President George Albert Smith was the church president from 1945-1951, being a general authority through the Great Depression and World War II. To be a church leader through such difficult and challenging times helped to cultivate many admirable principles and values in this great man. Many an article could be created in relation to his great words and teachings. There is one particular set of ideas from President Smith that I wanted to share in this little article that I feel can be very helpful for singles. During singlehood, searching for a new relationship and spouse is only part of your journey. This is also a great opportunity to work on your own personal principles, values, and ideals. The healthier, happier, and more spiritual you become, the more prepared you will be for the next relationship. You will also have a much better version on yourself to offer that future relationship. Accordingly, the more we can learn about, emulate, and adopt President Smith’s ideals and wisdom, the better off we will be.
Personal Creed:
From the Teaching of the Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/36786_eng.pdf?lang=eng, page 1), we learn the following:
When he was 34 years old, George Albert Smith made a list of
resolutions that he called his “personal creed”—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.”
Application for Singles:
George Albert Smith did his best to actually live up to these ideals throughout his entire life. And we can too. Here are a few ideas for how you can apply and incorporate these same ideals and make this list your own personal creed as well:
*How you treat others: you too can find opportunities to show true kindness, caring, compassion, giving, and support to others. You can say hi to new or lonely people at church. You can help people through hardships and challenging, such as illness, injury, financial woes, etc. You can also learn and share your knowledge of the gospel with others—both members and non-members. You can help errant people back to gospel activity through love and caring. The opportunities to give and serve others are endless.
*Personality traits: the ideals of love, kindness, caring, humility, giving, concern, and support are true Christlike qualities to adopt, practice, and live every day. You can work to get along with everyone, and make things right when problems develop. Be a peacemaker. Love one another, as thyself. Allow others to be who and what they are, and don’t argue or power struggle. Stay humble and never exalt yourself over another. Be others oriented and truly happy for others when things go well for them. These ideals will help you “love your neighbor”.
Final Thoughts:
The more Christlike we become, the happier we will be and the happier and healthier our relationships will be with everyone: friends, family, strangers, dating partners/spouses, etc. These ideals can be adopted by everyone to enrich your life, as well as the lives of everyone you interact with. To live by this creed will help you have the Spirit and truly be happy. Life becomes better for you and everyone else you interact with. Even though none of us will probably ever achieve the level of love and development of this great man, we can all be better than wherever we are currently. I encourage us all to improve ourselves accordingly. Do you it for yourself and for everyone else you deal with, including your future spouse. Because “…neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.”—1 Corinthians 11:11.
Dr. G
P.S. If you can questions, comments, or a future article request for me, feel free to contact me at drgilchrist@yahoo.com.
| 2021-08-08 | Randy Gilchrist | Spirituality |
About the author
Hello, my name is Dr. Randy Gilchrist (aka "Dr. G"). I am a licensed clinical psychologist, a licensed marriage & family therapist, and a certified hypnotherapist in private practice in Roseville, CA (www.dr-rg.com), practicing since 1997. Also, I am happily married in the temple (Manti) since 1996 and have 4 sons. I am a volunteer writer and contributor to LDS Dimension. I use my training, education, and experience to share insights with LDS Dimension on all things of interest to the LDS dating community. Please read my articles and columns on this site to assist you in your online dating journey. Also, to be considered for an answer in a future Q and A column, please email me your dating/relationship oriented questions to drgilchrist@yahoo.com. Finally, I also offer a powerful, effective worldwide custom hypnosis recording service just for LDS Dimension members for weight loss, pornography, and many other issues of concern to those in the LDS dating community (please learn more now at www.dr-rg.com/lds; email me questions to drgilchrist@yahoo.com).