April 24, 2017, "Modern Israel"

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            Great Falls is so green! It's really flat here compared to the rest of Montana but not nearly as flat as AZ haha. It has been so nice this week, it's been high 60's all week.

            Elder Tucker (my new companion and old Zone Leader) and Elder Porter did an amazing job in this area last transfer. This area has so much potential! We will be seeing a ton of great success this transfer!

            Elder Tucker has been a great help in helping me to get to know everyone in the area very quickly. We cover a Ward here in town and a little branch out in Belt. The area is very pretty, the Missouri River runs right through the city. 

            The Stake President here is amazing, he has a vision and put his diligence into it to make it happen. He has been a Stake President for 6 years and his vision is to spilt the Stake. And I'll tell you, he is going to do it!

          I'm exited to be serving here!

           

"Modern Israel" 

           Recently in my reading, I have found a scripture which quickly became one of my favorites. It is Christ himself who speaks and I paraphrase "Israel in the last days will be among many and we shall be as a lion among the beast of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. 

           He will make our horns iron and our hoofs brass, and all our enemies shall be cut off, for it is the Lord of the whole earth that doeth it." (1)

           He then goes on to quote Isaiah and tells us that "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper." (2)

           The Lord has given so many promises to the servants of the Lord in the latter days. Why should we fear or tremble? Why should we be idle or lazy? The God of Israel has placed a might work before us and we cannot fail! Should we not go on in such great a cause?

           

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

philip.bredsguard@myldsmail.net

Mission Home: 1848 Rimrock Road,  Billings,  Montana  59102

Current Address: 312 3rd Ave. N.  #8 Great Falls MT 59401

Notes

1. 3 Nephi 20:16-19
2. Isaiah 54:17 or 3 Nephi 22:17

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This is the old, worn out bike that Elder Bredsguard and his companions made like new

 for one of the other missionaries.  It was in sad shape.

This it the SURPRISE!  A newly painted, new tires, refurbished bike for their dear companion.  

(He had no idea these guys were working on this!  I love it!)

Admin note:  I just love these guys!!!  Are they too cute or what?

And, what are they making with their paper mache???  LOL

April 17, 2017, "He Lives!"

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            So this week has a lot of stories! I leave a few out because they are a little to crazy. We went to this place over by Whitehall called the Ringing Rocks for Zone Preparation Day last week. It was a blast! It's a huge pile of boulders that when you hit with a hammer the ring like bells. And you can go caving in them! I was freakin out because I was just following this other elder down pretty deep, and we got to this really really tight hole, he literally had to grab my legs and pull me through, haha I couldn't fit.

          We also ran our 11k on Saturday. I was dyeing! Butte is super hilly, the is no exaggeration in my words when I say that we only ran probably a total of 1 mile that was on flat ground out of the 7. Plus it snowed like 3 inches the night before with was awesome! :/ I ran it in 1:04:37. I got first place for my age group! (Keep in mind, I was the only one who ran it in my age group haha)

          An Elder in our Zone got ripped off when he first came out by one of the Assistants who was about to go home. He payed $200 for his bike which he quickly found out was junk! So he has been out 8 months now and still ridding this bike, so we told him to send up his bike and we told him we would fix it. Little does he know that we have completely redone his bike! New tires, new and very nice gear shifters, new and very comfy seat, and complete paint job! It will be done tomorrow, so I will send pictures of the complete project next week. 

            This week is Transfers and I will be leaving and going to Great Falls East! My new companion is Elder Tucker, he was my Zone Leader while I was in Thermopolis! It will be a blast! I will really miss Butte though, tons of great family's. TONS OF STORIES! Farewell Butte.

           

"He Lives!" 

These are the last few lines from a talk I gave yesterday in Sacrament Meeting. The first part of the talk covered the creation and the fall of Adam and Eve. 

           "The Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon"

           "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." (1)

           Brothers and Sisters, this is why we sing! This is why we celebrate, this is why shout with rejoicing, crying "Hosanna, hosanna, blessed be the name of the Lord our God!" (2)

          For God has suffered these things for all, that we might not suffer if we would repent! And now I declare unto you as the angels declared unto Mary, that beautiful Easter morning, that "He is not here: for he is risen" (3)

         "This is the gospel [of Jesus Christ], the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bears record unto us-- That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; That through him all might be saved." (4)

          "And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal purposes, [to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.] which was prepared from the foundation of the world. And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men, and also their destruction and misery."

