Matt Durazzani served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Rome Italy mission from January 1999 to January of 2001. During his two-year service as a Mormon missionary–whose time is committed to teaching about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth–Matt (Elder Durazzani) was assigned to serve as Assistant to the Mission President.

Rome, Italy Temple Site Photo: Clark Harrop

Elder Durazzani, along with other elders who assisted the Mission President, actually lived in the very home that is situated on the highest part of the hill on the acquired land for the Rome, Italy temple! Four to six elders at a time, who were assisting in the Mormon Mission Office, stayed in that spacious home–with a rustic unfinished lower level, bunks on the next, and living quarters with a kitchen on the higher level.

Recently, Matt and I visited as he reflected on his time in that home and his missionary experiences, and the significance of living on the very land that will eventually be dedicated for the building of the Lord’s House in Rome.

Matt eagerly showed me a map of the Rome area online, zooming in to the city, then to the space where the designated land was defined. He described in detail the angles from which you could see the future temple land, the inclines, the home, the borders. This is a man who feels the fulfillment of prophecy that is taking place in the selection and preparation of this future Rome Temple site–which many deeply feel with him.

He recalled that the land, about 50% larger than that of Temple Square (where the Salt Lake Temple stands in Utah), sits overlooking many facets of Rome itself. He mentioned that it is not far from the the Grande Raccordo Anulare, and will be largely visible from a portion of that thoroughfare–and pointed out the range of visibility. Four to six million people are estimated to live within the scope of that beltway temple area. Apparently, the north side of the land is higher, and slopes in three directions.

While it is not far from the freeway, it “has its own space,” Matt says, and is a peaceful place. While he often left the home as a missionary on the acquired temple property in the dark and often returned to the home in the dark, he still remembers the feeling of peace associated with it. New missionaries entering Rome were brought to the site and given an opportunity to pray there as they dedicated their time and service for the subsequent eighteen months to two years to the Lord. Each knew that it was a prospective place for a church building or temple, but with no assurance that the temple would actually be erected on that spot. Graced with an olive grove, and the greens typical of the Mediterranean slopes, the land has its own beauty and lure.

“I remember, on New Year’s Eve,” Matt interjected, “we climbed on the roof and watch the fireworks display.” Several sets were visible from the Roman skyline atop the hill.

Matt and his wife, Rachel, were at home listening to General Conference, when the announcement came from Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (”Mormon” Church). He said he was overwhelmed with emotion and actually became very silent for almost an hour–pondering its implications of this sacred, long-awaited occurrence.

Then, his eyes moistening as we spoke, he shared a poignant spiritual moment. As he accompanied President Pacini, the Mission President who followed President Flosi, to the purchased site, he had a revelatory moment, which he describes:

We never wanted to assume or take it for granted that that purchased land was the actual location where a temple would be built. Other locations were possible, and we didn’t know what would transpire. Milan or Naples could have been potential sites, but this parcel in Rome was the only one that had been bought. I even thought perhaps there could be a stake center built on the purchased plot, but I remember when I went up there with President Pacini… I knew that was the land where one of the temples in Italy would be built. I didn’t know if it would be the first temple there or not, but one of them. So when I heard the announcement at Conference, I was hoping in a way that it was actually that land, and it is.

While Matt has tender feelings about living in the home on the land–noticeable, as well, as he pointed out to me the very room in which he slept-he now wonders what will be in the place of that room, and foresees the day when he can say–whether from the temple itself, a Visitor’s Center, or a stake center (meetinghouse for a number of Mormon congregations)–”I lived here and served in this areas before this became what it is now.”

“The temple will beautify Rome,” Matt remarked, and will be a boon to the area in every way. Not only will it bless the Mediterranean but also other regions like Eastern Europe and the Middle East and all those who will enter it, but it will bless the local Saints and help renew their faith that the Lord is at the helm and the gospel is moving forward in very deed in that part of His vineyard.

It is the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy and prayers of Lorenzo Snow (missionary to Italy, and former Mormon prophet) and President Benson who indicated that the people of Italy would become open to the fulness of the gospel, that the banner of truth would reach that land, and that visions and dreams would lead many to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

From the lifting up of this Ensign [the gospel of Jesus Christ], may a voice go forth among the people of these mountains and valleys, and throughout the length and breadth of this land; and may it go forth, and be unto thine elect as the Voice of the Lord, that the Holy Spirit may fall upon them, imparting knowledge in dreams and visions concerning this hour of their redemption. As the report of us, thy servants, shall spread abroad, may it awaken feelings of anxiety with the honest, to learn of thy doings, and to seek speedily the path of knowledge (Lorenzo Snow, Dedicatory Prayer, Italian Mission.)

Matt witnessed the gifts of the Spirit prophesied by Lorenzo Snow in the lives of those who embraced the gospel as he served in Italy.

Reminders of the prophesies of Italy’s growth were contained, symbolically, right on the acquired temple land: Sickles, widely used tools for harvesting grain and cutting the grass, were found in the old barn.  To the Latter-day Saint (Mormon), the sickle is especially symbolic as the Lord, in modern revelation (The Doctrine and Covenants) has called for his people to thrust in their sickles–to use their time, talent, and means to harvest “souls” and bring others to Him.  “The sickle,” Matt remarked, “became part of the logo of the Italian Mission; it became a constant reminder of the future purposes of this land, ‘white and ready to harvest’.”

Matt and his wife, Rachel, live in Provo, Utah. Matt is originally from Pordenone, about an hour or so from Venice. His mother was a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and joined before he was born. His father, in an attempt to disprove the Church’s validity, proved himself wrong instead, and also entered the waters of baptism when Matt was about 2 years old. Matt received his own testimony through prayer and a witness of the Spirit that he has never questioned since.