God never had had a people on the earth, but what he always held communication with them through his servants the prophets.

The Book of Mormon is a record of a portion of the House of Israel that inhabited this continent, and the dealings of God with them through his ser- vants the prophets.

By the power of God this people was enabled to receive the testi- mony of his servants. By his pow- er this people had been gathered to this Territory. The once desert plains we now inhabited had become fruitful. By the power of God we were here living in peace, and had been sustained to bring about his purposes. The word of the Lord had gone forth that he would sus- tain his people who had received the testimony of his servants and keep his commandments. If the Lord had not kept his promise we should long since have been scat- tered before our enemies.