MLKJ Daughter: President 'Using Daddy's Bible Is Heart Warming'

Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr., told "Starting Point" Anchor Soledad O’Brien that she is touched by President Obama using her father’s bible during the Inauguration’s swearing in ceremony and is hoping that he addresses reconciliation in his speech.

Here is the transcript of the interview, courtesy of CNN:

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Bernice King is the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  She is with us this morning.  It’s nice to see you.  Thank you for being with us.  You know, I know that the bible, that was your family bible.  Your father's personal bible is being used in the swearing in today, along with a bible that belonged to Abraham Lincoln.  Tell me a little bit about the family bible, your father's bible.

BERNICE KING, DAUGHTER OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.:  Well, that Bible is at least 59 years of age because in it are markings such as 5-10-54.  That was the time period in which he accepted as pastor to Dexter Avenue Baptist Church.

So he was using this as a bible to meditate and pray and prepare himself for leadership in the church and ultimately we know for the movement.  It’s very tattered.  We did a little repairing on it, restoration, so it wouldn't fall apart when the president places his hand on it.

O’BRIEN:  Yes, that would be a bad thing to happen in the middle of the inauguration ceremony.  I know you are preparing to speak at Ebenezer Church today, because, of course, what a great coincidence of timing.  Today, we also celebrate your father's legacy as well, on the same day we inaugurate a president.  It’s really a tremendous thing.  What are you going to talk about?  How do the two things intersect for you?

KING:  Well, I think first and foremost, the fact that the president is using daddy's bible is heart warming for me.  Because my father was first and foremost a preacher, pastor, it reminds people of that.  That is one of the things I will stress today.

We must remember the pastor and preacher, Martin Luther King Jr.  The second is my father was such a healing leader and so was Abraham Lincoln.  And our president in these times because the nation is so divided.

He is in one of the interesting positions where we'll have to find a way to bring the nation together to heal the nation.  So I will call for healing and reconciliation, in light of the gun discussions and discourse going on now, that we've got to really consider creating a more nonviolent society.

O’BRIEN:  Bernice King with us this morning.  It’s nice to see you even if it's from a distance.  Thanks for being with us.

KING:  Thank you, Soledad.

O’BRIEN:  You bet.