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St. Johannes' Church out by Karlminnes gate
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Heleisenn dakar!
It's been another rockin' week in Stavanger - between finding, teaching and member appointments.
Have any of you taken advantage of having your ancestor's patriarchal blessings sent to you yet? It's free on lds.org!
I ordered a few of my great grandparents' blessings last week - so they
should be coming in a few weeks. Isn't that amazing? Free scripture,
given to your forefathers. Who knows what promises and blessings have
been given to your ancestors and their descendants (and thereby, YOU)!
I'm really excited for a heavy dose of the Spirit of Elijah! http://www.lds.org/
I would like to say that potentials in the phone and
area book - as well as former investigators - is a great way to find
people to teach! The Lord is preparing the hearts of the people to
accept the Gospel. Maybe it won't be in the investigator's first
missionary experience - but the Lord will use that time and prepare that
heart for some later missionaries to come by and re-invite them to come
unto Christ. This has worked for us this week - and it is very
effective. Hours on the street for one possible potential - or 30
minutes on a chair calling 30 potential investigators? Your choice!
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| Ringing potentials outside while the sun still shines! |
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| Elder Levine the handsome! |
This week we had a great miracle while out on
the street. Elder Levine turned to me after a few minutes on the street
"we should probably go and visit our investigator's home down in
Hundvåg." Alright! I won't deny revelation when it comes! And ON THE WAY
to the bus stop in sentrum - we run into the very same person we were
going to visit. His friend happened to be there as well! Quick lesson
and return appointment - boom! That was really neat. I am so grateful
for a companion who is spiritually sensitive enough to recognize,
vocalize and act upon promptings when they come. It makes missionary
work extremely exciting.
We had dinner over at a member's home who is from
Scotland. He had been part of the British Royal Army and had some
absolutely incredible stories. Many of these stories happened to take
place in Hong Kong :). I told him one of my best buddies is currently
serving in Hong Kong - so Elder Hazen this is for you!
Also this week, one of our members gave us
missionaries professional Norwegian haircuts! I just saved myself 50
USD! It was way cool how she did it too - with just her fingers and a
knife.
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| Norwegian haircuts - so sweet! |
Her husband provided us with some world-famous Jæter cheese.
Smells like nasty socks, but didn't taste too bad after all! This
reminded me of Dad coming home from the grocery store with random cheeses. MMM. Love me some cheese.
However, the neatest thing that happened this week
was on Saturday. We met with our investigator R.A. with some of her
friends in the ward. We all read 3 Nephi 11 about Christ's brief
ministry to the New World in 34 AD. The Spirit was strong, and testified
of the truthfulness of that experience. The best part though, was that
night at a member's home, we all watched the movie The Testaments - a
re-enactment of the 3 Nephi 11 story. It was such a powerful experience,
there were hardly any dry eyes in the room. R.A., the next day at
church came up to us 
saying "I couldn't sleep at all last night. I had
such a strong, wonderful feeling in my heart the whole night long
because of that movie. I know that that experience was true - because
the Spirit testified of it to me. The Book of Mormon is a true account!"
It was such a wonderful experience to hear that from her.
saying "I couldn't sleep at all last night. I had
such a strong, wonderful feeling in my heart the whole night long
because of that movie. I know that that experience was true - because
the Spirit testified of it to me. The Book of Mormon is a true account!"
It was such a wonderful experience to hear that from her.
I, too, know that the Book of Mormon is true. It is
filled with God's word 
directed toward us in our day. And as my history
teacher would say: The Book of Mormon is not a book of the past - it is a
book of the future. Mormon was led by God as to which books and
accounts that should be compiled in the Book of Mormon in order to best
help us with our difficulties and challenges of our day - which he
saw. The Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. We
find His will through obedience to His commandments!
directed toward us in our day. And as my history
teacher would say: The Book of Mormon is not a book of the past - it is a
book of the future. Mormon was led by God as to which books and
accounts that should be compiled in the Book of Mormon in order to best
help us with our difficulties and challenges of our day - which he
saw. The Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. We
find His will through obedience to His commandments!
I love my Lord and Savior. I know that He is real, for He works through us, and builds us up in order to lift those around us.
-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson
