*Sunday morning session

Elder L. Tom Perry addressed the increasing importance of fathers in the home as Satan's influence becomes more apparent in today's world.

"It is increasingly evident that Satan is working over time," Elder Perry said. "His main target is the family, belittling and demeaning its importance."

Elder Perry said a family needs a father to anchor it.

"We have learned that the basic family provides the most stable and secure foundation for society," he said. "We have learned that alternate formations for families have not worked and will not work."

He said the disintegration of the family will bring calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets. He said this is the reason for the increasing importance of fathers in the family.

He outlined three important factors of a father's role. First, the father is the head of the family and provides leadership by divine appointment. His wife is his companion and they are to work as co-presidents of the family.

Second, the father is a teacher and should not rely on specialists outside of the home to teach important truths.

Third, the Lord has charged men to be the temporal provider, which is an eternal responsibility.

Elder Perry encouraged church members to keep the spirit of conference in their homes year round by reading the conference editions of the Ensign and Liahona magazines.



Copyright Brigham Young University 4 Apr 2004