It has been a great privilege of mine to be associated with good men and women all my life. I can now see how I have been blessed through the righteousness of my parents, of their hospitality in caring for the needs of others. Many of the noblest men and women have been entertained by my parents in their open house. Presidents of the church, apostles and prophets and many noble women have eaten at my mother's table. Among them are Eliza R. Snow, Zina D. Young, Emaline B. Wells and many other good and inspired women to whom I have listened with great interest bear their testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, for they lived in his day and had a personal acquaintance with him. There is no doubt in my mind as to the truthfulness of their testimonies. Their spirit bears witness to my spirit that what they bore witness of is true. Perhaps the greatest testimony of all is that given of the Holy Ghost. The early apostles found it so, and it has given me the same assurance.

I am now past 94 years of age. My health is good, I am happy and I enjoy my work in the Salt Lake Temple. Just how much longer I will be able to follow up the work, I do not know. My hearing is not as good as it once was and my eyes are somewhat bedimmed, yet I enjoy life and while I live I want to do some good for the benefit of others. I appreciate the lives of many others with whom I have had the privilege of associating and I am indebted to them for their kindness to me.

I am thankful for my parents and for my brothers and sisters. I am proud of my family to whom these lines are dedicated. My sons and daughters, my grandsons and granddaughters and my great-grandchildren. I am grateful to see them coming along and I hope my posterity will continue to raise families. I am sure they will be prospered and blessed.

I am glad to have lived in this great day of the Lord. I have had varied experiences and have seen many changes. I have yoked oxen and hitched them to the wagon, and to the plow. I remember of once telling my wife that I would not care for an automobile: that a good team and buggy was good enough for me. But people change their minds and want to go faster and faster, and many hurry to their untimely graves. Speeds of 50-70-100 miles an hour are too slow: they want to fly, fly, fly through the air. But that will be too slow for immortal beings. I did not anticipate the thrill of riding in an airplane, but have had that experience before passing on to have another experience, which I anticipate is a step in advance. It must be a pretty good place, for few people ever return and we all must have that experience. The question is, are we prepared to face the facts of our life's work, to meet the future, to contact those with whom we have associated in business and otherwise.

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