Oh how I suffered of cold and hunger, and the keenest of all was to hear my little ones crying for bread and I had none to give them.  But in all, the Lord was with us and gave us grace and faith to stand it all.[12]  I have seen Bro. Brigham, Bros. Taylor, Woodruff and Snow rule this great work and pass on to their reward, and now [we have] Brother Joseph F. Smith.  I hope the Lord will spare him—if 'tis his holy will—for many, many years to guide the gospel ship to a harbor of safety, and I know they will, if the people will only listen and obey the teachings of these good, great and holy men.  I have lived right here in Salt Lake City for 52 years and I have had the privilege of going into the temple and being baptized for some of my dead.

I am now over eighty years old and I am nearly blind, which is a great trial to me.  It is the greatest trial I have ever been called upon to bear, but I hope my eyesight will be spared to me, poor as it is, that I may be able to go to meeting and to the temple to do more work for my dead.