Spencer W. Kimball on the responsibility of fathers to inspire their family

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) was ordained an apostle in 1943 and served as President of the Church from 1973 to 1985.

"Certainly, if fathers are to be respected, they must merit respect—if they are to be loved, they must be consistent, lovable, understanding, and kind—and they must honor their priesthood. They must see themselves as fortunate trustees of precious spirit children whom God has entrusted to their care.

"What a great incentive a mother has to honor and build up her worthy husband in the esteem of the offspring when she knows that this contributes to the well-adjusted lives of her children. And what a great incentive the father has for rising to his tallest spiritual stature to merit the love and respect of all members of the family.

"And so we plead with you fathers to return to your little kingdoms and, with kindness, justice, proper discipline, and love, to inspire your family."

- Spencer W. Kimball, address to seminary and institute teachers, 9/12/75; see Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 338

"If fathers are to be respected, they must merit respect"—that's a challenging statement to ponder. President Kimball gives several suggestions on how that respect is earned:

• Be consistent, livable, understanding, and kind
• Honor the priesthood
• Recognize the trust of precious spirit children

Every man would do well to ponder those thoughts! But then he expands the responsibility: mothers can do much to build up a man in esteem of their children. That only increases the incentive the father has to live up to expectations, "rising to his tallest spiritual stature to merit the love and respect of all members of the family."

Describing a home and family as a man's "little kingdom," President Kimball concludes with this challenge:

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