One of my daughters returned from her mission in January. As with my returning boys, it was a hard time because coming to an end were the weekly emails and communication. Now our communication would be relegated to an occasional visit as she began school and work, and text messages when we could. My youngest grade school children mentioned my daughter was dating, and had even gone from Utah to Idaho to visit a young man she’d met on her mission, and had brought a young man to dinner at her mother’s. My heart sank that I was missing out on some of the most important events of a young woman’s life. More than sadness, I even felt a little anger.

I’ve heard it said that a father is naturally the protector of his children, evidenced by some of the wording of The Family–A Proclamation to the World. How can a father with this natural desire, this heavenly mandate, and fatherly priesthood responsibility, deal with the emotions of being kept from his children and being their protector?