August 29, 2016, "Bless Them That Curse You"

Email to Family and Friends

             This week has been an adventure! A few nights ago right before we were going to bed, we got a very interesting text from a number in San Jose. It said " Killed tonite. My buddy got him." Some of the people we have been teaching are going through some very, very, very dark places right now and we haven't seen them in a while. So naturally my companion and I are making preparations for war haha. We are ultra locking down the house. Haha and we have no weapons so we said a prayer together. Let our District Leader know we might die tonight, haha. The closest thing I had to a wellness was my belt so I slept with it and a bigger sized rock we found. My poor companion didn't fall asleep tell1:00am, I passed out in like 5 min. And obviously we aren't dead haha.

               We play shuffle board at a senior living home once a week and we started teaching an elderly couple, Bob and Vera. He read the Bible every morning and was very hesitant when we first invited him to read the Book of Mormon. That was a few weeks ago now, and he really likes the Book of Mormon now and how if talks so much about the Savior. A few days ago, a buddy of his came over and he told him he was reading the Book of Mormon. Haha his friend gave him an astounded look! He said he stopped him right there and told him that he hasn't seen one thing against what he believes in in the Book of Mormon yet and until he dose, he going to keep reading it! Haha he said his friend just went on and on and on for hours about how bad the Book of Mormon is. But nothing could change Bob's mind because he's read it for him self, and now has a testimony of it! I'm so proud of him.

                 We also had a major hail storm! I'll send pictures. It look like it snowed. It dropped 30 degrees in one hour.

"Bless Them That Curse You"

            "All that is of God encompasses love, light, and truth. Yet as human beings we live in a fallen world, sometimes full of darkness and confusion. It comes as no surprise that mistakes will be made, injustices will occur, and sins will be committed. As a result, there is not a soul alive who will not, at one time or another, be the victim to someone else’s careless actions, hurtful conduct, or even sinful behavior." (1) Our Lord, our God once told us "Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men." (2) 

             Forgiving others at times can be intimidating. But "I am convinced that most of us want to forgive, but we find it very hard to do. When we have experienced an injustice, we may be quick to say, “That person did wrong. They deserve punishment. Where is the justice?” We mistakenly think that if we forgive, somehow justice will not be served and punishments will be avoided. This simply is not the case. God will mete out a punishment that is fair, for mercy cannot rob justice (see Alma 42:25). God lovingly assures you and me: “Leave judgment alone with me, for it is mine and I will repay. [But let] peace be with you” (D&C 82:23)." (3)

              Jesus Christ in his mortal ministry said "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;.. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?.. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (

              When we quickly forgive those who make our lives miserable, we bring greater happiness not only to our lives to to the life's of others. Others usually know when they have caused you harm, and when they see the light in your eyes get brighter as you so readily forgive them. The Light of Christ in them will hunger for what you have, they will be filled with a desire to be better and to do better. It will lead them to repent, because they will have seen the light and mercy in YOU. Our Savior once said "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (5) Forgiving others, spreads righteous behavior faster than constructive criticism can ever accomplish.

              "One key to forgiving others is to try to see them as God sees them. At times, God may part the curtain and bless us with the gift to see into the heart, soul, and spirit of another person who has offended us. This insight may even lead to an overwhelming love for that person. The scriptures teach us that God’s love for His children is perfect. He knows their potential for good, regardless of their past." (6)

              Forgiving others can often be very hard and difficult, but eternally rewarding. When I started on my path to discipleship, I was rejected by most of my friends. They saw me as weak and as a fool for choosing to remove Babylon from me and strive to replace it with the Character of Christ. I hate using my self as a good example but I can honestly say, I never held much resentment and anger towards them. I forgave them and looked past their mocking because I knew they didn't understand quite yet. But I knew the would. And now many of them are already or about to devote 2 years of their lives to gather Israel, and spread the glad tidings of Jesus Christ to all over the world.

                The Savior said: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (7).

