Mini-Project: Have I Done Any Good In The World Today?
Semi-Annual Conference For General Membership Of
The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints
The first weekends of October and April, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints satellite broadcasts its semi-annual general conference worldwide. As a member of the church, I anticipate the broadcast. It is a time for instruction and reflection. It is a time to feel the Lord’s spirit and to consider how I can improve my life. The speakers come from the general authorities of the church and leaders of the auxiliary organizations of the church, the primary for children under twelve, the youth program and Relief Society—the women’s organization.
Growing Up - How My Family Attended Conference
As a child, my family would sometimes travel to Utah to participate in conference. Only in Utah was it televised. Audio could be heard on KSL radio. We would stay with relatives, watch the programs, then Sunday after the morning session, head home to Mesa. At 2 pm when the afternoon session started, we would spin the radio dial, trying to find the broadcast. It was always patchy,
Finally, in 1999, general conference was available through the internet in association with BYU communications. Live sessions could be watched worldwide. Now, satellite transmission permits thousands of members to watch these sessions in their own homes. A friend of mine once said that you can tell you are in Zion when you can watch general conference in your pajamas.
Fast Forward To Present Day, October 2022
This October, I was a week out from having a total knee replacement and on pain medication. I snoozed through a lot of the speakers, but not all. One of the first songs performed by the choir was “Have I Done Any Good in the World Today.”
I thought about that – did I do good in the world on a regular basis? Was I helpful? Did I anticipate others’ needs?
It occurred to me, listening to general conference. that deciding on a personal project of self-improvement or service based on one of the conference talks would be like making New Year’s resolutions. Only this time, it would be twice a year.
Goal Setting: At Conference - Find A Way To Do Good Every Day
So, I’ve embarked on a Have I Done Any Good in the World today project. It involves keeping a daily journal, in prayer asking for direction as to who to help or remember, and to write down impressions and as far as possible, results.
I see this as a faith-strengthener. I know Heavenly Father blesses us as we ask Him for direction in serving others.
This project will last until General Conference in April, when, if the experience has been as promising as I anticipate, it will be time to pick another.