Two missionaries riding their bicycles in Livorno, Italy, last year heard a young man yell to them from a bus stop. Returning to the man, they learned that he had visited their street display weeks earlier and wanted to learn more.
An appointment was set. The young man eagerly read the Book of Mormon and attended meetings. He readily accepted their teachings, saying he kept the Word of Wisdom and lived a chaste life.
Just as his testimony was growing, he lost his job. At the same time, his sister, who had been a great support to him, objected to his study of another religion and stopped speaking with him.
Still, he had tasted of the sweetness of the gospel and felt an affinity with the Prophet Joseph Smith, who also had questions, and was baptized in November 2004.
A few weeks later, his sister felt a change of heart and was introduced to the missionaries. She gained a testimony and was baptized by her brother in January 2005.
Two months later, emboldened by the joy of having baptized his sister, this young man called the mother of his baptizing missionary in the United States to thank her.
"I hope," he said, "that someday I may have a son that will grow up to be like your son and teach the gospel to others."
— Supplied by family of Elder Adam Howell