Oslo Konferanse!

Hallo!

Sunset in Bodø

This week was very busy and all over the country for a simple Mo i Rana missionary! The week began in Bodø for a baptismal interview, then ended with a huge conference in Oslo for the establishment of Norway's second stake!

One of our members here has been incredibly charitable and decided to take us on a tour of the sites here in Mo i Rana! We finally saw the Arctic Circle! It was, of course, covered in snow, but

Trip to the Arctic Circle

Us with our awesome member!

lots of snow!!

fascinating to see. We were also able to see Hemnesberget - a beautifully quaint fishing town near Mo i Rana.

Hemnesberget

The Swedish border is also very close to Mo i Rana - and that was really neat as well.

Swedish Border :)

Norway really is one of themost beautiful placeson earth :)

Our mission conference began on Friday, where Elder Teixeira of the Seventy came and spoke to us regarding the importance of gaining the trust of the members. "All members LOVE the missionaries - but not all of them trust the missionaries!" He then went on to describe specific areas for us to improve in order to gain the trust of our members! The next step of missionary work here in Norway is to work through the members! Without members, missionary work is extremely ineffective! We love you, members!! This helps me realize how important it is to be a great example to my neighbors and friends back home, and also to simply invite them to learn about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ through His prophet Joseph

Oslo Conference in Romerike

Smith. On Saturday, us missionaries were let loose on the town of Oslo to go and teach people. The city of Oslo is so beautiful! I hadn't realized it before. What a wonderful area to serve in! On Sunday we heard from Elders Teixeira and Kopischke of the Seventy as they established the Drammen Stake (in addition to the Oslo Stake). One thing I learned was that stakes are established in order to bring up Zion - a shelter from the burdens and depressing influences of the world. We are incredibly blessed with a church organization, empowered by God's authority, to establish a refuge for our families, beginning in the home.

This gospel is beautifully simple, yet incredibly deep in a personal, practical sense. Even though the world seems to fall down on all sides, Christ has provided a way for you and me to become whole from the inside out. He has a plan for each one of us.

Be still, and know that He is God!

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

Oslo Konferance!  Elder Fransworth 5^th from right- back row- Elder Johnson 4^th from right