I was greatly surprised to see a big picture of a group of young men and women with the background of the Roman Forum in the beautiful and for me very special city of Rome in the September 2008 issue of the Liahona. I wish to share some thoughts but it is difficult to express in words so many memories and feelings. I just hope that they will be of inspiration to some…
In March 1971 I went to Italy as a missionary and my first assignment was to proselyte in the city of Rome, which, in time, I learned to love so much. My companion was the Branch President, certainly a very small branch since the church was still young in Italy. The Mission headquarters had been recently moved from Florence, its first location, to Rome in Via Cimone 95 where I had my first spiritual experiences of my mission.
In our preparation days (P-days), my companion and I used to go take pictures of the many historical places of Rome, real tourist postcards known all over the world. One of the photos I remember very well has me in the same place and perspective of the one picturing the youth in the Liahona…How many things to ponder, to remember and to be grateful for! Allow me to share some of those:
• I remember well my feelings of being new in the mission field and of being the Branch Clerk (also we used to call the junior companion to a missionary serving as Branch Presidents “wife”)…those were natural feelings coming from being part of such a small congregation. We used to meet in an apartment on the first floor of a building in a much unknown area (Piazza Vescovio), which even the same Romans did not know where it was. Hence, these feelings of being very small as compared to the majesty of Rome and the rest of the Roman Empire.
• I asked myself how it was for Paul and Peter to preach there. Just a few meters from the place where the picture was taken, there is the old jail that they say was the prison of Paul in Rome. I understood much of his great missionary spirit, which is the basis of the comments in the Liahona article written by Sister Maddy, who I don’t know, but whose thoughts I share.
• Can you imagine some of the feelings that I now feel after 37 years?…Because there is something glorious about this picture in the Liahona which teaches me many things and it is the reason why I am sharing my feelings. In the middle of the photo dressed in a colourful attire that distinguishes her from all other young men and young women in the picture there is Denise De Feo.
You may wonder why glorious…here it is some of the story.
After the first two months of my mission, we received the visit of Elder Thomas S. Monson who came to that small apartment that was the branch in Rome. At that time he was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and had come with the assignment to announce that the Italy Mission was being divided in two missions: one in the North of Italy with headquarters in Milan and the other one in the South with headquarters still in Rome. That would take place in only two months.
I remember Elder Monson’s visit very well, his wife and daughter with him, his good spirit and his great personality, giving us encouragement to give our best in whatever mission we would end up. In the following weeks, I remember thinking: “I would like to go to the North” and as some transfers took place we knew who was staying in such a mission. And so it happened with me when in those days I received a transfer to go to the city of Taranto, deep South, and I was assigned as a senior companion to a new elder that had just arrived in the mission field and we travelled together to this town in the South. It was one more challenge in my mission. Certainly Rome was not very fruitful as of my learning of missionary work, first of all because it was a very big town for the beginning of the work in Italy, then for lack of interest to listen to our message, and, in my case, because I had to dedicate sufficient time to assist the Branch President, I being the clerk of that small branch. That’s why I also value very much the vision of a prophet, the current President of the Church Thomas Monson, his thoughts and fortitude in that small apartment of that remote Piazza Vescovio in the immense city of Rome. They were certainly more profound and positive than mine! And I mention these feelings so that it is understood that we can learn even 37 years after.
Going to Taranto brought great challenges: teaching to my new companion and starting both to preach in Italian. I had used English much in those first months and it was hard to understand the language with its different tones and to adapt to the new customs of the region. I also think that my companion seemed to have another challenge: elder Nelson was from the United States.
