Father's Day

Today is Father’s Day. And, while I hope that I let my father (and the world) know how grateful I am for him on a more frequent basis then once a year on a dedicated holiday, I still think it’s a great opportunity to acknowledge the role he plays in my life. In truth, I’ve probably always been more of a momma’s girl, but, I cannot recall ever doubting that my daddy loved me. And, I am so grateful for years of memories we have made together.

I have vague recollections of flying a kite with Dad, and of learning how to ride my bike. When I was in seventh grade and looking for more books to devour, my dad suggested I try reading The Hobbit. He’d read that and the Lord of the Rings series when he was a growing up, and thought I might like them. He was right, and I read all four books. Then, the movies started coming out and Lord of the Rings kind of became “our thing.” One year for Christmas he bought me the boxed book set, and I bought us tickets to the movie. The next year for Christmas, he bought us tickets to the movie and we went together again. My dad was never as big on reading as I am, but because of me, he also read the Harry Potter series. I don’t know if he realizes how much it means to me that he read those books so that he could try and connect with me, since I didn’t really do the soccer thing he and my siblings did.

My dad also taught me how to fish, and to love the Windrivers. He taught me to work hard, and let me know that he’d always support me in what I wanted to do, and that as long as I was giving 100% and doing my best, I’d done a great job. While Mom did some of the work, Dad was the one who really taught me to drive. On foggy Saturday mornings, we’d drive up the Ogden canyon to Morgan, and then turn around and come back home, all because I had to get my freeway hours in, but was scared to drive on busy I-15. It’s also his fault that I love Christmas lights, and that I’m really pick about not just what goes on my Christmas tree, but where exactly it’s placed.

But I think what I’m most grateful for is that he taught me to love the Lord, and that he raised me as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He didn’t just teach me by word, but also by deed. I never doubted that my dad, (and my mom), knew the Church was true. When I was a child, I leaned on their testimonies while they taught me how to develop my own. My family, and the gospel, are the two most important things in my life, and I wouldn’t be who I was today without either one of them.

Lately, there has been quite a bit of talk about the Church and various doctrines and some people who think that Church leaders need to “get with the times” so to speak. I’ve kind of voiced my opinions on the issues being discussed once before on this blog, so I don’t want to go into too much detail, but I do want to say a couple of things:

I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ’s church on the earth today. I know it was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and that the priesthood authority he received is still on the earth today. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the Lord’s chosen prophet to lead the Church today and that his councilors and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are also prophets, seers, and revelators. Through them, Christ leads His church today. I believe that their words are His words. I love and firmly believe in The Family: A Proclamation to the World. I believe that “marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children,” and that “Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.”

As a woman in the Church, I have never been made to feel inferior or unworthy. Instead, I constantly feel the love of our leaders as they talk about the importance of women and the impact we can have on individuals, our families, the Church, and the world. They are continually speaking of our goodness, and our potential, and of the great necessity for righteous women in the world today. I do not understand everything about the priesthood, but I do know that just because I can’t be ordained to an office, doesn’t mean I don’t have access to its power or that I am a second-class citizen in my religion.

I also know that this church is not a democracy. It is a kingship, with Christ as its head, and this church is run by Him. Doctrine is not decided or changed on the whims of priesthood leaders, and will not be changed according to the opinions and demands of individuals or society at large. While I may not understand all the reasoning behind the doctrines and principles of the Church, I do know who is at the head of it, and I know that I have made covenants to honor and sustain my leaders. I trust them, I trust the Lord, and I trust that one day I will understand all these things. Until that day, I am and will be forever grateful that I know that God speaks to His people today, just as He always has. And I know that when I have questions I can turn to him in prayer and faith.

I know that I can receive personal revelation, and that God cares about me as an individual. Ten years ago on Father’s Day I received my patriarchal blessing. I do not read it as often as I should, but I have read it many times. It has offered me comfort and encouragement when I have been going through trials or simply having a tough day. It makes me want to be a better person so that I can live up to His faith in me and be worthy of promised blessings. Reading it has always strengthened my testimony of the fact that I have a Father in Heaven. That He knows who I am. That He knows me by name, that He loves me, that He believes in me, and that He has a plan for me and my life. It helps me know that as long as I am striving to do my best, He will make up the difference. It reminds me that all He wants for me is to be able to return home to live with him and my family for eternity.

So today, I am grateful for my dad. I am grateful for his love and all that he has taught me. I am especially grateful that he has taught me about my Heavenly Father. I am so grateful that as a kid I learned to sing, “I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-day Saints. I know who I am, I know God’s plan, I’ll follow Him in faith” and that my parents did their best to teach me what that meant.

I hope that this post has come across as one of love and of faith, and if not I apologize for my imperfections. I still have so much to work on to become the person I’m meant to be, but I am grateful for everyone who has played a part in who I am, and in my desire to be better.