About 40 years ago, officials at a national park and game reserve in South Africa were faced with a growing elephant problem. The population of African elephants had grown larger than the park could sustain. Since there was no way for the large adult elephants to be relocated, it was determined that only the young elephants would be moved to another reserve, and some of the adult elephants would be culled to control the population.
The problem was solved—or so it seemed. Twenty years later, the rangers at the other game reserve began to notice that some of the animals living at the reserve were being injured or killed. When the rangers placed hidden cameras around the reserve to find the culprit, they discovered that it was not poachers who were killing these animals but the juvenile elephants. The young males were abnormally aggressive, terrorizing the other animals in the park, and charging humans and tourist vehicles.
The rangers ultimately concluded that the cause of the elephants’ unusual and troubling behavior was the lack of a role model—in particular, a father. In normal circumstances, the bull elephants would model behavior for their young, helping them understand how an elephant was supposed to act. Without that guidance, the young elephants became violent and uncontrollable.( See “The Delinquents: A Spate of Rhino Killings,” CBS News, Aug. 22, 2000, cbsnews.com.)
The Gospel View of Fathers
Of course, elephants and people are different, but this account does highlight an important gospel principle—the father is a vital cornerstone of the family.
“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” states that fathers have the particular responsibility “to preside over their families in love and righteousness”; work together “as equal partners” with their wives; and “rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens” (Ensign, Nov. 2010).
President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) counseled fathers, saying: “You have a serious responsibility to assume leadership in working with your children. You must help create a home where the Spirit of the Lord can abide” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson, “The Sacred Callings of Fathers and Mothers,” (2014), 196).
Exemplar and Guardian
Whether they are aware of it or not, many boys learn what it means to be a man from observing their fathers. If a father is rude, dismissive, or abusive, his sons are more likely to develop a rude, dismissive, or abusive attitude, particularly with their future spouse and children. If a father demonstrates love and respect toward others and shows a pattern of service in the home, sons will more likely show respect to others and put an increased emphasis on service.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson recently taught, “Perhaps the most essential of a father’s work is to turn the hearts of his children to their Heavenly Father. If by his example as well as his words a father can demonstrate what fidelity to God looks like in day-to-day living, that father will have given his children the key to peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come” (“Fathers,” Ensign, May 2016).
A father’s example is particularly important in inspiring sons to be active and worthy priesthood holders. Consider the powerful influence a father can have in teaching his son the purpose of the priesthood and what it means to righteously exercise it. The nature and importance of priesthood blessings, covenants, and callings become clearer to young men as their fathers guide and teach them.
Fathers are role models not just for their sons but for their daughters as well. Elaine S. Dalton, former Young Women General President, advised fathers: “You are your daughter’s guardian in more than the legal sense. Be present in your daughter’s life. Let her know your standards, your expectations, your hopes and dreams for her success and happiness. …Help her understand the importance of education. Help her understand that the principle of modesty is a protection. Help her choose music and media that invite the Spirit and are consistent with her divine identity. Be an active part of her life” (Elaine S. Dalton, “Love Her Mother,” Ensign, Nov. 2011).
As I was growing up, my father’s loving example taught me about the power of the priesthood and the importance of finding a righteous spouse. I clearly remember the comfort and peace I felt whenever a father’s blessing or blessing of healing was given to me. I remember the way my father treated my mother and served our family. I remember the time my father spent with my siblings and me: reading books out loud or playing with us in the backyard. Even when he had callings or work that required a great deal of his time, my father always found moments to attend soccer games and track meets, talk with us about our lives, and teach us about the gospel. When I started dating in college, I tried to find someone who showed the same dedication, respect, and commitment to the gospel that my father displayed, and my search led me to a wonderful husband.
Father Figures
In the South African game reserve, the solution to the delinquent elephants was to send in male bull elephants, weighing close to 13,000 pounds (6,000 kg), in specially designed trucks. As soon as these males arrived, the younger elephants’ violent behavior stopped completely. Although these bull elephants were not their literal parents, they were still able to provide an example that the younger elephants could emulate.
Likewise, there are some Church members who have not had fathers present in their lives due to death, abandonment, divorce, or a number of other circumstances. In these cases, various blessings associated with having a father can still be present in their lives through mentors and role models that may include grandfathers, uncles, stepfathers, priesthood leaders, and other worthy men. Even more importantly, members with distant, absent, or abusive fathers can be comforted by the knowledge that “we all have a Father in whom we can trust and to whom we can turn for comfort and counsel. He is our Heavenly Father” (Kenneth Johnson, “We All Have a Father in Whom We Can Trust,” Ensign, May 1994). Regardless of our circumstance, we can always turn to Him.
Conclusion
Our Heavenly Father has set a high standard for fatherhood, one that all fathers and father figures will fall short of in this life. Fatherhood is difficult. It exposes faults and weaknesses and requires sacrifice. But, as fathers show love to their families, teach their children the gospel, and follow the example that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have set, they can become a cornerstone of strength within their families and an example of righteousness for their posterity. They can become worthy of the divine title of “Father.”