This, I believe, is all I need For my philosophy and creed.

Credo is a Latin word that means "I believe" many Latin based languages use a form of this word in the same way. In Spanish you would say "Creo" in French "Crois" and in Italian they just use the original Latin word. In English the word is Creed, and it is a word that I feel, and fear is used far too seldom.  It is a word that implies something noble, something strong, and something unbreakable.  It seems to me to be a word of or philosophy that embodies goal setting, and eternal progression.  A creed as the Websters dictionary defines is "any system or codification of belief or of opinion." in my mind it is a standard of living, a manifestation of belief, and in a way a sort of vow to yourself to uphold certain moral, and ethical standards. 

I would like to include two inspiring items concerning Creeds, the first is the Creed of an Apostle, who later became known as the "Prophet of Christ like love." His name was George Albert Smith, and upon his call to the Quorum of the Twelve he felt inadequate, and decided that he needed to sit down and write out a creed, something that he would stand for, something that would dictate the course of his life, his behavior, and his decisions.... It's a really beautiful piece of writing, and the man that he was at the end of his life reflected that he was very successful in the execution of his set standard of living.  Here I include his beautiful creed. 


The Creed of George Albert Smith


"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 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 by 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 success 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 a blessed privilege to disseminate the truth."
(Elder George Albert Smith, Improvement Era, Vol. 5, March 1932, p. 295; paragraphing added). 

Another item I would like to include is a beautiful poem written by one of my favorite poets Edgar A. Guest. It is the basis of the title of this blog, and is an inspiring piece of literature as well.


My Creed ~ Edgar A. Guest

To live as gently as I can;
To be, no matter where, a man;
To take what comes of good or ill
And cling to faith and honor still;
To do my best, and let that stand
The record of my brain and hand;
And then, should failure come to me,
Still work and hope for victory.

To have no secret place wherein
I stoop unseen to shame or sin;
To be the same when I'm alone
As when my every deed is known;
To live undaunted, unafraid
Of any step that I have made;
To be without pretense or sham
Exactly what men think I am.

To leave some simple mark behind
To keep my having lived in mind;
If enmity to aught I show,
To be an honest, generous foe,
To play my little part, nor whine
That greater honors are not mine.
This, I believe, is all I need
For my philosophy and creed.

I pray that I may embody some of these traits, and that I might be a man who would uphold such ideals, and standards.

In my next post I will share my own personal creed, and what I pray I might become.