I wish I had been a better man and done more good. But notwithstanding all the imperfections of my nature, I rejoice in God. I am thankful that I live in this day and generation, that I have received the Gospel and the Priesthood, and that the Spirit of God is still with me and my companions. The hand of God is before me and visible to my eye in the great work of this last dispensation to all the inhabi- tants of this world. Yea, the God of Israel will teach this nation, with its congress- men and rulers, the governors, judges, and marshals, and all men, that He is stronger than man, that His purposes fail not, that He is able to perform all that He has set His hand to do, and that he will perform it and bring it to pass in spite of earth or hell, or wicked men or devils, and none can stay his hand. In this I rejoice. We have nothing to discourage us, so far as the Church and Kingdom of God are concerned in their final triumph.

The devil is ruling over his Kingdom and is making a desperate strug- gle to overcome the Kingdom of God and its Christ. But they cannot prevail. Here is the patience and faith of the Saints and they that keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. It certainly is beginning to be a trying time to the Saints of God. But if we had no trials, in our day, of our faith, we would hardly be at home with the ancient Saints, who were persecuted and martyred for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.