Fathers

• 1 Nephi 3:8…Fathers become exceedingly glad when their children are blessed of the Lord
• Enos 1: 1…Fathers should instruct, discipline, and warn children of the Lord
• Jacob 2:35…Don’t be bad examples – lose respect of wife and children
• Alma 39:12-13…Fathers need to keep their kids on the straight and narrow
• Moroni 9:25..Fathers counsel to a son
• 1 Nephi 1:1…Lehi taught all he knew to Nephi
• 1 Nephi 2:8-10…The desire of all Fathers for their children
• 1 Nephi 16:14…Fathers needs to provide for the family
• 2 Nephi 2:14…Lehi speaks to sons for their profit and learning
• Jacob 3:10…  Wherefore, ye shall remember your children, how that ye have grieved their hearts because of the example that ye have set before them; and also, remember that ye may, because of your filthiness, bring your children unto destruction, and their sins be heaped upon your heads at the last day.
• Mosiah 5:7…Christ is our Spiritual Father
• Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father;” Father and Son relationships should be like this. And children should view their parents as good.
• Thomas S. Monson: I am sure that family prayer motivated a letter written some years ago by a young Latter-day Saint girl attending a Colorado high school. The students had been asked to prepare a letter to be written to a great man of their choice. Many addressed their letters to well-known athletes, to a noted astronaut, to the president of the United States, and to other celebrities. This young lady, however, addressed her letter to her father, and in the letter, she stated: “I have decided to write this letter to you, Dad, because you are the greatest man that I have ever known. The overwhelming desire of my heart is that I might so live that I might have the privilege of being beside you and Mother and other members of the family in the celestial kingdom.” That father never received a more cherished letter.
• “…No other experiences of life draw us nearer to heaven than those that exist between happy parents and happy children.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1994, 54)
• Spencer W. Kimball, 1969 General Conference, “Jacob, another of the sons of Lehi drew heavily from the storage inherited from his father, and he passed the same to his son Enos, who bore testimony of it. () …I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man for he taught me in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and blessed be the name of my God for it…I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.”
• Boyd K Packer, October 1991 General Conference, “Our sacrament and other meetings need renewing attention to assure that they are truly worship services in which members may be spiritually nourished and have their testimonies replenished and in which investigators may feel the inspiration essential to spiritual conversion. The reverence we speak of does not equate with absolute silence. We must be tolerant of little babies, even an occasional outburst from a toddler being ushered out to keep him from disturbing the peace. Unless the father is on the stand, he should do the ushering.”
• President Thomas S. Monson, “To you parents, express your love to your children. Pray for them that they may be able to withstand the evils of the world. Pray that they may brow in faith and testimony. Pray that they may pursue lives of goodness and of service to others. Children, let your parents know you love them. Let them know how much you appreciate all they have done and continue to do for you.”
• “While we may despair when, after all, we can do, some of our children stray from the path of righteousness, the words of Orson F. Whitney can comfort us: “Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving (mother’s and) father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for (our) careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with (our) faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God” (quoting Joseph Smith, in Conference Report, April 1929, 110.
• Elder Richard G. Scott, Ensign May 1993, 34, “Some of you have children who do not respond to you, choosing entirely different paths. Father in Heaven has repeatedly had that same experience. While some of His children have used His gift of agency to make choices against His counsel, He continues to love them. Yet, I am sure, He has never blamed Himself for the unwise choices.”
• .Elder Joe J. Christiansen, Ensign Nov 1993, “Do not be afraid to set clear moral standards and guidelines. Be sure to say no when it is needed….Let (your children) know that there are some things that, as members of your family, you simply do not do. Some parents seem to be almost pathologically concerned about their children’s popularity and social acceptance and go along with many things that are really against their better judgment, such as expensive fads, immodest clothes, late hours, dating before age sixteen, R-rated movies, and so on. For children and parents, standing up for what is right may be lonely at times. There may be evenings alone, parties missed, and movies that go unseen. It may not always be fun. But parenting is not a popularity contest.”
