Reflections on General Conference

This Conference was different than those I remember from the past. Why is that? I believe the answer lies a few different reasons.
First, I heard more love expressed for our Prophet, President Hinckley, than I ever remember before. No one knows when we will see him speak for the last time. When the choir and then congregation joined in singing "We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet," I don't think there was a dry eye in the Conference Center. We just don't want to see him go.
Another reason why Conference was different this time around is that each talk was given in an unprecedented light. Instead of the general counsel or plain encouragement like they've given in the past, each talk seemed to be a call to action. We can't be content to sit back and watch while the world becomes progressively more wicked. We need to let our light shine, give service, reach out to others and become more perfected saints of the Lord.
In the Priesthood session, men were rebuked for becoming lazy and letting women become more educated. Men are given the distinct responsibilities to provide for their families and to be the heads of the household. To summarize President Hinckley's comments, it is hard in marriage to share the yoke equally when your wife knows a whole lot more than you do. This was a call to action to rise up and work hard to get all the education we can.
As a result of these two aspects, this October's General Conference was different than any I ever remember hearing.