                I know that if we can humble ourselves enough to forgive those who do wrong against us, we can more readily receive the Spirit of Christ in us. We can feel at peace. We can know that our Father is proud of us and he will answer us. I know he lives! I am a witness of the joy of forgiveness. I testify of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I beckon all who read this, to, this very day, tell someone you are sorry and forgive someone who has made a mistake in their life, whether you feel they deserve it or not. "If you are having trouble forgiving another person or even yourself, ask God to help you." (8) You will receive divine support. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard
Thermopolis, WY

Notes

1. The Healing Ointment of Forgiveness: By Elder Kevin R. Duncan

2. Doctrine & Covenants 64:9-10

3. The Healing Ointment of Forgiveness: By Elder Kevin R. Duncan

4. Matthew 5:44,46,48

5. Matthew 5:16

6. The Healing Ointment of Forgiveness: By Elder Kevin R. Duncan

7. Matthew 6:14–15

8. The Healing Ointment of Forgiveness: By Elder Kevin R. Duncan

August 22, 2016, "Convincing Evidence that Jesus is the Christ"

Dear Family and Friends

               Elder Palmer and I have been coming to know each other a lot better. My testimony of getting to know someone better truly increase your love for them, has grown tremendously this week. I love Abraham Lincoln's quote "I don't like that man, I need to get to know him better." 

                We had a cold front up here, it was amazing! It felt like winter in Arizona. The perfect temperature. It only lasted a few days, but was nice while it was here. There was a derby this weekend! We helped build one of the cars in it, unfortunately it didn't win. But is definitely something I'm going to do when I get home. I love all of you! 

"Convincing Evidence that Jesus is the Christ"

          Through out history we have been taught many wonderful things that help us know how to have peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come. These thing have been taught to us through the words of God's chosen prophets. Some of there teachings have been compiled into what we now call the scriptures. We have been given the Old Testament, New Testament, and Another Testament. All these Testaments are, are testimonies from prophets of Jesus Christ. We learn of Jehovah, the Messiah, and our Savior and Redeemer. 

            The Book of Mormon in no way, shape, or form replaces or adds to the Bible. It is exactly what the cover says. It is another testament of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon "is a record of God’s dealings with ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel.

             The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C. and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians.

             The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after His resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come." (1)

            The Book of Mormon bears pure and powerful testimony of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith the prophet once said, "the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (2)

               The Book of Mormon has brought me closer to Jesus Christ. Thanks to to teachings that are contained in the Book of Mormon, my Savior and I have a very personal relationship. I know not only as my Savior, but as my closest brother, my very best friend, and my Mediator. More peace, happiness, and knowledge has come to me because of my diligence in studying and reading the Book of Mormon, than I could have ever comprehended a few years ago. I know the same can be for you, Heaven Father is waiting to bless your life, but he can't until we put forth more effort into reading The Book of Mormon. 

               I urge you all to read this book. Test me, and tell me I don't speak the truth, because I will stand as a witness to all at judgment day that Jesus is the Christ, that the Book of Mormon and the Holy Bible are the word of God. "That Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the Second Coming of the Messiah." (3) 

                No one on this earth nor the devil himself can convince me other wise, because God himself through the power of His Holy Ghost, has told me it is true! And wether it be right in the sight of God, to harken to the philosophies of men, more than unto God, judge ye. For I can only speak the things which I have seen and heard. Read the Book of Mormon, and I know you will come to know God as I know Him. I say these things in the name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Thermopolis, WY

Notes

1. The Introduction to the Book of Mormon

2. "                  "

3. "                  "

August 15, 2016, "First and Foremost"

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            This has been an amazing week! The Lord have given us much opportunity this week to bear pure and powerful testimony of The Book of Mormon. This book has brought me closer to God than any other book. It is another testament of Jesus Christ. It is the word of God brought to  us in these latter days. One of my favorite scriptures is "Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also. And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure." (2 Nephi 29:8-9) The Book of Mormon testifies to the entire world that Jesus is the Christ. That Christianity is not just another religion. Read it.

