October 31, 2016, "Who Would Have Received It"

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           TRANSFER WEEK, I will be losing Elder Johnson, he will be going up to Bozeman, MT. I will miss him a lot! But luckily I get to stay in Thermopolis! I will be training a brand new missionary, I know absolutely nothing about him, I don't even know his name. I will meet him Wednesday night and have to wait for him to walk up to me!

I NEED STAMPS! If any would be willing to donate, I would love some stamps!! My address is down below.

          This has been a very eventful week, please read the following message. It will explain :) This transfer I had to learn not only to step up, but to step down as well, and to not worry about the little things. But I don't want to take away from the following story, so here it is.....

"Who Would Have Received It"

          My message this week will be a little different than usual. This last Friday night one of my most beloved friends, Tom Lea passed away. We have been very close, and have been teaching this family for a good 5 months now. There is Tom and his wife Darlene and their granddaughter Deanna.

          We were building a house out of town all that morning, and when we got in the car to leave we noticed that we had 2 voicemails. The first was very unclear but we ruffly hear "Tom passed away". So hang up really quick to listen to it again, but it went strait to the next voicemail, which was from our local Ward Mission Leader which let us know that Tom truly did pass away. Elder Johnson and I ran to our house through on some suits (we were in jeans) and went strait to Darlene's. 

           A little background, Tom has been absolutely fine the past week or two. And also, I never cried when I said bye to all my family, I didn't cry when I got on the plane, the MTC, or when I got to the mission field. That's when everyone cries! But the moment I saw Darlene we just looked at each other, my eyes stared to sweat. 

           Tom and Darlene both smoked when we first met them. Tom is the kind of man were he doesn't like to be pushed. So in the past we really focused on nudging Darlene to quit and hopping and praying Tom would follow. But about 2 1/2 months ago, Tom came to our Scripture Study Class and told us that he hadn't had a cigarette in 3 days! And can testify that he hasn't had one since.

           Darlene told us that 2 days before he passed away, he told Darlene that he was going to quit coffee now so he could be baptized! And that then we were going to work on Darlene haha. 

           Darlene was a little scared that since he wasn't baptized that he won't make it. But we taught her about baptisms for the dead and reminded her of the sacred sealing ordinance (she remembers the mirrors from one of the General Conference talks, so we call that "the mirrors"). 

            We then taught her about Joseph Smith and his older brother, Alvin. And we read this scripture to her which comforted Joseph and his family so much "Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;" (1) We rejoiced and cried and cried together!

           She is going to get baptized with her granddaughter, and take Toms name to the temple, and then be sealed to him for time and all eternity!

           I miss Tom dearly, but I'm not done with him yet! Haha he loved the scriptures, and was a man of mighty character. He is now resting and free from the grasps of Lucifer. He is now "received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where [he] shall rest from all [his] troubles and from all care, and sorrow." (2) God be thanked for allowing me know know his beloved son, Tom Lea. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

philip.bredsguard@myldsmail.net

917 Amoretti St Thermopolis, WY 82443

Notes

1. Doctrine & Covenants 137:7

2. Alma 40:12

Tom Lea

October 24, 2016, "The Destruction of the Family Within Our Own Homes"

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           This has been a fun week! Haha I feel like I just emailed

home yesterday.

           One of our new investigators is progressing really well. He

was a referral from a temple sealer in Sheridan. He will be getting

baptized on November 25.  He is just super prepared by the Lord. I

will keep you all updated on him.

"The Destruction of the Family Within Our Own Homes"

          The topic I would like to share about this week may be a

little controversial. I feel much like Jacob of old, who said, “It

grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speech … before … many

… whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate.” (1)

          Over the past few years, I have observed a plague that has

slipped into the everyday world of most men and women. This is a

plague that most know but do not understand. I pray that as you read

this, in my weakness of writing, that the Spirit may touch your hearts

and lead you to change. The world has come to call this disease,

video-games.

          Now before those of you who think what I have to say is of

no worth, I plead that  you may try to read my words with an open

mind. God has commanded me to speak on this, my words are his words,

so if you ignore these words, you are ignoring the words of God

himself. And no one would want to do that.

          Yes, on the surface video-games seem harmless and fun. But

as you look into the lives of those whom this canker dwells. Their

lives are full of idleness. That is one of the first but simple sins

video-games bring to the lives of the children of men.

          As I have watched the lives of my family, friends, those I

teach, and my companions; I have noticed that those whose lives are

full of video-games are always full of, if not all, some of these

things! Idleness, immaturity, lack of the Spirit, frustrated with

themselves while blaming it on others, and one of the most common,

pornography. Those I know who struggle with pornography, almost always

struggle with video-games.

