“It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom.”
Joseph Smith—History 1:20
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?
Sister Elaine S. Dalton said:
“What does the Lord expect us to do? He expects us to play our part in the final scenes prior to His coming. He expects us to prove ourselves worthy to return and live with Him. He expects us to become like Him. Follow Joseph’s pattern. I love the words in the hymn the choir just sang: ‘But undaunted, still he trusted / In his Heav’nly Father’s care’ [“Joseph Smith’s First Prayer,” Hymns, no. 26]. To be undaunted means unshaken in purpose, resolutely courageous. Joseph described himself as a ‘disturber’ of the adversary’s kingdom. He said, ‘It seems as though the adversary was aware . . . that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom’ [Joseph Smith—History 1:20]. I have written in the margin of my scriptures, “Be a disturber!” Trust in your Heavenly Father’s care.
“Each of us will play an important part if we follow the pattern established by Joseph Smith. The Lord strengthened Joseph Smith for his divine mission. He will strengthen you for yours. He may even send His holy angels to tutor you. Now the challenge is this: Will you be in such a place that angels can enter? Will you be still enough to hear? Will you be undaunted and trust?
“We are living at a time when the fulness of the gospel has been restored to the earth through the Lord’s prophet, Joseph Smith. We are living in a time when we have the Book of Mormon to guide us. We are living in a time when we have a living prophet, the priesthood power on the earth, and the sealing power to bind families together for eternity in holy temples. Truly these are days ‘never to be forgotten’! [Joseph Smith—History 1:71, note].
“It is my prayer that each one of us might be firm in our faith, that we might follow the pattern Joseph Smith established for us to gain a testimony. I also pray that each of us will worthily represent the Savior as we take upon ourselves His name. He has promised: ‘As the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, . . . so shall your . . . name remain’ [Isaiah 66:22].
“My testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ has served as a guide and an anchor in my life. I am grateful to stand before you today and say with all the energy of my heart, ‘We thank thee, O God, for a prophet’ [Hymns, no. 19]. I am so grateful for the integrity of a 14-year-old young man who prayed for an answer to his questions and then remained true to the knowledge he received.
“Each of you has a part to play in this great and marvelous work. The Savior will help you. He will lead you by the hand [see D&C 112:10; Abraham 1:18]. He knows you by name. I so testify, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
(“He Knows You by Name,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 110–11.)