I am writing this blog entry at 36,000 feet as my wife and I wing our way back to Utah from a wonderful week in New England. I am connected by Wi-Fi on a Southwest flight testing internet service.
We were able to connect to the live LDS General Conference for the Sunday Morning session, (after a media player update,) just as Elder Russell M. Nelson started speaking about the miracles of modern technology. As we watched, it was amazing to me to witness the Word of the Lord going forth to all the world.
For, verily, the sound must go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth—the gospel must be preached unto every creature, with signs following them that believe.
Yesterday, we listened live via iPhone as we drove across Massachusetts. What a blessing.
I consider it a marvelous sign of the times to be able to partake of the marvelous blessing of listening live to the Prophet as he instructs the Saints.
As we visited some friends in Vermont, Ken and Kristie Bush, Bishop Bush told of a time on his mission in Korea during the mid 1970's that the mission president received a call from Salt Lake City asking if the missionaries, service members and local priesthood holders would like to have the chance to listen to the Priesthood Session live over the phone. The answer was yes, and subsequently a line was run from a nearby office phone, out a window across a courtyard, through some trees to the chapel where it was connected to a stereo set provided by one of the congregation. The test phone call was successful, and the wait began for the call from Church Headquarters.
The appointed time came and went. The brethren waited for an hour and 45 minutes when Elder Bush decided to see if there was a way to salvage the situation. He called the operator and asked if a call had come from The States. The answer was "Yes, but no one said anything, it was just singing. So we put it on hold."
Elder Bush said, "Put it through NOW!"
There was a crackle of static, and the congregation heard the Prophet Spencer W. Kimball say in closing, "We thank the owners and operators of the various radio and television stations who have broadcast the conference. In closing, the Choir will sing…"
But as Elder Bush returned to the chapel, he was astounded at the military men and the missionaries who were so overcome to hear the voice of the Lord's Prophet for just a few sentences that many had tears of joy on their faces.
Now it has become so easy to read, listen, and watch conference on demand in many forms, so often we don't fully partake.
I hope we all never lose that excitement. My heart leaps every time I hear Lloyd Newell's voice call us to the conference for each session.
But then to hear the music and all the spoken word as it comes from those who have diligently prepared their sermons is even greater.
I am also thankful to the myriad technicians, artists, translators, gardeners, musicians, security personnel, janitors, ushers, broadcasters and everyone who makes our conference experience so beautiful.
I recommit to be a better partaker of the word.
Even at 36,000 feet.
John P. Starrs
John Starrs is a husband and dad.
Sometimes he is also a documentary filmmaker, media mogul, and warrior poet.
www.starrman.com
www.WatchmenInstitute.org
www.BumpLimited.com
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Category: History, Religion, Technology, Watchmen Files | 
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