By: Rebbie Groesbeck //

Did a friend invite you to watch Mormon General Conference this weekend? Did you feel a little confused or slightly awkward about it? Cool. Let’s break it down.

In a nutshell, if you’ve ever watched, liked, or shared a TED talk, you get the concept of General Conference.

At General Conference, a variety of speakers from all different locations, professions, and backgrounds come together to deliver live, 10-20 minute lectures on a variety of topics that are meant to uplift and enlighten.

Their words often cause you to see things differently than you did before, and leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy.

So if a friend invited you to watch General Conference, it’s because like TED talks, the ideas you’ll hear are worth sharing.

So what’s the twist, you ask? Here are a few.

• Those who speak may be slightly on the elderly side. But while our church leadership may be old, their words pack a punch. If you don’t want to take our word for it, take Pharrell’s. • All who will speak at General Conference will be Mormon, although they may have joined the church at different times in their life or in different places around the world. • We believe that the words spoken there are inspired by God, and that every person who watches or listens will hear something that can personally and positively change their life.

One other note. TED Talks are always delivered by experts of one sort or another. So what exactly makes these guys worth listening to? Well, as Mormons we believe that they are mouthpieces for God and that if there’s anyone who needs a voice in today’s world, it’s the One who put us all here in the first place.

If you’re still feeling weird about watching Mormon General Conference, we’ve compiled a few short clips on a variety of topics so you can take it for a test drive.

If you’d like to tune in this weekend, you can do so here. We don’t think you’ll regret it.

On Being Kind to Strangers:

On Finding Happiness Wherever You Are:

On Dealing with Mental Illness:

On Learning to Laugh At Life:

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