Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-16
ASK In the name Of the Lord jesus.
pREsIpENT JosEPH r. SMITH.

ask In the name OF the Lord Jesus.
Amen.
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH.
| had really hoped that the other
brethren would occupy the time allot-
ted TO us on this memorable occasion.
/ feel so inadequate TO the task of at
tempting TO speak and TO express my
feelings, that IL would have been a re-
lief TO my mind to have been per-
mitted to sit still and listen to others.
To say that the Lord loved Presi-
dent i. ID. Richards would be only 20
express that which YOU all know.
And II would seem unnecessary for me
to say that l loved him, and that he
was beloved by all his brethren. ! do
not know a man anywhere who does
not love or has not loved President
Franklin d. Richards. do not see
how 1t would be possible for any man
who knew him not 20 love him. and
not to feel for him the kindliest and
the deepest respect. He has been
comfort and strength 70 me all my
life. AS Brother Brigham Young has
said here. he has known him all his
days; so have i. do not know one
OF the Apostles who has been more ia
miliar TO my mind. or with whom !
have been better acquainted all my life.
than Broeher Richards. There always
seemed 70 be something about him that
drew me towards him, and that drew
out my affections for him. / never
felt when | was In his presence, or
when absent from him, that | would
receive am but true brotherly and ia
therly consideration from him. | had
ID. III n IA.
lieved in him. and believe in him still,
as a man OF God. a man of truth. OF
virtue and of honor before the Lord. To
say that he, or that /. or any other
man had not human weaknesses and
imperfections, or TO say that he or
any other man was or Is perfect In
judgment, in knowledge, and in the ex-
ercise Of wisdom, would be TO say that
which should not perhaps be attribut-
ed to mortal beings. But | know of no
man of all my acquaintance who so
completely won my love and my conf
dence and respect as my brother whose
remains lie before US here today. / al
ways felt when he arose to speak that
he would say something good, and that
he would not say anything that would
grieye the Spirit OF the Lord or give
j felt always that he was in perfect ac-
cord In his spirit with the Spirit Of the
Prophet Joseph Smith; and / know no
man who, | believe was a truer man
to the Prophet Joseph Smith than was
Franklin ID. Richards. Every fibre OF
his soul seemed to be In accord with
the divine mission OF Joseph Smith.
have listened to his testimony concern
In hn .ls.t ..fI ~ .t.l. a L..
just simply filed my whole being al
most beyond my power 10 contain.
have rejoiced in hearing his testimony
Of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
! might mention another trait In his
character that has seemed TO me to
shine out beyond that Of almost any
other man i ever knew. He exempli-
fed the spirit that was expressed by
Job, and he has done II for many,many
years, Though he Stay me, yet will
trust In Him." ! know no man on this
earth that has manifested that spirit
equal 10 this man. And that example
which i have seen In him has helped
me TO be humble, and to yield In my
spirit at times when perhaps | might
have been so brittle otherwise, that |
should have flown to pieces probably.
lHt NuOusnl VI the experience ana eN-
ample of Brother Richards, what he
has endured, how he has bowed to the
rod and submitted TO the will OF proyi-
dence, has given me courage. strength
and humility, and | have been blessed
through him, | thank God for my as
soclations with Brother Franklin d.
Richards. With such as he would love
TO be associated not only through
the remaining few days have to live
upon this earth, but throughout the
countless ages OF eternity You may
count me one with him. |
want TO be where he is. |
want to be associated with him
and with men like him-men who would
die for the truth; men who would suf-
fer anything for the truths sake; men
whose testimony is and has been un-
wavering and mistaken, firm as the
rock OF ages No matter what cir
cumstances he was called to pass
through In life, his testimony was just
the same. AS / said before, In the
language OF job they could slay him,
yet would he put his trust In the Lord.
Whatever difficulties he had TO en-
counter. he was for Zion. for the build
ing up Of Zion; he was with his breth-
rem. true. steadfast and faithful
could not help but notice the remark
OF one Of the brethren. THAI II such as