As a saint you say, 'I think I understand my duty, and I am doing very well.' That may be so.  You see the little twig; it is green; it flourishes and is the very picture of life.  It bears its part and pro portion in the tree, and is connected with the stem, branches, and root.  But could the tree live without it?  Yes, it could.  It need not boast itself and get uplifted and say, 'How green I am! and how I flourish! and what a healthy position I am in! How well I am doing! and I am in my proper place and am doing right.' But could you do without the root? No: you bear your proper part and position in the tree.  Just so with this people.  When they are doing their part -- when they are magnifying their calling, living their religion, and walking in obedience to the Spirit of the Lord, they have a portion of his Spirit given to them to profit withal. And while they are humble, faithful diligent, and observe the laws and commandments of god, they stand in their proper position on the tree: they are flourishing; the buds, blossoms, leaves, and everything about them are all right, and they form a part and parcel of the tree...."

John Taylor in Journal of Discourses 6:108

Cross Reference: John 15:1-8