A Father's Day Tribute

From: "Michael Robertson"
Date: Jun 15, 2008 2:21 PM
Subject: Happy Fathers Day
To: "Bert & Roberta Robertson"
Cc: 

Dad:

Happy Fathers Day!

I was sustained as Ward MIssion Leader two weeks ago, and was asked to speak in sacrament meeting today.  I started with a tribute to you, then an overview of the plan of happiness and finished with an invitation to share the joy and happiness they we have with those around us.

I thought you would appreciate having a copy of the first part of my talk.

It looks like we are still on target to be back in our house by the end of July - that will be a year.

Hope all is well with you.

Love, Michael

--------excerpt of talk given by Michael Robertson in the Granite Hills Ward on June 15, 2008

I join with many of you who honor a righteous and loving father today—one who is faithful to sacred covenants and to family responsibilities.  I love and appreciate my father and his example.

My father grew up as a member of the church, but left the church in his young adult-hood.  Thankfully, he was fellowshipped back into the church after a failed marriage—partly through the efforts of loving parents and caring members.  He met my mother, a recent convert, who had also been recently divorced.  They were married in the Salt Lake Temple, where they were endowed with power from on high and made sacred covenants.  After they were sealed to each other for time and eternity, my mother’s two young children were sealed to them.  They settled in Campo, just to the east of us, and my father started his teaching career at Mountain Empire High School.  I was the first of five children born to them in the covenant.  I was taught the gospel of Jesus Christ as I grew, and I looked forward to the day that I could be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  From my youth my father taught me many things—how to enjoy life, to work hard and to play.  From his example, I learned to love and cherish my wife and our children.  I always knew that my father loved my mother.  I attribute my love of music to him.  But foremost among all, I learned to love God and to serve Him.