August 28, 2017, "Reflecting On Our Family"

Email to Family and Friends

          This week was so crazy and so fast! Elder Christensen is getting transferred. My new companion is Elder Ison, holy moly he is a rock star! I picked him up from Helena in Wednesday had a super busy day then woke up Thursday and drove to Helena again to pick up 4 brand spanken new missionaries! Every companionship in our Zone is training except for us as the Zone Leaders so we are going to do training as well. We imedietly got back with the new missionaries had them meet their trainers and all went out tracting! Because what better first experience than tracting :)  I went with a companionship from Haver (Trainer/ Trainee) We had the new missionary lead out a few times we found four house holds to come back and teach! A girl answered the door with out pants on haha the 2 missionaries lead out and I was in the back just there for support and oh it was hilarious! They were all stuttering and had no idea what to say. But we gave her a pass along card and left. That was one of Elder Martians first moments as a missionary.

           This week was so crazy that I totally forgot we were asked to give 20 min talks each until an hour before church started. Haha poor Elder Ison had no idea, he thought I was pulling his leg tell we asked our Bishop.

            I got to make a steak turner out of a metal rod, put it in a forge, hammered it on an anvil and everything, it was such a cool experience :) 

"Reflecting On Our Family"

           Elder Ison and I were able to give talks this week in the Overlook ward. We were asked to talk of families. It was a 15 min talk, so I won't quote it to you today, but as I prepared it, I reflected on my family over and over again and how much they mean to me. Especially my dear mother. I told of the time were Jed and I were playing and I fell into the Lego's and still have a legit imprint in the back of my head. I told mostly stories about my mom and what she has done for me. It was one of my favorite talks because it caused me I ponder on how much I love and miss my family.

            Families can be together forever! Families are no joke, we learn to love, we learn to work, we learn patience and understanding, in our families we learn to live like Christ. I pray for my current family and future family everyday. Please find just one way today to show someone in your family how much you love them, preferably your mother :) 

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 312 3rd Ave N Great Falls, MT 59405

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Elder Bredsguard made himself a bull whip... and it got him!  Yikes!

August 21, 2017, "They Are Their Own Judges"

Email to Family and Friends

          Thursday was a sweet day. We had lunch with our ward mission leader at

this old school diner. He even brought his less active grandson, it was so fun! We talked about movies, and music, and just really built a relationship with him. It was awesome! 

           Went out contacting people. And we were just in a seriously goofy

mood. It was so much fun!

           Dinner was with the Lahadern's. Brother lahadern served his mission in Italy, where he met his wife. Who's full blown Italian, and makes some of the greatest Italian food this side of the Atlantic. OH MY GOODNESS IT WAS SO GOOD. She made some of these things called "Bombelitos" or "Small Bombs" I almost cried. We had a super spiritual thought, and we got on our way!

          We walked to Roadhouse with Kirby, and boy did this lead to memories! We sit down, and they have a 1 time only burger special.... the "Von Donut" burger. The waitress probably has a masters degree in sales technique, because she convinced all of us to get it lol.

          It's a double bacon cheeseburger, drizzled with syrup, and the buns are made from 2 maple donuts.

          Turns out they only made 36 of them... and they only had 5 left. So we took 3 of the last 5 ever "Von Donut" burgers. We even got stickers, and it was just rad.

           I thought the burger was delicious. You could feel your arteries clogging up, and that was enough of a reminder to never eat something like that ever again lol. But Kirby loved it, and we just had a really good time.

           (This is from my companion email) "shortly after, we shot off to a lesson with the Bacon's. It was this super awesome lesson, then it got quiet. I heard what sounded like a storm rolling in, I look out the window and it's sunny, I was confused. I look at elder Bredsguard, and sure enough it was his stomach. For the first time in my entire mission, we had to cut a lesson short for an emergency explosion. We sprinted out the door and ran home. Elder Bredsguard barely made it. But he survived."

"They Are Their Own Judges"

          As I was reading this morning in 2 of my favorite chapters in all scripture, mine eyes were again opened to the truth contained in our holy writ. 

          Alma is teaching his son about consequences, not only the consequences that are received in this life but those in the next. He said, "And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good."

           "And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame--mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption--raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other--"

           "The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh."

          "And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness."

