Enjoying The Fall

   I really do enjoy blogging about things that have to do with the current season or current events. The fall season is just a few days away, can you believe that? It doesn't really feel like it here in Florida. But it is the truth. And with that, I would like to address an issue that really has been an area of controversy over the centuries...the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden...
   Now, having been in the South for over a year now, I have come across a plethora  of theories regarding Adam and Eve and their decision to partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Some say Adam sinned, thus we are all born with the sin of Adam and we are condemned for his choice. Others say it is Eve's fault, thus blaming the entire female gender for our state of sin. Some say it was a figurative "eating of the fruit" meaning something that has to do with chastity. Here's what it really means (meaning I am going to use church doctrine, not my own opinion.)
   In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Nephi teaches us that "Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25) That doesn't imply anywhere that we are born into the sin of Adam. In fact, we are here to have joy. And the church also states in the "Articles of Faith" which is a list of basic beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression." I think that point is clear.
   Now, as far as them partaking of the fruit as a bad thing. Not so.  One may think of it as breaking a lower law to keep a higher law. Because we read in the scriptures that they were commanded to "multiply and replenish the earth." Basically they were commanded to have children. They didn't know how to do that because their minds were as children. They were innocent and naive (that is not to say that the act of creating children makes one "not innocent"). It is a blessing that they partook of the fruit. The Book of Mormon teaches us this:
 "And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.

  And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.

  But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.

  Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 22-25).

  We are saved from the Fall by Jesus Christ and His sacrifice. If we come to Him and repent, we can over come our own "falls" and return to Him. So we should thank them for taking that step. We are here because of it. Adam and Eve were some of the noblest of the children of God. They should be revered as such. They chose to partake, willingly, knowing the consquences. God knew what was going to happen. It was all part of His amazing plan to bring us into this world that we may enjoy life here as did Adam and Eve. The "Fall" was only the beginning...

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.