Both of us proceeded to labor and started to knock on doors and to offer our message in our own “unique” language. But the Lord blessed us with results. To the baptism of the De Bartolomeo’s family followed the baptisms of the Galizia family and Franco and others. Finally, we knocked on a special door where one of the most powerful experiences in my mission, which is not easy to describe in a few words, expected us and has accompanied me since 1971. I remember reading the names of the families on the nameplate on the doors of each apartment of a certain house (in Italy, the majority of people live in apartment buildings with two or three apartments on each floor and each one of them has the habit of putting the surname on the door to facilitate the task of identifying that certain family). So, we knew the names of the families before they opened the door. Then I remember reading the name at the door we knocked: De Feo. Something that in Castilian sounds singular as surname and that provokes smiling. I made a comment to my companion and he smiled when he heard what it meant in Castilian but the Lord had us something more glorious prepared that quite these anecdotal details and it is what in the Mission we called a golden contact. Two very kind and amiable children, Alberto and Massimo De Feo, together with and supported by their aunt, received the discussions very well and progressed towards the baptism. It was touching to see their conversion and acceptance of the missionary message.
I did not have the privilege to be present the day of their baptism and elder Nelson had been transferred to another town. Elder Mason had accompanied me and finished teaching the discussions and baptized them. I, on my part, was called to be Branch President of the Catania Branch, in Sicily but I received the photo of the De Feo brothers and a card from their aunt on the day of their baptism. They were both dressed in white. Their aunt decided not to be baptized, which gives more value to their conversion and also the fact that their parents always authorized their baptism. I keep those two photos with the written greetings from Alberto and Massimo like a treasure. And it is at this point that you discover why something glorious came to me when I saw Denise De Feo in the middle of the picture in the Liahona. Because Denise is the daughter of Massimo withs whom I had not had much contact but not long ago I was informed that had been called as the first Stake President of the recent created first Stake of Rome.
Perhaps you can perceive my feelings of gratitude still learning after 37 years by only comparing the thoughts of excitement and of great humility mentioned previously from the times of the small Branch of Piazza Vescovio to this fantastic article
Could I imagine that day that I visited the Roman Forum for the first time and at the same time being awed at the sight of such show of grandeur of the great Roman Empire the relation of my picture with that in the 2008 Liahona? No.I would have never imagined but one of the things I wish to share is that Someone knew. Because our Lord is at the centre of missionary work: the centre of that message that was shared with our poor Italian by my companion and me but that connected through the Spirit with Alberto and Massimo and also with their aunt Anna. That day that we read the name De Feo prior to knocking on the door, the Lord had already in store this glorious experience that has no limits.
Today, after many years, I was able to speak to Massimo (President De Feo) and he informed me that his brother Alberto, who lives in Canada is Branch President there. He told me of their aunt, of their good parents who even if they were not members allowed them both to serve as missionaries, of his achievements and of his son who just finished a mission in Spain and therefore speaks my very own language that I could not use to teach. However, at the end of this story I testify that all teachings must be from heart to heart through the medium of the Holy Ghost who is the only one who can penetrate the heart and “teach eternal truths”.
I have a feeling of gratitude for the Lord for having taught me after so many years and especially to all those mentioned in my story, from Denise to her father, from my companions to our current president and prophet Thomas S. Monson and to many others who are parts of this chain that we have formed. That is how we described it with Massimo in our beautiful phone call.
As one of my companions in my mission used to say, recalling the scripture “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts”. And often the Lord has spiritual experiences prepared for us that we would never imagine to live.
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Oscar Blanc: remembering his Mormon mission. by admin
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Mainahin Missouri: My first introduction … by mainahinmissouri
My first introduction to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints came from a very unexpected source. I had attended a protestant Bible camp in Northern Maine, and began to hear anti mormon statements. I became curious and actually at one point prayed that I would have an opportunity to debate with missionaries. That opportunity came a few months later. Yet as hard as I tried to argue, I felt the warmth of the Spirit touch my heart. I knew that the church was true and could not deny it. I was what the missionaries referred to as a golden contact. I also began to question the protestant church I was attending. If this church was wrong, why all the fuss? I was baptized on 21 December 1985. Unfortunately a few months later I went inactive. It wasn’t until I enlisted in the Marines that I became active in the church again for a very short time. In 1993, I decided enough was enough, and that I needed to return to church activity. Even when I was inactive and attending other churches, I knew that this church was true, and that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. There was no denying it.Brian Ouellette
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Benjamin Hofmann: I grew up in the Church … by benjaminhofmann
I grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but realized as a teenager I needed to decide for myself what I believed. I believed what my parents taught me but realized I needed my own testimony. I also realized the importance of the matter I was considering. If it was all true then my eternal welfare was at stake. I decided to study the matter and ask God as the missionaries teach those unfamiliar with our faith.I studied the Holy Bible as well as the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I felt good and peaceful as I read the words of the prophets. I looked at the results of following what they taught and the results of going contrary to their teachings. I also remembered the times in my life as I interacted with the Church and how I felt as I obeyed the commandments. I felt peaceful and comfortable during those times. I realized this was the Holy Ghost testifying to me.
