“Of all the titles of respect and honor and admiration that are given to Deity, He has asked us to address Him as Father.” The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

“The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God…”

Romans 8:16

Today my thoughts are on my Heavenly Father and other loving fathers who have influenced my life. On Father’s Day, memories of my own dad are both poignant and sweet. I miss him. I wish, every day, that he was here. I have no doubt that he’s still with me, but I want to see his face. That’s what I miss most of all. The way he looked at me, smiled at me, gave me a sense of true worth; I knew he loved me. That feeling of knowing, having complete trust that I was cherished and valued, helped me understand and trust that I’m loved by my Heavenly Father, as well.

“We know that a young person’s developing concept of God centers on characteristics observed in that child’s earthly parents.” Jeffrey R. Holland

Dad was a gentle man and a gentleman. When I lug the trash cans out on Friday nights, I think of Dad. He used to joke about “a man of his position” taking out the trash, but he was old school and did all kinds of courteous things like that for his wife, his daughters, and many sisters in his ward who were widows or elderly and needed help. He did the heavy lifting, took care of the cars and the yard, and, most importantly, killed the bugs.

Dad loved cars. When my sisters and I were little, he took us for rides in his Spitfire convertible.  The memories are vague, just a happy sense of wind and love and laughter. He let me sit on his lap and drive around the neighborhood sometimes. When I was a teenager, Dad had a Porche 911.  I can’t believe he let me drive that thing when I was learning. It was a manual transmission, and I remember stalling at signals and panicking trying to get it started on a hill.  He was patient and never got worked up about it. After I got my license, he let me drive his VW Rabbit. It overheated on the freeway once, and I didn’t know what to do.  I tried to get to the offramp, drove it too long, and cracked the engine block.  Bye-bye car. He didn’t even get upset with me. It was a huge, expensive mistake, but an innocent one, and he didn’t make me feel worse than I already did.

My dad taught me, by his example, that we can repent and completely change our lives.  The difference in his life, after returning to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when he was nearly forty years old, is a testimony of the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. He became a dedicated follower of the Savior, blessing our home and family with the Priesthood he held and honored.

 “Noble fatherhood gives us a glimpse of the Divine.” James E Faust

One morning, when I was sixteen, my younger sister fell in the shower and had a seizure. Emergency help was summoned, and Mom was with my sister, but Dad had gone to get gas in the car. I was panicked, needing Dad to be there. My first thought was that my sister needed a blessing, and I had to find Dad.  I went out to the front yard just as Dad drove up—to the frightening sight of a fire truck and ambulance parked in front of our house. As he sprinted into the house, I felt secure again. I was so thankful my Dad lived his life worthy to give a Priesthood blessing any time it was needed. My sister was fine, in the end, but there were some other seizures and medications she had to take for a while.  

From the time he turned back to the gospel, until the day he died, Dad worthily exercised the Priesthood. He baptized and confirmed me, my sisters, and my Mom. He gave me many father’s blessings, gave grandchildren blessings, ordained grandsons, escorted grandsons to the temple, and showed all of his family what it looks like to honor the sacred and holy Priesthood of God. For some of them, he was the only example of that in their lives.

Besides my own dad, today I’ve reminisced about the many fathers who’ve influenced our family. When my children were young, their dad sang hymns to them at bedtime. His favorites were “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” and “We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet.” He taught them beautiful sermons with those two hymns. He provided the fun and laughter that kids thrive on. He splashed in the pool, boogied in the kitchen to 80’s tunes, and rode the roller coasters. He wasn’t afraid to be goofy with his kids. He also instilled in them a love for all thing Star Wars. 

My father-in-law just celebrated his ninetieth birthday.  I’ve known him for 35 years and am thankful for the love and influence he’s been to me and my family. He has lovingly and patiently served his wife for over 60 years, sometimes at great personal sacrifice. They recently had to leave their home and relocate to an assisted living facility so his wife could have more help. The residents all love him because he has an unfailingly good attitude, knows each person, including staff, greets them by name, and tells them jokes every day. He’s been a valiant and dedicated servant of God in the church, in the community, and in his family. He’s teaching us all how to endure faithfully to the end. I’m blessed to have him for my second dad in this life, and I’m thankful for the shining example he is to me and all of his posterity.

A bishop is sometimes lovingly referred to as “The Father of the Ward.” Each of our bishops has been a blessing and a faithful representative of our Savior to me and my children. I feel love and gratitude for those men who have guided us through challenging circumstances, repentance processes, and preparation for temple and missions, with love, strength, and dedication. Like a loving father, at times they had to be tough, require a great deal, and push us to be our best, and like a father, they cared for and prayed for us. Our lives are better for the service and sacrifice of these leaders and beloved friends.

“God loves his children more than any earthly parent, so think what your kindness to his children means to him.” Henry B. Eyring

Today, and always, I’m especially thankful for my Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. I’m humbled by this gift of knowing who I am, where I came from, and where I’m going. I have a home to return to, where my loving, perfect Heavenly Parents and Brother are waiting for me. I know I’m a daughter of God, and I believe He will look at me the same way my dad did—with adoration.  

“I believe that every man, woman, and child has felt the call of heaven at some point in his or her life. Deep within us is a longing to somehow reach past the veil and embrace Heavenly Parents we once knew and cherished.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf