Father's Day

I love Father's Day!!!  Why?  Because its a day to celebrate the heroes in my life.

- my own dad
- my handsome husband
- Father-in-law
- Ancestors
- Founding Fathers

I actually got to speak in church on Father's day about these very people standing in holy places. Below is an abbreviated talk.

But before church, we gave Joseph his presents.  I love to buy tools, so that's what he gets every single holiday.  Thankfully, he likes them!  But this time, I heard of the Bionic Wrench - an adjustable wrench that can replace 14 different sizes of sockets.  Cool - in theory.  Joseph put it to use right away.  literally.

Needless to say, the fun thing was return the next day as it didn't fit snug enough to the bolts.  Good thing that he LOVED his 44 piece screw driver set.  :)

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My talk titled "Fathers Standing in Holy Places" based on the scripture found in the Doctrine and Covenants 87:8, Stand ye in holy places and be not moved for the day of the Lord cometh quickly, thus saith the Lord. Amen.

STAND

Fifty-six men signed a document on August 2, 1776.  These Founding Fathers pledged their lives! If the Revolution had failed, if their fight had been ruined, they would have been hanged as traitors.  They pledged their fortunes and their sacred honor.  John Adams said, “All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope, in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it; and I leave off as I begun, that live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration.  It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment, Independence, now and INDEPENDENCE FOREVER.”

John Adams and fifty-five others knew the importance of standing for what they knew to be right.  And because of their courage and boldness, we have the rich blessings of opportunities of being Americans today.  President Woodruff declared that “those men who laid the foundation of this American government and signed the Declaration of Independence were the best spirits the God of heaven could find on the face of the earth.”

I hope today, in the year 2014, we can be known as the BEST spirits the God of heaven could find on the face of the earth.  We can do that as we “stand (there’s that word again) as a witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.”  (Mosiah 18:9)

HOLY PLACE

What kinds of places are holy places?

Visit to Boston to see the Library and the Marathon finish line.  Saw cool things.  Finished our day at the temple with a picnic.  FREEZING that day.  While the others left to eat lunch, I stayed in the car to take care of KateLyn.  A handsome father came back for something, and when asked what they were talking about out there, he answered, “Flowers.  The temple.  Good stuff.”

This Father’s Day, I am grateful to the father of my children for teaching them the importance of the temples because of the blessings of POWER, PROTECTION, and PEACE that comes from these sacred buildings.  Even at young ages, Avannie and Sadie love the temple.  They feel something different.  Even in the freezing day, it was still the highlight.

But there are more HOLY PLACES.  – and sometimes they aren’t necessarily a physical place but a moment in time and experience that strengthens us.

I asked my dad what his holy places are in his life and maybe from his past.  His answers to me were profound.  I challenge you to ask your parents about their holy places and see what you learn.  One of my dad’s responses was this:  

There is a small spot of carpet behind our easy chair that I consider holy ground.  Each of our houses have had one like it.  That spot took on special meaning the night before a marriage [of a daughter or the night before school start, or whenever the need arises.]   Being able to bless our family with the power of the priesthood.

Kent was traveling across the country.  Found his brother in the corridors.  Out of the corner of his eye, a golf cart was coming toward him.  As the cart neared, everything seemed to stand still.  In the cart was President Howard W. Hunter, the prophet.  Papa Ure’s words describing that moment it was a strong, calming enveloping spirit – despite being in such a busy airport. 

So what is your holy place?  Where do you go?  What moment of your past can you reflect upon during your storms of turmoil and find peace?

And Be NOT Moved

Last example:  A father from the Book of Mormon who never gave up on his son.  This is the prophet Alma.  But before becoming a father, he was one of the wicked priest of King Noah.  Mosiah 16:2 says, “But there was one among them whose name was Alma.  He was a young man and he believed the word of Abinidi had spoken…  And he (Alma) did plead with the king to suffer Abinidi to depart in peace.”

Alma was changed that day.  He knew that he heard the words of God.  And he did not waiver in this new conversion of his heart, despite the wicked peers around him. 

Do we have peer around us who don’t have the same standard as we have?

·         At the gym, do we join the other women in the gossip circles or crude music in the classes?

·         At school, do you use vulgar language to try to fit in? or justify cheating on a test to get a better grade?

·         At work, do you dilly dally around the internet when your employer is expecting an honest day’s work?

All around us, peer pressure is against us.  Elder Holland said in last conference:

“Friends, especially my young friends, take heart.  Pure Christlike love flowing from true righteousness can change the world.  Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them.   A long history of voices of prophets, including Thomas S. Monson, point you toward the path of Christian discipleship.  It is a straight path, and it is a narrow path without a great deal of latitude at some points, but it can be thrillingly and successfully traveled, “with steadfastness in Christ, a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and all men.”  In courageously pursuing such a course, you will forge unshakable faith, you will find safety against ill winds that blow, even shafts in the whirlwind, and you will feel the rock like strength of our Redeemer, upon whom if you build your [holy place] you cannot fall.”

In Closing

I hope we can stand with courage, as our Founding Fathers did, when we defend what we know to be right.

I pray that each of us can recognize our moments in our pasts or physical locations that have become our holy places and share those with our family members to help strengthen them.

And I know that if we are not moved when the world around us pushes against our testimonies that we can feel the love of our Savior as He is ready to be our anchors in the storms of affliction. 

I know that Jesus Christ lives and the He has come to this earth to redeem us of our sins and shortcomings so that we may be able to return to Heavenly Father’s presence one day.