Elder Bednar

Well, Elder Bednar was in Oslo yesterday, and it was just as amazing as you would imagine 5 hours together with an apostle would be. We flew in to Oslo on Saturday night, and then started the day by having a two stake- stake conference where Elder Bednar was obviously presiding. It was such a good, missionary- centered meeting, and I have a good feeling about the future of this country. Toward the end of his talk, Elder Bednar promised that in the future, there will be sacrament meetings where the entire meeting will be filled with confirmations because there are so many new converts. That is a huge thing. Can you imagine a more spiritual meeting than that? The Doctrine and Covenants says that in the ordinances of the priesthood, the power of godliness is made manifest, and I can't think of a better way to spend the Sabbath. Life is good as a member of this church.

Right after that meeting, all of the missionaries hustled over to the Oslo church building to have a 3 hour meeting with Elder Bednar and his wife, and he is truly an apostle of the Lord. He speaks with so much power, and is so in tune with the spirit. We were in a question and answer session with him most of the time, and the spirit was so strong. It is really an experience everyone should have, because we all got pumped. One of the best things he talked about was praying in faith, and how we as members of the church shouldn't pray for something and just expect it to happen; we should have a desire to change something, make a plan to do it, and ask the Lord to give us courage and strength to accomplish miracles for Him in our lives. The truly meaningful part of prayer begins after we say the word "amen." I would advise everyone to read his talk entitled, "Ask in Faith." I know I have a lot to learn.

On top of all the spirituality of the day, I also saw my best friend Elder Gunther for the first time in 14 months, and our friend Athina came to the meeting as well. It was like a little Utah reunion right in the middle of Norway! There are a lot of good things happening and we are having a baptism on Saturday, but I guess I will talk about that next week, and pictures to come as well. I love you all, and thanks for everything. Have a great week!

Missionaries of the Norway Oslo Mission

Our MTC District Minus One

Elder Childs and Elder Gunther

All together again!