At least one -- and perhaps two -- jumbo 747 airliners could rest within the walls of the new Conference Center.
In fact that building is among the largest auditoriums in the world. And with a four-acre garden of trees, flowers, fountains and waterfalls on the roof, its unique architecture is not only functional but appealing. The massive structure -- which encloses some 1.5 million square feet -- required 10,000 tons of structural steel, 15,000 tons of concrete reinforcing steel and somewhere near 116,000 cubic yards of concrete.Of course, there'll be no 747s in the Conference Center on Saturday, April 1, when, for one of the few times since 1867, the Church's annual general conference won't be held in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. Rather, 21,000 members and friends of the Church will fill the new center -- comprising the largest congregation to ever attend general conference in its originating location.
What a glorious occasion that promises to be.
But then, new Conference Center or not, general conference is always a glorious occasion -- because here we listen to modern-day prophets deliver God's word. Yes, the new Conference Center, a mammoth man-made structure that is a testament to the growth and vitality of the Church, is a monumental edifice. But it shrinks in comparison to the eminence of the counsel and doctrine delivered from general conference pulpits. And it doesn't really matter if one listens to the word while in the Tabernacle, the Conference Center, a meetinghouse halfway across the world or in one's own home; the Spirit will gently bless those words so that all who hear may feel the truth.
Once that truth abides in our hearts, we press forward to ensure that our deeds reflect our faith.
But first we must hear the good word of God.
Finding the word -- especially from general conference -- is easy. There will be a comprehensive summary in next week's Church News. Full texts of the conference talks will be posted online at deseretnews.com very shortly. And, of course, full texts of the talks will be in May's Ensign.
But, if you're like most people in this busy world, finding -- and making -- time to hear and read the word requires at least a little resourcefulness.
For one middle-aged man, that meant combining his time for physical health with that of his spiritual well-being.
"I'm not sure you can actually call what I do running, because, well, I probably don't move fast enough to qualify as a runner. But I love to get out three or fours times a week. And virtually every time I run, I listen to an audio tape of general conference.
"The process is very simple. In April, I record all five sessions, each on a two-hour audio cassette. The quality isn't always the greatest, but it's good enough to hear. Then between April and October, I listen to the sessions over and over while I run.
"Come October, I record over the April sessions with the October sessions. In six months of running, I get pretty familiar with those talks."
This brother's routine certainly won't work for everyone. But everyone can find a routine that will work. And in the final analysis, the routine is far less important than what the routine brings: the word of God.
Words such as these from President Gordon B. Hinckley:
"My brethren and sisters, do you realize what we have? Do you recognize our place in the great drama of human history? This is the focal point of all that has gone before. This is the season of restitution. These are the days of restoration. This is the time when men from over the earth come to the mountain of the Lord's house to seek and learn of His ways and to walk in His paths. This is the summation of all of the centuries of time since the birth of Christ to this present and wonderful day.
"The centuries have passed. The latter-day work of the Almighty, that of which the ancients spoke, that of which the prophets and apostles prophesied, is come. It is here. For some reason unknown to us, but in the wisdom of God, we have been privileged to come to earth in this glorious age. There has been a great flowering of science. There has been a veritable explosion of learning. This is the greatest of all ages of human endeavor and human accomplishment. And more importantly, it is the season when God has spoken, when His Beloved Son has appeared, when the divine priesthood has been restored, when we hold in our hand another testament of the Son of God. What a glorious and wonderful day this is." (General Conference, Sunday, Oct. 3, 1999.)