Alan Dayton
Served mission in North Dakota and South Dakota, 1987–89
IHC lobbyist, former Salt Lake County deputy mayor

How was your faith tested on your mission?
nI was a zone leader in Bismarck, N.D. I went on splits with this elder'the highest-baptizing elder in the mission. We were driving along this bridge over the Missouri River. I asked him what was his key to success. He said he has no fear of the devil, opened the car door and spit on the bridge, you know, like, “Bring it on, Devil. I can kick your ass,” just talking all this crap. … Later that night I get a phone call from the hospital. He and his companion went back to the bridge and thought it would be fun to jump off this bridge into the Missouri River. He shattered his leg on a sand bar. It was a faith-confirming event for me: You don’t tempt the Devil.