Fathers as Priesthood Leaders in the Home

Stephen Bruington

A young boy, only 8 years old, was facing an emergency operation for acute appendicitis. As he lay on the operating room table, he looked at the surgeon and said, Doctor, before you begin to operate, will you pray for me? The surgeon looked at the boy in amazement and said, Why, I cant pray for you. Then the little fellow said, If you wont pray for me, please wait while I pray for myself. There on the operating table, the boy got on his knees, folded his hands, and began to pray. He said: Heavenly Father, I am only a little orphan boy. I am awful sick, and these doctors are going to operate. Will you please help them that they will do it right? Heavenly Father, if you will make me well, I will be a good boy. Thank you for making me well. He then lay on his back, looked up at the tear-filled eyes of the doctors and nurses, and said, Now I am ready. (Nelson, 2003) We set apart this day from others to recognize and celebrate our fathers. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we realize their position within the Church, the family and as holders of the Holy Priesthood. This particular Fathers Day is unique for me as my second daughter was born less than two weeks ago. I have been waiting for this moment for years and am eternally grateful to be able to share this experience with my wife, Sarah. I was given the Aaronic Priesthood as a young man and the Melchizedek as an older young man; in both cases, my father ordained me. The most important calling given to the sons of God is to be a father. In that role there are unique opportunities to magnify the calling of the Priesthood and receive the subsequent blessings. The role of a father is subject to interpretation (even scrutiny), and changes based on the needs of individual families. In many families the fathers assumes the role of financial and economic provider; getting an education, going to work and enabling his family to grow. A fathers role provides a crucial element in the development of his children. Studies show that children with

involved fathers have an advantage socially and economically over children with distant or no relationships with their dads. (Finello) A father acts as a teacher instructing his children through the ups and downs of life; encouraging them to make good choices. Its not uncommon for children to follow in their fathers footsteps, academically and professionally. Joseph worked with his hands to make things from wood; his son, Jesus Christ, learned from his father the noble trade of carpentry. A father is someone we should feel we can turn to when we need help. Just as our children turn to us for help and guidance, we turn to our fathers for the same. All of us as mortal children of a Heavenly Father have Him to turn to for answers to questions, gratitude for blessings and forgiveness for sins. While we dont have the power or authority to forgive sins, we should create an environment in which our children are comfortable turning to us as they would their Heavenly Father. From the age of twelve, young men are given the opportunity to hold the Priesthood and exercise its power. Each level of the Priesthood increases in responsibility and makes available new blessings. From the Aaronic to the Melchizedek priesthood, young men are taught and instructed how to be servants of the Lord and examples to others. Priesthood callings prepare boys to become men, and men to become fathers. The Lord, our Heavenly Father, set forth a plan that allows His children to act on his behalf on this world and in this life. The power of the Priesthood enables Gods children to come to Him and make promises, or covenants, with Him. Worthy men, acting on his behalf, perform sacred duties like preparing, blessing and passing the sacrament. Young men, holding the office of Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood, have the power and authority to baptize and bring souls to Christ. The Melchizedek Priesthood is available to worthy young men at the age of eighteen. With this Priesthood, and by receiving the requisite keys, sons of our Heavenly Father are able to perform far more sacred acts of service for the Lord. In the temple, men and women are sealed for time and all eternity. This sealing power is made possible by the power of the Priesthood. The opportunity to accept entrance into the Lords kingdom is given to those who have passed through baptisms for the dead. Eternal covenants are made with the Lord, in His house, through endowments.

The Priesthood breathes life into the family at home. Many fathers use their Priesthood authority to serve their family through fathers blessings to their children before starting school, applying for a new job, or healing those who are sick. By using the Priesthood worthily, fathers can look forward to the blessings available to them and their families. With great blessings come great responsibilities, the reverse is also true. Using Priesthood power the lame have walked, the blind made to see, the deaf to hear, even the dead to rise again. Unfortunately, for the little boy on the operating table, he didnt have a father who could have administered a Priesthood blessing. My sister, Laura received a blessing which enabled her to see. Jennifer spent eight weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at that time she received a blessing to which I attribute her successful recovery from an early and traumatic delivery. In the Book of Mormon we read about the blessings the Lord bestows upon each of us when we live righteously and keep his commandments. Mosiah 2:24 reads, And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast? (Mosiah) If we are not worthy, he cannot bless us. Fathers, as Priesthood leaders in the home, it is our duty and responsibility to live up to the calling to bear the Priesthood that has been given to us. For those of us who have made sacred covenants in the House of the Lord, our responsibility is to keep those promises and be an example to our children. Our Savior, Jesus Christ set the greatest example of obedience to the will of God. Our Heavenly Father provided a way for us to return to him. As fathers, we facilitate our childrens return to Him. I appreciate the opportunity I have to be a father. I pray for guidance and direction as I teach my children the principles of the Gospel and encourage them to live worthy to receive the blessings the Lord provides. I know that by following the counsel of our Heavenly Father we all may return to live with him.

I say these things in the name of the Jesus Christ, amen.