On Becoming a Righteous Priesthood Holder, Husband and Father--PART II

Last week, we talked about Elder Bradford's three domains, areas in which priesthood holders are and can become "the governing ones." They were The Individual, The Family, and The Institutional Church. Elder Bradford laid it out plainly, exhorting the brethren of the Church to lay aside slothful things, and take hold of those things that last more than a lifetime. If the brethren of the Church always have a heart to serve others, I think that this becomes a reality. Laying aside pride, they look outward before looking inward, taking no thought beforehand for temporal conveniences and amenities (see Matt 6: 25, 31, 34). That should be a measure of a "governing one."

Another measure should be this selflessness as applied to the family setting. Priesthood and families go hand in hand, as neither can receive their full potential without the other. In the talk entitled “For Whatsoever a Man Soweth, That Shall He Also Reap” by Elder L. Tom Perry, we learn what we can put in to receive positive outcomes, foremost among these having a righteous, happy family in the midst of today's world. He gave this talk in 1980, and seemed to have an urgent tone as he described the spiritual stressors that families face. How more salient, then, is it for us to be proactive thirty years later! Here are some strategies that Elder Perry put on the table:

"If I were cast again in the role of having a young family around me, I would be determined to give them more time. I would try to see that the special times the Church has encouraged me to spend with my family were now strictly followed and properly organized to be more productive.

"With the change in the Sunday[referring to when Sunday meetings were changed to a three-hour block] program, I believe I would alter the format of the special weekly family times we have together. Since most of the children in the world today will never have the privilege of being taught and trained in a traditional family home, I would be determined to make certain that my children were not denied this privilege. I would want them to have the best possible experience of seeing a family that really works. Eternal families don’t 'just happen.' To enjoy this greatest of all gifts, we must earn it through our accomplishments here in mortality.

"First, I would be certain that sufficient time was calendared each week for a family executive committee meeting to plan family strategy. The executive committee, composed of a husband and wife, would meet together to fully communicate, discuss, plan, and prepare for their leadership role in the family organization.

"Second, I would make the family home evening times on Monday night a family council meeting where children were taught by parents how to prepare for their roles as family members and prospective parents. Family home evening would begin with a family dinner together, followed by a council meeting, where such topics as the following would be discussed and training would be given: temple preparation, missionary preparation, home management, family finances, career development, education, community involvement, cultural improvement, acquisition and care of real and personal property, family planning calendars, use of leisure time, and work assignments. The evening could then be climaxed with a special dessert and time for parents to have individual meetings with each child.

"Third, Saturday would be a special activity day divided into two parts: first, a time for teaching children the blessings of work, how to care for and improve the home, the yard, the garden, the field; second, a time for family activity, to build a family heritage of things you enjoy doing together.

"Fourth, Sunday would become the special day in each week. Careful preparation would precede the three-hour worship service time at the chapel. The family would arrive at church rested, relaxed, and spiritually prepared to enjoy the meetings together. The balance of the day would be spent in a climate of spiritual uplift. We would dress to fit the occasion—boys in something somewhat better than levis and T-shirts, girls in comfortable, decent dresses, not in shorts or slacks. It would be a time for our family scripture study, genealogical research, personal journals, family histories, letter writing, missionary contacts, and visits to extended family, to friends, and to shut-ins.(Ensign, Nov 1980, 7)"

On becoming a righteous husband and father, I posit (without any authority to do so) that it is work, just like anything else that is good. It is listening to the success of others, and implementing counsel of leaders, and applying it to your specific situation. But above all, it is love, service, and obedience. Since Elder Perry's talk in 1980, the Brethren gave us another way-point by which we might steer our families toward righteous living and happiness. Here is an excerpt from "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" that I found particularly poignant:

HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3 [Ps. 127:3]). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

Every time I read this, I am amazed at how bold and straightforward the words are. I know that this document was inspired of God, and that it was revealed at a time in which we would need the words to strengthen our families from the ever more sophisticated buffetings of the adversary. These are words that I stand by as I look to the future, as I look to take my place as one of the Lord's "governing ones." The family and the priesthood are the system of the Lord. Make no mistake about it. I also know that if we violate the laws by which the system is set, we will have to face God for an accounting of our actions.

With that said, next week I plan to write on how to synthesize these ideas. In my experience, man is much more effective when "anxiously engaged" (D&C 58: 27), rather than vacillating in fear of failure. But for today, as priesthood holders, I hope we may fully understand the scope of our calling. I hope, as well, that for the sisters out there, that you may fully understand the scope of your calling in reference to that of the priesthood.

Have a great week!!