Priesthood Session and My Dad

Today is significant for several reasons. Among those reasons is the fact that today is the first Saturday of the month of April. That means General Conference. And ever since I turned twelve and was ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood, it has also meant going to Priesthood Session with my older brother and father. Every six months it happened like clockwork. I have many good memories of us three going to that meeting together. And afterwards we would almost always go out to dinner, sometimes in a large group of friends. It was time we spent together as a father and sons, and I enjoyed almost every minute of it. Now, things have changed somewhat. We’ve gotten older. Cody is off on his mission and I’m away at college. We three have not been to Priesthood Session together in two years, and with me leaving on my mission sometime this summer it probably won’t happen again for another two years. Today, after watching the first two sessions of conference at a friend’s apartment, I came back to my apartment to wait until it was time to go to Priesthood Session at the Marriott Center and turned on BYUTV. A movie called “One Good Man” was playing. It was wonderful. The movie depicted the everyday hardships and trials experienced by a man recently called to be an LDS Bishop. As you may know, my dad is a Bishop. So as I watched the movie, I could not help but see my father and I realized just how difficult his calling can be, especially while trying to juggle it with a demanding job and a hectic family. Halfway through the movie I found myself crying, and it wasn’t even one of the several sad or touching parts of the movie. But I was filled with such a deep sense of gratitude for my dad, for the sacrifices he has made and does make for not only my family, but for everyone he meets, that I simply could not hold the tears back. I don’t think I stopped crying until the movie ended. I am so eternally grateful for my father and for the honor I have of being his son. I am grateful for his incredible example. I hope that someday I will be able to live up to it. I’m grateful for the endless hours of work he puts in to support me and my family and am astounded that he still manages to fulfill all his Priesthood duties. To put it simply, my dad is my hero. I love him with all my heart and I always will. I went to Priesthood session tonight 600 miles away from my dad, but I felt him there with me. When Elder Oaks talked about giving priesthood blessings, my mind went to the many times I had received such blessings from my dad. I remembered the power and love I feel when he places his hands on my head. When President Uchtdorf talked about patience, I remembered how I never hear my father complain, even when I know he is feeling overstretched. When President Eyring spoke about diligence in Priesthood callings, I was reminded not only of my father’s hard work as a Bishop, but also as a High Councilor, a Primary Teacher, and a Young Men’s Leader. My father’s name is James Todd Knudsen. I know he is not perfect. He is a man. But, he is a good man. In fact, I would go as far as saying he is beyond awesome. I love you Dad.