But here it is...timely advice for fathers from General Conference just over a week ago. These are based on my notes as I listened to each message. I went back to the actual talks to get the quotes and I've added some of my own commentary to a couple of them. I'm sure there was more that I did not include here. I welcome your additions and comments. Enjoy!
ELDER PERRY
"...In the latter days the adversary succeeds when we relax our commitment to the Savior... Parents, now is the time to teach our children to be examples of the believers by attending sacrament meeting. When Sunday morning arrives, help them to be well rested, properly dressed, and spiritually prepared to partake of the emblems of the sacrament and receive the enlightening, edifying, ennobling power of the Holy Ghost. Let your family be filled with love as you honor the Sabbath all day long"
SISTER STEVENS
Quoting Elder M. Russell Ballard on the admonition to “behold your little ones” she said "To me that means that we should embrace them with our eyes and with our hearts; we should see and appreciate them for who they really are: spirit children of our Heavenly Father, with divine attributes” then she added "One of our beautiful Primary songs teaches this truth: God gave us families To help us become what He wants us to be"
ELDER COOK
In a wonderful homage to the women of the church and referring to the early women pioneers, he said "I believe the women of the Church today meet that challenge and are every bit as strong and faithful. The priesthood leadership of this Church at all levels gratefully acknowledges the service, sacrifice, commitment, and contribution of the sisters." I think as fathers and husbands we'd do well in likewise honoring our wives as equal partners. I think that will make us better fathers.
PRESIDENT EYRING
Speaking of our need to teach children to do good to others, he said... "Wise parents see in every need of others a way to bring blessings into the lives of their sons and daughters."
ELDER MAYNES
Speaking on how to establish Christ-centered homes, he said "It is difficult to overstate the importance parents have in teaching their children celestial traditions through word and example." Then he shared an analogy his grandson used in a talk to compare a family strength wi a rope; he said “Families can be like ropes. When only one person is working hard and doing what is right, the family will not be as strong as when everyone is putting forth the effort to help each other."
ELDER OAKS
Speaking on the importance of "desire" he said... "Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. The desires we act on determine our changing, our achieving, and our becoming." Then he told the story of Aron Ralston who after having his right arm trapped for five days under a 800 pound rock "...was about to give up and accept death, he had a vision of a three-year-old boy running toward him and being scooped up with his left arm. Understanding this as a vision of his future son and an assurance that he could still live, Ralston summoned the courage and took drastic action to save his life before his strength ran out" he cut his arm off and walked five miles for help. What are we willing to do when our wife and children are upper most in our desires?
ELDER ANDERSON
"Missionary service is a spiritual work. Worthiness and preparation are essential. President Monson has said: “Young men, I admonish you to prepare for service as a missionary. Keep yourselves clean and pure and worthy to represent the Lord.” In the years prior to your mission, please remember the sacred assignment ahead of you. Your actions before your mission will greatly influence the priesthood power you bring with you into the mission. Prepare yourself well." I believe we have a sacred duty to help our sons prepare now.
ELDER GIBSON
After telling the story of his sons taking care of multiplying rabbits he said... "But my heart was touched as I saw my son and his brothers watch over and protect those rabbits. And now, as husbands and fathers, they are worthy priesthood holders who love, strengthen, and watch over their own families." Then he went onto talk about how YM can prepare to serve faithfully to watch over others. Again, we have a sacred duty to help our sons now! One suggestion: work on DTG together with them. It's a great experience.
PRESIDENT UCHTDORF
After asking us to ponder the question "Are we living below our privileges?" he said... "The holy priesthood of God also has an owner’s manual. Let us commit to reading the scriptures and handbooks with more purpose and more focus. Let us begin by rereading sections 20, 84, 107, and 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants. The more we study the purpose, potential, and practical use of the priesthood, the more we will be amazed by its power, and the Spirit will teach us how to access and use that power to bless our families, our communities, and the Church."
PRESIDENT MONSON
Speaking to husbands and future husbands, he said... "Priceless advice comes from a small framed plaque I once saw in the home of an uncle and aunt. It read, “Choose your love; love your choice.” There is great wisdom in those few words. Commitment in marriage is absolutely essential." Then he added a quote by President Hunter "Being happily and successfully married is generally not so much a matter of marrying the right person as it is being the right person.” I like that. “The conscious effort to do one’s part fully is the greatest element contributing to success.”
BISHOP BURTON
After quoting the dying wish of his great-great grandfather to "Be kind to the poor" he added "The work of caring for one another and being “kind to the poor” is a sanctifying work, commanded of the Father and divinely designed to bless, refine, and exalt His children." This made me reflect on how well my children are learning this principle and of what I need to improve.
PRESIDENT MONSON
"To you parents of young children, may I share with you some sage advice from President Spencer W. Kimball. Said he: “It would be a fine thing if … parents would have in every bedroom in their house a picture of the temple so [their children] from the time [they are] infant[s] could look at the picture every day [until] it becomes a part of [their lives]. When [they reach] the age that [they need] to make [the] very important decision [concerning going to the temple], it will have already been made.” ~What wonderful advice. I have some rooms to decorate!
ELDER SCOTT
How about this for a checklist for a successful marriage?
- Are you faithful to your spouse mentally as well as physically?
- Are you loyal to your marriage covenants by never engaging in conversation with another person that you wouldn’t want your spouse to overhear?
- Are you kind and supportive of your spouse and children?
- Do you lead out in family activities such as scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening, or does your wife fill in the gap your lack of attention leaves in the home?
- Do you tell your wife often how very much you love her?
ELDER ROBBINS
He gave an excellent talk about parenting! Here is just a short quote but we'd all do well in reviewing the entire talk. He said... "The most important way to teach to be is to be the kind of parents to our children that our Father in Heaven is to us. He is the one perfect parent, and He has shared with us His parenting manual—the scriptures."
ELDER HOLLAND
"As our conference comes to a close, I ask you to reflect in the days ahead not only on the messages you have heard but also on the unique phenomenon that general conference itself is” ~May we as fathers lead our families in reflecting on such timely messages and lead in taking action and putting the prophets' words to the test.
PRESIDENT MONSON
Another timely reminder about doing something as a result of conference... "As we receive the issues of the Ensign and Liahona magazines which will contain these messages in written form, may we read and study them."
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