President Monson and Dad

Today was the last day of General Comference.  I enjoyed the sessions immensely and as always, look forward to rereading the talks as they are published.  However, President Monson's talk was particularly poignant to me.  He opened with sharing his experience of attending the New York World's Fair in 1964.  The Church had an exhibition there known as the Mormon Pavillion and debuted the film "Man's Search for Happiness".  President Monson shared viewing the film with a gentleman who was about 35 years of age and others in the theater and as the people were leaving the film some were visibly touched.  The man that sat next to President Monson remained in his seat and marveled, "It's all true!"

As President Monson shared his message my mind drifted back to Dad.  All of my growing up years...in fact...for all of my life really...Dad wore a gold question mark lapel pin.  It didn't matter if he was working, going to church or some other place.  One day I asked him why he wore it.  He told me that he wore it always hoping that someone would ask him "the golden question".  When I asked what the golden question was he told me it was actually a series of the most important questions ever to be asked and that we had the answers.  He said the first question is, "where did we come from?"  The second, "why are we here?" And the third, "where are we going?"  

It was my Dad that first shared with me and my brothers The Plan Of Salvation.  He drew it out on a sheet of paper and I was just like the man in President Monson's story...I KNEW it was true!  Every single bit of it.  No doubts EVER.  I know that Dad asked and answered the golden questions at least a gazillion times.  It seemed that nearly every few days Dad would come home from work and share an experience with someone that he had talked to about the gospel.  He was fearless!  He knew that the knowledge we have is priceless and he tried with all his might to bring that knowledge to others.  In so many ways he will always be my hero!