I remember when we would go outside on a Spring's afternoon to play catch when you had other things that you had to do. I remember when we went camping and you showed me how to fish. I remember you faithfully coming to all of my swim meets, no matter how long or how boring they are. I remember you taking me aside and telling me that we were packing up and moving to Europe. I remember you flying out to Utah to drive with me for 20 hours to go home at the end of a semester in college. I can never forget the example that you set, the love you showed me, the patience you had with me, and the wisdom that you shared with me. Thank you for being my dad.
Not only do we have a father here while in this mortal life, but we have an Eternal Father who is in Heaven. We cannot comprehend the love that He has for us. We can see signs of His love for us everywhere; but the most prominent example was when He sent "his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"(John 3:16). God is the "father of spirits" (Hebrews 12:9), He created us all spiritually and then He created us physically in His own likeness and in His own image. Our Heavenly Father is one of compassion, one of mercy, and one of love. Heavenly Father has made it possible, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, to return to "dwell with [Him] in a state of never-ending happiness" (Mosiah 2:41). Do not believe that you are forgotten. You have a Father in Heaven who loves you. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf stated in the October 2011 General Conference "Brothers and sisters, the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love. God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season - He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being that you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him" (You Matter to Him). I know that because God loves us, He has sent us our earthly fathers.Dad, thank you for all that you have done for me; for playing catch, teaching me how to fish, supporting me in my various athletic events, and for teaching me the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Happy Father's Day, I love you!
Love,
Your son.