• “I am persuaded that today’s holders of the priesthood are as faith-filled, as noble, as charitable, as hard-working, and as spiritually influential as any in times past. Know that it took the righteous Enoch 365 years to establish Zion in ancient times and that we probably do not have that much time to do the same in this last dispensation, is to some extent a marvelous complement to those called and ordained today to bear the Holy Priesthood. I have great confidence in the men of the Church, largely because of what I have observed in so many of them. I know something of their hearts, a good bit about their souls, a great deal about their yearnings to be loving husbands and fathers, dependable priesthood representatives, responsible citizens, and influential servants of the Almighty.” (Men of Influence, Robert Millet, Preface Pg. xii)
• “We teach our daughters to look carefully for spiritual strength, dependability, consistency, kindness, and yes, ambition in young men they date and may choose to marry. I want my sons-in-law not only to lead out spiritually and provide a loving atmosphere for my daughters and grandchildren but to be industrious, hard-working, to have goals in life, to be progressing toward something of worth in their profession or trade. I assume most fathers feel the same way.” (Men of Influence, 23)
• “Brethren, when we stand before the Lord to be judged, will He look upon the positions we have held in the world or even the Church? Do you suppose that titles we have had other than ‘husband, father or priesthood holder’ will mean much to Him? Do you think He will care how packed our schedule was or how many important meetings we attended? Do you suppose that our success with filling our days with appointments will serve as an excuse for failure to spend time with our wife and family? The Lord judges so very differently from the way we do. He is pleased with the noble servant, not the self-serving noble” (Ensign, November 2008, 54-55)
• “Veritable teenagers- and all of us for many decades thereafter- carrying daily, hourly, minute-to-minute, virtually every waking and sleeping moment of our lives, the power and the chemistry and the eternally transmitted seeds of life to grant someone else her second estate, someone else his next level of development in the divine plan of salvation. I submit to you that no power, priesthood or otherwise, is given by God so universally to so many with virtually no control over its use except self-control. And I submit that we will never be more like God at any other time in this life than when we are expressing that particular power. Of all the titles He has chosen for Himself, Father is the one He declares, and creation is His watchword- especially human creation, creation in His image. His glory isn’t a mountain, as stunning as mountains are. It isn’t in sea or sky or snow or sunrise, as beautiful as they all are. It isn’t in art or technology, be that a concerto or computer. No, His glory- and His grief- is in His children. We- you and I- are His prized possessions, and we are the earthly evidence, however inadequate, of what He truly is. Human life is the greatest of God’s powers, the most mysterious and magnificent chemistry of it all, and you and I have been given it, but under the most serious and sacred of restrictions. You and I- who can make neither mountain nor moonlight, not one rain-drop or a single rose- have this greater gift in an absolutely unlimited way. And the only control placed on us is self-control- self-control born of respect for the divine sacramental power it is…We who may not be able to repair a bicycle or assemble an average jigsaw puzzle can yet, in all of our weaknesses and imperfections, carry this procreative power which makes us so very much like God in at least that one grand and majestic way.” Of Souls, Symbols and Sacraments, Jeffrey R. Holland
• In a letter to his wife from Paris, John Adams observed: “I must study politics and war, that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, and naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry and porcelain.” Seven Miracles That Saved America, Page 126
• “The critical determinant of the quality of your relationships is the amount of time that you spend face-to-face with the people you love, and who love you in return.” Eat That Frog, Brian Tracy, Page 52
• “President Howard W. Hunter said: “It is in understanding and accepting [the] universal fatherhood of God that all human beings can best appreciate God’s concern for them and their relationship to each other. This is a message of life and love that strikes squarely against all stifling traditions based on race, language, economic or political standing, educational rank, or cultural background, for we are all of the same spiritual descent. We have a divine pedigree; every person is a spiritual child of God” Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 22; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 18.
