Happy Father's Day to all Fathers, Sons, and Men. We are all fathers in some part of our life. And we all have a Father who loves us. He wants the best for us. He has given us so many tools and guides to help us return to His presence; the scriptures, prophets, prayer, the Holy Ghost, the Atonement, and family, to name a few. On this day I am thankful that Heavenly Father still loves me through all of my imperfections. And I know that He loves you no matter what you have done.
Our Father in Heaven does so much for us. Jeffrey R. Holland spoke in the October 2003 general conference and stated, "That single, riveting scene does more to teach the true nature of God than any theological treatise could ever convey. It also helps us understand much more emphatically that vivid moment in the Book of Mormon allegory of the olive tree, when after digging and dunging, watering and weeding, trimming, pruning, transplanting, and grafting, the great Lord of the vineyard throws down his spade and his pruning shears and weeps, crying out to any who would listen, “What could I have done more for my vineyard?”" This is such a touching insight. Our Father is doing all that He can and all that he asks is for us to follow Him. From someone who has given us everything, what can I do but follow Him. He has given me life. Through Jesus Christ, I get to see Him again. I am so grateful that my Father was willing to let His Only Son take upon the sins of the world and suffer on the cross so that I can experience eternal joy.
The Father wants us to talk to Him. He wants to have a relationship with us. In fact, we cannot gain eternal life without having a relationship with Him. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." Joseph Smith added, "If any man does not know God, and inquires what kind of a being He is, he will realize that he has not eternal life; for there can be eternal life on no other principle." One can develop a relationship with our Heavenly Father through any of the means listed above. He has given us scriptures and prayer as ways to get to know Him better. "Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same" (D&C 1:38).
I know that God lives and is doing everything He can to bring us back to Him. He loves each and every one of us. He knows us. He knows you. He loves you. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I am a child of God,
And He has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with Him someday.