          "These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil."(1)

          You are free to chose :) "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." (2)

           If you are looking for happiness, it is found here, in Christ Jesus whom was crucified for you. He is our Redeemer, our Savior who brings us back into the presence the God of Glory, our Father. I know this gospel is true, if you don't believe in this and you have things to say against it, it matters not, for the word of God must be fulfilled. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes

1. Alma 41:3-7
2. Alma 42:27

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 312 3rd Ave N Great Falls, MT 59405

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August 14, 2017, "Development"

Email to Family and Friends

          Haha well I got a new IPad! We had the baptism of Lily Bacon this week. She is going to the temple this Friday with all the other Young women! Her mom is starting in Family History so that they will be able to go to the temple to perform those sacred ordinances for there grandparents and other loved ones.

          I ate a 2lbs burger at this mom and pop burger joint on Tuesday. I did it in about 15 min. I felt so sick afterwords haha. I love my mission, it is going by to fast. I love love teaching the gospel, and seeing the joy it brings to families. We hear over and over again throughout our missions "You know, since you guys have been coming by, we don't fight as much any more." I testify that this is Gods truth, that just the Spirit of the gospel brings love into our homes.

"Development"

          When I came out on my mission, my biggest goal was to come home one with charity. One who is full of love at all times, one who always carries a smile and ready and interested in the lives of others.

          I feel to some extent that I have done hard things in my life, but trying to develop charity, this is most definitely the hardest thing I have ever done. Heavenly Father definitely wants me to earn this one, I don't necessarily feel I have made a huge or drastic change in this area of my life. But I do feel that I have improved. And I can see that though my life I will receive this gift, even to a greater capacity than I now know. Christ has given us the opportunity to grow and change for the better.

          The reason I tell you these things, is to tell those of you who are striving to develop certain Christlike attributes, that please keep on persisting in prayer and diligence and you will receive. There is hope and please realize, it takes time.

           If your not striving for an attribute you desire, please do so. You will find fulfillment in development. You will learn knowledge and wisdom that can be learned in no other way.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 312 3rd Ave N Great Falls, MT 59405

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August 7, 2017, "Email to Family and Friends"

Email to Family and Friends

I love all of you! My IPad got ran over and i haven't had much time to email today because we are never around computers. So I spent most the time i had emailing my mother. May God watch over you all. My week was great, I am okay and happy. God Bless!

Love,

Elder Bredsguard

July 31, 2017, "Our Fellow Beings"

Email to Family and Friends

            This was the fastest paced week I have had on my mission so far. We set a huge goal as a Zone to find 34 New people to teach from Tuesday to Wednesday (8 days). The Zone is just exploding! We are already at 31 as of last night and we still have 3 days.

             We have been gone a lot this week, we were down in Billings and went on exchanges with the Assistants and to go to the temple, then we went to Lewistown the next day and went on exchanges with the Elders there. We are so blessed to have such great missionaries in our mission!

              Then the next day we got back into our are in the late afternoon and had an investigator accept to be baptized on Aug 26. Then we had a booth at the famers market and woke up at 430 didn't have time to eat or study and were quite literally out teaching from 530am to 9pm. Haha then we got locked in this random property way up in the Highwood mountains for about an hour with no cell service, and no way to get out with the car and the nearest member was an hour away haha that's Montana life.

           

"Our Fellow Beings" 

            "If you are struggling, confused, or spiritually lost, I urge you to do the one thing I know will get you back on track. Begin again to prayerfully study the Book of Mormon and live its teachings every day, every day, every day! I testify of the profound power in the Book of Mormon that will change your life and strengthen your resolve to follow Christ. The Holy Ghost will change your heart and help you see “things as they really are.” He will show you what you need to do next."

             Life is hard, but we are not alone. We are blessed with friends and family all around us to continue on the right path. Sometimes we need to get hit in the head with a 2x4 before we realize what is right and true haha. Our Father loves us, he has given us the Book of Mormon and fellow saints to help us along. I love each of you who read this, I pray for you, and I hope each of you can feel the love of God in your hearts as I have felt it.

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. "Stay By the Tree" Kevin Person, April 2015

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Check out this fun video!  LOL!

July 24, 2017, "No Greater Relationship"

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            This has been such a great week! Elder Christensen and I have just been working and working! We are literally finding new Investigators everyday. The Lord is softening the hearts of the people as we put forth our best efforts. 

             I have talked with my Mission President quit a bit in this last week, I saw him on Tuesday for Mission Leadership Council, Thursday for Transfer Meeting, and Friday for interviews. It is always a real pleaser to be around such an inspiring man.

