Relief Society, January 8, 2012
This year we will study from "Teachings of Presidents of the Church," and learn about President George Albert Smith. Studying each prophet helps us know them as an individual in addition to knowing them as a prophet of God.
Chapter One, LIVING WHAT WE BELIEVE
President George Albert Smith was born on April 4, 1870, to a family with a lengthy history of Church membership. He was born in humbly surroundings. The family home was modest, and he often felt when winds blew the two-story structure would blow down.
He married Lucy Emily Woodruff (granddaughter of President Wilford Woodruff) on May 25, 1892, and one week later was sent on a mission in the southern Unites States. Lucy joined him four months later, serving by his side in the mission office. She died at age 68, after 45 years of marriage. They had two daughters and one son.
President George Albert Smith was ordained an Apostle by President Joseph F. Smith on October 8, 1903, and was set apart as President of the Church on May 21, 1945. He died on his 81st birthday, April 4, 1951.
At the age of 34, president Smith made a list of resolutions that he called his "personal creed." They consisted of 11 ideals that he committed to live by:
"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 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 one 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 to 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 wound 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 successes 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 also a blessed privilege to disseminate this truth."
President George Albert Smith lived during the buggy era, and died during the time when traveling by air was common. He lived what he believed. He stated that we must be obedient to gospel principles to qualify as Saints. Having our names on Church roles was not sufficient. He likened this truth to the parable of the wedding feast. In order to be obedient we must read and study the scriptures, pray often, attend the temple, pay an honest tithe, obey the word of wisdom, have a spirit of forgiveness, and live gospel principles.
President George Albert Smith said, "He has given us intelligence and wisdom above our fellowmen. A knowledge of pre-existence has been given to the Latter-day Saints; a knowledge that we are here because we kept our first estate, and that we have been given the opportunity of gaining eternal life in the presence of our Heavenly Father, by keeping our second estate. We will not be judged as our brothers and sisters of the world are judged, but according to the greater opportunities placed in our keeping. We will be among those who have received the word of the Lord, who have heard His sayings, and if we do them it will be to us eternal life, but if we fail condemnation will result.
Let us do better than we have ever done before. Let us renew our determination to be real Latter-day Saints, and not just make-believe. ...I do not know anybody who can not do a little better than he has been doing, if he makes up his mind."
President George Albert Smith lived according to the 11 creeds to which he committed. His life was one of service and kindness to all.
