George's Baptism!‏

Hey everyone!

We just had a baptism this past Saturday! George is a man full of faith in his Savior Jesus Christ. And he has really felt the power that comes from coming closer to his Redeemer. It really builds my testimony seeing the joy and peace that comes through a baptism performed by the proper authority of God! The Spirit flooded my heart as he entered the water. What a blessing Elder Passey and I have received from God!

Funny story though, earlier this week we were watching Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration with George. It was a little long . . . and the TV a little too quiet . . . and he totally fell asleep. I was immediately grateful for this experience I had with my Mom many years back when we watched The Lord of the Rings together. Every 5 minutes she'd fall asleep, and I would pause and summarize what happened. I was able to do the very same with George! My abilities were well tuned ;P sorry Mom! hehe.

Earlier this week my thoughts were drawn back to many people I know here in Norway who have a really difficult time with the evil that surrounds them. I was curious as to why these things happen to such good people despite their desires to do good. My mind came to a conclusion that I feel somewhat explains this. I call it a "spiritual vaccination." For those of you who are not familiar with vaccinations, it is a small shot given to the body which temporarily infects it with the very disease it is meant to protect you against. As your body fights against it, your body produces the cells necessary to destroy any second infection of that type. I therefore think that at times these bad things to good people because they have the resources necessary to fight it - and will thereby become more resistant against that evil for the rest of their lives. This is what I came up with. Not doctrine - but an idea! Spiritual vaccinations seem to happen frequently, for better or worse. But I am grateful for the knowledge that God has a plan for each of us!

Splits to Stavanger flight

Another interesting experience this week - I went on splits with an Elder in Stavanger (yes we do splits between whole cities). On the plane I recognized that they give out free newspapers on the way to the plane. As I walked past the newspaper stand I desired to pick one up to see if I could improve my Norwegian. Thought after mulling it over in my head for a bit, for whatever reason I decided against it. I disregarded the thought - but then once in the airport on the way back I saw another person reading one such newspaper. Little did I know - they are filled with sexual content! Whoaa!! And they're available to anyone who gets on the plane. Sheesh. I am deeply grateful for a Heavenly Father who works through His Holy Spirit to protect His servants.

Other than that though, the splits went wonderfully. It's interesting to see how the general community of cities act differently. Bergen is a big city - and therefore people think you're selling something to them. But in Stavanger they were more open to listen to our message. Really interesting, and a building experience.

Thank you all so much for the letters and support - I love them all! Please speak with each other, get to know each other better - for that is what Christ would do. I testify this Church is led by our Redeemer Jesus Christ. The future is filled with unknown, but we have been given a book filled with answers (whether received from the actual black words on the page themselves, or just the Spirit it brings). Hope you're enjoying home, Jared! Garrett, you haven't sent me a letter yet with the address back yet! Hope you're brushing up on your Chinese ;). Good luck Eric in Ukraine! You're going to rock that mission! With God, all things are possible! I love you all!!

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

Halloween in Bergen

It's easy to be down when it's dark!‏

Hey everybody!

How is everyone? I'm sure the weather is fantastic wherever you all are. It's amazing here! The sun is actually up today! It's been 3 weeks or so since I've seen the sun out. Bergen just rains, rains and rains. Yet one neat thing I've learned, is that the Spirit supports us despite our surroundings. "The world takes the man out of the slums, but Christ takes

Chillin' before bed

The Bergen Theater

Voss Cathedral

the slums out of the man." Those same supporting feelings are what got the pioneers across the plains. A purification and sanctification process not possible any where else. This mission is an amazing opportunity!

However the biggest problem when you're in an intense opportunity (such as a mission), is pride. If you think your desires will bring you the most happiness, think again. As we heard in the last conference (Elder Cook?), we will always be happier doing things the Lord's way. Therefore, by being humble (willing to submit to the Lord's will) you are therefore happy. This past week I thought I could do things my way, and felt the reproving result. The Lord chastens those He loves. I'm so loved! hehe

We took a train to Voss this past week. That was beautiful! Oh my word, the fjords here will knock your socks off. And I was also filled with gratitude for Bergen. Bergen is extremely warm compared to other areas in Norway right now. Voss was freezing! Luckily, as missionaries, we move around enough to keep us warm. Mom, thank you for the smart wool - they are deliciously warm!!

Another thing I have been learning is how to have fun despite everything around you. Being serious, sad and mopey is NOT what this Gospel is about! And sometimes it's hard to find something to laugh about! The gravity of the world seems to weigh down on you once in a while. Recognize that gift God has given you, and then open up to those around you. It really helps. One great experience was this past week we had an old man on the city train, really drunk, and he played the recorder for everyone! It was so sweet!

Speaking of talking with other people, I have really recognized a strong method Satan tries to stop this work of the Gospel from going forth: by keeping us quiet. Elder Holland this last conference talked about how the adversary tries to stop us from opening our mouths. This is literally applicable to the 

members of the church. When missionaries bring investigators, please talk with them and at least get their time and say "Glad to see you at church today!" When people don't feel accepted in our church something is seriously seriously wrong. For me, when I feel like being quiet and just sitting down being comfortable, I recognize that that is the adversary trying to stop my efforts in strengthening those around me. The same goes for each and every member of this church. And working through a language barrier is really uncomfortable and scary! I look forward to when I can easily understand others in this language. Everyone: please talk with each other - the adversary is trying to stop you from opening your mouth!! And if you feel insincere, open up to page 118 in Preach My Gospel.

Thank you all for your love and support! (Ken, your letter has gotten me through this week). Lara, I just received your second letter, I'll write a response next week! Hope you got my other letter. Your prayers are felt and appreciated. I love you all - open those mouths!


-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

Mushroom, Mushroom

It's not every day you get to go to a Norwegian Funeral‏

Hey everyone!

I am sure all of you are familiar with those "Missionary Preparation" Mutual activities, or FHE activities where you learn how to iron shirts/tie a tie/sew on a button, etc etc. Well guess what! I actually sewed on a button this week - and I am so glad I learned how to do that! It's really not that hard, surprisingly =P

Earlier this week we had a Zone Conference over in Stavanger. It was gorgeous there! There's a soft spot in my heart for rolling grassy hills and sunshine. Bergen could certainly use the latter. We learned a lot, and it is just weird to see missionaries say their goodbyes. The flights to and from Stavanger were absolutely gorgeous as well - we flew over fjords and lakes! 

For Family Home Evening with the YSA this week, Øyvind and I did a TaeKwonDo demonstration. I was really grateful I was able to relate to him through Martial Arts, and also that I had some training on how to be a guinea pig. The next day I was really really sore . . . haha! He sure enjoyed his time! Speaking of other things that have come in handy, we had a lesson earlier this week that covered a lot of the Apostasy and Reformers - Thank you Liahona for teaching me all about that! - it sure helped during that lesson. As well, I had a discussion with a woman by our Plan of Salvation chalk drawing concerning the balance between science and religion. Thank you Liahona and BYU for that! It is truly amazing to see that science and religion both explain two parts of the same story. Science explains the how things are, and religion explains why things are. And together we obtain a greater understanding and appreciation for the world we have been given! I believe it was Brigham Young who said that there is no conflict between true science and true religion. Truth holds fast no matter the topic!

The Sandvika Fire Station (right next to the Sandvika Church)

A truly neat experience this week was on Friday that our whole district went to a Norwegian Funeral to support a family in the branch. The Sandvika Church was gorgeous, and the music exceptional (real organ and Norsk soloists and everything!). The downside to this experience was that everyone was so sad! Hopefully the people didn't mind having us missionaries sit in the back of church; though we would have loved to share insights as to why these difficulties happen to us. Thank Heavenly Father for the restoration of the gospel, and living prophets to which we can turn for answers and help! My testimony grows every day realizing how much people need this message! We see in the Book of Mormon that faithful believers more often than not have difficulties (social/physical/emotional/etc) - however we also see that despite those difficulties we are given joy and happiness! Either way in this life we will have difficulties, however with this gospel we can do so with joy! And that joy is deep, abiding, true and constant! Don't give up on it when times are hard, and more especially when they are easy.

Whale sandwich

Norway is one of the few places you can legally eat whale. We therefore had a taste! And it was gross! It was like soggy jerky. In better news, there was a picture of our district in the newspaper this past week regarding our chalk drawing! Sadly, it was all about the weather rather than our message. Yet still there was a picture of us drawing with the chalk, and that we were out to share our message. Pretty cool! 

You never really appreciate something until you no longer have it. My voice earlier this week was gone (maybe from yelling in TaeKwonDo). Luckily we had weekly planning that day so that I could rest. The members here were literally angels by giving us soup, cough drops and herbal tea (Mmm tea reminds me of good times with Jared and Micah :))! Ahh, Norwegian members are absolute gems once they are baptized. It is wonderful! 

