Today in the Afternoon session of General Conference, My Dad was released as the General Young Men's President for the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It seems like the last 5 years have gone extremely fast! I know it has for him, as he has been so busy doing the work that he loves most!
He really is such an incredible man! There is no one I look up to more than him. He is such a loving, HAPPY, kind and humble person! No matter how tired he might be from countless meetings and travels around the world...He is always so happy to see you and always makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world! ...I joke with my family that I REALLY AM the favorite! But I know it is just because he and my mom love us all so much!!
Brady came home after talking with Dad one night and said, "I love your Dad! He is who I am striving to be!"
Dad, I love you! You have been the most amazing General Young Men's President ever! You are so great with the Youth! I know they have also grown to love you! We still have Young Men in our ward that talk about sitting on Santa's lap at the Ward Christmas party...(when you got to come help as Santa's helper!!) Santa would ask them, "How are you coming on your Eagle?" I think most of them were taken back, but LOVED it!
Here is a favorite article of my Dad's that is from the October 2008 issue of the Liahona.... I think applies to EVERYONE!
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"Above the Clouds"
By Charles W. Dahlquist II Young Men General President
Charles W. Dahlquist II, “Agency and Accountability: Above the Clouds,” Liahona, Oct. 2008, 26
Not long ago I had the opportunity to fly in a small plane. As we were preparing to board, one of the passengers asked the pilot at what altitude we would be flying. He indicated that we would be flying at 9,500 feet (2,900 m). He said, “That will get us just above the clouds.” Then he explained, “If we fly below the clouds, the ride will be fairly rocky. However, if we can get through the clouds and up on top, we will have a much smoother ride.”
It was a concept that proved prophetic. For us in that airplane, it took a little bit more effort, a little bit more fuel, and a little turbulence to get through the clouds. However, once we were above the turbulence, the ride was, for the most part, smooth sailing. Although there was some brief turbulence and the need for the pilot to always be mindful of the flight conditions, the flight was much more comfortable.
Later I thought about the pilot’s words: “If we can get through the clouds and up on top, we will have a much smoother ride.” I thought about how much that applies to life itself. As we live in a mortal existence, there is much of the ugly and the base and the evil that we have to move above if we are to live the life of a Latter-day Saint. Then we can have the Spirit with us and feel the peace that is there for us to enjoy. It takes effort, it takes willpower, it takes courage, and it takes making correct choices for us to get above the turbulence around us. That turbulence includes the filth that surrounds us in the media. It includes discouragement, despair, and all the challenges of the “natural man” (Mosiah 3:19).
However, if we exercise our agency appropriately, if we live the standards given to us by the First Presidency in For the Strength of Youth, and if we make conscious efforts day by day to rise above the things of the world, our ride in this life will be much more pleasant. We will be able to feel peace along the way, and we will be able to arrive safely at our journey’s end.
It is not that the ride will be uneventful and completely peaceful. That was never promised, for there will be challenges along the way, and there will be a need for continued vigilance and alertness all along the way. However, by choosing to be on the Lord’s side, we can rise above the temptations of our mortal existence, and that will guarantee us peace and happiness in this life as well as in the life to come.
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Dad, you definitely magnified your calling to it's fullest! ...and FAR BEYOND! Thanks for your constant example to me and for being the greatest Dad ever!
President Thomas S. Monson and Charles W. Dahlquist II
Charles W. Dahlquist II, "Who's on the Lord's side, Who?" Talk given in General Conference, April 2007.
General Young Men's Leaders past and present. February 2009
Charles W. Dahlquist II signs off a Duty to God music requirement for a young pianist in Mexico.
Charles W. Dahlquist II, Recipient of Silver Buffalo award...Dad has a HUGE love for Scouting! We grew up loving Scouting as well...even though we were a family of ALL girls!
Thanks Dad, for your love and example not only to me, but to everyone around you!
Seriously? Is he not so stinkin' cute? He is the happiest little boy on the planet! Well, he started up t-ball again and this year he is a Mighty Grasshopper....with bright orange shirts! He thinks it is just the coolest thing, except for his friends James, Tyson and Tanner are in a different league and are the "Orioles" but he thinks they are the "Oreos"! So he was bummed he couldn't be an "Oreo" too!
Here is what Alex told his class about Hank...in his own words..:)
Here, Alex is kissing their arms like they are princesses!
