February 27, 2017, "Sanctification"

Email to Family and Friends

           Last Monday Elder Merrill and I were at JcPennys just looking around, we looked at ties and suits and shirts. Little did we know that morning just how nasty our shirts were! Haha so I decided that I need to clean my self up, so we bleached our shirts, I iron my shirts and ties, and polish my shoes everyday. And I can tell ya, I feel a lot better about my self now.

           We had a Zone Conference on Tuesday (which consisted of 3 Zones). While we were there my MTC companion was there, Elder Tate Shumway, haha I love this guy! He is a Zone Leader as well so I get to see him a lot now, when before I never saw him tell I got transferred to Butte. He truly is an amazing Elder.

           We took the Elder is Dillon on an exchange here in Butte this past week. Elder Lubke and I went and Cole tested Service to basically every were in town, and we got amazing results! On of the places we are now volunteering at is called the Science Mine. Haha the moment I walked in, I said to my self "If Kayli knew I got to volunteer here, she would die!" It is so cool it like the Science Museum in Phoenix but all hands on! We get to help little kids build robots, learn how to do anything engineering that a child can do. They even have a sweet Tesla Coil that shocks stuff! We are also volunteering at some other sweet museums.

          We had the baptisms of Jarek Sparks and Gavin Boucher this last Saturday. Jarek is 13 and Gavin is 9. They are so fun to teach haha. There Dad, Bryan is now the only non member in the family, so me being me went up to him afterwords, and said "Bryan your whole family is Mormon now! When is it going to be your turn?" Haha we joke around with him all the time. 

           

"Sanctification"

          In The Book of Helaman, the Saints of God were being highly persecuted, but Mormon records that, "[those being persecuted] did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God." (1)

          As I read that last line this morning, it had a special impression on me. We are sanctified or purified from the effects of our sins as we yield ourselves to God. As we are humble and teachable and submit to the things the Lord sees fit to inflict upon us, we will be purified into a more holy and godly person.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

philip.bredsguard@myldsmail.net

Mission Home: 1848 Rimrock Road,  Billings,  Montana  59102

Current Address: 1704 Lowell Ave, Butte, MT 59701

Notes

1. Helaman 3:35

February 20, 2017, "O That I Were An Angel!"

Email to Family and Friends

           This week completely flew by! Outside of teaching we have been able t do a lot of service, especially chopping ice and getting cars unstuck. Haha I'm having a blast like always! 

           Thank you all who sent me stamps! They are a tremendous help. God bless you!

           

"O That I Were An Angel!"

          "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!"

          "Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth." (1)

           Never has any scripture, pressed upon my heart as this one does mine. Alma's cry, rings true with the inner desire of my heart. This is my purpose in life, not my mission only, but the inner calling I have received from God Almighty from all eternity to all eternity. 

            The invitation to repent is an expression of love. It is an invitation to become more Christlike, and in turn, receive the blessings and consequences of a being in that state. I invite all men to repent "that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth." That they might have peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come.

             Repentance brings peace and a joy that only those who have partaken of the fruit of repentance can comprehend. (2) I love each one of you and invite you to seek after a scripture that touches your heart more than any other. Make it your motto in life, make it who you are.

             For "this is my glory (purpose), that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy." (3) In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

philip.bredsguard@myldsmail.net

Mission Home: 1848 Rimrock Road,  Billings,  Montana  59102

Current Address: 1704 Lowell Ave, Butte, MT 59701

Notes

1. Alma 29:1-2
2. See Alma 26:21
3. Alma 29:9

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February 13, 2017, "Addressing Your Maker"

Email to Family and Friends

           This past week has been amazing. We have seen so many mighty miracles. There were a few days last week in which every plan, backup plan fell through at times and because so, we were led to go to certain homes we other wise would have never tried. And in these homes were the good sons and daughters of God who have been prepared by the angels of God, and His Holy Spirit. 

           

"Addressing Your Maker"

          Henry W. Bigler recalled: “Speaking about praying to our Father in heaven, I once heard Joseph Smith remark, ‘Be plain and simple and ask for what you want, just like you would go to a neighbor and say, I want to borrow your horse to go to [the] mill.’” (1)

          As a goal for our companionship, Elder Merrill and I have made the goal to make our prayers more personal with our Father. I have also been studying a lot  on this as well. I love the example of our dear prophet, Joseph Smith.

          Throughout his life, Joseph Smith would turn to God in prayer to seek the help and guidance he needed. A Church member recalled hearing him pray in Kirtland, Ohio, at a time of great personal difficulty: “Never until then had I heard a man address his Maker as though He was present listening as a kind father would listen to the sorrows of a dutiful child. … There was no ostentation, no raising of the voice as by enthusiasm, but a plain conversational tone, as a man would address a present friend. It appeared to me as though, in case the veil were taken away, I could see the Lord standing facing His humblest of all servants I had ever seen.” (2)

          I recognize that most of you who may read my emails, are the beautiful saints of God. May we all strive to make our prayers more personal and intimate. Let us commune with our Father as a child should his parents. You will begin to know Him in a very personal way. You will begin to know Him, as He knows you. And because so, you will become more like Him. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

philip.bredsguard@myldsmail.net

Mission Home: 1848 Rimrock Road,  Billings,  Montana  59102

Current Address: 1704 Lowell Ave, Butte, MT 59701

Notes

1. Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Joseph Smith; pages 131- 132
2. Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Joseph Smith; page 127

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February 6, 2017, "Good News"

Email to Family and Friends

           Butte is amazing!! I love all the members here. We had an amazing Zone Training! The Spirit was so strong. I love all the missionaries in my new Zone. Being a Zone Leader is a great opportunity to serve the missionaries. The moment I saw them, my heart was overwhelmed with love for them.

           Haha we ran into another demon, well I guess it came to us at like 10:25 pm knocking on our door, so yeah.... haha.

           I have the opportunity to go to MLC (Mission Leadership Council) now which was a really neat experience. We decided the new schedule for the mission and etc.

If any are willing, I'm in desperate need of stamps. Thank you for your love and support. My new address is 1704 Lowell Ave Butte, MT 59701

           

"Good News"

          The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of change. The very purpose of life is to " prepare to meet God" (1) We are to prepare for eternal life and to inherit the Kingdom of God. We need not be perfect in this life, all that is required of us is to be clean. And by becoming clean we are changed. It's not easy,  but it is so worth it. 

          "Jesus suffered willingly so that we might all have the opportunity to be washed clean- through having faith in Him, repenting of our sins, being baptized by proper priesthood authority, reviving the purifying gift of the Holy Ghost by confirmation, and accepting all other essential ordinances (sacrament)." (2)

           As mortal men and women, we cant change ourselves to become more than who we are. We could not create ourselves, and now we cannot save ourselves. We need the help of God. We need Jesus Christ, we must believe in Him and rely on Him. 

            The goodness of the Gospel is that we have a chance to change and improve! We aren't lost and we are not forgotten. No matter who we used to be or what we have done, if we will rely on the Atonement of Christ, through prayer, He will change us. He wants to change us! 

            I invite all to repent and be believing. Humble yourselves as little children. I can promise that you will see a bright new world before you. You will be proud of who you are. I can testify that this is true! That God himself died for us, that if we would repent, we could become like Him. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

philip.bredsguard@myldsmail.net

Mission Home: 1848 Rimrock Road,  Billings,  Montana  59102

Current Address: 1704 Lowell Ave, Butte, MT 59701

Notes

1. Alma 34:32
2. From a talk by Elder Ballard

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"The Butte Zone"