Have you ever heard someone make the promise that your questions will be answered during General Conference? Yeah, me too.
While it’s a lovely thought, the fact of the matter is – it doesn’t mean every question will be answered. The true principles of prayer and revelation aren’t miraculously changed and replaced with “get-answers-quick schemes” during General Conference.
During last General Conference I had one question on my mind – a prayer and petition that I yearned for an answer to. I was hoping and praying that a general authority would speak right to me and answer my question.
But, it didn’t happen.
I had no peaceful feeling, no burning of the bosom, and no enlightened mind regarding the specific matter.
In fact, I felt disappointed and confused.
What did I learn? I learned that not every prayer is answered over General Conference weekend. I was also reminded that the following principles still apply:
Some prayers take time.
God sometimes wants you to act in faith.
Preparing yourself to hear the word of the Lord is critical.
Revelation is often given line upon line, here a little, there a little.
With that said, is General Conference a great time to receive revelation from the Lord’s prophets and have prayers answered? Absolutely.
Are hundreds of thousands of questions and concerns answered and resolved? Most definitely.
Is the Spirit felt? Does your testimony of the restored gospel increase? Are you motivated to set new goals and be a better person? Yes, yes, yes!
But if your prayer is not answered, keep believing. Keep praying, and keep fasting that the Lord will answer your prayer, resolve your doubt, calm your fear, heal your heart, and do whatever you need His grace to do on your behalf.
My brothers and sisters, I bear my special witness that the Lord Jesus Christ lives and stands at the head of this Church. This is His general conference. I promise you in His name that if you pray with a sincere desire to hear your Heavenly Father’s voice in the messages of this conference, you will discover that He has spoken to you to help you, to strengthen you, and to lead you home into His presence. – Robert D. Hales
As you prepare for General Conference weekend, write down those things that you struggle with, those prayers that need answers. Ponder the questions that cause you and your family members concern.
Have faith that God will answer you through the mouthpiece of His prophets and through the medium of His Spirit – but if you leave conference with some things still left unresolved, trust in God and wait patiently for good things to come.