Facts about Italy

Dear Friends and Family,

Since this week was not very eventful due to either people not answering our calls, not being able to visit people because they are sick, and a lot of door to door knocking/walking in Pozzuoli, I wish to expound on what I have learned in Italy.

First, pedestrians always have the right of way, no matter what. Of course, as missionaries, we obey the law of the land, but most people will cross the street wherever they want and sometimes whenever they want because cars have to stop. Basically, Italians don't fear cars hitting them since if the cars do hit them, it is always the fault of the person driving.

Also, Italians love their families. Often, when looking at the names of the apartment complex, half of them will be the same last name because the entire extended family has always lived there. They try to spend a lot of time with each other, probably more than we do in America. Italians also love to eat which I think I have elaborated on enough. They actually love to have us (the missionaries) eat I think more because they always say Manga, manga! (eat, eat!) right when it looks like we are full or have stopped eating.

Italians also especially love to talk!  This works out great when we proselyte in a park or the Lungomare because sometimes Italians just want to have a conversation. This also makes things easier for me because I don't have to worry so much about speaking a lot because they are 80 percent of the time speaking and so i just have to try really hard to listen to what they are saying because sometimes they speak super super super fast, especially here in southern Italy. Also each part of Italy (Rome, Naples, Sicily, etc.) has their own dialect separate from Italian, like where I am serving the dialect is Napolitano (mostly you just leave off the last syllable of normal Italian words).

One thing that was really exciting this week was that we got to watch General Conference! General Conference is semiannual conference where the prophet, apostles, and leaders of the church speak and give direction on whatever they think the members of the church need to do to follow Christ more and be converted. I loved this General Conference a lot! We watched the morning sessions in Italian in the Pozzuoli chapel at night because of the time difference and we will have to catch up on watching the rest throughout the week.

Overall, the message I got (at least from what I could understand in Italian) was I need to pray more fervently, study the Book of Mormon more diligently, and especially have faith and believe in Jesus Christ! The things the prophet and apostles have asked us to do seem so simple, and yet I know they will change our lives.

While some times this week and mission have been frustrating, I know this sacrifice for God and Jesus Christ is a righteous choice. I know I am here to serve and that all things, our joys and our trials, will be for our good. I want you all to first listen to the words of general conference and accept the invitation to read the Book of Mormon and pray to gain a testimony if it is true, and then work to build the kingdom of God. Even if you aren't a member, I want you to know the truth for yourself and experience the joy I have everyday of knowing I am a child of God, that I can feel peace and joy in this life because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, that Christ's church is restored upon the earth, and that we can all received eternal life by following Him. 

I love you all and wish you the best!

Vi voglio bene!

Anziano Price