a dress and go listen to a 2 hour church meeting and I wanted it to count as having listened to Conference. Later I realized the General Young Women Meeting alternates with the General Relief Society Meeting every six months and that neither were considered one of the “five sessions” of General Conference. I also remember hearing men around me proudly say they’d attended all five sessions, and feeling like even if I went to everything I was invited to, I wouldn’t be as good as them. At this point in my life that all seems a little silly and inconsequential. But as a teenager I couldn’t help but feel the men’s position in the Church was more important than women’s. Is it any wonder women and girls are constantly reminded that they are important to the Lord in General Conference and General Meetings? Why do the men and boys seem to not require such reminders?
Now, in 2013, I am allowed (if not invited) to watch the Priesthood session. It is Friday afternoon (Oct 4) as I write this, and I can’t say for sure whether I’ll be watching the priesthood session tomorrow evening. I’ll be cleaning up from my daughter’s birthday party and getting the kids to bed. But I think I’ll try tuning in. The teenage me who was so diligent about doing Personal Progress, who never wore a skirt above the knee, and who hardly ever missed a Mutual activity, fireside, temple trip, or church meeting, would have.
What parts of Conference/Meetings are you watching?
I didn’t attend any because of travel. I’ll make sure to read them though!
I missed the Relief Society session because of work, but I watched every other session (except PH–I was feeling too defeated to watch that one).
It was more conference than I watched in years and I felt like I got a lot out of it, but golly, I don’t know if I can handle all those emotions every October and April. I think I may stick to my “catch what I can and read the rest in the Ensign.” Perhaps it’s easier for me to read because I can insert my own voice tone?
I didn’t attend any because of travel. I’ll make sure to read them though!