General conference is more than a series of talks—it’s a sacred opportunity to hear the Lord’s voice through His chosen servants. Elder Richard G. Scott once taught, “Write down in a secure place the important things you learn from the Spirit. You will find that as you write down precious impressions, often more will come.”
The way you record and revisit your notes can transform fleeting inspiration into lasting direction. A dedicated general conference journal can help you move beyond passive listening into active receiving.
The goal isn’t to capture every word—it’s to create a spiritual record that becomes a personal source of revelation. Here are some thoughtful ways to make your note-taking a sacred part of conference weekend.
Write What You Hear, Record What You Feel
When you jot down quotes, don’t forget to capture the impressions that come alongside them. Doctrine and Covenants 8:2 teaches, “Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.”
A simple way to do this is to divide a page in two: one side for key phrases from the talks, and the other for promptings and feelings that arise in the moment. Over time, your general conference journal becomes not just a record of what was said but also of how God spoke to you personally.
Begin with Questions
In the days leading up to Conference, write down the questions weighing most on your heart. In a First Presidency message included in the September 2011 Ensign, then-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf wrote, “As you prepare for general conference, I invite you to ponder questions you need to have answered.”
Keeping those questions visible as you listen helps you recognize answers when they come, often in unexpected talks or phrases. You might dedicate a page in your conference notebook specifically to these questions so you can return to them session after session.
Create Visual Reminders
Not everyone connects best with straight lines of text. Try underlining in different colors, sketching simple diagrams, or even doodling as you listen. Visual cues can help you recall the feeling of a moment long after Conference has ended.
Some people also use symbols—a star for an answer to prayer, a heart for counsel about the atonement, or an arrow for a new goal. These small markings can make your conference journal easier to review in the weeks that follow.
Share Your Notes in Small Ways
The act of sharing often reinforces what you’ve learned. Matthew 18:20 reminds us, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Whether it’s a quick text to a friend, a conversation around the dinner table, or posting a favorite insight online, these small moments can expand the reach of revelation. You may find that your own witness deepens when you share it with someone else.
Pair Insights with Goals
A talk may inspire you to be more patient, strengthen your prayers, or study a specific scripture. Don’t let those impressions fade—write them as goals.
In one of his first addresses as prophet, President Russell M. Nelson counseled, “Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will ‘grow into the principle of revelation.’”
You might even include a section in your general conference journal dedicated to goal-setting, where you track progress and record tender mercies that come as you act on inspired impressions.
Revisit and Reflect
The weeks after Conference are just as important as the weekend itself. Take time to reread what you’ve written, circle key ideas, and write down new thoughts that come. You may discover patterns, recurring themes, or repeated promptings that reveal what the Lord is emphasizing for your life.
Many Latter-day Saints set aside one evening each week to review their conference journal as part of family home evening or personal scripture study. Reflection often brings fresh clarity long after the live sessions have ended.
Mark Turning Points
Sometimes a single sentence from a prophet can change the course of your life. When that happens, highlight it boldly and add a short note about why it mattered to you.
These “turning points” have the potential to become anchors that you can return to in difficult times. Over the years, your general conference journals will hold a collection of these spiritual landmarks—a map of your journey with the Lord.
Make Your General Conference Journal a Keepsake
Finally, consider how your notes can become part of your personal spiritual history. Just as the scriptures preserve the words of prophets for generations, your own record becomes a testimony of how the Lord has spoken to you.
Years from now, returning to past conference notes can remind you of how far you’ve come and the promises God has kept. A conference journal is not just for today—it can bless your children and grandchildren as they see how you sought and received revelation.
When approached with prayer and intention, your conference notes can become far more than words on a page. They can become a personal book of revelation—a record of the Lord’s love and guidance, written just for you.
What note-taking practice helps you recognize, remember, and act on the personal revelation you receive during general conference? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This article was originally published September 4, 2025 and has been updated.
Holly Wallace is a writer and storyteller drawn to meaningful questions and overlooked details. Her work explores Latter-day Saint life and culture through faithful inquiry, inviting readers to pause, consider, and engage more deeply with what matters most.
