The president of the Young Men's program for the Church repeatedly asked fathers to wake up to the needs of their children.

Elder F. Melvin Hammond began by sharing a story of when he first took his only son camping. Late in the night, his son asked, "Dad, are you awake?"

Elder Hammond said yes and his son replied, "I love you a million trillion times."

Shifting his talk, Elder Hammond turned to the responsibility of fathers.

"To every father I pose the same penetrating question, 'Dad, are you awake?'" Elder Hammond said. "Are you asleep to the things that are most important to them?"

Fathers should actively serve as a patriarch to their families, said Elder Hammond.

"It is the father who should lead, unify and solidify the family unit," Elder Hammond said.

Fathers who abuse their wives or neglect their priesthood responsibilities are asleep to their children's needs, said Elder Hammond.

"The way we treat our wives could well have the greatest impact on the character of his sons," Elder Hammond said.