What Jimmy means to me

I have found myself completely reassessing every decision I've ever made in life. With the title of "Father" now permanently stamped of every action I do, it really puts a whole lot of things in perspective, and I'd like to share with all of you, exactly how I feel about some things in life.

1. My role as the head of the household.

OK, so my son isn't asking to borrow the keys to the car just yet, and I don't exactly have to "lay down the law." But being responsible for a newborn child really helps me feel some of the gravity of what lies ahead. It is my duty to make sure that the home needs are met. That my wife and children have food on the table, and a roof over their heads. Before today I would have looked at my current living situation as "My wife and I living in an apartment on the 3rd floor." Now I really understand why "A man's home is his castle" and that it really is the family that makes it a home.

2. My role as a husband

I can't exactly take away the pain that my wife is enduring and help her to feel better. I can't protect her from the one thing that I truly never will be able to comprehend, or understand. The only thing I can really do, is everything she asks, and more. If she is strong enough to endure pregnancy and childbirth, I can definitely pick my socks up off the floor (or better yet make sure they make it to the hamper in the first place!) She is the vessel which carried my child into the world, which in my eyes makes her divine.

3. My role as a Child of God

Every thing I have ever learned about the nature and character of God, now has a completely different application. My son's spirit has dwelt in his little body for 16 hours now, and I have already pledged every moment of the rest of my life to making sure that his life is the best one anyone can experience on this planet.

My love for my Son is completely unconditional. I thought I knew what that word meant before today, I would have made some statement about the existence of the eternities, and not being able to fathom quite how much our Father in Heaven has invested in us as his Chosen Children. But now I can understand, that there is nothing my Son can do, that could make me love him any less. EVER. His choices will be his own, and his spirit will follow the path he wants, and I hope that I can teach the principles of Gospel of Jesus Christ such that he will desire to follow in his Saviors footsteps; but despite whatever imperfections my Son has, I would gladly step in front of a train to save my Son.

This helps me to understand so much more about our Heavenly Father's plan for us! The entire plan of salvations was laid out so that we could spend eternity with our families and with our Father in Heaven! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the key to that plan, showing us how we may follow in Christs steps to obtain the blessings of Heaven. Missionary work exists completely because of Our Fathers love for all of his children, and because of this love he boldly declares: "No unhallowedd hand can stop the work from progressing, persectutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may dafame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every climb, swept every country and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehova shall say the work is done."

4. My Role as a Priesthood Holder

I am imperfect. Very Imperfect. And now that I know this child will look to me for an example, I have infinitely more of a reason to maintain a higher standard. I cannot falter. I will not Falter. In the words of my boss Kempe Nicoll, "It's not good enough to try. You need to just do it. Trying will never be good enough."

I have been endowed with gifts from on High. I have received commandments from the other side of the Veil that I need to be better about being Obedient too. Sin is the ultimate deterrent, the drop of motor oil in my gallon of milk. I must do everything in my power to bring my own family closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I will also recommit myself as a missionary to do the same for everyone of my fellow Men.

I love you James. I promise I will do my best for you.