Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Sverd i Fjell, Eldste Holland, Arendal, Patriarkalske Velsignelser, Nye Konvertitter Leksjoner, Haugesund (Three Swords, Elder Holland, Arendal, Patriarchal Blessings, New Convert Lessons and Haugesund)

Norway. In one picture.
Fall has fallen :)
Hallo!

It's going to be a complete miracle if I can fit in everything that's happened this week.


Last week for P-Day we took a trip to the Sverd i Fjell (literally Swords in Mountain) which is a monument here in Stavanger commemorating the famous viking battle where Harald Haarfagre finally unified all of the viking kingdoms under one king! That's got to be in an awesome history book somewhere. For now, I'll enjoy the swords :)

These swords are HUGE!

The new Sandnes District :]
Elder Holland's CES fireside this past month was amazing! His topic was one that I have pondered on very much recently. Where is the balance between complete tolerance and defending our standards and rights from the corrupting and degenerative influences of the decaying world? It is impossible to serve two masters (Matthew 6:24) and a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (Jacob 1:8). He described it perfectly, and I very much desire EVERYONE to watch that talk. It is imperative that we understand this principle directly from a servant of the Lord (and therefore, God Himself)(Doctrine & Covenants 1:38-39) in this rapidly crumbling world. We must hold fast to our values and standards, despite the popularity and even danger of opposition. And if any of you are wondering which values and standards I am referring to - begin with this: https://www.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth?lang=eng

10 hour round trip train ride to Arendal was amazing this week! 10 hours to pray, ponder and study is basically any missionaries' idea of an incredible holiday.
Eldste Davidson in the flesh :)
And having stunning views outside the whole time keeps you glued to your window! God DOES exist - and you can see it in every living thing. Imagine this: Orange meadows, red tree bark, green pine needles, yellow leaves, blue water, white clouds, black stone, and explosions of red every once in a while because of a changing tree. Doctrine & Covenants88:47
Stunning train ride to Arendal. "It's like forests of Narnia out there!" - Eldste Bitner

Arendal itself is a very interesting city. Stunningly beautiful - it's like a quaint gnome town filled with color and beautiful buildings. But you can tell there is a deep complexity about it - present within the lives of the people who live there.
Arendal on a cloudy day!
It's a rather tough area for missionaries, but nothing that 100% obedient missionaries and the Lord can't handle. It was an absolute honor to be on splits with Elder Davidson (the very same missionary who replaced me in Mo i Rana back in May!). We had so many connects and similar quirks, it made the splits a blast. I learned a ton from him - especially regarding difficulties on the mission. I don't think I could go through the same trials that he has on his mission - but that's why we're here for different reasons and different times. The Lord prepares our missions for us to bless us on into the eternities. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-opportunity-of-a-lifetime?lang=eng . My mission will be different from all of your missions - because the Lord has prepared it and you since the foundations of this world. What an honor to experience that which God has given specifically and especially for you.
We all got matching Dressmann sweaters. Who can deny 25 kroner sweaters? (approx. 5 USD)
A patriarchal blessing is a special gift given to baptized members of the church who qualify. They are direct revelation (much like a blue print) given to you in order to help you on your eternal journey from the pre-earth life, during the present life and on into the after-life. On lds.org, if you are a direct descendant, you may order copies of your deceased ancestors' patriarchal blessings for your own personal enrichment and spiritual development. I ordered some of my ancestors' patriarchal blessings, and they are absolutely incredible. The amount of the Spirit of Elijah (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-hearts-of-the-children-shall-turn?lang=eng&query=spirit+elijah) felt after reading and pondering these blessings was so very strong, I was led to sing with joy (1 Nephi 5:17). After which, I reread my own patriarchal blessing and realized how honored and blessed we are in our time to have such access to knowledge from God. If you have not yet received your patriarchal blessing - do so. If you're not yet a member of the church, become one. Eternity hangs in the balance, and your joy shall exceed the presently comprehensible.

The new convert lessons for new members of the church are extremely important. It is vital that members teach them, perhaps with the additional assistance of the full-time missionaries. I experience this past week the perfect example of how the new convert lessons need to be taught to new converts. A father and mother testified of the truthfulness of the Restored Gospel, and how it has blessed their family to the newly baptized convert RA. It was VERY powerful. Us full-time missionaries could not give anything more to RA - but this family was able to show her through word, example and their kids, how much the gospel can bless a family. It was astounding. I simply cannot wait to be that same example with my own eternal companion and children - and from there to the rest of the world. It was also strangely symbolic as the rain and storm outside pounded on the windows and roof of the home, as we were warmly, comfortably situated in a light and Spirit-filled dry environment. By the end, RA was beaming.


 Pho before.


Pho prepared.
Pho after.
Purple yams on a bed of frog eggs. I mean tapioca.
And the family's food was SO GOOD too! Traditional pho from Laos and Vietnam (hope you had fun in Vietnam, C.!)
Over the weekend, Elder Earl and I visited the Haugesund branch to encourage and support them. They desperately need missionaries. Go and prepare yourself for your mission! The blessings of eternity await you!!
Harald Haarfagres burial mound in Haugesund
Moster Kirken in Haugesund.
I testify of the reality of Jesus Christ as our loving, resurrected Savior! He took upon Himself Death, Weakness, Sin and all forms of Affliction so that we may be loosed and freed from the gripping chains of the Dark One. Our Lord and Savior championed the Atonement that we may be filled with love, patience, peace and comfort, despite any circumstance or challenge placed before us.

If you want this knowledge too - ponder upon the word of God found in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson
Feedin' the pigeons after a soft-is :)'






























White northern lights in the fall!

The clouds were SO COOL!

No comments: