Dad: My Example and My Friend

      In "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" given in September 1995 by the President of the Church of the time, Gordon B. Hinkley, it states:
"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."

   This decribes the fundamental duties of a father in the home. God intended for men, husbands, and fathers to fulfill this role. Sadly, in today's world, many men shy away from such responsibility towards children, work or family as a whole. My father, however, does not fall into this category...
   In the Book of Mormon, there was a man named Lehi. He was a prophet. He had 4 sons: Laman, Lemuel, Nephi and Sam. Two of his sons walked with him the ways of the Lord. Nephi and Sam were righteous and obedient to their father. The other two, Laman and Lemuel, were rebellious and constantly fighting against their father Lehi. Lehi was saddened by the wickedness of his two wayward sons. He feared for their lives and their salvation as they drifted farther and farther from the ways of God. In 1 Nephi 8:37, Lehi encourages them, almost begs them with "all the feeling of a tender parent" to listen to him and stop their evil ways. That scripture has always touched me. Lehi was so persistent yet loving with his children. He set the example for that family.
 My father has been the ultimate example to me of how to be a man, a father, a husband and in the Church, a worthy priesthood holder and leader. He, like Lehi, strongly encouraged me "with all the feeling of a tender parent" to stay on the right path. Unfortunately, I didn't always listen to my father. And whenever I didn't, I paid for it. He knows best.
    I love my dad. He has taught me everything I know today. I learned how to work in the church, how to be a man and how to treat women. I have very fond memories of my dad. I cherish all the times we sat down together and just watched a game on TV or when he would take me to baseball games. We just enjoyed each other's company and talked about the game. Perhaps this is why I have such a deep passion for sports, is because it reminds me of my dad and all the great times we have had. Everyone who sees me and my dad says the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. I look at that more in depth than just in appearance. If someone were to tell me I am just like my father in work ethic, in serving the church, in how I raise my children and treat my wife, I would consider that a compliment. If I can be the priesthood holder my dad is, the husband and father he is, the hard worker he is, I would consider my life to be successful.
   I look up to my dad in every way. He is a great example of how men should be. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said this in his latest address in April: "Not always but often it is the men who choose not to answer the call to 'come join the ranks.' Women and children frequently seem more willing. Brethren, step up." (The Laborers in the Vineyard, Jeffrey R. Holland, May 2012). This does not describe my father. He answers the call, he has stepped up, and I hope I can serve a mission as well as he did, be a man, husband and father like he is. I love my example, my friend, my dad.