I love General Conference. I love it more and more the older I get. I have two experiences this General Conference I want to share...

Yesterday we were gathering the kids to go downstairs and watch Conference. My oldest son, Zach, is 8 years old and had just asked if he could play on the computer. "No," I said. "It's time for General Conference."

"What?" he exclaimed. "It's Saturday! We are going to watch it today?! How long does it last??"

"It ends tomorrow afternoon."

"WHAT?! We have to sit and watch it for two days?? Noooo.... Why??"

"No, Zach. We don't watch it straight through. We watch it for two hours and then take a break and do that four times over the next two days. Dad also will go to the Priesthood Session tonight. We do it because we want to listen and learn what the Lord wants to teach us through the leaders of the Church." He continued to whine at me in a high voice until Scott called him downstairs. I don't know exactly what Scott said to him, but I do know he stopped whining. ;) He is such a good dad.

The very first talk of the very first session was about why we have General Conference. It was amazing. We were quick to point out to Zach that his question was being answered right then. He had been whining and complaining about why we had to go sit for hours and hours and listen to Conference, and here was the answer -- in the very first talk!! We pointed out that this was not a coincidence. The Lord cared about him and was listening to him and wanted him to know the answer to his question. What a testimony that was to all of us!

The next experience happened today. After the morning session, the boys went out to play in the backyard. I called out to ask Zach to go feed and water the rabbits. Soon after, Wally came running inside to tell me to come quickly because two rabbits were dead. One of them was Zach's and he was outside crying.

We went outside to find Zach crying and petting his rabbit, who was still barely alive (but barely) and trying to encourage him to live and eat. We moved both rabbits out of the hutch and laid them on the ground. He continued to cry and cry. He told me his rabbit (named Chocolate) was his best friend and he was never going to smile again. Poor Zach.

As I comforted him, I was reminded of the talk we had just barely listened to from President Monson. He spoke about his wife passing away a few months ago and the sorrow he went through. I reminded him of the talk and why Pres. Monson said he could continue on after his best friend was gone. It was because he knew where she had gone and he knew they would be together again someday. I told him that his rabbit and all the pets we loved here on earth would be there too -- that he could be surrounded by all the animals he loved someday in heaven and they would love him too. Wally started crying and said he missed Grandpa Nalder (who passed away a few years ago and whom Wally is named after). I hugged him and Zach asked if Grandpa would take care of his rabbit. I said that was a wonderful thought and I bet he would be happy to do that. It made both boys smile - and me too.

What a blessing General Conference is! We are so blessed to listen to a prophet's voice and hear the counsel from all the church leaders. I am so grateful for my testimony, for this wonderful church that I am a part of, and for my Savior who continues to show me time and time again that He listens to us and loves us.