. . . or General Conference as we call it.
I've been anticipating this particular General Conference more than I ever have before in my life.
Why?
Because, lately, I haven't been able to shake off the overwhelming sense of discouragement and hopelessness that's infiltrating, not just my own life, but the world!
I'm pretty sure you know exactly what I mean.
It's the despair of thousands of people in Japan still struggling to subsist another day.
It's the possibility of nuclear contamination that stirs the discouragement of shortened lives and failing health.
It's the chaos of earthquakes, floods, famine and war across many other countries.
It's the shattered dreams of broken families.
It's the exhaustion of broken hearts with little hope of reparation.
It's the feeling of utter loneliness amidst a generation of global connectivity and full-time social networking.
It's experiencing disease, betrayal, depression, poverty and grief . . . and watching loved ones having to do the same.
Now, for the record, I have a strong personal relationship with my Father in Heaven. I know that He can direct and comfort me through the Holy Spirit and give me succor through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ. I know that I receive great knowledge and wisdom through prayers where I communicate directly with Him, and through the scriptures where I study the words that He has given prophets, apostles and disciples of the past.
Sometimes though, no matter what I do, it's hard to keep faith and hope when I feel so alone and so small in a sea of worldwide troubles and chaos.
This is why I can't wait to hear the messages in Conference. Having the opportunity to hear the testimonies and global vision of modern day apostles and prophets gives me the ability to transcend my own misery and look upward toward greater, global purpose. It reminds me that there are people in countries, all over the world that care about the same things I do . . . that all come together and remind each other that there's hope; hope in good people and an uplifting future. That each of our efforts are making a difference.
So, with that. If you aren't familiar with LDS General Conference and want to know more, I've put an explanation below. Schedule and times are noted. If you'd like to view the feed during live broadcast, it's as simple as . . . .
This weekend, we're having the 181st Semi-Annual General Conference of the church. This is a series of meetings conducted by church leaders and broadcast to people all over the world. If you were ever curious to see what a present-day Latter-day Saint Prophet or Apostle looks like and the type of things he says, you are invited to join in this worldwide broadcast and see for yourself.
The conference is made up of five, two hour meetings. Four of these meetings are broadcast to the general church assembly: two on Saturday and two on Sunday. They are broadcast both days from 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm Mountain Time (9-11am and 1-3pm PST). The fifth meeting is a Priesthood Session on Saturday evening for LDS men that is broadcast to LDS meetinghouses. A general Relief Society broadcast for LDS women is given once a year, usually a week before the October session of Conference and is part of the Annual Conference schedule and contained in the Conference edition of the Ensign (a Church produced monthly magazine).
The meetings are held at the Conference Center at Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City. The Conference Center's expansive seating allows 21,000 participants to join the conference in person! While audio and television broadcasting allows the 
remainder of participants to access the meetings at LDS chapels worldwide, online at lds.org, on the BYUTV channel (which comes with most basic cable packages). For those who are unable to access any of these options, the Ensign will provide each talk in article format the following month. The magazine is available by subscription or online.
Every year, the conference is held in two parts, every six months (usually April and October). Our Prophet, and President of the Church, Thomas S. Monson will address the church as a whole and provide guidance, counsel and leadership information. Others who are also expected to speak will be President Monson's two counselors President Henry B. Eyring and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, all the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, members of the Quorums of the Seventies and various members of the Auxiliary Presidencies (click here for a basic tutorial of how these groups are organized . . . make sure to click around on the different groups).The majority of the music at the meeting is provided by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as well as hymns sung by the congregation within the Conference Center and joined by members in homes and meetinghouses across the world.
The meetings will also be available in at least 90 languages via real-time audio translations and over 150 languages in written distribution in the weeks following the conference.
Anyone who is at all curious about Latter-day Saint beliefs, doctrines, perspectives on current events and/or just want to see some basic church interactions can feel free to tune into any or all sessions of this General Conference and be part of a very integral, poignant and cherished LDS experience.
