General Conference Prep

Pres. Uchtdorf- "they will serve as a Liahona, guiding us through the unknown"
Elder Widtsoe- "The principal business of a prophet has MISTAKENLY been thought to foretell coming events"

Quite often I have found myself undermining General Conference because the Prophets, Seers and Revelators don't seem to teach us any new futuristic prophesies.  It wasn't until today that I received a profound answer upon this subject: It is much more important for us to receive knowledge on how we can prepare for the future (via prayer, scripture study, fasting, temple attendance, family home evening, avoiding debt, food storage, etc) than it is to know what the future will bring.  As President Uchtdorf said, their words will guide us through the unknown.  In other words, it is of little use to known in detail what the future has in store if we don't know how to handle it when it comes.  Like Joseph Smith said, "I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves."  If we have received the teachings of the Prophets and applied them, we will be prepared for whatever the future can throw at us, which is all that really matters. 

(Previous to today, I would tend to tell myself that the reason we don't receive many futuristic prophesies in our General Conferences today is because we are so close to the end of the world, and all the needed prophesies of the future have already been given.  This may hold some water, but I believe my other explanation better applies the concept of "if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.")