On his way toward the sick pastor's home as he was walking down Broadstreet, a strong wind moved the pages of an open book lying on a barrel which grabbed his attention.
After his meeting with the sick pastor, he went to a local drugstore and bought denatured alcohol and cotton balls to clean the damaged pages of the book.
He later described his experience: For several hours I read the remainder of the pages, which gave me light and knowledge and left me charmed to think of the source from which this fresh revelation had come.
I have asked him if it were true, and my prayer was answered affirmatively and absolutely, which I feel again in my soul as I defend his cause now.” Di Francesca was brought again to the committee of censure in 1914, and was again directed to burn the book.
He told Di Francesca that he would send his inquiry to John A. Widtsoe, the president of the church's European Mission.
A few days later, Widtsoe wrote to Di Francesca sending him a pamphlet that contained the story of Joseph Smith, the gold plates, and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.
The following year, Widtsoe asked Di Francesca to translate portions of Joseph Smith's autobiography into Italian and to have 1,000 copies published.
Merrill arranged to send Di Francesca the monthly church magazine Millennial Star, which he received until 1940 when World War II interrupted the subscription.
Widtsoe asked Samuel E. Bringhurst, president of the church's Swiss–Austrian Mission, to go to Sicily to baptize Di Francesca.
On 18 January 1951, Bringhurst arrived on the island to baptize Di Francesca at Termini Imerese; the first LDS baptism performed in Sicily.
I say them with a feeling of affection and appreciation that I have never before experienced, for I know that you have led me through the door that will eventually bring me back to my Heavenly Father, if I am faithful.” As the LDS Church expanded in Europe, a temple was built and dedicated in Zollikofen, Switzerland in September 1955.
I felt that God’s promise had been fully fulfilled—the day had come indeed when the book would be no more unknown to me and I would be able to enjoy the effects of my faith.” In 1965, Ortho R. Fairbanks was in Italy doing a study of sculpture and was able to obtain a copy of Di Francesca's story which he then gave to the Improvement Era, which was the first to print it.
Vincenzo Di Francesca was married in September 1932, to a woman who was not familiar with the LDS Church and his experience to that point with its doctrine.