January 29, 2018, "Truth Eternal, Truth Divine"

Email to Family and Friends

          Hello family! I hope everything is well on your side of life! We had another one of our favorite families come to Church this week! I absolutely love watching and being able to assist in growth of my fellow brothers and sisters as they learn and are quick to live the truth, the Gospel, the Plan of Salvation, whatever you feel like calling it. :)

          I have been starting my new Book of Mormon and my topic this time is Jesus Christ, just everything about him and I am loving it!

"Truth Eternal, Truth Divine"

              A favorite British scholar of Elder Hollands once said, "I don't really think that all who choose wrong roads perish, but I do think that their rescue consists of being put back on the right road. A mathematical sum incorrectly worked can be put right but only by going back until you find the error and then working it fresh from that point. It will never be corrected simply by going on. Evil can be undone but it cannot develop into good; worlds without end. Time does not heal it and the spell must be unwound."

           Elder Holland continued on and said, "Nothing will hurt you more than what you don't know." Plato also declared "It is better to be unborn than untaught for ignorance is at the root of all misfortune." 

            Truth lived is the essence of a happy life. Once truth is applied joy follows, every time. And until we know and live all truth we cannot experience full and never ending joy. 

           I will give to you this great truth, "that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved." (1) 

           I testify that a truly happy life can only be built upon Jesus Christ, he is the source of all truth, and the Book of Mormon contains those truths, because there is no other book where they are put so simply. That is why Joseph Smith 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.” (2) In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT 59901

Notes

1. 2 Nephi 2:8-9
2. Introduction to the Book of Mormon

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January 22, 2018, "Valiant in Christ"

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          What a week! We are so blessed her in Kalispell! The work is moving forward so fast! The Lord, my God has poured out His Holy Spirt upon this area! We are finding the very elect, those we are teaching are progressing, and we are growing in knowledge, power, faith, and charity. 

            We had interviews with our Mission President this last week, haha I begged him, if it was the Lords will, if I could finish Thermopolis, WY (my first area, I was there for just short of 8 months). He didn't give me a defined response and I wasn't looking for one, but it was hopeful :)

            It was a Less actives birthday this last week, so we decided we would get him something good ;) Haha we bought a HUGE Valentines Day card and turned into a Birthday card haha, there will be pictures, but it was hilarious! 

             We also wished another LA happy birthday! Haha I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

           We are also teaching a deaf sister, who is an investigator, it is so amazing! As we are teaching with an interpreter, the gift on youngest is so present. I pick up so quickly on ASL while we are there! It is not humanly possible to pick this up as quickly as we are.

"Valiant in Christ"

              Last night, for my recreational reading, I was in the Acts of The Apostles. I was reading of Peter and John they were being tried for teaching, preaching, and performing miracles in the name of Jesus. The account says this, "and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

           "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

           "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." (1)

            That is the true test of this life, will we be faithful, will we be Christlike, obedient, true, and full of love when it is not convenient? 

            John Taylor, the third President of the Church, said: “I heard the Prophet Joseph say, in speaking to the Twelve on one occasion: ‘You will have all kinds of trials to pass through. And it is quite as necessary for you to be tried as it was for Abraham and other men of God, and (said he) God will feel after you, and He will take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings, and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Celestial Kingdom of God.’ … Joseph Smith never had many months of peace after he received the truth, and finally he was murdered in Carthage jail.” (2)

              My family and my friends, will we be found valiant in the testimony of Jesus? Will we have the faith, hope, and charity to say as Christ did, "not what I will, but what thou wilt." (3) and "Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever." (4) 

              This is my testimony, I pray that I may not yield to temptation, I hope to remain faithful to Christ, if and only if, I put my trust in him and rely on His mercy and grace. I am a witness of his reality, that He is Gods Only Begotten Son, the Redeemer of the world, our Advocate with the Father. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT 59901

Notes

1. Acts 5:40-42
2. Teachings of the Presidents, Joseph Smith, Chapter 19 "Stand Fast through the Storms of Life"
3. Mark 14:36
4. Moses 4:2

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January 15, 2018, "Peacemakers"

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          This week was fantastic! We had a great Zone Conference this week! President Wadsworth and the Assistants to the President (two former companions who I go home with) gave great discussions! They were just what our Zone needed to hear!

           I had the chance to go on an exchange with an Elder from the Columbia Falls area. As I was praying about what I could train him on, all that would come into my mind is up to help him continue to find joy in the work. It was so great! I had him read D&C 128:19-25 which is a personal favorite :) 

           I get more and more tired as the months go by, this last Friday night as we got home I was so tired I wrote in my journal and went right to bed in my shirt, tie, slacks everything. And I slept like a baby.

"Peacemakers"

              Joseph Smith once said, “We [hope that] our brethren will be careful of one another’s feelings, and walk in love, honoring one another more than themselves, as is required by the Lord.”

