Roberto Asioli

Rimini, Italy

MY TESTIMONY

It couldnt be said for certain that I was looking for a religion or any other thing that could give the essential answers. It seemed that I didnt need any answers......so it seemed, at least I believed until I met Elder Ryan and Elder Bolton, two missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  That evening, it seemed predestined for the meeting; they had already rang my door the day before,and I didnt open it-- who knows why...but at 8:30 p.m., which day I dont remember, of October 1981, I opened and ive never benefited more in my life.

Their visit was brief, to the point, and I immediatly understood the message that they had for me; it was as if someone up there or down there had pushed a button and I from that evening decided that I would become one of them.

How strange is life and how much can change when you meet the right people and I did: Jesus Christ.  But not the suffering Christ, bent and wounded on the cross, an image deliberatly created to falsify the truth (to me, that Christ always seemed to be a hunting trophy of Satan, like those that safari lovers stuff and hang on the wall) but a victorious and glorious Christ, full of hope. 

That which trully hit me durring the discussion was the message about modern day prophets and the Book of Mormon.  It was wonderful to know that, today, we can have the secure guidance of God through His prophets.  And to have in hand the Book of Mormon...to read and to learn so easily the truth of the Gospel.  Knowing that Christ had other people in the ancient Americas that awaited him and knowing that, today, the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored with the fullness of truth, has been a great joy in my life.  Everything the missionaries taught went smooth and hand in hand, always defining clearly the big picture, and finaly I decided to be baptized the evening of November 17, 1981 

I told it to Loretta, my wife, who had never been present during the discussions.   She would always stay in the kitchen until the missionaries had gone. She took it badly, telling me that I was crazy and that my brain had been sucked out by those preachers.  But I was determined to take my own road and I was baptized the evening of November 17, 1981, God is my witness.  I remember the extended blessings on me during the discussions well:  The two that stuck out the most were that my wife would soon accept the Gospel and that if I paid an honest tithing  I would prosper.   With time, both blessings became reality.

From that time, I have never doubted the inspired decision I made.  I have accepted various callings in the Church:  April 25, 1982, I was called, to my suprise, to lead the Rimini branch.  In subsequent years I have held diverse callings and responsibilites that have confermned and strengthened my faith and testimony and above all my love for my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ.

I thank the missionaries that taught my wife and me: Elder William C. Ryan, that taught me personally and touched my heart, Elder Bolton, that had rung my door (after that first evening he was transfered to another city); Elder Mark Earl Waite, that extended me those formentioned, precious, blessings of God; Elder Gardner, that baptized me; Elder David B. Wirthlin, that taught my wife, and Elder Simonetti, that sustained me as a new member of the Church; and thanks be to many, many others....God bless them.

Of this I bear testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  

Roberto Asioli

via pegaso 74, Rimini 47900 IT