Elder Philip Bredsguard Testifies of Jesus Christ!: June 12, 2017, "A Modern Rock of Offense"

Email to Family and Friends

Elder Tucker and I have had to do a lot of traveling this week. On Tuesday we went down to Helena for MLC and on Thursday thru Friday we had to go to Billings to drop off a missionary who is heading home, as well as to go on an exchange with the Assistants to the President. On our exchange we learn a lot! The Assistants are amazing Elders! Very consecrated to their callings and dedicated to the work.

While we were in Billings we had the opportunity to attend the temple again! It is such a Holy house! The Spirt is so thick with in those walls.

We had 2 baptisms this last Saturday! We love the Breeden family! We have grown very close to this family while I have been here!

Thank you family and friends for all you do for me! I receive nothing but encouragement from all of you, I love you!

"A Modern Rock of Offense"

Yesterday I had the privilege of giving a talk in the Sacrament Meeting of the Overlook Ward here in Great Falls. Normally I share my talks with you through my email, but the Spirit has lead me other wise for today. I don't feel it necessary to give the exact same message, but a similar one.

Elder Holland once said, "I testify that one cannot come to full faith in this latter-day work--and thereby find the fullest measure of peace and comfort in these, our times--until he or she embraces the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it testifies. If anyone is foolish enough or misled enough to reject 531 pages of a heretofore unknown text teeming with literary and Semitic complexity without honestly attempting to account for the origin of those pages--especially without accounting for their powerful witness of Jesus Christ and the profound spiritual impact that witness has had on what is now tens of millions of readers--if that is the case, then such a person, elect or otherwise, has been deceived; and if he or she leaves this Church, it must be done by crawling over or under or around the Book of Mormon to make that exit. In that sense the book is what Christ Himself was said to be: “a stone of stumbling, … a rock of offence,”(1) a barrier in the path of one who wishes not to believe in this work. Witnesses, even witnesses who were for a time hostile to Joseph, testified to their death that they had seen an angel and had handled the plates. “They have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man,” they declared. “Wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true.”(2) "(3)

Family and Friends, just yesterday I finished the Book of Mormon, for the 11th time in my short life. I do not say this to brag nor boast, but to declare unto all, that this book is true! Every time I read it, every time I ponder it and apply it, the Spirit of God, even the influence of God himself runs thru every vain in my body! It full me with such exceeding joy, love, and peace even to the consuming of my flesh.

And like all the prophets of old and modern times, I give my name to the world, to witness unto the world that which I have seen. And I lie not, God bearing witness of it. (4)

My witness echoes that of Nephi, who wrote part of the book in his “last days”:

“Hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, … and they teach all men that they should do good.

“And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye--for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day.” (5)

Brothers and sisters, God always provides safety for the soul, and with the Book of Mormon, He has again done that in our time. Remember this declaration by Jesus Himself: “Whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived”--and in the last days neither your heart nor your faith will fail you. Of this I earnestly testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen." (6)

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

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