The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his last public address at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee on April 3, 1968. He was assassinated the next day. He was there to support a strike of city sanitation workers, but the last part of his speech was prophetic and enduring. Here is what he said:
Well I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop.
I don’t mind.
Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!
So I’m happy tonight.
I’m not worried about anything.
I’m not fearing any man!
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!
