There Are No Little Things

There Are No Little Things By J. Golden Kimball, of the First Council of Seventy We honor, revere and admire great preachers, soldiers, states- men, physicians and men of letters, but we cannot help loving a man who is kind, charitable, merciful, just and forgiving. President Seymour B. Young took the time to be gracious, gentle, courteous and considerate to old and young alike. He was ever ready to visit the sick, comfort his old comrades; was big hearted and gen- erous to the widow and fatherless; he was forgiving to the sinner, and no doubt unconsciously influenced the lives of many neglected, for- gotten souls and helped them over the hill, to find just around the corner the kingdom of heaven "in earth, as it is in heaven." He learned what true greatness is. He comprehended his Master's teachings. The answer to true greatness is: "Whoever will be great among you, let him be your minister." Brother Young was a superior soul clothed upon with the spirit of faith, humility, loyalty and integrity. He had one great big idea: it was to love God, and his Son Jesus Christ, and to serve them. He was a witness for God, and ever and always prepared to testify that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed through him is true. There is a homely old hymn which assures us that "Kind words can never die." Abraham Lincoln, a great and good man, said: "When they lay me away, let it be said of me that as I traveled along life's road I always endeavored to pull a thistle and plant a rose in its stead." Brother Young was like that. In our mad rush, do we stop to consider the tremendous con- sequences that come from little things — a chance word — a kindly shake of the hand — a friendly tap on the shoulder. Bruce Barton said: "I am tempted to think that nothing dies — and that there are no little things." President Seymour B. Young's state of mind took the form of praise, thanksgiving and aspiration to become more and more like his Master. I am grateful, although sorrowful over the separation, that our comrade, our President, at the age of 87, has made a safe return home, a place of fulfilment, of reward; a place of freedom, of knowledge, of growth, of progress, of harmony, of ecstasy; a place where love rules, where peace is, where the pure desire is granted. It is a place where truth is understood clearly. It is a place where every hope and aspira- tion reaches fruition, accomplishment, achievement. That's what Jesus told us to pray for, and he worded the prayer. I am truly sorry that after all Brother Young's praying, he had to die to real- ize the fulfilment, reward, freedom, knowledge, growth, progress, harmony, love, birth, fruition, achievement and ecstasy. Salvation is the greatest gift of God. Brother Young paid the price, and the gates will be left ajar for his entrance into the Kingdom of God, as it is in heaven.