Yesterday was the birth date of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I just need to quickly say how thankful I am for the courage and faith of this man. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through him. I am humbled by his strength and by all that he accomplished in his short life. He was just a little older than I am when he was martyred. I had the honor of serving as a missionary in Vermont. I served near the place where the Prophet Joseph was born. I remember going to a Zone Conference at the birthplace of the Prophet on his birthday. It was a great experience that I will always remember. One of the biggest blessings of serving as a missionary for me was the testimony that I gained of this great prophet. One of my best missionary moments was when a man on the street started to mock and laugh about Joseph Smith. I felt a feeling rise in me that I had never experienced before. I had to stop this man. I put my hand up to stop him and then testified to him of what I knew to be true. The spirit filled me with the words to speak. The man fell silent. He thanked me and then walked away. My testimony grew significantly in that one moment and continued to grow throughout the remainder of my mission. I know that he was called of God. I love him and I am grateful that I have a knowledge and testimony of Him and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.