          VIDEO-GAMES DESTROY FAMILIES! I can not say that boldly

enough. If you love your family, if you truly, truly, care about your

loved ones. Please heed this council, stop it!

          As members of the church we hear and say over and over that

families are forever. This is true, but we have to remember that

families are only eternal if we make that sacred covenant and if we

KEEP this covenant! Do we care more about our and our families eternal

salvation, or do would we rather waste this mortal, preparatory state

in front of television and mobile devise screens and go down to

eternal damnation? Answer me that, but do not answer me with your

words. "For what you do speaks so loudly that what you say I cannot

hear." Show your family you love them through your actions.

          Once again, the one that has opened my eyes to this, is my

beloved brother Jed. Like I once said, I have never seen a greater

missionary than him. But I have never actually saw him when he was a

missionary. And I don't need to. I know with all my heart that he was

one of the mightiest missionaries of this last dispensation, because

of how I saw the atonement change his very nature. From a little

brothers perspective, he left a boy, and he came home one worthy of

being called a concentrated disciple of Jesus Christ.

          One thing he changed, stuck out to me more than others. He

wouldn't even touch a video game. You could tell in his eyes that

looked on them with disgust. And I wanted to know why. I never asked

him, but I now know why! And I hope you do as well.

          Again, I am weak in writing, but this is what God has spoken

and I know he will make my words mighty. Heed my words! Your eternal

happiness weighs on it. You will be blessed more than you can even

begin to comprehend.

          Our Father in heaven loves us so much! He lives! He speaks

to a prophet on earth once again. He has not left alone, nor will he

ever. I love you! And I care about each of you dearly. And I say these

things in one of the most sacred and holy names given to us, Jesus

Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard
philip.bredsguard@myldsmail.net
917 Amoretti St Thermopolis, WY 82443

Notes
1. Jacob 2:6-8
2. I can't remember

Sent from my iPad

October 17, 2016, "We Can Receive Grace For Grace"

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           We have lots of good service opportunity a this week. We painted an old school house, we stained a fairly large ramp for an elderly lady before the cold weather hits, and we also put in 1500 feet of posts and on Tuesday we'll go do a little more and put all the barbed wire up! It was so fun, I felt like I was back at the ranch. My hand were all sore and blistery, I loved it. We also had to help ( I didn't do it, and I never want to do it) pull the placenta out of a new mama Low Line. Her new baby calf is half buffalo, half Low Line, it was the cutest thing! I got to hold it and play with it. I didn't have my IPad or I would have taken a picture. I had a great time I felt like I was out with the DeWitt/ Porter family again.  

          This Tuesday we had the first snowfall of winter!! It's a comin!

"We Can Receive Grace For Grace"

This is a talk I had the privilege of giving in the most recent sacrament meeting of the Thermopolis Ward.

          What is salvation? What dose it mean to be saved and have eternal life? We know through the Bible and other modern scripture that eternal life is not only with God, but like God.

          Dose not the Psalmist tell us that "[we] are gods, and all of [us] are children of the most High." (1) Dose not Paul write "And if [we are] children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (2) Christ told us to "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (3) 

          But, we can only do this if we "come unto Christ, and be perfected with him, and deny [ourselves] of all ungodliness." (4) That one day "we may be purified even as he is pure." (5)

          Christ is perfect! “All power is given unto [him] in heaven and in earth.” (6) 

But did not John see “that [Christ] received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace; And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness; And thus he was called the Son of God…"

          “John, [bore] record that he received a fulness of the glory of the Father;..

And we know that “if [we will] keep [his] commandments [we] shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in [Christ Jesus] as [he is] in the Father;  [and now we] shall receive grace for grace." (7) And “possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory” (8)

          But we must be “cleansed by blood, even the blood of [the] Only Begotten; that [we] might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory; For by the water [we] keep the commandment; by the Spirit [we] are justified, and by the blood [we] are sanctified;” (9) We “must.. be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that [we] may be prepared for the celestial glory;” (10)

         “We know that justification [or forgiveness of sins] through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true;"

          "And we know also, that sanctification [or purification from the effects of sin] through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength.” (11)

          If we love God, we will “keep [his] commandments.” (12) And “if [we] keep [his] commandments and endure to the end [we] shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.” (13)

          Now that we understand the doctrine of salvation, I cry unto all w/ in the sound of my voice “that [we] must repent or [we] cannot be saved!” (14)

          We know that “repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this there can be no progress in the things of the soul’s salvation, for all accountable persons are stained by sin and must be cleansed in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God.” (15)

          Repentance is essential to receive grace for grace. As missionaries we cry repentance, we do so by helping those we teach keep their commitments.

