I was released from the Italy Milan Mission in June 1991. After one week at home, I returned to the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

My military experience complemented my missionary one very well. The discipline was comparable, but more important, I learned about leadership and how to use the Spirit in making decisions - both the tough and the mundane.Before starting back at West Point, I was extremely apprehensive about picking up the rigorous academic schedule, which included two engineering courses, and because Italian is not offered at the academy, an advanced German class. I continued to read and pray in Italian, and I spoke it when I could. Still, I was disappointed that I was not able to use my mission language more.

I didn't have to wait long. After three months, I read an announcement that the Italian Chief of Staff, a four-star general, would visit West Point. Cadets who were interested in Italy, or who were Italian, were invited to a dinner and reception. I quickly signed up; I wanted to be involved. A few days later, the officer-in-charge asked me to meet him in his office. The officer, a lieutenant colonel, explained the itinerary of the Italian general's visit. He asked if I would be comfortable presenting the command orientation briefing. He was supposed to present the briefing, but expressed confidence that I had a superior grasp of the language. I accepted and began to learn the script.

Finally, I was going to do something significant with Italian. The colonel told me I would brief two Italian generals, three American generals, a few colonels and a Navy captain. The American officers were the leaders of the Academy. The day arrived, and I felt prepared. I had practiced the briefing, and had prayed for help. The colonel warned me to be prepared to answer questions after the briefing, so I prayed some more.

The briefing was in Italian, and with the help of slides, I described West Point for 15 minutes - the cadet experience; our academic, physical, and military programs; and our Honor Code. After I concluded the briefing, Gen. Corcione, Italian chief of staff, stood and shook my hand. I asked for questions. Gen. Corcione said he was impressed with my ability to communicate, and wanted to know if I had an Italian family. I replied I had recently returned from a two-year mission in his country. Once I said the word "Mormon," I had his full attention. He then asked the question that I had heard all through my mission, but could never really answer: "If you are so committed to your religion, why are you learning to be an officer and a soldier? How do you reconcile these two conflicting views?"

I waited for the question to be translated for the American officers, and they looked at me, as if asking "Yes, tell us how you do it?"

I started my answer by stating how important it was for me to be a cadet, how much I loved my country, and how much I wanted to serve it. I then said it was very important to live a good life, to serve others, and to serve God. The two institutions do not conflict. On the contrary, they complement each other well. Thanks to my training as a cadet, I was a better missionary, and thanks to my experience as a missionary, I will be a better officer. I sincerely believe that. That is why I came back to a military career. My religion has taught me the values of self-sacrifice, selflessness, loyalty, and obedience. These same qualities are essential in military leaders.

Gen. Corcione thanked me for my candid answer, and said he was very pleased to know that West Point allowed cadets, like myself, the opportunity to serve a mission. He complimented the academy and our country for the high quality of young people he met. After exchanging greetings, he and his staff departed. After the Italians left in their van, the superintendent thanked me for what I had done.

The next day, my mentor called me into his office to repeat what the superintendent had told me. Gen. Corcione was very impressed with what I had said concerning my faith and desire to serve. His impressions of West Point and of the United States Army were very favorable.

In addition, the superintendent, dean, and commandant all had positive impressions about the Church in general and, in particular, about our missionary program. He indicated that the mission contributed immensely to the character of LDS cadets.