In general conference of October 2025, President Dallin H. Oaks said, “Parents, single or married—and others, like grandparents, who fill that role for children—are the master teachers. Their most effective teaching is by example. The family circle is the ideal place to demonstrate and learn eternal values, such as the importance of marriage and children, the purpose of life, and the true source of joy. It is also the best place to learn other essential lessons of life, such as kindness, forgiveness, self-control, and the value of education and honest work” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2025).
Men Are That They Might Have Joy
As I reflect on the life of my earthly father, Robert Anderson Hamilton, I am grateful that he filled those needs in my life.
When I was sixteen, my dad and I shared double bathroom sinks - me grooming my hair for seminary, and Dad shaving in the other sink, preparing for a day of teaching. I looked forward to our early morning visits. In my mind’s eye, he was the kindest, most handsome, wisest man ever. One morning while whistling and shaving, he spontaneously quoted 2 Nephi 2:25: “Men are, that they might have JOY (emphasis added)”, and then he added with great enthusiasm, “and I am going to have that JOY!” And he DID! That was one of his life’s mantras.
As a little girl, I knew my father loved being a dad. He played with us, worked with us, taught us, laughed with us, and, in doing so, created many happy memories. When he worked as a beet field man for the Canadian Sugar Factory, I loved being his traveling companion. We crisscrossed the Lethbridge Northern area in our little blue Volkswagen as we checked sugar beets, all the while reciting poetry, singing, and laughing together.
A year later, while attending Utah State University, Dad worked part-time at Nelson’s Funeral Home, and we lived in the upstairs apartment. Frugality was a necessity. When winter arrived, our creative dad found a cast-off six-foot-by-two-foot metal sign, flipped it over, attached a rope, and presto! We had a perfect toboggan that flew down the Old Main hill faster than any store-bought sled.
A Wise Father Puts Family First
I learned something about setting priorities when I was only eight years old. Dad was a brand-new teacher and was coaching the Winston Churchill Bulldogs high school basketball team in Lethbridge, Alberta. The big game against the crosstown rival, the LCI Rams, was scheduled for the same evening as my first Primary daddy-daughter date. I remember overhearing my parents' discussion about the conflict, but there was no question in his mind where he would be. I dressed in my prettiest party dress, and he donned his Sunday suit. Hand in hand, we went to the church and played fun party games at the Primary event. Following that memorable evening together, we zipped over to the high school, where he coached the remainder of the basketball game. That sweet memory is a profound testimony to me of my dad’s priorities.
Our dad lived and loved the first and second great commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)
The Power of Example
As he served his eternal family, his ward family, and his extended community families, he exemplified the Savior, his perfect role model. He faithfully went home teaching, cleaned the church, worked at the Church farm, washed dishes after ward parties, and also quietly went about giving spontaneous service. He rototilled gardens, jack-hammered concrete steps, helped renovate homes, and visited lonely friends. During the winter, his snow shovel was stored in his car trunk and was used regularly. His work ethic was tireless and nothing short of inspiring. Dad’s example made me want to work harder and to serve more. His radiant, contagious smile was certainly a result of his understanding that, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17)
June 25, 1953, was the happiest day of my father’s life. He was sealed in the Cardston Alberta Temple to his beautiful bride, Patricia Maude McCormack, from Toronto. His promise to make the yearly trip across Canada to visit her family was fulfilled, and we were all grateful to make memories with our Ontario relatives.
The Best Thing A Father Can Do For a Child is to Love Their Mother
Dad and Mom loved their home and garden and spent the spring and summer months manicuring their yard, finding so much joy in doing so together. Dad was a master gardener, and every corner was tended to- whether it was apples, raspberries, strawberries, currants, rhubarb, peonies, sweet peas, daisies, trolius, or a myriad of other perennials. Blossoms, brilliant colors, and fragrant aromas filled the garden. It was their own little Garden of Eden! Frequently, Dad would pick a bouquet, present it to Mom, and say, “Every day I bring thee flowers!” He found so much joy in being her husband and loved giving her simple gifts, like these homegrown bouquets. The dozens of love poems he wrote to Mom always brought tears to her eyes, and to ours as well.
Our dad loved the gospel of Jesus Christ. He found great joy serving in the temple and lived his temple covenants every day. His well-worn scriptures, especially The Book of Mormon, were a testament to his commitment to strive to live like the Savior, “after the manner of happiness” (2 Nephi 5:27).
I was extremely blessed to have a father who nurtured and loved me for 61 years of my life. Sadly, he passed away in 2015.
Men are that they might have JOY, and Robert Anderson Hamilton DID find that JOY… EVERY DAY. He determined to do so by following the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ.