September 26, 2016, "The Living Christ (in the newspaper)"

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           Here in Thermopolis they have been taking about splitting the Ward for years. Last Sunday they announced that this Sunday they were going to be reorganizing the Bishopric and some other special news. So what happened was they split the Ward into a Ward and a branch! I've never heard of them doing that before. Almost the entire leadership of the area has been changed. We are very exited for all the wonderful progress that will begin to happen. We had a great conversation with the Stake President here. He has great plans and a vision for the Thermopolis Area. I have a feeling in my gut, that I will be in this area for a while so I'm very exited and honored to be a part of the gathering here.

           But... this has definitely been the hardest week of my mission. I had experience with lazy and disobedient missionaries before my mission, but now that it's in every moment of my life, it's been very hard. Through this though I have grown closer to the best companion anyone can ever ask for, and that is my Father in Heaven. We've studied together and He has taught me many wonderful things. It's been a very experiential week, and for that I will always be grateful. I love all of you! Especially my family ;)

"The Living Christ (in the newspaper)"

          This is an article we will be putting into the newspaper this week. You will notice is very similar to The Living Christ, the testimonies of the Prophet and Apostles of Jesus Christ. I hope you will all enjoy it as I hope Thermopolis will too. Haha I guess there is still some good things in the news.

          

The Living Christ

          We commemorate the mortal life of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived upon the earth.

          He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity.

          He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

          "After the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!" (Doctrine & Covenants 76:22)

          We bear testimony, as Elders and as modern representatives of our Lord and Savior —that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the gift of His Son.

                                

                     -Elders Bredsguard & Johnson

                     -The Thermopolis Ward and Owl Creek Branch

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Thermopolis, WY

philip.bredsguard@myldsmail.net

September 19, 2016, "Bringeth a Change of Heart"

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             We just had a baptism this weekend! His name is Jason Boyson. If you want to talk about prepared, this man was just ready for the gospel. Every time he hears truth, it just clicks in his brain and he says "It just makes sense!" Seeing him baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands were both very special moments. Now when ever you look in his eyes, you can just see how pure and clean he is.

          Also another little girl from a family in the ward got baptized in the Big Horn River. Her name is Summer Galovich. We also have been meeting with an 11 year old boy, Jack, who is Jason next door neighbor. We can to the LDS church for the first time yesterday, which was the primary program. Haha he had a fun time. We met with him last night and he wants to be baptized on the 22nd of October. Haha he is very energetic and at the end of each lesson we play a game called "Nephi's Vouige to the Promised Land". It's like monopoly mixed with LIFE.

           This week is transfers, Elder Palmer will be going to Gillet, WY as a trainer, District Leader, speaking Spanish, and the are being doubled in for Sisters! He is about to have a great opportunity to grow. I'll be staying here and my new companion is Elder Johnson... I think haha I will keep you all posted.

"Bringeth a Change of Heart"

          Looking back in my life, I have come to notice a pattern. I tend to try the promises of Christ and the prophets. Not necessarily to prove or disprove, but to see if they will really come true in my own life. Because of that, I have a testimony of Christ and of His divinity. And now, I find my self putting the prophets to the test once again. Specifically, Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith once said, "I told the brethren that 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.” (1) 

          On the morrow, I will have finished the Book of Mormon for the second time in the past 12 weeks. Both times I have read it with a question in mind to better myself. Everyday I would pray to God to help me become better through Christ, and strive with my best ability to apply the principle I learned for that day.

          Spiritual growth is very hard to notice in ourselves. But I can literally feel, over the past few months, my heart changing. I have been noticing as my mind is more full of uplifting and ennobling thoughts.

          I am better understanding Samuel the Laminate when he said, "ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them as.. 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" (2). 

           The two questions I have studied in the Book of Mormon so far since I have been on my mission are "How can I have more charity?" and "What is the Character of Christ?" Through applying and diligent reading of the Book of Mormon, it is truly changing me. Slowly but surely. I can't notice a difference from day to day. But looking back, I can see small but significant change.

          I have felt as Alma taught, "And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good." (3)

          I know this is a good seed, through studying the Book of Mormon I have been able to see my very nature change. My faith in my Savior grows each time I read, and I always leave wanting to be better.

          Those of you who know me well, know I have a long way to go tell I am like the Savior. But, for those of you who want to change and be better, read the Book of Mormon! It will amplify the process of developing Christlike attributes. If you can't or don't know where to get a copy if you don't have one, email me. I'll be more than happy to mail you one. This will bless your life! It has changed mine and millions of others. 

           I have asked my companion to share his testimony of how the Book of Mormon has changed him since, your all probably board of hearing mine. He is an amazing missionary and someone we should all try to be like.

               "In high school I began to read from the Book of Mormon again. Years before I had gained a testimony that it was true, over time, however, I fell out of the habit of reading and forgot how it made me feel. When I read it in high school I was challenged to read it in six months, this made me make my studies a habit. Over that period of study I began to notice that I was being changed into a better person. I believe that this change happens because the Book of Mormon truly testifies of our Savior, by remembering him my attitude and character changed for the better. I know that it is the word of God and that a man will draw closer to Him by abiding by its precepts then by any other book." -Elder Palmer

          We say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

philip.bredsguard@myldsmail.net

Thermopolis, WY

Notes

1. Introduction to the Book of Mormon 

2. Helaman 15:7

3. Alma 32:33

Elder Bredsguard, Jason Boyson, Elder Palmer

September 12, 2016, "With His Stripes We Are Healed"

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             Haha I'm so tired, but I'm so happy! On Friday at the beginning of lunch, I closed my eyes for a second then all of a sudden it was an hour later! There has been a lot of success. There is a baptism coming up this week, I'm exited to tell you about him next week haha. 

