Discourses of Brigham Young, p.56 – p.57

Our bodies are all important to us, though they may be old and withered, emaciated with toil, pain, and sickness, and our limbs bent with rheumatism, all uniting to hasten dissolution, for death is sown in our mortal bodies.

The food and drink we partake of are contaminated with the seeds of death, yet we partake of them to extend our lives until our allotted work is finished, when our tabernacles, in a state of ripeness, are sown in the earth to produce immortal fruit.

Yet, if we live our holy religion and let the spirit reign, it will not become dull and stupid, but as the body approaches dissolution the spirit takes a firmer hold on that enduring substance behind the veil, drawing from the depths of that eternal Fountain of Light sparkling gems of intelligence which surround the frail and sinking tabernacle with a halo of immortal wisdom.

9:288.

Hugh B. Brown, The Abundant Life, p.84

Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older, and will someday be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject on every occasion. Release me from trying to straighten out everybody’s affairs.

Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it, but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends left at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details, and give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains—they are increasing and love of hearing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I do not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others of their pains, but help me to endure them with patience.

I do not ask for improved memory, but for growing humility and a lessening cocksuredness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.

And teach me, O Lord, the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint, some of them are too hard to live with, but a sour old person is the crowning work of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people, and give me the grace to tell them so.