Honor Thy Father

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.

I was blessed to be raised by a wonderful father. He was a single dad for a while and he was a very nurturing guy. He recently married his high school sweetheart and continues to be a strong influence in the lives of his children.

I would also not be complete without talking about and praising the father of my children. Though his parenting may not be perfect (whose is?), but he has been a stellar provider and a stable force in the lives of my children. He has always been first (or maybe second) in line to play and help his children.

Fathers play an important role in a child's life. "Involved fathers bless children from the time of birth onward." "Fathers are directed to take upon themselves the responsibility of spiritual leadership in family life as part of a loving Eternal Father's plan for family functioning."  "To father a child is to accept a divine calling, a moral stewardship, and a lasting commitment across generations." Praise should be given to fathers. 

Practices Do Make a Difference

Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God, and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. 

The First Presidency has issued the call to parents "to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles which will keep them close to the church. The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfill its essential functions in carrying forward this God-given responsibility."

These truly are some of my favorite people. I love the fruit that has come from hard work and intentional parenting, though extremely flawed.

The work of parenting is hard and not without a great deal of heartache at times, but this will truly be the most important work we will ever do.