I prayed to my Heavenly Father for confirmation that He was there and that He loved me. The feeling I felt cannot adequately be described. A feeling washed over me of love, peace, goodness, and acceptance that I still feel when I pray to my Father.
I decided to go on a mission for the Church which was the best decision I could ever make. I was already in my first year of college and could easily justify finishing my schooling before continuing on with a mission. However, I knew the Lord wanted me and needed me to serve a mission.
I continued to learn and grow in my testimony and knowledge of the gospel and saw the change in people’s lives as they came to the same conclusion that I had. The conclusion I came to is that Heavenly Father does love us as individuals and is intimately involved in our lives. He has a plan for us here on earth and didn’t put us here to wander aimlessly and miserably through life. He wants to be a part of our life and loves to hear from us through prayer. He wants to bless us and to welcome us home after our life here is done.
Everyday I see His hand in my life and everyday I see blessings prepared for me personally. I don’t know how He does it and is able to be involved with us on a personal basis with all of the people and problems on the earth. All I know is that he does.
I know the Book of Mormon is true and is an excellent companion to the Holy Bible. It clarifies and supports Christ’s teachings in the Bible as well as the words of his prophets. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and was God’s instrument in restoring the true church of Jesus Christ as He set it up while he was on the earth. I know that we have apostles and a prophet today to guide us and direct us. I know that the heavens are not closed and God will give us continuing revelation and guidance individually or through His prophets.
Most of all I know that Jesus Christ lives. He died for us and paid for our sins so we can be forgiven of the many mistakes we make daily. I know he suffered for us in all of our afflictions, not only those self-inflicted. I know he was resurrected, as He said he would be, and lives today. Through Him we can know peace in this life even amid turmoil and adversity. I know as we stay worthy of the guidance of the Holy Ghost, we will return to live with our Heavenly Father. I know that our families here are earth can be eternal and are one of the only things we can take with us into the next life.
All these things I know because I’ve studied them out and then asked Heavenly Father if they are true. Something everyone can do regardless of their current knowledge and understanding of spiritual things. I can tell you with conviction that I have received answers to my pleadings and have seen the results and goodness of those who follow the commandments. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is without doubt the only true and living church on the face of the earth and has the living Jesus Christ as its head. It is the only Church authorized to act in the name of God for all everything necessary to return to live with our Father.
I paraphrase and echo the words of the recent prophet Gordon B. Hinckley when he called all people everywhere to bring their truth and understanding and goodness to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and see the truth and understanding that can be added to it.
