Elder Xander Carter returned after two-years from the Alpine German-speaking mission this June 2025. Elder Carter’s mission covered parts of Austria, Switzerland and southern Germany. His material ancestors are from Austria, making the connection even sweeter.

During his homecoming talk on Sunday, June 30, 2025, Carter talked about how prayer and how instrumental it became on his mission.

“Many times on my mission I turned to God through prayer,” Elder Carter said. “It was from prayer I drew strength in and through Him.”

Elder Carter admits it’s easy to want to do things our own way, but prayer helps us find out what the Lord wants.

“God’s plan is much better than yours!” Elder Carter said. 

He talked about how on his mission he had what he calls his “Enos moment,” referencing how the prophet Enos in the Book of Mormon, cried to God day and night.

“I learned that God treated me like his child. He left me cry it out, then he taught me something, then helped me feel His love for others. That in turn helped me be a good missionary.”

Elder Carter bore his testimony about the power of prayer and how it even helped a friend learning more about the gospel learn how to speak German. He testified that all of our prayers are answered and that the Lord wants a closer relationship with us.

“I plead with you to pray and better develop your relationship with God through prayer.”

Elder Carter will be attending Brigham Young University in Provo, UT, in the fall.