Fathers

In a General Conference talk given by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, titled Fathers, there are several great points brought up. He starts his message by saying, “I speak today of fathers. Fathers are fundamental in the divine plan of happiness, and I want to raise a voice of encouragement for those who are striving to fill well that calling. To praise and encourage fatherhood and fathers is not to shame or discount anyone. I simply focus today on the good that men can do in the highest of masculine roles—husband and father. -- As a Church, we believe in fathers. We believe in “the ideal of the man who puts his family first.” We believe that “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.” We believe that in their complementary family duties, “fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.” We believe that far from being superfluous, fathers are unique and irreplaceable.”

This week my class discussion was on Fathers and Finance. In research at the beginning of the semester we saw how the data showed that not having a father in the home really does have an effect on the children. I think that it is important to talk about the role that fathers have because in the world, men are stepping back in their responsibilities because they don’t know what their role is. 

In class we talked about men from the beginning of time. We looked at the lives of Adam, Noah, Job, Abraham, and King David. All of these men were fathers. They worked hard and their work was done with their wives and children. It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that fathers really left their homes to go to work. Most men then were away from their families for at least 60 hours a week. So how did that change the family dynamic?

The family dynamic changed because the mom now was playing the role of mom and dad most of the time. That put a lot of stress on the wife/mother. Home life comes with all of the woman's responsibility. When the father is home, everyone feels more secure, safe, and complete. The father can bring the fun, level-headedness, and leadership into a home. 

From my own experience, I have had my father in the home for the majority of my life. There was only about a year that he had to work several hours from home. During that time there was an added stress to our home environment. I feel very blessed that my dad was around to help out in the home. 

I think it has been mentioned in other weeks, but husband and wife should be a team. They can do this by making inspired decisions. Several people in my class who have been married, so not long and some for 20+ years, made comments about how making inspired decisions is so important. Both the mother and the father should seek to receive inspiration for their family. 

In conclusion I want to end with another part of Elder Christofferson’s talk, “To my brethren, the fathers in this Church, I say, I know you wish you were a more perfect father. I know I wish I were. Even so, despite our limitations, let us press on. Let us lay aside the exaggerated notions of individualism and autonomy in today’s culture and think first of the happiness and well-being of others. Surely, despite our inadequacies, our Heavenly Father will magnify us and cause our simple efforts to bear fruit.”