Honor Thy Father

The chapter that I read this week in Successful Marriages and Families was called "Honor Thy Father: Key Principles and Practices in Fathering."

Last week, I read about the importance of mothers, and this week I am now learning the importance of fathers. I love learning about the differences in gender roles, and how husband and wife can work together towards a greater goal. In the talk A Triangle, Three Pillars, and Your Eternal Happiness written by Elder David A. Bednar, he gives a diagram of a triangle with the Jesus Christ, Husband, and Wife on each corner. He says, "imagine a triangle with the savior at the apex and a man and woman at each of the other two corners. Notice what happens to their relationship as they both come unto Christ. At first glance, this may seem a little counter-intuitive. If someone wants to strengthen a relationship, shouldn't they focus on their partner and those interactions rather than a third party? Bringing the Savior and His atoning power into a relationship magnifies everything good in it and allows what is not good to be overcome and changed."



Successful Marriages and Families explains that fathers are directed to take upon themselves the responsibility of spiritual leadership in family life, as part of God's plan for the family function. A father also has the responsibility to preside and occupy the duties that rest upon men in family life, such as working and fixing things around the house. Men are called to exercise spiritual guidance among family members, which is done through love and the constant example of personal spiritual attentiveness that spiritual persuasion can be appropriately exercised.

The reading states, "both boys and girls who have positively involved fathers show higher social competence and experience fewer problems in school. Fathers' generative engagement with children accounts for a significant portion of their education and occupational attainment in young adulthood." Fathers teach their children to be involved positively and actively in spiritual work and ethical work.

"Generative spirituality meaningfully binds a father to his child and inspires him to meet his child's needs through responsible and responsive involvement. Generativity assumes a moral commitment to nurture and guide the next generation and transmit lasting values. Thus, it is linked with presiding in family life and blessing family members through love, warmth, and guidance."