General Conference

Several years ago Gladys Knight brought her choir (One Voice) and her little instrumental ensemble on a tour of Northern California, performing in stake centers and inviting members to bring their friends (especially friends of color) to listen to music and to hear her and her husband's testimonies. I thought one of the most powerful stories she related was how her mother was the one who introduced her to the Church.

He mother was not a member, but had watched General Conference faithfully every time it was broadcast. And every six months she would call Gladys and say: "You've got to listen to these people. They really have good things to say." After a few of years of this, Gladys did start listening. By her account, she was moved by the Spirit, met with the missionaries (through a member friend) and was baptized.

In spite of Gladys' encouragement, her mother, citing health reasons, was never baptized. (Gladys took care of that after her death.) But the message has always been very clear to me. "Listen to what these people are saying. They have it right. It will benefit everyone."

I hope all of us will make whatever efforts need to be made to listen to all conference sessions this Saturday and Sunday, and then again and again afterward on our iPads, iPods, or however else we can. We may even have the same kind of conversion to a better way of living as Gladys Knight had.