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General Conference is such a wonderful time of year. I love reflecting upon the talks all year long! I never fail to feel enlightened when I listen to the words of the prophets. One of my favorite ways they teach during General Conference is through stories. Our leaders have incredible experiences to share and some fun fictional tales, too. Come with me as I reminisce on some of my favorites over the years.
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A Summer with Great-Aunt Rose
When I think of General Conference stories, this is always the first one that comes to my mind. Elder Uchtdorf said,
As I pondered what I should say to you today, my thoughts turned to the way the Savior taught. It is interesting how He was able to teach the most sublime truths using simple stories. His parables invited His disciples to embrace truths not just with their minds but also with their hearts and to connect eternal principles with their everyday lives.
His entire General Conference address is a parable. There are so many great things to learn from his words, so I’m not even going to try to summarize it. Go read it for yourself and let me know what the Spirit taught you!
Fourth Floor, Last Door
While we’re on the topic of Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, he tells another one of my favorite stories. In October 2016 he recounted the tale of two missionaries. They felt prompted to knock on doors in an apartment building one day. They had absolutely no success until they reached the final door on the top floor.
This family they contacted eventually got baptized and one of the daughters ended up marrying Elder Uchtdorf! Isn’t that amazing? From this story, I learned the importance of hard work. Heavenly Father has incredible blessings in store for us, but we need to put forth our effort as well.
By Divine Design
Do you remember this story by Elder Rasband?
Some months ago our granddaughter joined a youth group to tour several Church history sites. The final itinerary noted that she would be passing through the very area where her missionary brother, our grandson, was serving. Our granddaughter had no intention of seeing her brother on his mission. However, as the bus entered the town where her brother was serving, two missionaries could be seen walking down the street. One of the missionaries was her brother.
Anticipation filled the bus as the youth asked the bus driver to pull over so she could greet her brother. In less than one minute, after tears and sweet words, her brother was back on his way to fulfill his missionary duties. We later learned that her brother had been on that street for less than five minutes, walking from an appointment to his car.
Fun fact: This happened in my mission! My husband was actually in the same district as Elder Rasband’s grandson when this story happened. Small world!
The Currant Bush
The story of the currant bush is hard to forget. It was told in General Conference a while back, but the video made after the address is ever popular. Check it out if you haven’t already!
Peace, Be Still
If you ever need a good laugh, listen to President Monson recount his experience with Herman the water snake. I honestly can’t even tell you what the moral of this story is. I just think it’s hilarious.
President Monson’s son, Clark, brought home a water snake from Provo Canyon one day. The snake kept getting lost, so they eventually gave him a home in one of their bathtubs. However, even though the tub was plugged, Herman disappeared! They cleaned the tub and several days went by without spotting Herman.
One evening, the prophet decides it’s time for a bath. As he was relaxing, Herman came swimming out of the drain right towards his face! I would have absolutely freaked out. I’m sure it kept the family laughing for many years.
Come What May, and Love It
In another one of my favorite conference talks, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin told this hilarious story:
I remember when one of our daughters went on a blind date. She was all dressed up and waiting for her date to arrive when the doorbell rang. In walked a man who seemed a little old, but she tried to be polite. She introduced him to me and my wife and the other children; then she put on her coat and went out the door. We watched as she got into the car, but the car didn’t move. Eventually our daughter got out of the car and, red faced, ran back into the house. The man that she thought was her blind date had actually come to pick up another of our daughters who had agreed to be a babysitter for him and his wife.
We all had a good laugh over that. In fact, we couldn’t stop laughing. Later, when our daughter’s real blind date showed up, I couldn’t come out to meet him because I was still in the kitchen laughing. Now, I realize that our daughter could have felt humiliated and embarrassed. But she laughed with us, and as a result, we still laugh about it today.
A Sacred Trust
President Monson always told incredible stories in his General Conference talks. In the April 2016 General Conference, he spoke about a friend of his who served in World War II. His plane had been shot down over the ocean and they had survived on life rafts for three days.
On the third day, they saw a rescue boat, but it passed them. The next morning, they saw it again and knew it would be the last time they spotted it. President Monson said,
Then the Holy Spirit spoke to my friend: “You have the priesthood. Command the rescuers to pick you up.”
He did as prompted: “In the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of the priesthood, turn about and pick us up.”
Within a few minutes the vessel was beside them, helping them on deck. A faithful and worthy bearer of the priesthood, in his extremity, had exercised that priesthood, blessing his life and the lives of others.
General Conference stories like these always make me feel the Spirit. I am so grateful for how they strengthen my testimony! Our leaders have some amazing things to share and I can’t wait to hear more stories as the years go on.
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What’s your favorite General Conference story? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
