To the Fathers

The 5 Principles of Fathering:

1. To Preside

2. To Partner

3. To Be Present

4. To Provide

5. To Protect

There are 3 ways to Preside:
1. Fathers are directed to take upon themselves the responsibility of spiritual leadership in the family life as part of a loving Eternal Father's plan for family functioning.
2. A father's responsibility to preside occupies the first and foremost duty among the varied obligations that rest upon men in family life.
3. The manner in which a father is to exercise spiritual guidance among family members explicitly articulate: "in love and righteousness" (The Family: A Proclamation to the World).

Define Presence:
"From our understanding, to be present in fathering is to act on the obligation to be there for one's children with your physical presence and availability, mental awareness and engagement, and practical involvement in their lives and activities....In essence, it involves a continuing moral commitment to be present for the work of meeting needs and providing care in a lifelong relationship with a child." --Sean E. Brotherson

3 Ways to be Present:
1. Be there physically
2. Be aware psychologically
3. Give care practically

To Provide also means to give Stewardship:
"Stewardship work involves creative, dedicated effort to provide resources for children and family and provide opportunities for children to develop and learn to care for their own and others' physical and psychological needs." --Dollahite, Hawkins, and Brotherson

To Protect:
"[Fathers can] actively protect their children by helping them to make wise choices about the literature they read, the movies they see, the television programs they watch, the Internet sites they visit, and the friendships they establish."--Hawkins and Brotherson

My Father:
My own father has been a wonderful example to me and has always presided over our family with love and care. He is a partner to my beautiful mother. He is present in our home. He provides for the family as an artist by profession. He protects our family and administers Priesthood blessings to us. I love my dad!

In conclusion:
"As fathers practice these essential principles in their lives and relationships, they fulfill their own potential and guide the rising generation toward achieving the divine potential that resides in each of us as 'a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents' (The Family: A Proclamation the the World)."--Brotherson

Source: Hawkins, A. J. (20122012). "Honor Thy Father". Successful marriages and families: proclamation principles and research perspectives (141-148). Provo, Utah: BYU Studies and School of Family Life, Brigham Young University.