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.

A Mother's Love

   In light of this weekend being Mother's Day, I would like to dedicate this blog to mothers, especially mine. A mother's love is so unconditional. Proverbs 1:8 tells us we are to not forsake the "law of thy mother." (see Proverbs 1:8). Unfortunately,  I did this all too often as a teenager (that makes me sound old). I always ended up regretting it. But you know what? She loves me anyway. No matter how many times I fall or mess up, she is right there to comfort me and love me. My mom, Angela, is the best mom in the world. To this day I do not know how she is not in an insane asylum with how me and my 4 younger siblings act sometimes.
    In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni talks about charity:
"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." (Moroni 7:45).
   These is the easiest way I can explain how my mother is. She "suffereth long" because she has 5 kids and we all drive her crazy sometimes. She has unparalleled patience with us. My mother is one of the kindest people I know. She is not envious or puffed up. She is very humble. She never seeks "her own." I always see her doing something for someone else: laundry, making dinner, cleaning, driving kids to school, relief society projects, all these things and never a second to herself. She is definitely not easily provoked. Sometimes I don't know how she doesn't beat me and my siblings. She shows us love and when it is time for discipline, it is done in a loving, constructive manner. My mom is very sensitive to the Spirit. She "thinketh no evil." The Spirit is ever present in our home. She never rejoices in iniquity. I always have seen her doing good for other people. She is a huge reason why our family has a strong Christian foundation. She rejoices in truth. My mom taught us to tell the truth. She showed us the truth by taking us to church and teaching us God's way. She "beareth all things." My mom has endured so much. But she keeps going. No rest for the weary. If she gets 2 hours of sleep, she gets through it. There are mouths to feed, people to take to school/practice, meals to cook. She has superhuman abilities to get through the day, with zero complaints. She "believeth all things." She raised us in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She believes in Christ. She believes in our Heavenly Father and His plan. And she has taught that to us. She "hopeth all things." She has such a bright hope for all of us, her children. She sees the good in everyone. My mom "endureth all things." After all that me and my siblings have put her through, she still loves us. Unconditionally. Sometimes I wonder how in the world she is still walking and not sleeping. My mother is a great example of endurance and love. She is a wonderful exemplar of the Savior's love.
   So if my mom loves me so much after all I have put her through, wow... I can't even comprehend the love my Heavenly Father has for me. If you were lucky enough to grow up with a mother like mine, pray to your Heavenly Father tonight and thank Him profusely for such a great blessing. If perhaps you did not, there is one who will always love you unconditionally and will always have arms wide open for you. Your Heavenly Father. He loves you. His love is perfect. And it's perfect for you. It's perfect for me.