David's Testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith III
Channel: The Fellowship of Christ
Date: 2023-01-26

"While weighing my desires and capabilities for this work, the question came up: Will I ever have anything to do with Mormonism? If so, how and what will it be? I was impressed that there was truth in the work my father had done, I believed the Gospel so far as I comprehended it. Was I to have no part in that work as left by him? ¶ While engaged in this contemplation and perplexed by these recurring questions, the room suddenly expanded and passed away. I saw stretched out before me towns, cities, busy marts, courthouses, courts, and assemblies of men, all busy and all marked by those characteristics that are found in the world, where men win place and renown. This stayed before my vision till I had noted clearly that choice of preferment here was offered to him who would enter in, but who did so must go into the busy whirl and be submerged by its din, bustle, and confusion. In the subtle transition of a dream I was gazing over a wide expanse of country in a prairie land; no mountains were to be seen, but far as the eye could reach, hill and dale, hamlet and village, farm and farmhouse, pleasant cot and homelike place, everywhere betokening thrift, industry, and the pursuits of a happy peace were open to the view. I remarked to him standing by me, but whose  presence I had not before noticed: This must be the country of a happy people. To this he replied: Which would you prefer, life, success, and renown among the busy scenes that you first saw, or a place among these people, without honors or renown? Think of it well, for the choice will be offered to you sooner or late, and you must be prepared to decide; your decision once made you cannot recall it, and must abide the result. No time was given me for a reply, for as suddenly as it had come, so suddenly was it gone, and I found myself sitting upright on the side of the bed where I had been lying, the rays of the declining sun shining athwart the western hills and over the shimmering river, making the afternoon all glorious with their splendor, shone into my room instinct with life and motion, filling me with gladness that I should live. From that hour, at leisure, at work or play, I kept before me what had been presented, and was at length prepared to answer when the opportunity for the choice should be given." -11 Joseph 13-25 (Epistles of the Saints)