A Day of Honoring Our Fathers

Today has been a pretty amazing day!

Happy Father's Day! 

I must say, I have the BEST dad in the world! He has been such a great example to me in my life and has done all that he can to lead by example. 

"My Father didn't tell me how to live; he lived and let me watch him do it." -Clarence Budington Kelland

He has given me great advice along the way too. My dad is an awesome "fix it up" kinda guy...he is very handy to have around; he is super sarcastic and has a good sense of humor. My dad has taught me so many little things in life: how to check and fill my car/bike tires, how to make my AC work better in my car by using the "central air button", how to properly wash the engine in my car, how to aim straight at a pool ball for a guaranteed pocket (doesn't mean I do it on a regular basis..but he has shown me how), how to enjoy life and laugh at the little things, how to hang things on the wall using a "big mans drill", how to pump my swing, how to solve algebra and chemistry, how to interview for a new job, how to set goals, how to make the gospel the center of my life and live everyday to the fullest with a positive attitude, never giving up...Ever! My dad has taught me so much and I am so blessed to have him.

The whole family came over to celebrate :) We gave dad a package of stuff to do s'mores...and the firepit is on its way (Tuesday to be exact)! It was prefect bc he has wanted one for the backyard and just on Saturday he was discussing where he would put one if he had one! We nailed that one! We had stakes and fresh fruit for dinner, with strawberry shortcake for dessert. It was uhm, uhm delicious!

My church meetings were incredible. The speakers in sacrament meeting spoke on Fathers and what such a celebration really means. Whitney Nilsson brought to it a whole new perspective. She referred to The Book of Mormon and pointed out that in all, except 2, of the books, it starts off mentioning father-son relationships. In fact, this is how the entire Book of Mormon begins...

1 Nephi 1:1 reads,
"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father..."
Nephi had "goodly" parents; I looked this word up and discovered its meaning refers to things such as admirable, respectable, significant, generous, substantial, and excellent. Those are some pretty fantastic qualities to find in a parent! I too can say, I was born or GOODLY parents :)

Here are a few other examples:

2 Nephi 1:1 reads,

"And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of teaching my brethren, our father, Lehi, also spake many things unto them, and rehearsed unto them, how great things the Lord had done for them in bringing them out of the land of Jerusalem."
Lehi reminded his sons of the tender mercies of the Lord. He was there as a guide and showed love even when they staggered off the path. He was an example of enduring to the end and wanted to help his sons see the positive in a bad situation.

Enos 1:1

"Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it—"

Enos's father counseled his son in a righteous way, guiding him along the path of the Lord. He was a "just man" or in other words, he was honorable, honest, righteous, fair, virtuous, & respectable.

Jarom 1:1
"Now behold, I, Jarom, write a few words according to the commandment of my father, Enos, that our genealogy may be kept."

Jarom was faithful and diligent in obeying his father which goes to show that his father was probably respectable. He also knew of the importance of keeping the records, which was a commandment of God, meaning he was righteous as well. 

Words of Mormon 1:1-2
"And now I, Mormon, being about to deliver up the record which I have been making into the hands of my son Moroni, behold I have witnessed almost all the destruction of my people, the Nephites.
"And it is many hundred years after the coming of Christ that I deliver these records into the hands of my son; and it supposeth me that he will witness the entire destruction of my people. But may God grant that he may survive them, that he may write somewhat concerning them, and somewhat concerning Christ, that perhaps some day it may profit them."

Mormon shows great concern and love toward his son, Moroni, and he prays for his safety from such a wicked world. He taught him the gospel and put his trust in him to continue the work. 

Mosiah 1:Heading, 1:3, 1:5-7, 1:18

"King Benjamin teaches his sons (Mosiah, Helorum, & Helaman) the language and prophecies of their fathers—Their religion and civilization have been preserved because of the records kept on the various plates—"...

"And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, saying: My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God."...

"I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct.
"O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.
"And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers."...

"And now, it came to pass that Mosiah went and did as his father had commanded him, and proclaimed unto all the people who were in the land of Zarahemla that thereby they might gather themselves together, to go up to the temple to hear the words which his father should speak unto them."

I want to put the whole first chapter in, but I decided to pull out those that explain best the things that King Benjamin taught his sons. And...the last verse I really like bc it shows Mosiah's relationship toward his father. It was a two way thing and that is extremely important I think. The bond between father and child is so much stronger and much more meaningful when both feel the same way. You should go read the whole chapter, it is a great one! 

3 Nephi 1:2-3

"And Nephi, the son of Helaman, had departed out of the land of Zarahemla, giving charge unto his son Nephi, who was his eldest son, concerning the plates of brass, and all the records which had been kept, and all those things which had been kept sacred from the departure of Lehi out of Jerusalem.
"Then he departed out of the land, and whither he went, no man knoweth; and his son Nephi did keep the records in his stead, yea, the record of this people."

Well, Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there!

-Peanut