Due to the fact that I received quite a bit of mail this week, I need to go write those letters! Thank you Lara and kids, I will write back as soon as possible. I'll send the letter to Mom so that she can forward it to you all with your new address. Thank you Carissa and Hillary! I don't know if I can write this week, we had deep cleaning today. Thanks Dad, I sent you an email already.

I love you all! Please share the Gospel to those around you, and keep those testimonies strong by doing so! 

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

Expect Answers.‏

Forest near the Bergen Stav Kirke

Hei alle!

How is everyone! I love receiving emails every week from people just telling me how their lives are going and amazing experiences they have been having (Gram'ma, Bro Leighton, Mom, Dad - thank you thank you!). I am spoiled to have these gifts waiting in my inbox every week. It is simply wonderful to hear that life continues wonderfully and miraculously for everyone. I love it! All of your support is extremely appreciated.

For those of you who have read Our Heritage (short history of the Church), did you know that John Tanner (my great great . .. grandpa!) is directly stated in the book?? Hearing of such stories, especially my ancestors, inspires me to new heights. I love it. Also apparently there was a "Norway, Illinois" that donated supplies to Nauvoo when they were having a difficult time. Norwegian missionary work exploded in the 1800's, to the point where tens of thousands of citizens of Norway moved to America for the westward movement. I am sure that was a huge blessing for the Saints back then, and here I am now teaching those same inspired people! Quite a different situation though, haha.

This past Saturday we went to a new-missionary/trainer conference down in Oslo. My MTC district was able to reunite and share our experiences the past month as new missionaries! That was a huge blessing. From that conference I learned so much from the other missionaries and from President Johansen. I am SO blessed to be in Bergen, even if it does rain every day. Notice to all: the kebabs in the westland (Bergen, Stavanger, Haugesund, etc) are horrendous - Oslo and the rest of the east has amazing kebabs. But that experience was truly exquisite: "No man can understand the joyful sensations created by such a meeting, except one who has been in tribulation for the Gospel's sake." - Wilford Woodruff on meeting Joseph Smith after Missouri. Much was learned, and also much progress can be made - especially in preparation for future experiences. Turns out my companion is going home after this transfer, so I'll be getting a new companion this coming November. Companions are such a blessing - there is no other way to put it.

I have a story for all of you. Since the new missionary conference I have realized how much we need to expect answers to our prayers. Yes, we can pray, but do we expect answers? It really is a lot easier to just pray for things and then let life have its course. But if we hold God to His promise that He will answer us, we better watch for the answers. This past week my eye has been red, itchy and nasty (producing a yellow ooze/crust). It's not nearly as bad as I just described it, but nevertheless it was not good! It very well may have been pinkeye or some viral infection. I therefore prayed that my eye would heal. I went to the doctor (4 hours of waiting, good ol' system), and they told me to continue washing it out with artificial tears, and if that didn't help in 2 days, use the prescription. The next day my eye was completely healed! No problems or side-effects left over. What a blessing prayer is - and knowing that God even cares about the little things. Do you recall the story from Conference of the medical student riding his bike home by KFC who prayed for a quarter? http://bcove.me/97ou75te  There it was, and he thanked God for it. In the same manner, when we pray for specifics, hold God to it and observe that which you prayed about. Then afterward praise God for how life played out. For "all things work together for their good to those who love God" (Romans 8).

 Dad, I am really glad my transfers aren't 4 months+, and the scenery here in Bergen is remarkably 

This is for Dad and Mom ;)

colorful. Most missions have 6 week transfers, but Scandinavia has 9 week transfers instead. 4 months would be a looong time! Thank you for the story about that literally elect man searching for the truth. It is so true that we make things way too hard and then get down on ourselves when the work goes slowly. "It is pointless fabricate regrets. As long as you're learning, you know enough." - (M. McLeroy). We are here to find the elect! All we have to do is give them an informed decision.

Thank you all, again and again, for your love and prayers! I probably say this every week, but your prayers are literally felt. The feelings of the Spirit while a missionary, at least to me, feel tangible in my heart. I know we have been called of God, and I know that your prayers are answered. I love you all - keep up the good work! And make sure to perform missionary work in any form possible - for that is the best way our testimonies grow.

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson