We live in troubling, uncertain times. Jesus said of this period in human history: "Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  Brother John's love for the scriptures and the work of God is evident as he encourages the saints to "hold fast the faithful word as we have been taught. He is steadfast, enabled by sound doctrine, to exhort and convince the gainsayers.