Elder Holland speaks about the divine role of fathers. He speaks of the ultimate example to us being our Father in Heaven. We all have inadequacies and concerns that we are not a good enough father, that we are failing our families, and that we have so much to improve upon. He discusses these feelings and offers advice on being the best father we can be.
He speaks of the moments that Christ went through in the Garden and on the cross. After Christ's death, he wonders what that Heavenly union was like for the Father and the Son to be reunited once again.
He speaks of young people and their admiration of the father in their life. He shares that a young person's concept of what a father is can be determined in the early years of their lives.
He talks about some statistics about when fathers are absent from the home and particually not an influence spiritually in their children's lives.
He provides hope to those that struggle with their fatherly roles.
He read a letter from a man who was struggling with his role of being a father. He notes that many people have these same feelings.
He concludes with a reminder that being a father is a divine calling and that fathers are responsiblie for their children's happiness and spiritual safety.
I can only imagine what it was like for my father to raise my brothers and sisters. As I have entered the world of having an adult child, I have started to experience some of the concern that comes with children making their own decisions. When I struggle with how to react to things they are doing, I always remember that my earthly father and my Heavenly Father all have walked this path with other children. I look to them for guidance and understanding and how I can be a better father through life's challenges. I know that God wants what is best for His children so I am have come to expect heavenly help in leading my family through the trials of life. Our Heavenly Father is the ultimate parent and is willing to help us take on the challenges of life if we will just ask for his assistance through prayer.
He speaks of the moments that Christ went through in the Garden and on the cross. After Christ's death, he wonders what that Heavenly union was like for the Father and the Son to be reunited once again.
- I confess that I have reflected at length upon that moment and the resurrection which was shortly to follow it. I have wondered what that reunion must have been like: the Father that loved this Son so much, the Son that honored and revered His Father in every word and deed. For two who were one as these two were one, what must that embrace have been like? What must that divine companionship be yet? We can only wonder and admire. And we can, on an Easter weekend, yearn to live worthily of some portion of that relationship ourselves.
He speaks of young people and their admiration of the father in their life. He shares that a young person's concept of what a father is can be determined in the early years of their lives.
- We do know that a young person’s developing concept of God centers on characteristics observed in that child’s earthly parents.
He talks about some statistics about when fathers are absent from the home and particually not an influence spiritually in their children's lives.
- 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”?
He provides hope to those that struggle with their fatherly roles.
- Even when we are not “the best of men,” even in our limitations and inadequacy, we can keep making our way in the right direction because of the encouraging teachings set forth by a Divine Father and demonstrated by a Divine Son. With a Heavenly Father’s help we can leave more of a parental legacy than we suppose.
He read a letter from a man who was struggling with his role of being a father. He notes that many people have these same feelings.
- I want my son to follow my lead, and yet it terrifies me to know he probably will. Holding this little boy in my arms, I feel a ‘heavenly homesickness,’ a longing to love the way God loves, to comfort the way He comforts, to protect the way He protects. The answer to all the fears of my youth was always ‘What would Dad do?’ Now that I have a child to raise I am counting on a Heavenly Father to tell me exactly that.
He concludes with a reminder that being a father is a divine calling and that fathers are responsiblie for their children's happiness and spiritual safety.
- I bear my witness this Easter weekend that “great things [will] be required at the hand[s] of [the] fathers,” as the Lord declared to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Surely the greatest of those things will be to have done all they could for the happiness and spiritual safety of the children they are to nurture.
I can only imagine what it was like for my father to raise my brothers and sisters. As I have entered the world of having an adult child, I have started to experience some of the concern that comes with children making their own decisions. When I struggle with how to react to things they are doing, I always remember that my earthly father and my Heavenly Father all have walked this path with other children. I look to them for guidance and understanding and how I can be a better father through life's challenges. I know that God wants what is best for His children so I am have come to expect heavenly help in leading my family through the trials of life. Our Heavenly Father is the ultimate parent and is willing to help us take on the challenges of life if we will just ask for his assistance through prayer.
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