Lesson 20 Class Preparation Material

The Sacred Responsibilities of Fathers

Heavenly Father has appointed to His sons the responsibilities “to preside over their families in love and righteousness and … to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). As you study this lesson, think about how you have been blessed by fathers and other men who have sought to fulfill these sacred responsibilities.

Note: In this lesson, we will focus on the responsibility to protect. The topics of presiding and providing were discussed in previous lessons.

Section 1

How can men pattern their efforts as fathers after Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

While serving in the Relief Society General Presidency, President Linda K. Burton spoke about some challenges that men face:

It must be difficult, at best, for covenant men to live in a world that not only demeans their divine roles and responsibilities but also sends false messages about what it means to be a “real man.” One false message is “It’s all about me.” On the other end of the scale is the degrading and mocking message that husbands and fathers are no longer needed. I plead with you not to listen to Satan’s lies! He has forfeited that sacred privilege of ever becoming a husband or father. Because he is jealous of those who have the sacred roles he will never fill, he is intent on making “all men … miserable like unto himself” [2 Nephi 2:27]! (“We’ll Ascend Together,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 30)

We can withstand false messages about fatherhood by looking to Heavenly Father as the perfect example of righteous fatherhood. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

The perfect, divine expression of fatherhood is our Heavenly Father. His character and attributes include abundant goodness and perfect love. His work and glory are the development, happiness, and eternal life of His children [see Moses 1:39]. Fathers in this fallen world can claim nothing comparable to the Majesty on High, but at their best, they are striving to emulate Him, and they indeed labor in His work. They are honored with a remarkable and sobering trust. (“Fathers,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 94)

We also learn principles of righteous fatherhood from the example of Jesus Christ. When we are spiritually reborn, He becomes the Father of our new life (see Mosiah 5:7; Ether 3:14; Doctrine and Covenants 25:1).

Study in Preparation for Class

During His mortal ministry, the Savior taught His followers about His role as the Good Shepherd. Read John 10:11–15, and think about how the Savior’s example as the Good Shepherd can be compared to the efforts of a righteous father in a family.

Record Your Thoughts

Search for a scripture passage or account that teaches principles of righteous fatherhood from the example of Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ. Record the principles you find, and write about how men can apply these principles in our day. Be prepared to share your thoughts in class.

Section 2

How can being loving and fully present help fathers protect their families?

President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that a father’s responsibility to protect his family includes both physical and spiritual protection:

Fathers are expected by God and His prophets not only to provide for their families but also to protect them. Dangers of all sorts abound in the world in which we live. Physical protection against natural or man-made hazards is important. Moral dangers are also all around us, confronting our children from their early years. Fathers play a vital role in protecting children against such snares. (“The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood,” Ensign, Mar. 2006, 30)

Adding to the ways fathers can protect their children, President Howard W. Hunter taught:

A righteous father protects his children with his time and presence in their social, educational, and spiritual activities and responsibilities. Tender expressions of love and affection toward children are as much the responsibility of the father as the mother. Tell your children you love them. (“Being a Righteous Husband and Father,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 51)

Watch the video “Father’s Day” (2:30), and think about how a father protects his children by doing the things shown in the video.

Being a father who is loving and fully present takes intentional and consistent effort. Consider what you can learn from the following example of President Russell M. Nelson:

My work is to support my wife and my children, not the other way around. … When you’re home, you’re home. Leave the day’s traffic behind. Give them 100 percent of your attention when you’re there. I used to tell myself, “Don’t you walk into that house, Russell, until you can bless the lives of your children and wife.” (In Vivian S. Lee, “Elder Russell M. Nelson, M.D., ’47,” Good Notes (blog), University of Utah Health, Sept. 12, 2014, uofuhealth.utah.edu/notes)

A father’s positive influence on his children can have remarkable effects on their development. For example, research suggests that a loving and involved father can:

• Foster the development of self-respect, self-control, stress tolerance, and sense of gender within his sons and daughters.

• Increase the likelihood of his children being emotionally secure and confident and forming better relationships with others.

• Decrease the prevalence of child poverty, crime, and drug abuse. (See James E. Faust, “Fathers, Mothers, Marriage,” Ensign, Aug. 2004, 3–7; Sarah Keenan, “Elephants, Fathers, and Families,” Ensign, Sept. 2018, 54–58; see also the references cited in these articles.)

The protecting influence of a father is a powerful complement to the essential nurturing influence of a mother. As equal partners in marriage, wives and mothers share in the responsibility to protect their families. Husbands and wives can work and counsel together as they fulfill this sacred duty.

The role of fatherhood and the sacred responsibility to protect apply to all of Heavenly Father’s sons by virtue of their divine eternal nature and destiny. Although men fulfill this responsibility foremost within their immediate family, they can also fulfill this responsibility in other settings. Consider the examples of Jethro with his son-in-law Moses (see Exodus 18) and Helaman with the stripling warriors (see Alma 56–57). What other scriptural examples can you think of?

Ponder in Preparation for Class

In what ways have you been blessed and protected by the love and involvement of a righteous father or father figure in your life?

Section 3

How can divine revelation and priesthood power help fathers protect their families?

From an experience of Joseph of Nazareth, we can learn an important principle about how to protect our families.

Study in Preparation for Class

Read Matthew 2:13–15, and look for what helped Joseph protect the Christ child and Mary from danger.

Revelation can similarly help fathers in our day protect and bless their families. As President Ballard counseled, “Fathers should seek constantly for guidance from the Holy Ghost so they will know what to do, what to say, and also know what not to do and what not to say” (“The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood,” 30).

Men who are covenant-keeping followers of Jesus Christ have another sacred gift they can use to protect their families. Speaking to men, President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about this gift:

You have the power of the priesthood directly from the Lord to protect your home. There will be times when all that stands as a shield between your family and the adversary’s mischief will be that power. (“The Power of the Priesthood,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 9)

President Nelson taught men how they can increase their priesthood power to protect their families:

Make your focus on daily repentance so integral to your life that you can exercise the priesthood with greater power than ever before. This is the only way you will keep yourself and your family spiritually safe in the challenging days ahead. (“We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 69)

Act

Consider writing and sending a note of appreciation to your father or a man who has been a protecting or stabilizing influence in your life.

Want More? (Optional)

Where can I learn more about righteous fatherhood?

Elder Christofferson’s talk “Fathers” (pages 93–97) provides excellent counsel about how to be a righteous, loving father.

Watch the video “Let Us Be Men” (3:11), in which Elder Christofferson shares an account of his father’s Christlike sacrifice for his wife and family.

Watch the inspirational video “A Father Indeed” (7:08), and think about what you can learn from the example of this loving and fully present father.

How can men increase in priesthood power?

In his talk “The Price of Priesthood Power” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 66–69), President Nelson taught about several ways men can increase their priesthood power.