A Challenge to Each of You

Anziano Toronto meeting Elder M. Russell Ballard

Dear Family,

This week ended triumphantly with an incredible Stake Conference and a successful baptismal interview of Luca! We're so excited for him to be baptized this Saturday at 5! So when you're eating breakfast next week, say a quick prayer that Luca is actually getting baptized.

Anziano Toronto with Luca and Anziano McConkie

Luca never ceases to inspire and amaze me. Literally, bless his little Babbo Natale heart, he carries his copy of The Book of Mormon with him everywhere he goes. He is an amazing example of having a change in heart and starting a completely new life in the church! The only concern in preparing for his baptism, is that we have to find baptismal clothing that fits him. But no need to worry, I'm sure we'll make it work! We have a big white sheet at home so if all goes wrong (or perfectly) we'll do the baptism roman toga style...😉 We might need 2 people in the water, one baptizer, and one spotter! No, I kid, by far the biggest thing about him is his heart and his desire to follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I love him so much and it has been such a miracle to witness and play a part in his conversion!

One of the most fulfilling parts about the mission is the chance to witness firsthand the truthfulness of the gospel on a daily basis! For example:

We have been working with a man named Michele for a few months now. He works with Bishop, comes to church every week, and we meet with him every saturday morning. The sad part is that Michele struggles with crippling depression. He has severe anxiety and this makes it so he can't leave the house very often in the evening. Michele has been through some tough times in his life which has driven him away from God. The first time we met with him, he had absolutely no faith whatsoever. We continued meeting, but saw little progress...

We met with him this Saturday, for the 4th or 5th time, hoping that this would be the week to break through! We began by reminding him that we aren't psychologists, but messengers from the Lord and the only thing we can give him is, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which, as Paul declared, is "The power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;" (Romans 1:16). We asked him if he felt any feelings of depression, anxiety, and worry when he was in church and he said "assolutamente no". So that put us in an awesome position to talk a lot about the Gift of The Holy Ghost and how we can access this peace and comfort after we are baptized and receive the holy ghost! We extended a baptismal invitation to be baptized on the 30th of December, knowing that he still has some major steps to take, and he accepted it! It is amazing to see that a man, brought as low as he has been, feels and recognizes the love of God! #Man'sExtremityisGod'sOpportunity

My challenge to each of you, (like much of this email*), is plagiarized, but heartfelt nonetheless! Since the beginning of the year, the Rome East Stake has been working on a challenge, given by the Stake Presidency. Their task, is to write their testimony in a copy of the Book of Mormon, and then give it out to a friend, acquaintance, or to whomever the spirit directs. During Stake Conference, this challenge was once again issued, in accordance with Elder Ballard's invitation to Italy, to "Touch someone's heart, and to bring them to a knowledge of the restored gospel between now and Christmas." He asked that that would be our gift to the savior! In fine, I extend this same challenge to each of you. To write your testimony inside a copy of the Book of Mormon, and give it out, sharing that testimony of Jesus Christ, and the matchless power it contains. I will be following up, so just do it, so you can all be "progressing investigators😁"!

Vi voglio bene,

Anziano Toronto II 🇮🇹

*Themes and material borrowed with permission from Anziano Alexander Stoddard McConkie Weekly Emails Inc.

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