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Devon Ogden: I am Mormom because… My f … by devon ogden
I am Mormon because… My family comes from pioneer stock. My ancestors crossed the plains so the church has always been in my family. Growing up my parents were the Relief Society President and my dad was Bishop. Having such strong parents was great because it gave me a great foundation to work from. At 17 I really had a desire to gain my own testimony. I knelt down and prayed and asked my Heavenly Father if everything that I had been taught were true, I asked if Joseph Smith was a prophet, I asked if the Book of Mormon was true. I received an answer right away with a great burning in my chest and the pure thoughts of knowing that all this was true and that I did below to the correct church. Many things have happened to me over the years. I have had my times where I have even been in-active at church but never have I doubted that experience and those feelings. I know the Book of Mormon and the Bible go hand in hand and are the word of God, I know that Joseph Smith restored the Gospel and that Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today. -
nplucinik: I have been a member all my l … by nplucinik
I have been a member all my life. Born and raised to do all that the church teaches. And I respect the church to the highest degree. Although I had great role models to look up to, I was always searching for my own testimony. I wanted to say that ” I KNOW this church is true”….i believed it, but i didn’t know it. A few years ago at the age of sixteen I got my confirmation. Now i can say that i KNOW this church is true. And because i have that firm testimony, my life is different. I make choices that i know heavenly father approves of. I set goals to be the best that i can be. And I am constantly trying to improve myself. There is nothing else in this world that means more to me than this church, and knowledge that it gives me. I am so grateful to be one of the lucky people who have this true gospel to guide my life. And i support every missionary who dedicate their time to spreading this gospel and bringing others to know the truth and to feel the holy spirit. -
Brian Andre: When I was in high school I … by brian andre
When I was in high school I went to many different churches. My dad was Catholic, my mom was Lutharan, and my parents sent me and my sisters to the Seventh Day Adventist Church down on the corner. All of these churches had wonderful clergy and teachers. I attended a private Christian school in the primary grades and then changed over to public schools as I got older. In high school my best friend was Jewish and most of my other friends went to Calvary Chapel. I also got to know some LDS (Mormon) kids at the school and noticed how happy they where and how close they felt to their families. After high school I began to wonder why, if there is only one God and Savior are there so many different ways to interpret the teachings of the Bible and the nature of God. I attended many different churches and asked lots of questions. Whenever I asked my LDS friends gospel questions the answers just seemed to make sense and feel right. Finally, I decided I would read The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. As I read my love and gratitude for Christ grew and my understanding of His sacrafice and grace became more clear than ever. I invited the missionaries to teach me and answer my questions. I was baptized the September following my graduation from High School. Jesus warned that in the last days there would be false prophets and teachings and then gave us a way to know the truth. He said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Matt 7:16-20) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bears the fruits of truth, peace, joy, and family togetherness. Everything good in my life has been a direct result of my decision to follow Jesus Christ, be baptized and live my life in accordance with His teachings. The Book of Mormon and the Bible are the word of God, there are true and living prophets on the earth today, Jesus is guiding His church as in times past. Come taste of the living water and the fruit of the truth restored! -
laura04: I have attended church from the … by laura04
I have attended church from the time I was a little girl. I was raised in a Baptist home. At the age of 13, I accepted Christ in my heart. I felt whole, for a while. I slowly moved away from God as I grew older. Once I graduated high school I stopped going altogether. I had been a few times since then. About 3 years ago I met a woman that just happened to be my next door neighbor. We became very good friends. She is the first Mormon believer I’ve met. She invited me to her church and so I went. I in turn, invited her to mine and she came. We are now room mates. On Saturday night, the missionaries came to give her daughter the discussions so she can be baptized. I sat in on the discussions and participated. I could really feel the spirit around me. The spirit has not left, but yet only grown stronger. Last night my friend and I were discussing our different beliefs as far as religion went. I can testify that as we were discussing this I knew the spirit was telling me that the Mormon church is the true church. I had felt the spirit before a few times, but never this strongly! We were speaking of the temples and how it’s so amazing that other churches have been destroyed, but the temples have never been touched. I am starting the missionary discussions tomorrow night so I can also be baptised. I feel an immense peace inside of me that I have never felt before, and it is a feeling I know I can never go without again. I trully feel in my heart, that God brought my friend and I together so I could learn the truth. This is my testimony. The Holy Ghost is real. God is real. The priesthood is real. The Mormon church is true! I can never deny these things, for I feel them in my heart and I can’t wait to finish my journey through this world with the truth! -