"First and Foremost"

            I have spoken of a few things pertaining to our religion. But after all is said and done, if all of us could but understand just one thing. It would be, "First and foremost, it is that God does live, that he is our Eternal Father and our Creator. All human beings are his offspring. Knowing this, we accept the commandment of the Savior to perfect ourselves so that we may be like him." (1)

             The greatest truths of all other truths that God has given us in all time and eternity, is that God is our literal Father. He is just as much or more our Father than our fathers here on earth. He loves us more than we can even start to comprehend here on this earth. He knows us more than we even knows ourselves. He knows what we like, dislike; He knows what makes us happy and sad. We are His children, we are created in His image. "God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." (2) 

            I have come to know God as my Father. Due to our family circumstances, my father wasn't in my life to much. Growing up I was asked many times who my father figure was in my life. I had many many great mentors, friends, and siblings that I have looked up to in my life, but none that I would ever call father. Through my journey of finding the truth, there is now one in my life, that I refer to as my father, and that is my Heavenly Father. He is the one I strive and dream to be like as if I were a little child. There is none other who has made such a large impact in my life and has taught me so much than my Father who dwells in the Heavens above. I couldn't even imagine going a day in my life without speaking and communicating with my Father. 

            I know He lives! I I know you can know, I know the relationship I have with our Father is not unique to me. You can come to know Him through sincere prayer and through diligent scripture study, especially The Book of Mormon. You can enjoy heavens help. I would like to add a second witness to my voice, this is the voice of an Apostle, a special witness of Jesus Christ. Listen to his words, for he has been called of God to declare glad tidings to all men. His words will bless your life.

     "It is all the rage in this modern world to worship false gods of every sort and kind. There are those who bow before idols of wood and stone, and others who lisp their petitions to icons and images. There are those who worship cows and crocodiles, and others who acclaim Adam or Allah or Buddha as their supreme being.

     There are those who apply the names of Deity to some spirit essence that is immaterial, uncreated, and unknowable and that fills the immensity of space and is everywhere and nowhere in particular present.....

      ...How belittling it is--it borders on blasphemy--to demean the Lord God Omnipotent by saying he is an idol, or an image, or an animal, or a spirit essence...

     ...It is the first principle of revealed religion to know the nature and kind of being that God is. As for us, “we know [and testify] that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them” (D&C 20:17).

      This great God, the Lord Almighty, is a personage of tabernacle. He “has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s” (D&C 130:22). He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He has all power, knows all things, and, by the power of his Spirit, is in and through all things.

      We know and testify “that he created man, male and female, after his own image and in his own likeness, created he them” (see D&C 20:18).

      All men are the spirit children of the Eternal Father. We are the offspring of celestial parents. We lived and dwelt in the courts of glory before the foundations of this world were laid.

      Our Eternal Father ordained and established those laws--called the gospel of God--which would enable us to advance and progress and become like him.

      We know and testify that when he placed men on earth, he “gave unto them commandments that they should love and serve him, the only living and true God, and that he should be the only being whom they should worship” (D&C 20:19).

      We know and testify that mighty Michael foremost fell that mortal man might be, and that “the Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son” (D&C 20:21) to ransom men from the temporal and spiritual death brought into the world by this fall of Adam.

      We know and testify that Christ “was crucified, died, and rose again the third day”; that he “ascended into heaven, to sit down on the right hand of the Father, to reign with almighty power according to the will of the Father.

      “That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name, and endure in faith to the end, should be saved” (D&C 20:23–25).

      We know and testify that salvation is in Christ; that it comes because of his goodness and grace; and that he is our advocate with the Father.

      We bear record that he is the only mediator between man and God; that through his atoning sacrifice fallen man may be reconciled with God; and that he “hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10).