• “In speaking of mothers generally, I especially wish to praise and encourage young mothers. The work of a mother is hard, too often unheralded work. The young years are often those when either husband or wife—or both—may still be in school or in those earliest and leanest stages of developing the husband’s breadwinning capacities. Finances fluctuate daily between low and nonexistent. The apartment is usually decorated in one of two smart designs: Deseret Industries provincial or early Mother Hubbard. The car, if there is one, runs on smooth tires and an empty tank. But with night feedings and night teethings, often the greatest challenge of all for a young mother is simply fatigue. Through these years, mothers go longer on less sleep and give more to others with less personal renewal for themselves than any other group I know at any other time in life. It is not surprising when the shadows under their eyes sometimes vaguely resemble the state of Rhode Island. Of course, the irony is that this is often the sister we want to call—or need to call—to service in the ward and stake auxiliaries. That’s understandable. Who wouldn’t want the exemplary influence of these young Loises- and Eunices-in-the-making? It would be well for leaders to be wise, to remember that families are the highest priority of all, especially in those formative years. Even so, young mothers will still find magnificent ways to serve faithfully in the Church, even as others serve and strengthen them—and their families—in like manner. Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones. Husbands—especially husbands—as well as Church leaders and friends in every direction, be helpful and sensitive and wise. Remember, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” ().” Broken Things to Mend (Jeffrey R. Holland) Kindle Loc. 221-35
• “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, His complete purpose, and delight 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. Unlike us, He needed no crisis, no discouraging shift in events to direct His hopes heavenward. He was already instinctively, longingly looking that way.” Broken Things to Mend (Jeffrey R. Holland) Kindle Loc. 296-99
• “I suppose no book I have read in recent months has alarmed me more than a work entitled Fatherless America. In this study, the author speaks of “fatherlessness” as “the most harmful demographic trend of this generation,” the leading cause of damage to children. It is, he is convinced, the engine driving our most urgent social problems, from poverty to crime to adolescent pregnancy to child abuse to domestic violence. Among the principal social issues of our time is the flight of fathers from their children’s lives.” Broken Things to Mend (Jeffrey R. Holland) Kindle Loc. 319-23
• “Of even greater concern than the physical absenteeism of some fathers is the spiritually or emotionally absent father. These are fatherly sins of omission that are probably more destructive than sins of commission. Why are we not surprised that when 2,000 children of all ages and backgrounds were asked what they appreciated most about their fathers, they answered universally, “He spends time with me”?” Broken Things to Mend (Jeffrey R. Holland) Kindle Loc. 323-26
• “As Edgar A. Guest wrote in these little storybook verses remembered from my youth: Only a dad with a tired face, Coming home from the daily race . . . Glad in his heart that his own rejoice To see him come home and to hear his voice. . . . Only a dad, neither rich nor proud, Merely one of the surging crowd, Toiling, striving from day to day, Facing whatever may come his way, . . . Only a dad but he gives his all, To smooth the way for his children small, Doing with courage stern and grim The deeds that his father did for him. This is the line that for him I pen, Only a dad, but the best of men.” Broken Things to Mend (Jeffrey R. Holland) Kindle Loc. 332-40
• “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’ life, he said it was “the words which I had often heard my father speak” () that 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, that personal testimony offered by his father at a time when the father may have felt that nothing was sinking in, not only saved the spiritual life of this, his son but changed forever the history of the Book of Mormon people.” Broken Things to Mend (Jeffrey R. Holland) Kindle Loc. 355-61
• “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, “Papa,” or from the lips of a younger child, something akin to “Daddy” (Mark 14:36). This is such a personal moment it almost seems a sacrilege to cite it. A Son in unrelieved pain, a Father His only true source of strength, both of them staying the course, making it through the night—together. Broken Things to Mend (Jeffrey R. Holland) Kindle Loc. 365-69
• … Behold, the Lamanites your brethren, whom ye hate because of their filthiness and the cursing which hath come upon their skins, are more righteous than you; for they have not forgotten the commandment of the Lord, which was given unto our father—that they should have saved it were one wife, and concubines they should have none, and there should not be whoredoms committed among them.6 And now, this commandment they observe to keep; wherefore, because of this observance, in keeping this commandment, the Lord God will not destroy them, but will be merciful unto them; and one day they shall become a blessed people.7 Behold, their husbands love their wives, and their wives love their husbands; and their husbands and their wives love their children; and their unbelief and their hatred towards you is because of the iniquity of their fathers; wherefore, how much better are you than they, in the sight of your great Creator?
• … Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.4 And my soul hungered, and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul, and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.6 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?8 And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.
• “When the buzzer sounded, Michael gave Scottie and me a quick hug, darted to center court to grab the ball, then retreated to the locker room to get away from the TV cameras. When I got there, he was curled up on the floor hugging the ball to his chest, tears streaming down his face. Michael dedicated the game to his father. “This is probably the hardest time for me to play the game of basketball,” he said. “I had a lot of things on my heart, on my mind. . . . And maybe my heart wasn’t geared to where it was. But I think deep down inside, it was geared to what was most important to me, which was my family and my father not being here to see this. I’m just happy that the team kind of pulled me through it because it was a tough time for me.” Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success. Phil Jackson and Hugh Delehanty. Page 166
• “Then married with two children and three more to come I had no choice but to succeed.”  Remarks to The 2008 Annual Membership Meeting Society of Financial Service Professionals, Bethesda Country Club.  Bill Walace, CLU®, ChFC® JUNE 13, 2008
• “Time is a precious commodity in our lives. Many well-meaning parents unintentionally limit their availability to be with their children because of important business, social, and charitable commitments. “While it is not possible to create universal rules regarding time,” Hausner says, “learning effective parenting techniques can make the time you spend with your children meaningful, memorable and special, so that you are, in a sense, with them even when you are not.” Many observers have pointed out that the quality of time we spend with our children is just as important as the quantity.” Wealth in Families Third Edition (Charles W. Collier) Page 42
• 3 Nephi 18: 21…  Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.
• Enos 1:3 -5… 3  Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. 4  And my soul hungered, and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul, and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. 5  And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.
• “Then married with two children and three more to come I had no choice but to succeed.”  Remarks to The 2008 Annual Membership Meeting Society of Financial Service Professionals, Bethesda Country Club.  Bill Walace, CLU®, ChFC® JUNE 13, 2008
• Jacob 2:35…  Behold, ye have done greater iniquities than the Lamanites, our brethren. Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you. And because of the strictness of the word of God, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced with deep wounds.
• Jacob 3: 5-7… Behold, the Lamanites your brethren, whom ye hate because of their filthiness and the cursing which hath come upon their skins, are more righteous than you; for they have not forgotten the commandment of the Lord, which was given unto our father—that they should have save it were one wife, and concubines they should have none, and there should not be whoredoms committed among them. 6 And now, this commandment they observe to keep; wherefore, because of this observance, in keeping this commandment, the Lord God will not destroy them, but will be merciful unto them; and one day they shall become a blessed people. 7 Behold, their husbands love their wives, and their wives love their husbands; and their husbands and their wives love their children; and their unbelief and their hatred towards you is because of the iniquity of their fathers; wherefore, how much better are you than they, in the sight of your great Creator?
• “I think about the fact that Grant, Kobe, and I had strong fathers. I know people are concerned about the behavior of some young players, but it starts at home. I’ve always said that. I wish some of the other guys in the league could have had fathers at home, just to see what it’s like, just to see how much better people they could be. Some of the background for the decisions, the evaluations, the choices you have to make, come from when you were at home growing up. Two-parent homes aren’t as prevalent anymore.  Single-parent, either way, you’re missing the opposite influence of the missing parent. I had both parents. It helped my decision-making immensely. Especially now that I am a father, making choices like a father, talking to my kids. Like my father did with me.”  This as-told-to, from Michael Jordan, was originally published in the April 6, 1998, issue of ESPN The Magazine.