Francis Asbury Hammond
(1822 – 1900)
I now pray God, my Heavenly Father, to preserve this book, yea even that my children’s children down to the latest generation may have the privilege of reading this my history. Grant, O Lord, that I may never have to record one unrighteous act of my own but preserve me, O Lord, from the wiles of the adversary and bless me with thy Holy Spirit continually that it may become a source of constant revelation unto thy servant. Yea, that he may be humble and pliable at all times in thy hands like clay in the hands of the potter, pliable and willing to be moulded into anything thou desirest. Help me, O Lord, to break my own stubborn will and be brought to bow humbly at thy commands, and to honor and respect those whom thou has called to counsel me in the affairs of the kingdom. This, O Lord, is the desire of my heart all the day long, to become just what thou wouldst have me to be. I dedicate this book unto thee, praying thee, O Lord, to preserve it that it be not be destroyed by accident or design, that my children’s children even down to the latest generation may have the privilege of reading the history of their father. Grant, O Lord, that I may never have to record one single unrighteous act against myself, but that I may have thy Holy Spirit to be and abide with me continually to preserve me from the snares of Satan. Help me, O Lord, to honor the holy priesthood whereunto I have been called, that I may never be left to bring disgrace upon myself or reproach on thy cause. Grant my humble prayer, O Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, thy Son, amen.
