One of the greatest things a father can do for his children is to love their mother.

Extended Quotation:

You should express regularly to your wife and children your reverence and respect for her. Indeed, one of the greatest things a father can do for his children is to love their mother. A man who holds the priesthood regards the family as ordained of God. Your leadership of the family is your most important and sacred responsibility. The family is the most important unit in time and in eternity and, as such, transcends every other interest in life.

Source: “Being a Righteous Husband and Father, ” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 50. Variations:

The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.

The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.

The single greatest thing a dad can do for his children is to love their mother.

Additional Information: While commonly misattributed to authors ranging from John Wooden to Harriet Ward Beecher, this popular quote was actually penned by Howard W. Hunter, American lawyer and fourteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The quote is part of an address Hunter made at an Aaronic Priesthood meeting during his brief 1994-1995 tenure as President of the Church. The address was later published as a piece called "Being a Righteous Husband" in the November 1994 issue of the Latter-day Saints magazine Ensign. Hunter died just a few months after its publication.