             Transfers are next week, I'll probably stay here. Which is fine by me! The people are very respectful in this town. There isn't a whole lot of hate towards us here, hopefully my next area, I need some persecution every once and while. Haha this town is too righteous.

"With His Stripes We Are Healed"

            Some years ago, President Gordon B. Hinckley told “something of a parable” about “a one room school house in the mountains of Virginia where the boys were so rough no teacher had been able to handle them.

      “Then one day an inexperienced young teacher applied. He was told that every teacher had received an awful beating, but the teacher accepted the risk. The first day of school the teacher asked the boys to establish their own rules and the penalty for breaking the rules. The class came up with 10 rules, which were written on the blackboard. Then the teacher asked, ‘What shall we do with one who breaks the rules?’

      “‘Beat him across the back ten times without his coat on,’ came the response.

      “A day or so later, … the lunch of a big student, named Tom, was stolen. ‘The thief was located--a little hungry fellow, about ten years old.’

      “As Little Jim came up to take his licking, he pleaded to keep his coat on. ‘Take your coat off,’ the teacher said. ‘You helped make the rules!’

      “The boy took off the coat. He had no shirt and revealed a bony little crippled body. As the teacher hesitated with the rod, Big Tom jumped to his feet and volunteered to take the boy’s licking.

      “‘Very well, there is a certain law that one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?’ the teacher asked.

      “After five strokes across Tom’s back, the rod broke. The class was sobbing. ‘Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around his neck. “Tom, I’m sorry that I stole your lunch, but I was awful hungry. Tom, I will love you till I die for taking my licking for me! Yes, I will love you forever!”’” (1)

      President Hinckley then quoted Isaiah: “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. …

       “… He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (2)

       In modern times, the risen Lord, revealed this insight to the prophet Joseph Smith: "Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him--

       "Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

       "Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life." (3)

       Jesus Christ, our Savior, is the cornerstone from all eternity to all eternity. He is the stone which is being set at naught by the world. But we must always remember that "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (4)

       I usually invite you all to apply what I write in my emails each week. My invitation to you this week is a little different. We are told that, “this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (5)

       My invitation to you is get know Him, Jesus Christ. Don't just study about him. Learn of him, what is his character, who is Jesus Christ. Read in the Standard Works (Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price). If you would like something specific to read, I suggest anyone of these chapters. 2 Nephi 2 & 9, Luke 22-24, Isaiah 53, Doctrine & Covenants 19, and The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles. These are just a few. 

         As you get to know of Him you will begin to see yourself become more like Him. I love Him with every fiber of my being. I would be utterly lost with out him. He is my rock and my foundation. He shows me right from wrong, so that I may be able to revive tremendous blessings beyond all belief. The same can be for you, if you follow him. Do what he would do, and act as he would act. Just remember, you can't follow someone you don't know. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Thermopolis, WY

Notes

1. The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope by: President James E Faust

2. Isaiah 53:4-5

3. Doctrine & Covenants 45:3-5

4. Acts 4:12

5. John 17:3

September 5, 2016, "A New Commandment"

Email to Family and Friends

             This has been an amazing week. We are teaching a couple Kaloni and Jacob. Jacob is a less active and Kaloni isn't a member. Recently they had a baby who was born very prematurely. She had to get life flights to Salt Lake. They were there about a month, and why'll they were their they went to the temple almost everyday. Before this experience we have been trying to meet with them and they were not interested at ALL. But now through this experience they have been very very exited to meet with us! 

"A New Commandment"

            I know I have written about this topic a few times since I have been on my mission. But the Holy Spirit constrains me to speak of it another time. I feel that my previous emails on this subject have been lacking something. Well, we all know they all are lacking a lot haha. But I have just felt something was missing. And I hope and pray that my Father will guide and direct me to know what to say.

            One of my favorite songs in Primary was a song titled "Love One Another" (1). You can find many versions on YouTube I would assume, and encourage you all to listen to it. 

            This song was based off of the scripture John 13:33-34 which says, " Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

             "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."

             "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (2) 

             What I have felt was missing from the previous emails on love was a few questions. How can our love for others grow? How can we do that? When it comes to those who really annoy me, I can't just flip a switch and love them. How can I love someone, like Jesus loves me, if they just drive me bonkers?

             Think for a moment about how much a mother loves her child, why dose she love him or her so much? Why is a mothers love so unconditional? One main reason is because of everything she has went through and suffers through for that child. She has been through amazing things for him or her.

             Think of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. He cares about us more than we can even understand because he has experience everything we, in our personal lives, have experienced. Everything we are going through, He is going through with us.

            When you serve someone your love for them increases! Looking back in my own life, those I have come to really love the most, are those I have served the most. They are those I have given my all to help them. I know you have similar experiences.

            If you want to love someone more in your own life, serve them, listen to them, show them you care. Think of just one person in your life you you wish you could love even more. Please sit and ponder just one way you can serve them. And then try my words and you will see that your very soul will swell with love for him or her. 

           I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can change. Our very natures can change and we can have "the pure love of Christ" in our very being and we can make it who we are. He lives! If there was no Christ we would forever be lost. We would never be able to experience forgiveness or true joy. I would like to end with the words of John the Beloved when he was told, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."

            "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

            "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him."

             "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

             " Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."

             "...If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."

             "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit."

             "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world."

             "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God."

               "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

                "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world."

                "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

                 "We love him, because he first loved us."

                "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"

                 "And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." (3). In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Thermopolis, WY

Notes

1. Children's Songbook, 136

2. John 13:33-34

3. 1 John 4:7-21