susanlj: I gained a testimony of the Boo … by susanlj
I gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon by reading it for myself. There is no other way to really know for yourself. When I read the Book of Mormon I learn things about the Lord I never knew before. I learn how much He loves us. I learn how He works. I find answers and solutions to the questions and problems I have in my life. I feel greater resolve to be better, to defend the cause of righteousness, to draw closer to the Lord as my Savior and Redeemer. These are all things that come from reading the Book of Mormon. Most importantly, however, after I read, I can kneel down before my Heavenly Father and ask Him if it truly is the word of God, and He will confirm that it is. every. single. time. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It testifies of my Savior Jesus Christ and because it does, so much better can I. Jesus is the Christ. He is the Christ. Is the only name by which we can be saved. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is literally The Church of Jesus Christ, again restored to the earth. These things I know and testify to all who read in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. -
Tough Grits: I believe that there is no … by tough grits
I believe that there is no greater call within the Church, than that of a teacher. I have a strong testimony that we are all teachers, whether we are called and set apart as such or not. I also have a strong testimony that we are all students/learners of the gospel. By our own example we can teach others (for the good or bad) and by the example of others we can be taught (for the good or bad).D&C 18:10
Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.I have a testimony that the worth of a soul is great in the sight of God. It is based upon this very testimony of the worth of every soul, that my testimony on the sacred call to teach rests. It is no wonder that our great leaders in this Church are deeply and sincerely concerned about the teaching in our Church, and the example that the members set every day.
Our own Savior, Jesus Christ, was a teacher as he lived and walked upon the earth. He taught others through his love, compassion, faith, and his perfect obedience to our Heavenly Father. He was the greatest teacher to ever have lived upon this earth. He also set the most perfect example for the rest of mankind to follow.
I also have a testimony that our leaders are teachers. They lead and guide us through the loving and omniscient direction of our Heavenly Father. They counsel us and lead us twice a year in General Conference, they instruct and teach us through the Church approved manuals issued by the Church, and they encourage and uplift us through their written words in the monthly Church publications.
I have a testimony that the call to teach also extends down to our loving Stake Presidencies and our Ward Bishoprics. They set the example of loving leadership that is patterned after our Church leaders, even our Living Prophet. The guidance and instruction that our local leaders extend to us, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is for our benefit and our growth in this gospel. As we learn to humbly obey and open our hearts and minds to the guidnace of all our leaders, and as we allow ourselves to be teachable, we will then be able to take the truths that are witnessed to us by the Holy Ghost and apply them in our own lives so that we may, in turn, be an example and a guiding light for those that we come in contact with.
Teaching and learning in the gospel is one eternal round. The more we humble ourselves to be teachable, the better prepared we will be to then teach others. Every doctrine and principle in the gospel that we humbly learn and allow the Holy Ghost to witness to us as truth, then becomes a part of our testimony. A testimony is something that we know to be true. As we humble ourselves to allow the Holy Ghost to lead and guide us, the stronger and deeper out testimony of the gospel becomes. Each new principle and doctrine that we accept as truth and then begin manifesting within our lives, will be added to our testimony. Surely, as we progress in the gospel, there will come a time where we can look back and see with amazement at how deep and how strong our testimony has become throughout our life and our gospel learning.
If the worth of a soul is great in the sight of God, then how sacred does that make the teaching within our homes, our wards, and our Church?
I have a true testimony that teaching and learning the gospel is the greatest calling we will ever have upon this earth.
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tanya: My husband and I joined the churc … by tanya
My husband and I joined the church in 2004. I truly don’t know how we made it through life before joining. Our daughter married an inactive member in 2002. My son in-law’s father gave her a BOM. She called the missionaries and later was baptized. She sent the missionaries to us and well you know the rest. I know with all my heart that this is the true church and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. It took a while to gain a testimony, but if you read your scriptures and continue to go church and pray i testify to you it will grow, mine has. I am so very thankful for the temple and what it gives to me and how I always feel the presence of HF, JC and the Spirit there. We were sealed together as man and wife and then sealed to our daughter in 2006. Tanya
