After living outside Utah for eight years, our family recently moved into the Aspen 1st Ward, Orem Utah Aspen Stake. "Settling in" has been an interesting process for the family. While the ward members have been very nice, it has been difficult to find our place in what to us is a very large and well-functioning ward. The temptation for me has been to just "go along" by rationalizing that the ward was going to run smoothly right up to the Millennium with or without my help.

Recently, however, I was nudged out of my self-imposed lethargy by a little angel. Immediately after sacrament meeting one Sunday, Alicia, an extremely loving 6-year-old from one of the families I home teach, came running up and launched herself into my arms. After delivering an awesome hug and kiss, she enthusiastically exclaimed, "How are you, Dad number two?"Both her father and I were puzzled, and he asked, "What do you mean Alicia, by Dad number two?" She immediately responded with, "Well, he is my home teacher!" Without ever being told, she had concluded that there was a great similarity between being a father and being a home teacher.

In the days since that incident I have pondered often on what Alicia taught me. Her message brought back the words of Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Council of the Twelve who explained that to be a father meant to be one who gives and sustains life. It has been humbling to have the Spirit confirm that indeed an essential responsibility of mine as a home teacher is to help sustain the lives of those under my stewardship.

Contemplating the parallel responsibilities of parenting and home teaching has also helped me recognize that just as my own children don't always appreciate my efforts as being done for their eternal welfare, the same may be true for those individuals and families I serve. Thus, I am now more intent on being guided in my words and actions as a home teacher so that I do not offend or hurt unintentionally. Oh, that I could go back and rectify some of what I did in the past as a careless home teacher!

The truths that Alicia revealed to me have helped to increase my commitment and capacity as a home teacher. I now look on that stewardship as being a more sacred opportunity than I had ever before imagined.

- Keith W. Allred, a special education professor at BYU, is a home teacher and gospel doctrine teacher in his ward.