I hope you can take a few minutes to watch the following video of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s last speech, I’ve Been to the Mountaintop. King gave this speech on April 3, 1968 at the Mason Temple in Memphis, TN. The next day, at 6:01 PM, he was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel. Below are the final words from the speech.
We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And 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!
And 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!!
Additional:
- Full text, audio, and video of I’ve Been to the Mountaintop speech at American Rhetoric.
- Video of I Have a Dream speech in Washington DC on August 28, 1963.
- A sad reflection on MLK’s birthday by Dr. Jonathan L. Walton. It pains me to witness Dr. King’s legacy reduced by so many to a few flowery phases such as “I Have A Dream” and “One Day We Will Get to the Promise Land.” And I find myself in a sorrowful mood as it appears with the passing of each day our society moves further away from the “beloved community” that Martin Luther King, Jr. lived and ultimately gave his life for.
David W. Swanson 
I wasn’t sure if I was going to comment… as I have nothing of true value to add. But I surely wonder what the world would be like, had he lived a full life… I wonder if we would be living in a better world, and a world where perhaps more people viewed the world and its peoples as God sees them: valued, contributing individuals as one, united body made in the image of God himself…
Mr. King… you are and will remain to be missed, and I cannot wait to meet you.