            A few missionaries in the Zone have been having a really hard time with major family troubles back home. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve them and share my experiences with them. They are such mature Elders! They have such eyes of faith and hope! I am so proud of them!

           

"No Greater Relationship" 

            As I was reading in 4th Nephi, I found these two verses. "the people of Nephi did wax strong, and did multiply exceedingly fast, and became an exceedingly fair and delightsome people."

            "And they were married, and given in marriage, and were blessed according to the multitude of the promises which the Lord had made unto them." (1)

           Nephi also once said "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, took one of the daughters of Ishmael to wife... and also, I, Nephi, had been blessed of the Lord exceedingly. (2)

            In these verses you can see that there is a direct correlation between marriage and being blessed exceedingly! It is a relationship that is so holy, so sacred and pure, that it demands the utmost respect and virtue. If and once properly sanctified, no earthly words can even begin to describe the joy and happiness that radiates from such a honored relationship. 

             No greater joy can come into the heart of man, than through a Holy and sanctified marriage sealed by God Almighty. Come to love your spouses with all your heart and cleave unto them and none else and you will find this joy that I speak of. In Jesus Christ name, amen.

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. 4 Nephi 1:10-11
2. 1 Nephi 16:7-8

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July 17, 2017, "Joseph, the Man, the Prophet"

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            My new Companion is Elder Christensen from Tucson, AZ. He has been out 23 months now, and he wants to finish strong! For which I am truly thankful. We had 2 dear friends accept the invitation to be baptized on August 12! And another investigator named Kenna accept the invitation to be baptized! 

             We have a great Zone of missionaries! Elder Lester, a missionary and close friend that I trained is now the District Leader here in Great Falls! It is so great to be working with him, he is so efficient and diligent as is Elder Wilson our other District Leader in Lewiston. I love these missionaries!

             All is well as ever up here! I didn't come on my mission to mess around and it is great to see all these missionaries I am surrounded by with the same attitude. God Bless!

           

"Joseph, the Man, the Prophet" 

A portion of a talk I gave in the Belt Branch yesterday.

            ......Joseph smith saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ! This is the truth! Shortly after he said "I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation." (1)

           Joseph Smith is a Prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was called in his weakness until he shall be made strong (2) I will be quite honest when I say this, but I believe that there in no one else in these years who has a greater love for the prophet, than I. My favorite game is Stick Pull, one of his favorite games, and if any of you are willing to take me on, I'll be more than happy haha.

            As one who has studied the life of this man, there are many weaknesses. There is a lot of Anti Mormon material out there about the prophet. A lot isn't true, but quite honestly a lot of it is true. I'm not here to hide anything, do you want to know why? Because he is an example to me, of one who can confer the natural man through the Atonement of Christ. Grace upon grace, line upon line, here a little and there a little. HIS WEAKNESSES ARE NOT A TRAIL OF MY FAITH, BUT A STONE OF MY FAITH! 

             If Joseph Smith, the man, can overcome his weaknesses, through Christ than we all can. His life is a message of hope to all......

            

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. JS- History 1:25
2. See 2 Nephi 3:13

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July 10, 2017, "Afflictions"

Email to Family and Friends

            I am losing Elder Tucker! He is going to Missoula. My new companion is Elder Christensen, he is coming from Kalispell, he goes home in 75 days, so I may or may not send him home. I've seen him around a lot, I am really exited to be serving with him!

            We are still having lots of success here in Great Falls! We are teach lots of truly prepared people! I see lots of my weaknesses lately, and I am really trying to fix them before I waste anymore of the Lords time. I absolutely love being a missionary, I don't think there is a better calling to one of a full time missionary! I have learned so much! The closer I get to coming home the more I really don't want to haha. This is were I belong, this is my passion, this is my purpose, this is my love to bring friends to repentance as I strive to repent as well. My heart belongs in Zion, it can't not find comfort anywhere else.

             We detailed our car today! I love you!

           

"Afflictions" 

            It's no secret that life is hard, that life beats us everyday. It's no secret that life can abuse us, over whelm us, and torment us. None escape it, not the wicked nor the righteous. It is true that if we keep the commandments that you will avoid most trials in life, but if they were to take away all of you afflictions, that would destroy God plan for our happiness. 

             Friends, family sometimes life is just hard, and in these situations we must learn to smile on, pray on, hold to the rod, and look to the future with faith and hope. I can promise you in the name of Almighty God, that if you can just do these 4 little things, you will be okay.

