Fatherhood

Any red-blooded father would throw back his shoulders and say, "I'd give my life for my family," but, dads, are we willing to give up our favorite TV show in the meantime? How about it, dads, are we just a little selfish some-times when it comes to putting first things first? Let's think in terms of the little day-to-day niceties and not so much about the spectacular gesture "some day." Just as surely as night follows the day, no man will ever make the big sacrifice without first the little sacrifices along the way.

Dads, let's not wait for the more convenient time that never seems to come. Give that boy the guidance that only you can give as Heavenly Father intended it. Don't think about the great day way off in eternity sometime when you will give your life. That boy will settle for a few minutes here, and an hour there, and every once in a while perhaps a full day. An unknown poet has said it better than I:

The total companionship of his very own dad.

Games are outgrown, and toys decay, But he'll never forget if you give him a day!"

"What is this gift you will give your boy?

A glamorous game, a tinseled toy,

A whittling knife, a puzzle pack,

A train that runs on a curving track?

A Boy Scout book, a real live pet? 

No, there's plenty of time for such things yet.

Give him a day for his very own-

Just your boy and his dad alone: 

A walk in the woods, a game in the park,

A fishing trip from dawn to dark; 

Give him the gift to thrill any lad

The total companionship of his very own dad.

Games are outgrown, and toys decay, 

But he'll never forget if you give him a day!"

Robert L Simpson, Conference Report April 1964 page 70

Queen in Our Castle

 "Our home can never be any better than our selection and care of the one to be the queen in our castle. This sweet and hopefully eternal companion needs particular attention, for she is so tender and so special. “Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shall cleave unto her and none else” (D&C 42:22)

If you really love her, you are more concerned for her welfare than for that of yourself. Do you see that she has opportunity for her self-improvement? She has the same God-given desire for perfection as you do. A regular day of diversion whereby she may pursue this goal is so vital. But do you know what she wants most from you? Your companionship, your courtesies, and your communication. And least? Your selfishness and silence. Each couple must constantly cultivate the art of communication."

Russell M. Nelson

GC: Oct. 1968 pp. 89-90

Keep Paddling: Lessons in Spiritual Momentum

 Years ago, my wife, Ruth; our daughter, Ashley; and I joined other tourists on a kayaking excursion in the state of Hawaii in the United States. A kayak is a low-to-the-water, canoe-like boat in which the rower sits facing forward and uses a double-bladed paddle to pull front to back on one side and then on the other. The plan was to row to two small islands off the coast of Oahu and back again. I was confident because, as a young man, I had paddled kayaks across mountain lakes. Hubris never bodes well, does it?

Our guide gave us instructions and showed us the ocean kayaks we would use. They differed from the ones I had previously paddled. I was supposed to sit on top of the kayak, instead of down inside it. When I got onto the kayak, my center of gravity was higher than I was accustomed to, and I was less stable in the water.

As we started out, I rowed faster than Ruth and Ashley. After a while, I was far ahead of them. Though proud of my heroic pace, I stopped paddling and waited for them to catch up. A large wave—about 13 centimeters—hit the side of my kayak and flipped me over into the water. By the time I had turned the kayak upright and struggled to get back on top, Ruth and Ashley had passed me by, but I was too winded to resume paddling. Before I could catch my breath, another wave, this one truly enormous—at least 20 centimeters—hit my kayak and flipped me over again. By the time I managed to right the kayak, I was so out of breath I feared I would not be able to climb on top.

Seeing my situation, the guide rowed over and steadied my kayak, making it easier for me to climb on top. When he saw that I was still too breathless to row on my own, he hitched a towrope to my kayak and began paddling, pulling me along with him. Soon I caught my breath and began paddling adequately on my own. He let go of the rope, and I reached the first island without further assistance. Upon arrival, I flopped down on the sand, exhausted.

After the group had rested, the guide quietly said to me, “Mr. Renlund, if you just keep paddling, maintaining your momentum, I think you’re going to be fine.” I followed his advice as we paddled to the second island and then back to our starting point. Twice the guide rowed by and told me I was doing great. Even larger waves hit my kayak from the side, but I was not flipped over.

By consistently paddling the kayak, I maintained momentum and forward progress, mitigating the effect of waves hitting me from the side. The same principle applies in our spiritual lives. We become vulnerable when we slow down and especially when we stop. If we maintain spiritual momentum by continually “rowing” toward the Savior, we are safer and more secure because our eternal life depends on our faith in Him.

Dale G Renlund "The Powerful, Virtuous Cycle of the Doctrine of Christ" April 2024 General Conference