"My Father, My Knight"

In a pre-existant kingdom, God bore a royal son!
He sent him off to earthly shores! A battle to be won!

And yet too young and unprepared, to face the dangers there!
God placed with him, a Guardian Knight, to ever be aware!

For worldly strife and chaos, would threaten with contempt!
The Sentinel chosen long ago, stood ready to protect!

Winter's freezes, and Summer's droughts, twisters in the nights!
Shelters built, and food therein! Outside he fought the fights!

Ever ready and present! Sword and shield in his hand!
The Watchman carried out his call, through miles and miles of land!

The child. He grew to manhood. The Soldier stood nearby!
With pride, and silent reverence. The Warrior caught his eye!

"What an honor it's been to serve thee! To stand here by thy side!"
The young man could not speak a word! The tears he could not hide!

With broken words, he stuttered! "The honor has been mine!
For God has blessed me richly, with a Father so divine!"

POET'S COMMENTS

As I sought a definition of how Heavenly Father would describe fatherhood, I came to this short quote: (Proclamation given by Gordon B. Hinckley, September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.)

"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families."

The poem "My Father, My Knight" seemed to come through me as I considered the above quote. Where mothers are to nurture, fathers are to protect and provide.

Righteous fathers, are expected to do even more, for their calling is to provide and protect their children both physically and spiritually. Here is a short list of their responsibilities: to be an example of truth and virtue; to be a witness of Christ in word, thought, and deed; to counsel in wisdom; to testify of the Plan of Happiness; to pray morning, noon, and night for the welfare of family, friends, and all God's children; to honor the Priesthood; to keep and obey the commandments; to practice pure charity; to love God with all their heart, might, mind, and strength: and to teach these principles to their children!

How lucky is any child who has a Father who loves, protects, and provides! How divine and glorious to have a father who loves the Lord and shows it!

May we honor all fathers for their love, examples, sacrifices, and contributions to our lives!

May we as fathers always provide the spiritual and physical necessities of life to our families. May we protect our children as God Himself would protect them!