A Prophet's Creed

Elder Matthew Cowley, who was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, quoted Pres. George Albert Smith:

“President George Albert Smith had a creed. To those of us who knew him, it is not necessary to read that creed because his life was the creed. . . .

“[He wrote:] ‘I would be a friend to the friendless and find joy in ministering to the needs of the poor.

“‘I would visit the sick and the afflicted and inspire in them a desire for faith to be healed.

“‘I would teach the truth to the understanding and blessing of all mankind.

“‘I would seek out the erring and try to win him back to a righteous and a happy life.

“‘I would not seek to force people to live up to my ideals but rather love them into doing the thing that is right. I would live with the masses and help solve their problems that their earth life may be happy.

“‘I would avoid the publicity of high positions and discourage the flattery of thoughtless friends.

“‘I would not knowingly hurt the feelings of any, not even one who may have wronged me, but would seek to do him good and make him my friend.

“‘I would overcome the tendency to selfishness and jealousy and rejoice in the success of all the children of my Heavenly Father.

“‘I would not be an enemy to any living soul.

“‘Knowing that the Redeemer of mankind has offered to the world the only plan that will fully develop us and make us really happy here and hereafter I feel it not only a duty but a blessed privilege to disseminate this truth’”

(in Conference Report, Apr. 1951, 167–68).