Latter-day Saint Life

What you didn’t know about the fathers who raised the First Presidency

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“Thanks to the gospel of Jesus Christ, I know I will see my father again. Families are forever,” President Oaks testified.

Editor's note: This excerpt was originally published on LDSLiving.com in June 2018.

The fathers of President Russell M. Nelson, President Dallin H. Oaks, and President Henry B. Eyring had a great impact on the lives of their sons.

Each family situation was different: President Nelson’s father was not active in the Church during the prophet’s youth; President Oaks’ father died before young Dallin was even baptized; and President Eyring’s father was an advocate on the world stage for the coexistence of science and religion.

Despite different circumstances, all three of the leaders said they gleaned goodness from the examples of their fathers.

Following are lessons from the fathers of the men of the First Presidency:

Marion Clavar Nelson

President Nelson said of his parents, “They made love the prevailing influence in their home. Completely absent were expressions of anger, criticism, and denigration of others. Our parents led, guided, and provided; but they were not possessive, and they did not unduly interfere in the lives of their children. The important decisions in life — choice of career, selection of a marital partner, and all other opportunities — were to be made individually, after parental counsel.”

Read more stories and quotes from President Oaks and President Eyring’s fathers on Church News.

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