I asked the children what they would like, more than anything else in the world, right now. Two handsome young men and a beautiful girl sat beside their father and mother. He called for his wife and three children to join us. We exchanged a Latin abrazo and entered into his lovely little home. I am Elder Hammond, one of His servants.” I approached him and said, “Dear brother, the Lord Jesus Christ has sent me to see you. Some years ago, following a stake conference, I felt impressed to pay a visit to a priesthood brother who had fallen away from the Church. To every father, I pose the same penetrating question, “Dad, are you awake?” Do your sons ever wonder if you are asleep when it comes to the things that are most important to them? I would suggest that there are several areas that would indicate whether we are “awake” or “asleep” in the eyes of our sons.įirst, our love for God and accepting our role as the family leader in keeping His commandments. The question so innocently asked, “Dad, are you awake?” still rings in my heart. I look at my little red-headed grandson beside his father, and I see in my mind’s eye the image of that wonderful moment long ago. Once in a while the three of us go fishing. Now my son is a man with a son of his own. But I was awake far into the night, expressing my great thanks for such wonderful blessings clothed with a little boy’s body. “Dad, I love you a million, trillion times!”Īnd immediately he was asleep. And, at that precise moment, he put his little arms around me and said, “Dad.” As I looked at my son beside me, suddenly I felt a surge of love pass through my body with such force that it pushed tears to my eyes. Then we climbed into our large double sleeping bag, and after a bit of pushing and pulling I felt his little body snuggle and settle tightly against mine for warmth and security against the night. His small voice rose sweetly heavenward in benediction to our day. His small frame seemed literally to fly over, under, and around every obstacle, and when every step that I took seemed ridiculously like my last, he had reached the top and stood cheering me on.
I’ll bet I can beat you to the top.” The challenge was heard but wisely ignored. He scrambled rapidly up the mountain ahead of me with a challenging, “Come on, Dad. In the shadows and coolness of the late afternoon, we began our climb back up to the rim high above us. Every time I hooked a fish I would give the pole to the eager boy, and with shouts of joy he would reel in a beautiful trout. The canyon was steep, and the descent was difficult. Many years ago I took our only son on his first camping, fishing trip.
We want every one of you to qualify and receive the coveted Duty to God Award. There is a wonderful excitement associated with this program all over the Church. You will be able to establish personal goals and achieve them with the help of your parents and your great leaders. The requirements are meaningful and will stretch you almost to the limits of your capability. It is designed to bless you spiritually, physically, socially, and mentally. It has been introduced to all of the Aaronic Priesthood throughout the world. Young men, we hope that you are excited about the Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God program.
As we entered the room, President Hinckley looked carefully at us and then with a smile on his face said, “How can three white-headed, old men be the Young Men presidency of this Church?” Our only response was, “Because you called us to be, President.” A short while ago, Elder Pace, Elder Condie, and I met with the First Presidency.
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