Dear Son, In hallowed halls of carpeted walls, our tale unfolds,Loyalty’s flame, a father holds,A clash of spirits, unyielding, fierce,As love and duty combine, pierce. Behold! My son, with earnest eyes,Embracing gospel’s call, your soul takes life,In each obedient step, you sail my course,A blessing to me, an unwavering force. Your heart, a vessel of faith’s bright flame,In the chains of creed, you receive your name,With steadfast spirit, your soul stays bound,To the teachings and truths, so profound. In search of solace, you look within,Where purity and righteousness begin,No distant skies can lure you astray,For you walk the path, come what may. Oh, how your presence fills my heart,A son of virtue, a work of art,Your unwavering devotion, a blessed sight,In him, the gospel’s radiance shines bright. In the bustling airport, a faithful mission begins,You embark on your quest, let bravery win.A radiant pride within me, a testament so clear,To the greatness in your heart, a pioneer without fear. But amid the bustling crowd, I glimpse hesitation’s trace,I see it in your eyes, a momentary pause in pace.A tear concealed, a silent battle fought within,Something loose that bound us, a struggle deep and thin. As we stand amidst departures, emotions intertwine,A farewell so profound, a mixture of yours and mine.The weight of unspoken words, heavy in the air, I say: “Let love and faith persist, for you, He will always be near.With each step forward, remember the charge you bear,To return with honor, through trials and toil you’ll share.Let courage be your compass, guiding through the night,And righteousness your armor, shining with steadfast light.” Amiss, a sudden call from the mission president, a thunderous blow,The son returns early, a river of woe,My heart crumbles, dreams turned to dust,The son meets my gaze, anguish and disappointment, distrust. Oh, tender seed of my blood and bone,Why this new quest for truth?Return Ye still, steadfast in belief,The rest just please release. Dear Father, Through temples adorned with sacred art,You sought solace, with fervent heart,In rigid obedience, your certainty thrived,My dreams slowly withered, my flame deprived. But behold, dear father, I want to explore,To question, to seek, to delve to the core,In the depths of truth, my soul takes flight,To reconcile my doubts, bring them to light. Your faith, once a beacon, guiding my way,Now my spirit craves more, a molding with my own clay,In this vast universe, expansive and unknown,I must forge my path, let my truth be shown. But as I step forward, you hold me too tight,Your unyielding loyalty, a blinding light,Slowly squeezing out the space where I stand,My voice drowned out by your unwavering demand. I long to explore, to question, to grow,To find my own convictions, wherever they flow,Yet your rigid grip tightens with each passing day,Leaving no room for my beliefs to have a say. In the battle of our souls, I sense the strain,The burden of your loyalty, a heavy chain,As my spirit yearns to venture and explore,Your resolute faith pins me fast to the floor. Oh, how I once revered thy steadfast devotion,Yet now it tastes as a suffocating potion,My spirit, engulfed in thy dogmatic embrace,No sacred space for my own truth to grace. In the realm of beliefs, let freedom bloom,Release me from thy dogma’s gloom,For in this vast expanse, I long to find,A sanctuary for my heart and mind. Dear Son, With tender words I reach out to thee,Sending messages, hoping thou wouldst see,General conference talks, God’s own words of light,Texts filled with love, piercing the night. When home visiting from your college place,In these cherished moments, I patiently wait,To gather ‘round, our family’s embrace,And share in devotionals, a sacred space. In tender whispers, I ask thee to pray,