A father's strength

The Butler Family - about 1958
back: Louis - Chuck - Delbert
front: Jess - Mable

Following are the brief remarks Lou made at his father's funeral, February 6. 1973

What a great strength and comfort it is to have had a father who lived a life so worthy of the blessings of our Heavenly Father. We are grieved at his leaving us, but we would indeed be ungrateful to him if we were to be bitter or angry or if we blame God for taking him from us. Dad and Mother have taught us and many others to know that we have a living Father and Mother in heaven and that life is eternal.

My dad knew and he taught us by precept and by example, the answers to the three questions, “Where did I come from?”, “Why am I here?”, and “Where am I going?” We were taught so thoroughly the principles of the gospel that we have no fear of death and no doubts about where our Dad is at today.

We have no doubt but what there is great rejoicing somewhere in the spirit world between my Dad and brother Eldon. The great love between the two of them is being experienced now. And Dad will be busily engaged in whatever Heavenly Father assigns him to do in the service of His many children. He will be preparing the way for us and will greet each of us someday.

It is my testimony to you that we have a Heavenly Father, that he is real. That he hears and answers prayers, but he will not give you answers if you do not ask in a sincere and humble prayer. We must attune our spirits to His by prayer, by service to our brothers and sisters, by a desire to live all of his commandments.

Jesse Llewellyn Butler
December 21, 1898 - February 3, 1973