--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Wilford C. Brimley collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 24 number: 3 published: 1921-01 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Wilford C. Brimley, "Give Me the Honor," *Improvement Era* 24, no. 3 (January 1921): 257–258.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2403unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera2403unse start_page: 257 end_page: 258 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1921-01) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2403unse publication_year: 1921 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1921, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Give Me the Honor Give Me the Honor By Wilford C. Brimley Many of us have read or heard narrated the account of the great council in heaven, at which two offers were made for the redemption of mankind on this earth. One was presented by Lucifer, a bright son of the morning; the other by Christ. We all know which offer was accepted, and know the effect upon Lucifer and his followers caused by the rejection of his offer. We have, perhaps, paid less attention to the manner in which the offers were presented. Christ offered his services in these simple words: "Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever." He wanted to take none of his Father's honor unto himself. His expression was a humble manifestation of his subservience to the will of the Father, a willingness to carry out his Father's plans without any credit, without thought of reward. When he came to earth in the flesh, the same spirit prompted all of his utterances. He made it clear to the disciples that he had come to do his Father's will. Said he: "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." Again: "I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." He disclaimed any credit for the plan in these words: "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." Contrast this humble attitude with the egotism of Lucifer. In presenting his plan to the Father, he said: "Behold, here am I, send me, I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it ; wherefore give me thine honor." He wanted to be sure that due credit would be given him for the plan, and that his reward would be sufficient and certain. His expression was an arrogant manifestation of his love for himself and his own ideas and a revelation of his covetousness for the Father's power and glory. Since the expulsion of Lucifer and his followers from the heavenly hosts, they have sought to instil the seeds of self-exaltation and greed in the hearts of the children of men. Many of us are influenced in our lives to seek personal aggrandizement in preference to community welfare or service. Perhaps unconsciously, though nevertheless truly, we take credit to ourselves for the thoughts that we think and the work that we do. We take care to let it be known when success attends any phase 258 IMPROVEMENT ERA of our work that we are responsible for the idea of its execution. In our efforts to "sell ourselves," we often impress our friends and business associates with our egotism, either real, or implied on their part. We tell them our plans have worked out to the letter or that certain work accomplished is the result of one of our bright ideas. We pride ourselves in our initiative and let it be known in one way or another that we originated the scheme, that it was our work or our success. Of course, initative is a valuable asset in any person, but it would be more valuable if we made it work without worrying about credit and rewards for our accomplishments. Not all of our brilliant ideas are accepted. The self-sufficient individual is often disappointed. He thinks a valuable idea has been rejected and lost to the world unless his plan is adopted. His disappointment often turns to bitterness and he begins to make trouble just as Lucifer did when his pet scheme was rejected. The unselfish man is not frustrated by the non-acceptance of his idea. He simply holds it until a more opportune time, lives to see the wisdom of the man above in not adopting his plan, or forgets it. Ability is soon recognized without the necessity of vaunting oneself. On the other hand, ability is often forgotten when its possessor tries to impress the world with his brightness, his immunity from mistakes, or his cocksure opinions on everything. All the world dislikes the man who is always right, whose way is the one best way and who is always expressing his firm opinion. Such a man is not willing to give credit to the other fellow for having thoughts or accomplishing his work well, especially if it has any connection with his own work. Welove the man who plays the game effectively, though it may be quietly, and without boasting of what he is doing or how valuable he is to the organization, without thought of what the papers will say or whether his acquaintances will recognize his greatness, and without expecting to be paid in full as soon as the job is done. If he makes any comment on the success of his work, he expresses it by saying: "We have a wonderful organization of men;" "We all worked together;" or, "We have a fine manager." He finds no need for such an expression as: "Give me the honor." Logan, Utah