Once again it is time for us to hear the word of the prophet and other leaders of the Church in general conference. What a glorious opportunity we have every six months to be instructed, counseled, inspired and motivated by faithful servants of our Father in Heaven.

For members of the Church, general conference is a time of renewal, a time of recommitment, a time of resolution. Who does not resolve to live better after listening to general conference?How choice it is to be able to listen to 30 or so inspired speakers bear testimony of the divinity of the Savior and of the latter-day work, and admonish us to more fully perfect our own lives. As we listen to the message of each speaker, as well as to the music and prayers, we are edified, strengthened and uplifted.

In our journey in life, God has not left us alone. A year before the Church was organized, the Lord in 1829 told the Prophet Joseph Smith: "This generation shall have my word through you." (D&C 5:10.) That promise is still in effect today. Each succeeding prophet, down through the years to today's prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, has been the mouthpiece of God and the one to guide us. It is so essential that we listen to the prophet, as "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7.)

The lyricist wrote: "Come, listen to a prophet's voice, And hear the word of God." (Hymns, No. 21.) That is the purpose of general conference. That is why we anxiously look forward to it twice a year.

Through the modern technology of satellite transmission, the prophet's message and the messages of all the speakers are carried live to a vast congregation of Latter-day Saints, reaching far beyond the Tabernacle on Temple Square. In 11 languages, the conference messages are heard live in 14 western European countries. In 16 languages, the proceedings are carried to thousands of locations in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

And yet, as the messages are given to millions, they sink deep, through the Spirit, into individual hearts. Many are the times a comment is heard after a conference address is given: "The speaker was talking just to me!" or "His message was meant just for me!" Therein lies the beauty and power of general conference. The message is for all to hear, but in an individual way. The message is universal, the impact is personal.

Speaking of an earlier conference, President Spencer W. Kimball said: "A rather complete education in eternal verities was given to millions with a great hope that there were ears-a-hearing and eyes-a-seeing and hearts-a-throbbing, convinced of truth. . . ." (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 522.)

Because of "ears hearing, eyes seeing and hearts throbbing," lives are changed, testimonies are strengthened and faith is increased by what is received from general conference speakers.

President Ezra Taft Benson once said: "If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord, let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain. How closely do our lives harmonize with the words of the Lord's anointed - the living prophet, the President of the Church - and with the Quorum of the First Presidency? May God bless us all to look to the prophet and the presidency in the critical and crucial days ahead. . . ." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 336.)

Conferences are special times for Latter-day Saints. It was so during the early days of the Church. It is so today.

After the Church's first conference on June 9, 1830, the Prophet Joseph recorded: "Much exhortation and instruction was given, and the Holy Ghost was poured out upon us in a miraculous manner. . . . (History of the Church 1:85.) At the close of last April conference, President Hinckley said: "This has been a wonderful conference. The Spirit of the Lord has been here. The music has been inspirational. The talks and prayers have touched us with a desire to do better."

Surely, that desire for each of us to do better is why the messages of conference penetrate our very souls.

As President Hinckley ended his address that concluded the last conference, he told his listeners, "God be with you 'til we meet again. . . ."

That time has come. Once again we meet in general conference. Once again, we have the opportunity to hear the word of the Lord. Once again the clarion message - crystal clear - will go forth to all the world from the "servants of the living God and in the name of our divine Redeemer."