          Preach My Gospel states “Commitment[s are] an essential part of repentance. It is the act of obligating oneself to a course of action and then diligently following through on that decision. When [we] are genuinely committed, [we] have real intent, meaning that [we] fully intend to do what [we] have committed to do. [We] make an unwavering and earnest decision to change. [We] become devoted to Christ and dedicate [ourselves] to His gospel. Keeping [our] commitment[s] is how [we] 'truly manifest by [our] works that [we] have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of [our] sins'. (16)” (17)

           I speak unto all who have taken upon themselves the baptismal covenant, and especially to those of you who have entered into the holy covenants of the temple. I speak by way of commandment to these people, that you “serve [God] with all your heart, might, mind and strength,” (18) and in turn I can promise you, with the authority of a personal representative of Jesus Christ, which authority is above that of the kings of the earth. That you will be able to “look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands… having the image of God engraven upon your countenance.” (19)

          For you will “ be sanctified from all unrighteousness, [and you will].. be prepared for the celestial glory” (20) In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

philip.bredsguard@myldsmail.net

917 Amoretti St Thermopolis, WY 82443

Notes

1. Psalms 82:6

2. Romans 8:17

3. Matthew 5:48

4. Moroni 10:32

5. Moroni 7:48

6. Matthew 28:18

7. Doctrine & Covenants 93:12-14, 16, 20

8. Doctrine & Covenants 101:65

9. Moses 6:59

10. Doctrine & Covenants 88:18

11. Doctrine & Covenants 20:30-31

12. John 14:15

13. Doctrine & Covenants 14:7

14. Alma 5:31

15. Bible Dictionary, Repentance

16. Doctrine & Covenants 20:37

17. Preach My Gospel pg 195

18. Doctrine & Covenants 4:2

19. Alma 5:19

20. Doctrine & Covenants 88:18

October 10, 2016, "After the Holy Order of God"

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           Yesterday was the most spiritually draining day of my mission. I had an amazing study in the morning! Then we went to our first fast and testimony meeting were we were able to administer the sacrament due to the shortage of Aarionic priesthood holders now. We then did some great training. Which was followed by a sacrament meeting we were put in charge of by the new Bishop in the Pioneer Home (Senior Living home) which I gave a talk which will be my message for the week. (Included below) We then ran over to an elderly couple who have been such tremendous blessings to us (he also reminds me so much of Papa!), and gave them the sacrament. 

          We then had to skip lunch and run over to our next fast and testimony meeting, teach a great class of Gospel Principles, and support the new bishop with Home Teaching since no one is assigned to be a Home Teacher yet. Then right after church we had to hurry and visit someone we have been teaching in jail before visiting hours were over.

         We then got a break for dinner, but I was on and off the phone, so mentally I had to still get kickin. Right after that we had the best lesson we ever had with an 11 year old investigator, Jack. He read the entire Book of Mormon Stories by himself! We then went and had to deep and spiritual meeting with the Branch President and the Bishop!

          That was our day yesterday, I didn't even right a hundredth of all the spiritual things. It was very spiritually draining. I wish everyday was like yesterday!!

"After The Holy Order of God"

          "I am called of God. My authority is above that of the kings of the earth. I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord, Jesus Christ. His is my Master, and he has chosen me to represent him. To stand in his place, to say and do what he himself would say and do, if he personally were ministering to the very people to whom he has sent me. My voice is his voice, and my acts are his acts; my words are his words, and my doctrine is his doctrine. My commission is to do what he wants done. To say what he wants said. To be a living modern witness in word and deed of the divinity of his great and marvelous latter day work." (1)

          [ I would like to commemorate the life of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, I offer my 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 and will yet live 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). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing theblind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

          He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. 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.

          He is the first and the last; it is He who liveth, it is He who was slain; He is our advocate with the Father. "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) That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created.

           I testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak

in worship before Him. 

          Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

          I bear testimony, as an Elder and as modern representatives and witnesses 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. ] (2)

          "And now, my brethren, I would that you should hear me, for I speak in the energy of my soul; for behold, I have spoken unto you plainly that ye cannot err, or have spoken according to the commandments of God.

          For I am called to speak after this manner, according to the holy order of God, which is in Christ Jesus; I am commanded to stand and testify unto this people the things which have been spoken by our fathers concerning the things which came and are to come.

          And this is not all. Do you not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do you suppose that I know of their surety?

           Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.

          I say unto you, that I know of myself that whatsoever I shall say unto you, concerning this Jesus Christ, is true; and I say unto you, that I know that Jesus Christ came, yea, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. And behold, it is he came to take away the sins of the world, yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly believeth on his name.

