A Tribute to Fathers
Fatherhood is more than a role—it’s a divine calling with eternal purpose. Fathers are fundamental in the divine plan of happiness. To praise and encourage fatherhood and fathers is not to shame or discount anyone. Rather, to simply focus on the good that men do in one of the highest of masculine roles—father is appropriate as we near Father’s Day.
In a world where the influence of fathers is often overlooked or undervalued; media outlets too frequently represent fathers as bumbling, ne’er-do-wells. However, in truth, such is predominantly not the case. The media’s malignant microfocus on inadequate representatives of righteous fatherhood undermines righteous manhood and diminishes a more accurate, more prevalent portrayal of paternal care.
David Blankenhorn, the author of Fatherless America, has observed: “Today, American society is fundamentally divided and ambivalent about the fatherhood idea. Some people do not even remember it. Others are offended by it. Others, including more than a few family scholars, neglect it or disdain it. Many others are not especially opposed to it, nor are they especially committed to it. Many people wish we could act on it, but believe that our society simply no longer can or will.”
A work entitled Fatherless America speaks of “fatherlessness” as “the most harmful demographic trend of this generation,” and the leading cause of damage to children. The author is convinced, the engine driving our most urgent social problems: from poverty to crime to adolescent pregnancy to child abuse to domestic violence stem from the absence of fathers in the home. Among the principal social issues of our time is the shortage of fathers from their children’s lives.
Unfortunately, some see the good of fatherhood only in social terms - as something that obligates men to their offspring, impelling them to be good citizens and to think about the needs of others. While supplementing “maternal investment in children with paternal investment in children” the key is nevertheless for men is to be fathers. The key for children is to have fathers. The key for society is to create fathers.”
And while these considerations are certainly true and important, we know that fatherhood is much more than a social construct. The role of father is of divine origin, beginning with a Father in Heaven and, in this mortal sphere, with Father Adam. “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.” The Family Proclamation Surely the greatest of those things [required of fathers] will be to have done all they could for the happiness and spiritual safety of the children they are to nurture.
Protect
As indicated within the Family Proclamation; protection from tyranny and evil rings throughout history. From the shores of Plymouth Rock to the Straits of Hormuz; there are men who’ve placed themselves betwixt harm and ease in order to shield others from the harm that evil ones would impose. This tribute is to those genuine individuals dedicating their honored lives to the righteous continuation of themselves, their families and their countries. In short, this homage is in reverence to those unsung heroes upon whose shoulders we reside. May our respect for their hallowed graves be thoughtfully remembered throughout this Memorial Season!
Lead
Next, but certainly not less, are those men devoted to Godly principles such that they were willing to sacrifice their lives to assure mankind’s continued adherence to righteous principles. Such men as Moroni holding high the Title of Liberty to his fellow soldiers and King Benjamin exhorting his people to righteousness represent the Prophets of old. Such men have not only been willing to ‘lay down their lives’; but such men have been willing to ‘live their lives’ in devotion to holy principles.
Foremost, among such righteous men are those devoted to the uprightness and honor of Godly principles. Such men have contended, fought and even died amidst wars defending home, family and God. Such men loved their lives as much as you and I. Yet they adored righteousness, loved ones, and freedom more – much more! So much more that they embraced harm’s way that you and I would not have to. From Father Adam to President Oaks; such men have devoted their lives to the admonition of Godly adherence and righteous alliance!
Preside
Certainly, teaching the gospel is a shared duty between fathers and mothers, but the Lord is clear that He expects fathers to lead out in making it a high priority. (And let’s remember that informal conversations, working and playing together, and listening are important elements of teaching.) The Lord expects fathers to help shape their children, and children want and need a model. We believe that “by divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.” In their complementary family duties, “fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another.”
Provide
Far from being superfluous, fathers are unique and irreplaceable. Fatherhood exposes men to their own weaknesses and needs to improve. Requiring sacrifice, fatherhood is a source of incomparable satisfaction - even joy. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Fathers manifest such love as they lay down their life’s day by day, laboring in the service and support of their families. Breadwinning is a consecrated activity. Providing for one’s family is not inconsistent with fatherhood—it is the essence of being a good father. “Work and family are overlapping domains.
