Service First

My brethren and sisters: In standing before you this afternoon I desire, above all other blessings, that the Spirit of the Lord may direct the words I shall utter. Forty-one years ago I became identified with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A few weeks later I received a testimony of the truth of this work. In the year 1862, in answer to prayer, with a very earnest desire to gather to this land, the Lord spoke to me by the power of His Spirit, and gave unto me a promise that I should have the privilege of gathering according to my desire the following year. With that word came the most positive and definite assurance that was ever given to man. I could not doubt the word that the Lord gave to me on that occasion, and it was fulfilled to the very letter, although I had much trouble and difficulty in accomplishing my wish. From that time to the present I have been a resident of Salt Lake City— that is, from October, 1863. I feel it is a great honor to be called to labor in any capacity in the work of the Lord. I realize very much my weakness and my inability to fill the call that has been made upon me, and the honor that has been bestowed upon me by the Priesthood of the Son of God. But I have been a worker, more or less, all my life, and my desire is to serve the Lord first, and then, if I am able, to serve the people with all the strength that God shall give me. I wish to devote my time, and the ability that God shall give me, under the inspiration of His Spirit, in laboring for the building up of this work and the spread of righteousness and truth in the earth." The pugilists of the present day talk about heavy, light and feather-weights; I feel that I am a feather-weight. But the Lord is just as willing to hear and answer the petitions of the humble and incapable as those who are competent, and blessed with great talents and ability. I feel it is the privilage of every man and woman who has entered into covenant with God to be just as good as the best. There is nothing to prevent all from being good. The man who has the greatest ability is not always the best man; but the man who is humble, who is willing to acknowledge the hand of God, and who will seek His aid in accomplishing the work that has been assigned him, will be blessed and prospered in that labor. It is with this confidence in God my eternal Father that I have accepted this honor that has been conferred upon me, and by and through His help I shall try and do my duty. ¶

May the blessing and peace of Heaven be upon the people of God. May the blessing of the Lord be upon their lands, upon their houses, and upon everything that pertains unto them, that we may become a united and a free people — free from sin and from stain of every kind, and live in harmony and peace together before God. This is my prayer and desire in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen. ¶