      We worship the Father, in the name of the Son, by the power of the Holy Ghost, and we invite all men everywhere to come and join with us."...

      ....We know by the revelations of the Holy Ghost to our souls that God is our Father, that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on earth and has been set as a light upon a hill to proclaim the truth about God to a fallen world....

       ....Our testimony is that the Almighty God is our Eternal Father who lives in realms celestial; that the Lord Jesus Christ is his Son in the true and literal sense of the word; that the Holy Messiah came into the world to die upon the cross for the sins of the world; and that the Holy Ghost--a personage of spirit, a spirit man--is their minister and witness, whose revelations and gifts and endowments are available to the faithful in every nation and among all people." (3)      -Elder Bruce R. McConkie

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Thermopolis, WY

Notes

1. Where Do We Stand?: Mark E. Petersen

2. Genesis 1:27

3. The Lord God of the Restoration: Elder Bruce R. McConkie

August 8, 2016, "Faith Leads to Action"

Dear Family and Friends, 

               This week has been a very interesting week. Everyone we have been meeting with, in the past week something very dramatic has happened in their lives in a bad way. It has define fly tried their faith. And we can now see who are the ones that have really been placing God in the center of their lives by how they have reacted to their different situations. I know our faith in Jesus Christ gives us so much of an advantage, when it comes to the trials of life! 

                This week is transfers, my companion and I are both staying here in Thermopolis, WY. We have a few baptisms coming up and a wedding! Love you guys!

"Faith Leads to Action"

             My companion in the MTC had a very interesting analogy. If I just believed that a cupcake would make me happy would I eat it? Maybe, maybe not, who knows. But if I have faith that cupcake would make me happy would I eat it then? Yes! In order to understand faith, we must first understand that believing in something and having faith in something are not the same. Faith is an underlying feeling or emotion that leads to ACTION. If I believe that one day I'll be financially free, who knows if I'll ever get that because all I am doing is wishing for that dream. But if I have Faith that one day I will be free from all my financial issues, that dream will consume me! My faith in my dream whether it be a strong marriage, physical or financial fitness, or a more peaceful home; my faith it that ideal will guide and direct all of my thoughts, words, and actions. 

            Faith is the first principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for a reason. If I only believed that Jesus Christ was the Savior of the world, that doesn't mean a thing. I'll be the same person I was yesterday. But if I have faith, I'll will be striving everyday to be in the holy scriptures, be on my knees in prayer, and partake of the sacrament every week. I will be striving to be more like him, more obedient and kind. Faith is what leads us to repentance, and then being baptized by immersion by one holding the proper authority from God Himself, just like Jesus Christ. Just believing in Christ will NOT allow you into the kingdom of God, but having Faith in Christ will! Because if you have but faith, you will follow the simple principles and ordinances of the Gospel, which will allow you into the kingdom of heaven.

             I want you all to honestly ask yourselves, do you have faith in Jesus Christ, or do you only believe? A scripture in The Book of Mormon tells us, "And behold, ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth, and to know of the wicked and abominable traditions of their fathers, and are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them" (1) My understanding of the scripture is that as we study the scriptures, our faith will increase, which in turn will lead us to repentance, which we then become more Christlike.

             I can remember when I only believed, I eventually reached a point in time in my life were a decision had to be made. Either this was all fake and I was wasting my time, or this was all true, and if it was true I would devote all of my time and energy into it. Because that is just the smart thing to do. This is a black and white situation. There is no in between. This church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is either Gods only true church or it is the devils. So I read the Book of Mormon in 30 days. I poured my soul into the gospel. I had to know! And I received my answer, by asking God, Him who knows all things, if the Book of Mormon is true after I had read it. My faith began to grow, I just knew it was the word of God. I just knew! Through the Holy Ghost.