              Amulek once gave us this wise council, to "have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions." (1)

              Although, by keeping the commandments we may not escape EVERY trail in this life, we will in the next if we are righteous, for time and all eternity. May we thank God and the Lamb for the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In is in his Holy order that I am called and it is in his name that I speak, amen.

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. Alma 34:41

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Glacier National Park (don't worry I have way better pictures than this!)

Preparation Day on a hike of the Sluce Boxes

4th of July

This is how we quit smoking no a days, you make you favorite

milkshake in a blender and you unroll a whole pack of cigarettes into
the shake! It will ruin the taste of cigarettes forever!

Our detailed car :)

July 3, 2017, "Eternal Judge"

Email to Family and Friends

            Brother Bailey got released from being our Ward Mission Leader this last week. He was known throughout the whole mission for being the best Ward Mission Leader in the Mission. It was said but we still live in the same building so we still see him every day!

            We were in Haver for a few days this week for exchanges, we had lots of fun experiences while we were there. Elder Tucker and I have been trying to teach our Zone a lot how to find with faith. And we do training on it when we go on exchanges, and every time, miracles happen!

             This area is just so prepared! There are so many wonderful friends here who are ready and happy to hear the glad tidings announced from the hill Cumorah, even God the Father announcing the Restoration. I love being here!

           

"Eternal Judge" 

            Abinadi once declared to the wicked priests of King Noah "The time shall come when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confess before God that his judgments are just." (1)

            The redeemed young Alma rejoiced when he said "Yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him. Yea, even at the last day, when all men shall stand to be judged of him, then shall they confess that he is God; then shall they confess, who live without God in the world, that the judgment of an everlasting punishment is just upon them; and they shall quake, and tremble, and shrink beneath the glance of his all-searching eye." (2)

             These are 2 of my favorite scriptures! God is merciful! In the day of Judgment the Lord says "Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding your sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. I will not utterly cast you off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy." (3)

              Brethren and sisters, my message to you is to come unto Christ and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness. May we look forward to the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge, amen.

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. Mosiah 16:1
2. Alma 27:31
3. Doctrine and Covenants 101:9

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June 26, 2017, "An Almighty Hand"

Email to Family and Friends

            We started teaching a man named Chris Sizemore. He is definitely one of the many friends I have made on my mission that I will always remember! We have been teaching him with a wonderful family, the Baklys. 

            We have been I Glacier National Park all day today!! Oh it is absolutely beautiful! It is a sight everyone should see! I only have a few pictures I took on my iPad, but we got A LOT of great pictures on good cameras, I will include them in my next email.

            This week has been great! We had Zone Conference this last week. I got to see my good friend Elder Shumway. My MTC companion!

           

"An Almighty Hand" 

            “We admit that God is the great source and fountain from whence proceeds all good; that He is perfect intelligence, and that His wisdom is alone sufficient to govern and regulate the mighty creations and worlds which shine and blaze with such magnificence and splendor over our heads, as though touched with His finger and moved by His Almighty word. … The heavens declare the glory of a God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork [see Psalm 19:1]; and a moment’s reflection is sufficient to teach every man of common intelligence, that all these are not the mere productions of chance, nor could they be supported by any power less than an Almighty hand.”

“God sees the secret springs of human action, and knows the hearts of all living.”

“The purposes of our God are great, His love unfathomable, His wisdom infinite, and His power unlimited; therefore, the Saints have cause to rejoice and be glad, knowing that ‘this God is our God forever and ever, and He will be our Guide until death.’ [Psalm 48:14.]” (1)

               One morning back home, I left home early and went on a hike all by myself and watched the sunrise. As I watched it come over the Superstition Mountain, I had a small yet profound confirmation that there is loving God, who cares about me. As I was filled with knowledge of who God is, I had no more disorder to do wickedly, and to seek love and peace.

               I invite all of you, to simply just go and put yourself in nature. Watch the sunrise or sunset. Go to the beach or river. Watch the stars or the beauty of the sky! See the beauty of the Earth and there will be no way you can deny the existence of a loving Heavenly Father unless your heart is past feeling. And if that is your situation I fear for your state. 

               Know that I love all of you with all my heart! 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: 312 3rd Ave. N.  #8 Great Falls MT 59401

Notes

1. "Teachings of the Presidents: Joseph Smith" Chapter 2

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