Be Men!
"We who hold the priesthood of God cannot afford to drift. We have work to do (see Moroni 9:6). We must arise from the dust of self-indulgence and be men! It is a wonderful aspiration for a boy to become a man--strong and capable; someone who can build and create things, run things; someone who makes a difference in the world. It is a wonderful aspiration for those of us who are older to make the vision of true manhood a reality in our lives and be models for those who look to us for an example."
(D. Todd Christofferson, "Let Us Be Men," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 46)
One of the attributes of the male species is his ability or curse to focus on only one thing at a time.
A man will follow what he focuses on. If he is reading the scriptures, keeping his temple covenants and putting his full effort into loving his wife for example then he is going the right way.
If he is doing those things that every man is tempted by, then he is not.
That is why the Lord so fully admonishes man to watch his thoughts. As a man thinketh so he is.
Let virtue garnish our thoughts so that our actions are such that our wives and our children can look to us for guidance and support. I could have no greater achievement in this life then to have my sons say:
"I look up to my dad, I want to be just like him."
Can a man have a greater gift. I do not think so in this life.
My parents were divorced when I was very young. Shortly thereafter my father was excommunicated. I am the youngest of five kids. Although I did not have much contact with my father growing up I did not lack for father figures. My brothers are all good men, and good husbands and fathers to their children. As I grew I looked up to them and knew that I should follow in their example.
Growing up I stayed close to the church, but my siblings all strayed. Two of my siblings have become deeply at odds with the church, and another one of them is gay. My sister has become non-committal, and attends church only for important dates, such as blessing her infant children. None of my nieces or nephews have chosen to be baptised.
I can remember watching General Conference when I was growing up and seeing these great men. Men that uphold and honor the Priesthood. I knew men like this in my ward, but not in my home. My mother is a saint, and did all she could to teach me correct principles in the hope that I would latch on to them. When I met and started dating the woman who is now my wife I was taken into her home, and learned by example from her father what it is to be an LDS man. I have seen him struggle over the years, but I know that he is a good man who is doing his best. I began to learn what it is to be an LDS man.
As a father of three now, I strive to let my children know that I love the Lord, and that I want to honor the priesthood that I have been blessed with. As often as possible I try to let my children observe, or be the recipient of, priesthood ordinances. I hope that my children will be able to grow strong in the church because of the example that my wife and I offer.
It should be every mans goal to strive to uphold his priesthood duties, and be an example to the next generation. Through the years I have been involved with the Young Men programs. What a great program! These young men need to see worthy priesthood holding men, performing their priesthood duties honorably and with respect to the Lord. Honor the priesthood that you hold, there are young men out there who are starving for that model.
Edited: bobnbrittw on 28th Jul, 2007 - 3:19am
"Integrity is fundamental to being men. Integrity means being truthful, but it also means accepting responsibility and honoring commitments and covenants. . . . "Good men sometimes make mistakes. A man of integrity will honestly face and correct his mistakes, and that is an example we can respect. Sometimes men try but fail. Not all worthy objectives are realized despite one's honest and best efforts. True manhood is not always measured by the fruits of one's labors but by the labors themselves--by one's striving. "Though he will make some sacrifices and deny himself some pleasures in the course of honoring his commitments, the true man leads a rewarding life. He gives much, but he receives more, and he lives content in the approval of his Heavenly Father. The life of true manhood is the good life."
(D. Todd Christofferson, "Let Us Be Men," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 47-48)
Now heres the next step, show me some priesthood that can live up to those quotes.
"When we consider the admonition to be men, we must think of Jesus Christ. When Pilate brought Jesus forth wearing a crown of thorns, he declared, 'Behold the man!' (See John 19:4-5). Pilate may not have fully understood the significance of his own words, but the Lord indeed stood before the people then as He stands today--the highest ideal of manhood. Behold the man! "The Lord asked His disciples what manner of men they should be and then answered, 'Verily I say unto you, even as I am' (3 Nephi 27:27; see also 3 Nephi 18:24). That is our ultimate quest."
Ref. (D. Todd Christofferson, "Let Us Be Men," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 48)