             Brothers and Sisters, if you only believe, or even just hope that peace and joy can come into your life. I plead with you, let this desire work in you, read the Book of Mormon and ask God the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if this is true. I can promise that an answer will come. I know with out a shadow of a doubt that Christ lives! And I know you can know that too. And as your faith grows, your life will improve. I am a witness of these things, and I say these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Thermopolis, WY

Notes

1. Helaman 15:7

August 1, 2016, "God's Loving Instructions"

Dear Family and Friends,

          We have been seeing so many miracles this week! We are really starting to see others desires to be better grow tremendously. We have seen testimonies grow and lives change. Greater happiness and joy, liberation from the chains of sin, and personal relationships with their Redeemer increase. Haha I am so physically tired! But I can't stop my self, there is so much to learn, so much to teach and to serve, so much good to accomplish! The Lord always gives me strength, I'll be falling asleep going appointment to appointment, and when we get there I'm am full of energy and excitement! This is what God has created me to do. I have always loved being a missionary. "Persecutions may rage, mods may combine, armies me assemble, calamy may defame but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent. Tell it has penetrated every continent, visited every climb, swept every country, and sounded in every ear. Tell the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done." The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is my life calling. The Book of Mormon has changed me forever, and dose everyday. I love all of you!

"Gods Loving Instructions"

Many people have a very negative and misunderstood perspective of the Commandments. Our modern and living prophet has said, "God’s commandments are not given to frustrate us or to become obstacles to our happiness. Just the opposite is true. He who created us and who loves us perfectly knows just how we need to live our lives in order to obtain the greatest happiness possible. He has provided us with guidelines which, if we follow them, will see us safely through this often treacherous mortal journey." (1) Often times we feel the commandments are hard and a pain to live in our lives. "The commandments are strict but they are not restrictive." (2) 

            As we strive to live the commandments, we will be happy, we will have peace. Living the commandments enables us to receive blessings from heaven. Through living the commandments we can see true and everlasting joy. They may seem to take us away from things that are pleasurable, things that gives us a brief laugh and a momentary smile. But "God gives us commandments for our benefit. They are instructions from a loving Father in Heaven to help us have happy lives." (3)

             But "disregard for the commandments opens the way for what I consider to be the plagues of our day. They include the plague of permissiveness, the plague of pornography, the plague of drugs, the plague of immorality, and the plague of abortion, to name just a few." (4) The commandments protect us from these and many other worldly things. There is a reason that the phrase " keep the commandments" is one of the most repeated phrases in all of scripture. They are what will guide us back to our Father in Heaven, and will allows us to look him eye to eye with out guilt or shame clouding our hearts.

             I know my message this week is short, that is because I feel I cannot add anymore than what has already been said by ancient and modern prophets. I can only take away from it. I would encourage all of you to read or listen to President Monson's talk called "Keep the Commandments" and also watch a brief Mormon Message called "A Shower of Heavenly Blessings". You can find both on YouTube. My email is not over, if you only read what I have written, I'm afraid you will have wasted your time. Watch that video then go and listen to what our beloved prophet has to say on this subject. Do it now, if you can read an email you can get a hold of the content I desire to share with you.

            But first, I would like to leave you all with my testimony. I know and have seen in my life the blessing of being obedient to our Father in Heaven. Now, looking back at the happiest times in my life, it was because I was keeping the commandments. Were they the most easy going times, no, but I was truly, truly happy. No matter what was happening around me in life, I was always happy. I know without a shadow of a doubt that only through our Savior, Jesus Christ can we experience, true and everlasting joy. Those of you who have never felt that, I invite you, like Alma to experiment upon these words, and tell me they are not true. I invite all who read this to come to know our eldest brother, Jesus Christ personally as I have and continue to do. I know He lives! He is and always will be my best friend. And I say these things in His holy and sacred name, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Thermopolis, WY

Notes

1. Keep The Commandments by President Thomas S. Monson

2. Stay By The Tree

3. Preach My Gospel pg. 72

4. Keep The Commandments by President Thomas S. Monson