My Father, My Pop
by Russell Cardon
You are my family, and closest friends. I desire to remember this moment, for what to me is of great importance, this for our family is a sacred occasion, the passing of our father, our patriarch. I’m very grateful for your attendance, you honor my father.
John 1:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
We know this scripture is in reference to our Savior Jesus Christ. I would ask, is it speaking just of his physical body, or of his teachings his beliefs or in his words which he received from his father?
You all know Ken Cardon some as a brother others as a friend a neighbor an uncle or an in-law. To me he was my father, my Pop. In this role he shared his words with me. I would like to share with you some of the words I remember from my father, growing up as a child in upper Lehi on five acres of land.
My father owned horses, cows, sheep, and pigs. I remember my father coming home saying I work my fingers to the bone, and somewhere in the end of this lecture he would say and you don’t appreciate it. One day my father put all the names of the animals in a hat, and we four boys drew out the name of an animal, which then became our responsibility to care for that animal. I was unfortunate so I thought at the time in drawing out the name of the sheep. They were the least manly of the animals. They are in a kind word the most unintelligent animal on this earth; a more correct word they are the stupidest animal. If you have never had the opportunity to herd sheep, it’s almost impossible; they dart between you and refuse to go were you could provide safety. They will not listen, and have no sense of reason. After a time of my caring for the sheep, the ewe’s or mother sheep had lambs. One of the ewes’ died, leaving behind an orphaned lamb. My responsibility was to feed and care for my lamb every morning and evening. I would go down to the pasture with a bottle and feed and play with my lamb. Over a period of time we became friends. I would call out and my lamb would burst through the herd and come to me. I no longer would herd my lamb I would lead and he would follow. I could lead my lamb, wherever I desired, he was right by my side. I have pondered of this experience over and over. Bringing to life in a very personal way the words of our Shepherd.
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Isaiah 40
1 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
In speaking of himself our Savior says
John 10
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
Some of the most tender images in the scriptures are those of a sheep and a shepherd. I learned from my father in a living experience. The words of Isaiah “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6).
I learned of the value and responsibility of the shepherd. We have a shepherd in Jesus Christ for he said.
“As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day” (Ezekiel 34:12).
The words and deeds of my father taught me a most valuable lesson, Teaching me of our Savior our shepherd I carry this experience with me always.
I remember the words of my father.
“This is going to hurt you a lot more than it will hurt me”
(Pause — Checking to see if you’re awake.)
That’s the words I heard. The words he said were
“This is going to hurt me a lot more than it will hurt you”
I did not really understand or feel the meaning of those words until I had children of my own.
My father loved his children, always trying to teach by his words. Let me read to you his
“Rules of Family Conduct”
Remember there were 4 boys and a daughter. We were rowdy and rambunctious.
1.1-There will be no eating in the living room
a.a. If you eat in the living room sit in one place.
b.b. If you do move have a napkin2.1-There will be no watching of scary T.V. programs.
a.a. If you watch scary T.V. program you cannot sleep with mom and dad
b.b If you sleep with mom and dad you may not bring your dog with you.
My father, in his way, teaching discipline to his children. Although he was not perfect he was always trying.
I remember his words which went something like this.
Golf is like the Gospel or another version Golf is like life: He proceeded with sand traps, fairways, sinking a putt, and the allusive hole in one I never heard a life and spiritual lecture from anyone besides my father. He loved golf and his golf buddies for Pop it was a spiritual experience.
His words taught in the family setting became the most valuable. Although he was never perfect, fraught with inconsistencies, four boys and a daughter who would rather be playing hear comes the crump, than listening to a boring lecture. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard those words
I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father
My father could have taught us many different theologies, or beliefs. He choose to teach his family of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As in the Book of Mormon my father choose to take his family away from Jerusalem or the world. Leaving behind the cares or things of the world. As Nephi and his brothers went back to get the brass plates in order to read the words of God, we also were taught to read and love the scriptures. We traveled in the wilderness guided by my father. where upon at the age of eight years arriving in the land Bountiful my father Baptized each one of us. Then came the dangerous, journey across the ocean we call teenage years.
My father desired to teach us by his words, to lead us to the promised land. He was not perfect, we saw and felt some of his weaknesses. But I look at each one of my brothers and my sister. Each one of us has a love for our Savior Jesus Christ. Each one of us has a love for the gospel. Yes we all have our own weaknesses and faults — that’s life. My father gave us the foundation the beginning, of that life long love. I choose to recognize and pay tribute and thank my father for his words that he taught me. For it is a life long love. I do not have the words to express my gratitude.
Our Father in Heaven has designated the husband or father as the head of the household—he is the patriarch of the family. The title father is sacred and eternal.
I feel It is significant of all the names given to Deity, he has asked us to address him as Father”
President Spencer W. Kimball said: “The Lord organized [His children] in the beginning with a father who procreates, provides, and loves and directs, and a mother who conceives and bears and nurtures and feeds and trains[, and children who] come to love, honor, and appreciate each other. The family is the great plan of life as conceived and organized by our Father in heaven” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1973, 151; or Ensign,July 1973, 15).
My father was born and died. He lived for 76 years. What will he be remembered for? What legacy will he leave behind? Material possessions will rust and fade. Awards will be broken, someone else will sink the next putt. He leaves behind a legacy a foundation beginning with his words of a love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Of a family that will remember his name that will remember his words, and deeds. And teach those same words to others. It is an eternal round.
D&C 107:
53 Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing.
54 And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel.
55 And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him: I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever.
56 And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation; and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the Holy Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation.
A Gospel, a Savior, words given by our Heavenly Father, of a far reaching magnitude, taught to me and my family by our earthly father. To him I pay tribute, and honor and Love for there is no end.
I Love you Pop.
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.