Cautions for Aging Persons
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of the responsibilities upon others; for this will make you wretched.
“Thinketh no evil,” is one of the blessed attributes of Jesus Christ.
Your case has been laid open before me, and I know from what has
been presented, that you spend many hours of grief and despondency
because you think your brethren simply tolerate you but do not put
confidence in you and trust you. It would not be right for them to
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act toward you as they have acted toward Elder Butler. Men have
placed him where God should be placed, and by so doing have ruined
their own religious experience and have also ruined Elder Butler, and
the church was becoming strengthless, Christless because they glori-
fied men when every jot of glory should be given to God.... Beware
of Satan’s devices. Nothing can weaken and unbalance the human
mind like brooding over supposed wrongs, thinking that you are not
appreciated....
I greatly desire that you shall have a trustful mind, that you shall
not depend upon your past confidence in God, but have a present, fresh
faith, and maintain your confidence without wavering. Your soul must
daily be warmed and invigorated by the truth of the gospel, and you
refreshed by a daily living and new experience. I want you to have
comfort and hope and joy in the Holy Ghost. Never, never feel the
slightest disturbance because the Lord is raising up youth to lift and
carry the heavier burdens and proclaim the message of truth.—
Letter
14, 1891
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“Be Not Accusers of the Brethren”
I am bidden to say to my aged brethren, walk humbly with God.
Be not accusers of the brethren. You are to do your appointed work
under the direction of the God of Israel. The inclination to criticize
is the greatest danger of many. The brethren whom you are tempted
to criticize are called to bear responsibilities which you could not
possibly carry; but you can be their helpers. You can do great service
to the cause if you will, by presenting your experience in the past in
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connection with the labors of others. The Lord has not given to any of
you the work of correcting and censuring your brethren....
Follow on with your brethren to know the Lord. Sympathize with
those who are bearing a heavy load, and encourage them wherever