Teach
Perhaps the most essential of a father’s work is to turn the hearts of his children to their Heavenly Father. If by his example as well as his words a father can demonstrate what fidelity to God looks like in day-to-day living - that father will have given his children the key to peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come. Fathers are to teach God’s law and works anew to each generation. A father who reads scripture to and with his children acquaints them with the voice of the Lord. As commanded, Fathers are to teach the gospel to their children. “And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord” D&C 68:28
Ancestral Father’s
A recognition of fatherhood would be sorely incomplete without a respect delivered to our present and prior father’s. Such fathers shouldered the responsibility of Love, Leadership, Protection and Provision for us and our parents amidst privation, depression, want and need. They stood at the doors of our respective homes and held back the ravenous wolves that would’ve consumed our souls. Scarred from such altercations these ordinary men again hoisted their burdens and shuffled off to daily work as if immune to confrontation with malice. Shrugging compliment and recognition; they quietly acknowledged the honor they received silently from themselves and their God. Though seldom acknowledged; such men remain the foundation upon which we build our lives and integrity. Unique, humble, steadfast and righteous, our fathers honor us with their devotion to our well-being amidst our acknowledgment of their devotion.
Heavenly Father
The ultimate model and divine expression of fatherhood is our Heavenly Father. His character and attributes include abundant goodness and perfect love. His work and glory are the development, happiness, and eternal life of His children. Fathers in this fallen world can claim nothing comparable to God’s Majesty on High, but at their best, they are striving to emulate Him, and they indeed labor in His work. They are honored with a remarkable and sobering trust.
As we reflect on fatherhood, we can’t help but express gratitude to our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ and His true Father - our spiritual Father and God. By accepting the sacrifice of His firstborn, perfect Son, our Father blessed all of His children amidst those hours of atonement and redemption. So much meaning is offered in the declaration which praises the Father as well as the Son: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
We are reminded that this relationship between Christ and His Father is one of the sweetest and most moving themes running through the Savior’s ministry. Jesus’ entire being and complete purpose, were centered in pleasing His Father and obeying His will. Of Him He seemed always to be thinking; to Him He seemed always to be praying. In all His mortal ministry Christ seems never to have had a single moment of vanity or self-interest. In the early days of His ministry He said humbly, “I can of mine own self do nothing: … I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”
Following His teachings, Christ would declare: “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. … I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true.” When Jesus wanted to preserve unity among His disciples, He prayed using the example of His own relationship with God: “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are [one].” Even as He moved toward the Crucifixion, He restrained His Apostles who would have intervened, by saying, “The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” In that most burdensome moment of all human history, with blood appearing at every pore and an anguished cry upon His lips, Christ sought Him whom He had always sought—His Father. “Abba,” He cried. At that moment, a divine Son was in unrelieved pain; and a divine Father endured an atoning sacrifice. Both of them staying the course, making it through the night – together. When that unspeakable ordeal was finished, Christ uttered what must have been the most peaceful and deserved words of His mortal ministry. At the end of His agony, He whispered, “It is finished. … Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Finally, it was over. Finally, He could go home.
Conclusion
At a vulnerable moment in young Nephi’s life, his prophetic future was determined when he said, “I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father.” At the turning point of the prophet Enos’s life, he said it was “the words which I had often heard my father speak” which prompted one of the great revelations recorded in the Book of Mormon. And sorrowing Alma the Younger, when confronted by the excruciating memory of his sins, “remembered also to have heard [his] father prophesy … concerning the coming of … Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.” That brief memory of his father at a time when that father may have felt nothing was sinking in, not only saved the spiritual life of his son, but changed forever the history of an entire people. May we fathers acknowledge the greatness of those preceding us. May we ever seek to model the divinity of our Creator. May we always pursue the eternal life of our children!
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