          And now I say unto you that this is the order after which I am called, yea, to preach unto my beloved brethren, yea, and every one that dwelleth in the land; yea, to preach unto all, both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you the aged, and also the middle aged, and the rising generation; yea, to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again.

          Thus saith the Spirit: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son of God cometh in his glory, in his might, majesty, power, and dominion. My beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith: Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men.

          And also the Spirit saith unto me, yea, crieth unto me with a mighty voice, saying: Go forth and say unto this people--Repent and be baptized by one holding the authority of God, for except ye do these things ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of heaven.

          And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and you are his sheep; and he commandeth you that you should suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may not be destroyed.

          And now I, do command you in the language of him who hath commanded me, that ye observe to do the words which I have spoken unto you.

          I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life." (3) In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard
Thermopolis, WY

philip.bredsguard@myldsmail.net

Notes

1. Elder Bruce R McConkie

2. See the Living Christ

3. See Alma chapter 5

October 3, 2016, "Childlike, Simple Faith"

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           General Conference this week has been absolutely amazing. I have learned so much for the beautiful inspired messages from the Prophet, Apostles, and other General Authority's. 

           The high here tomorrow is about 51 degrees! It's starting to get cold, I'm so exited! 

          During my last interview with my Mission President, I was telling him about how before my mission I was given the opportunity to meet and study lots of different missionary's. There were a few I really admired and wanted to be like, but out of all these missionary's, I never met one better than my brothers, especially Jed. Right before I left Jed gave me some council that I'll never forget, and that was if the Lord wanted thousands of baptisms a night he would send out the Apostles. But he doesn't, Jed then said, "I honestly believe the Lord sends out 18 & 19 year old young men to refine THEM" Converts are are just a bonus. So I went on telling President Wadsworth about this and how my highest goal for my mission is to go home a better man. He then told me that another key reason young men are sent on missions, to learn how to be fathers. I am a witness of the truthfulness of that statement. I'm by no means perfect and have a lot left to learn, but over the past week I can honestly say that because of the past week, I will be a better father.

"Childlike, Simple Faith"

          The Brother of Jared once needed to find a way to provide light in the vessels the Lord directed him to make. He came up with the idea to go "forth unto the mount, which they called the mount Shelem, because of its exceeding height, and did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass; and he did carry them in his hands upon the top of the mount, and cried again unto the Lord, saying:"

          "O Lord, thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the floods. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy servant because of his weakness before thee; for we know that thou art holy and dwellest in the heavens, and that we are unworthy before thee; because of the fall our natures have become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires."

         "..therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea."

        "Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men."

        "And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger." (1)

          Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke about the childlike, simple faith that the brother of Jared showed when he said, “Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this” (2): “Surely God, as well as the reader, feels something very striking in the childlike innocence and fervor of this man’s faith. ‘Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this.’ 

          "Perhaps there is no more powerful, single line of faith spoken by man in scripture. It is almost as if he is encouraging God, emboldening him, reassuring him. Not ‘Behold, O Lord, I am sure that thou canst do this.’ Not ‘Behold, O Lord, thou hast done many greater things than this.’ 

          "However uncertain the prophet is about his own ability, he has no uncertainty about God’s power. There is nothing here but a single, clear, bold, and assertive declaration with no hint or element of vacillation. It is encouragement to Him who needs no encouragement but who surely must have been touched by it. ‘Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this’” (3)

          I would highly encourage all to listen to President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's latest talk in the General Woman's Session of General Conference entitled "Forth Floor, Last Door". He expounds on this childlike, simple faith, more than I ever could. Go and listen to his beautiful message whether your male of female. It will bless your life as you apply it.

          I have seen miracles come as I have strived to have childlike faith. As I have been working with my newest companion, I have been pleading with God to help me be patient and loving and also to stay busy so that there can be no excuse for idleness. With simple faith and complete trust in Him to answer my prayers, both have been completely answered. 

          I know God lives. I would forever be lost without my Redeemer. Faith is real, it is a real natural force just as is electricity. (4) Never underestimate it. It will lead you to see miracles. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Thermopolis, WY

philip.bredsguard@myldsmail.net

Notes

1. Ether 3:1-2,4-6

2. Ether 3:5

3. Jeffery R. Holland, “Rending the Veil of Unbelief,” in Nurturing Faith through the Book of Mormon: The 24th Annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium [1995], 12

4. “There is another kind of faith, rare indeed. This is the kind of faith that causes things to happen. It is the kind of faith that is worthy and prepared and unyielding, and it calls forth things that otherwise would not be. It is the kind of faith that moves people. It is the kind of faith that sometimes moves things. … It comes by gradual growth. It is a marvelous, even a transcendent, power, a power as real and as invisible as electricity. Directed and channeled, it has great effect. …" -President Boyd K Packer, Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 45