This talk is mostly presented as an outline.
Talk 6/15/2025. Positive influence men can provide to children and youth
Fathering is not something that perfect men do but something that perfect's the man.
Song from "Working" "Fathers and Sons."
I was your hero then
I couldn't do no wrong, as far as you were concerned
You thought I was the best of men
The tables hadn't turned
You hadn't learned
How little time it takes
And daddies make mistakes
Lessons from my children:
Billy Boy: A time to Grieve
Natalia: Persistence wins
Mark: Importance of being a father: Hook: Happy spot
When I was young and you were not so old
You whispered Spanish in my ear when we
Stopped by a road's edge. My hand found its hold
In your most calming hand that seemed to me
Secure as any fortress in the world.
Our ears perked, eyes turned right then left to see
that all was safe beyond where pavement curled
Around a thick, shadowing maple tree.
When all was safe, no danger to be found,
We anxiously stepped and soon would be
Beyond the road to fields and playing ground,
The promised place where I had longed to run free.
You are the man in whom I see my God.
Few boys were better taught or so well shod.
Jeremy: Through practice you can overcome
Charity: How to love unconditionally
Miranda: The little things are important Tony’s birthday
Caleb: Have faith: Music Man
Tony: Have a good time
Foster babies: bonding is real
D. Todd Christopherson Fathers April 2016
study together
D&C 68
25 And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.
28 And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.
Alma 39 15-16: “Behold, I say unto you, that it is [Christ] that surely shall come … ; yea he cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto his people.
“And now, my son, this was the ministry unto which ye were called, to declare these glad tidings unto this people, to prepare their minds; or rather … that they may prepare the minds of their children to hear the word at the time of his coming.”
D. Todd Chfistopherson, “The Lord expects fathers to help shape their children, and children want and need a model.”
Respect and discipline: Learn names of youth
Discipline
D&c 121
41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
Play together
soccer, baseball, football
musicals—Oakland Temple pageant
Love their mother
Loving the mother of his children—and showing that love—are two of the best things a father can do for his children.
Honor your parents
To all the rising generation, we say, wherever you rank your own father on the scale of good-better-best (and I predict that ranking will go higher as you grow older and wiser), make up your mind to honor him and your mother by your own life.
Temple and family history. Know your story
Ross Park family reunion
Dad and handcart stories
Sealing power
sealings with daughter
Handcart play
Telling stories, sharing pictures