          "Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds." (5)

          I am a witness of the Living Christ! I know he lives! I can not but speak the things which I have seen and heard. He is our Savior, he lived, died, and rose again. This is the truth, and none can deny who is under the sound of my voice, for it is the Spirit that speaketh. 

           Know that I love you! Always remember how much I care about you. I will dearly miss this beautiful Ward. Thank you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Lord, 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. 2 Nephi 2:26-27
2. See Doctrine and Covenants 19:37 & 16
3. Matthew 28:6
4. Doctrine and Covenants 76:40-42
5. Alma 42:26-27

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April 10, 2017, "Becoming Great"

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            Hello Family!!! This has been such a fun week. We had amazing lessons with Larry and Tina this week. Larry is getting baptized on the 22nd of April. Tina (his wife) has been making huge progress as well!

          We started teaching Anna and her husband Bill. Anna was the head radiologist over the entire United States Army for 25 years! She is from India, haha she is so funny! We are going to have dinner and a lesson with the Stake President and his wife over at Anna's house this week. 

          We also met JT, he has one of the coolest Harley's ever! It's completely custom. He is an excommunicated member, but he is such an amazing guy!

          We have been having so much success lately, it's fantastic! Something I have been really working on is teaching correct principles and letting the missionaries govern themselves. I could work and creat patterns for us to live as a Zone, but if they can understand correct principles and do it themselves, not only will they be great missionaries,but they will become converted to the gospel, go home and raise righteous family's!

           

"Becoming Great" 

           (1) The mother of James and John, the "Sons of Thunder", came to Jesus and asked him if he would grant unto them that they may be on his right hand and on his left in glory for all eternity.

           Then Christ gives them this great lesson, that that is not His to give, but it shall be given to those whom it is prepared of our Father.

           At that point the remaining 10 Apostles get angry at them for even suggesting such a thing as if they were surpass them.

           And then I believe Jesus sees the wonderful intention of James and Johns hearts and how they wanted to become great in the eyes of God! He takes them aside and relates to them how the Gentiles lead with power and authority. He commands them to not be like that. But if they wanted to be great, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: (2)

           The Savior says "I can't give you what you want, but I can teach you how to get it. I believe in you." The Savior wants each of us to become great! And in this he teaches us how. He believes in you! 

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. See Matthew 20:20-28
2. Matthew 20:26-27

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April 3, 2017, "Wisdoms Paths"

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           General Conference was absolutely amazing! The very last session we watch it with our dear friend Larry Barlow, and wow was session just perfect for him! Every talk was not only good but astounding! I love the second talk were he literally spoke to the investigators of the church. We he shared his personal experiences while joining the church.

           We went on an exchange with the Assistant to the President this last week, and we got to go to the temple while we were there!!!! I haven't been since June 28, 2016 (the day I got to Montana). I missed the temple to so much! 

          We drove 3 thousand miles last month haha. Butte is really starting to grow on me, I love it here, I really hope I don't get transferred. We were only in Billings for like a day and a half, but I was so happy to be back home in Butte. We got back at like 8:30 at night and we saw the other Butte Elders, it was a good sight to see some of my Butte Zone family again. 

           

"Wisdoms Paths" 

          President Jenkins over a year ago had me study the Doctrine of Christ in the Book of Mormon. And for that I will always be thankful! One of the five parts of the Doctrine of Christ is receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. At first I was puzzled by it, because the Doctrine of Christ are the conditions of receiving the blessings of our Saviors grace. But as I have repeatedly studied this topic, the gift of the Holy Ghost begins to make more and more sense to me why it is essential for salvation.

           The Holy Ghost was talked quit a bit about in General Conference this last weekend. And that is because the Spirit literally guides is in wisdoms paths, that we may be blessed, prospered and preserved. (1)

           But we must always remember that the Spirit can only dwell in Holy temples. Thayer is why we must all continually trust and rely on our Savior, Jesus Christ. To assist us along our beautiful but rough journey home.

           Friends, believe that He is! Change anything in your life that is keeping you from the joy of the Holy Ghost, and almost unnoticeingly you will find your self more like him. I leave you that promise in the name of our Almighty God, 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. See Mosiah 2:36

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