              “Now, in this world, mankind are naturally selfish, ambitious and striving to excel one above another; yet some are willing to build up others as well as themselves.”

               “Let the Twelve and all Saints be willing to confess all their sins, and not keep back a part; and let [them] be humble, and not be exalted, and beware of pride, and not seek to excel one above another, but act for each other’s good, and pray for one another, and honor our brother or make honorable mention of his name, and not backbite and devour our brother.”

               “If you will put away from your midst all evil speaking, backbiting, and ungenerous thoughts and feelings: humble yourselves, and cultivate every principle of virtue and love, then will the blessings of Jehovah rest upon you, and you will yet see good and glorious days; peace will be within your gates, and prosperity in your borders.”

                I have taken these words to heart, my family, my dear friends, may we all be gentle, kind, and loving and strive to incorporate into our character the attributes of our God and our Beloved Father. It is possible, but only in and through Christ. What I say now I say unto all, you can change without Christ, but it will not last and you will fall. Only in and through faith in Jesus Christ and sincere repentance can we access the atoning grace and power of change. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT 59901

Notes

1. Teachings of the Presidents, Joseph Smith, Chapter 29 "Living with Others in Peace and Harmony"

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January 8, 2018, "Peace in Christ"

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          I got two stories I'll share with you this week. First, I was on exchanges in BigFork with the District Leader over there. I felt prior to it that I need help him increase his understanding and faith in Christ to find. As we were planning in the morning, we had 3 different sectioned out times were we would be finding through out the day. I told him to go into the room and to pray and stand in the presence of Father and find out were he needed us to be at these different times. He did so, and came back obviously having just received revelation, but with vague places. I asked him to go back before God and find specific streets. He did so, then I sent him back a third time and to find out what the Lord will promise us will happen at these events (ex. 3 Book of Mormons accepted, a return appointment with a family, etc.) He came back full of the Spirit with answers. Through out the remainder of the day we saw true miracle after miracle. As I saw this Elder grow in his faith as a result of his own faith, I felt to rejoice in my God! It was truly a glorious experience! I am so thankful to be surrounded by missionaries who are willing to serve God with all they have.

           Second, on the same exchange we were teaching a 13 year old young man and we were having an object lesson on Captain Moroni and in the corse of that I hopped over a fence in a trailer court and landed in some deep snow and what ever was in there gashed my ankle area. It's not that bad at all, but it was a fun experience :) 

"Peace in Christ"

              In the new 2018 Youth Theme Music there is a song called  "Peace In Christ". This is a song, if listened to thoughtfully, will bring tears of joy to ones eyes. The first verse and chorus says

1. There is peace in Christ

When we learn of Him.

Feel the love He felt for us

When He bore our sins.

Listen to His words.

Let them come alive.

If we know Him as He is,

There is peace in Christ.

He gives us hope

When hope is gone.

He gives us strength

When we can’t go on.

He gives us shelter

In the storms of life.

When there’s no peace on earth,

There is peace in Christ.

            I am a witness of these things, I speak as one with authority. President Monson once declared that Satan has power to imitate almost every feeling that God gives us except one, he can even imitate the burning of the bosom, but he cannot imitate one thing, and that is peace. 

            Family, friends, I am your humble servant, and I am here to say to you that this gospel is a message of peace and goodwill! These things are true! It is the fruit of the tree of life, even the love of God. "For God so loved the world that he gave his Only Begotten Son." I invite each of you who are reading this to "Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me." (1) In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT 59901

Notes

1. Doctrine and Covenants 19:23

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January 2, 2018, "The Power of the Redeemer"

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          This week was amazing!! We had a fantastic lesson just yesterday with one of our favorite friends! It was all on the Plan of Happiness, the Spirit flooded the room as we also had two sisters from the ward with us. As we would teach the plain and precious truths of the gospel reveled through modern prophets, she would sit listen and you could see the wheels turning in her mind, then she would say, "That just makes sense!" I am so thankful for the Spirit of God!

           We had a great week of service as there has been a LOT of snow. But service bring so much joy to the heart of man. It is the essence of godliness.

"The Power of the Redeemer"

          Nephi the son of Helaman once told his two boys "O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world."

          "And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins."

          "And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls." (1)

           I love how simply the prophets teach! They are so powerful! Repentance brings the power of Christ into our lives! We all need Christ the Son and the influence of God the Father in every waking moment in our lives. I pray that each of us as family and as friends can turn to Christ and be reconciled to God. It is as simple as repent. It is a message of love and it is the only way to peace. If you are not repenting I assure you, that you are now or will shortly find your self miserable. This is the good news of Christ, that we can repent an be changed into men and women of peace and love. This is the life for us to perform this labor. And it is possible! The Savior wants to forgive! I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT 59901

Notes

1. Helaman 5:9-11

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