Hi everyone,
It was an exciting weekend and into this week. I wished happy birthday to Steph. Remembered that Jacob Graduated on Sunday. I gave a talk at church on Sunday. I remembered Jacob had his open house
yesterday. Joe gets home this week. A lot of exciting things happened.
This week was a hot week. I got sunburned on the coolest day of the week. Doesn't it always happen that way. We are biking a lot so I get plenty of sun. I have been studying through the Book of Mormon looking
for the doctrines of Christ throughout. and they are everywhere. It is a testimony builder to me that it truly is the same doctrine taught in the Bible.
I met a couple guys from Romania and they were convinced that the Book of Mormon wasn't necessary. (by the way they have never read it) They quoted the scripture in the Bible that says even if an angel of God brings a different gospel to you do not believe it. It is a good thing that the same gospel is taught in the Book of Mormon as
the Bible. It is the same gospel taught by different prophets on a different continent. But Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Doesn't God love all of his children? The righteous branch was preserved in the Book of Mormon.
I stand with Elder Tad R. Calister when he said "An honest, unbiased reading of the Book of Mormon will
bring someone to the same conclusion as my great-great-grandfather, namely: “The devil could not have written it—it must be from God.”"
Love,
Elder Fagersten
Thursday, May 31, 2012
May 22, 2012
Hi everyone. Our library here is closed on Monday so we hopefully will
only be emailing on Tuesday temporarily. I am covering two wards now.
We are in a bike and car area. That means we have a car but we spend
more time on bikes. We get 800 miles a month and when we got the car
on the 16th the missionaries before us had put 600 miles on it
already. So we really have to ride bikes a lot this month.
A talk that I really love from General Conference surfaced again. I
had forgotten about it but I remember it making an impact on me. I've
never forgotten the story but I did forget when I heard it and who had
given it. "Preserving the Hearts Mighty Change" by Dale G. Renlund,
October 2009 General Conference. Read/listen/watch it. It is the
simple things that preserve our mightily changed hearts. Continual
"check ups," if you will, are what keep our hearts in a condition to
be teachable.
I love being on my mission. I have learned and am learning so much
that it amazes me. An experience that I will never regret or forget.
Love Elder Fagersten
only be emailing on Tuesday temporarily. I am covering two wards now.
We are in a bike and car area. That means we have a car but we spend
more time on bikes. We get 800 miles a month and when we got the car
on the 16th the missionaries before us had put 600 miles on it
already. So we really have to ride bikes a lot this month.
A talk that I really love from General Conference surfaced again. I
had forgotten about it but I remember it making an impact on me. I've
never forgotten the story but I did forget when I heard it and who had
given it. "Preserving the Hearts Mighty Change" by Dale G. Renlund,
October 2009 General Conference. Read/listen/watch it. It is the
simple things that preserve our mightily changed hearts. Continual
"check ups," if you will, are what keep our hearts in a condition to
be teachable.
I love being on my mission. I have learned and am learning so much
that it amazes me. An experience that I will never regret or forget.
Love Elder Fagersten
New address, new area
Hi yall. I'm back in my last zone, Deer Valley/Glendale North, but
this time I'm in the Deer Valley stake and not the Glendale North
Stake. I am in the North Canyon and Pinnacle Vista Wards which used to
be the Zone Leader's area, so there is a great trust in the
missionaries. Also, they have the programs set up for accomplishing
missionary work. Like a ward mission plan, family mission plans,
missionary comittees. I'm blessed to be here. I am living with a
member, Brother Eager. He is awesome. I have been to his home before
during exchanges. So I already knew him! My new address is:
Elder Ben Fagersten
27221 N. 31st Ave.
Phoenix, AZ
85083
My new companion is Elder Beeston and I knew him from the last time I
was in this Zone. Things are starting off great. We were both put in
this area brand new. Neither of us have done that before. But it is a
great way to get to know all the members because we don't know
anybody!
Love you all,
Elder Fagersten in Phoenix
this time I'm in the Deer Valley stake and not the Glendale North
Stake. I am in the North Canyon and Pinnacle Vista Wards which used to
be the Zone Leader's area, so there is a great trust in the
missionaries. Also, they have the programs set up for accomplishing
missionary work. Like a ward mission plan, family mission plans,
missionary comittees. I'm blessed to be here. I am living with a
member, Brother Eager. He is awesome. I have been to his home before
during exchanges. So I already knew him! My new address is:
Elder Ben Fagersten
27221 N. 31st Ave.
Phoenix, AZ
85083
My new companion is Elder Beeston and I knew him from the last time I
was in this Zone. Things are starting off great. We were both put in
this area brand new. Neither of us have done that before. But it is a
great way to get to know all the members because we don't know
anybody!
Love you all,
Elder Fagersten in Phoenix
May 1, 2012
It sure seems like every week is a good week when you want it to be. The big factor is attitude. When nothing seems to go right you can have the outlook that James E. Faust had on his mission. He was in an area where not a lot was happening and he said, "We didn't accomplish much except for the changes in ourselves. I feel it was one of the most productive and valuable times in my life." Or the quote mom sent me this week, something like don't judge by how much you reap but by the seeds you planted. It depends on how you look at it. It can be very easy to be frustrated when things go wrong but we can have the resolve to make something out of the experience. If you want a good example read the article Toddlers and Tantrums in the April 2012 Ensign. She takes what can easily become frustrating and negative and turns it into a beautiful learning experience because she decided to. Or the story of a girl who went to the temple for the first time and took it home with her to meet an argumentative mother. I'm sure you have stories that come to mind of the difference attitude will make.
This was actually a really good week so I guess I just found a bunch of good stuff to help when it does happen. It always seems to be something we need reminding of anyway.
Love Elder Fagersten in AZ
These are the URLs of the stories I mentioned.
1) https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/04/toddlers-and-tantrums?lang=eng
2) https://www.lds.org/new-era/1971/02/when-your-heart-tells-you-things-your-mind-does-not-know.p12?lang=eng
This was actually a really good week so I guess I just found a bunch of good stuff to help when it does happen. It always seems to be something we need reminding of anyway.
Love Elder Fagersten in AZ
These are the URLs of the stories I mentioned.
1) https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/04/toddlers-and-tantrums?lang=eng
2) https://www.lds.org/new-era/1971/02/when-your-heart-tells-you-things-your-mind-does-not-know.p12?lang=eng
April 24, 2012
Hi everyone!!
This week I have learned much about the atonement of Jesus Christ.
What it is: And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
What it does: The part of the atonement that most people know about, and talk about, is the power to remit sin. To lift that burden from us. "Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me." But it is not only the ability to cleanse you from that sin, but to give you the strength to leave the sin in the past. The atonement has enabling power. "But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound." Nephi was given power to change his situation. Nephi didn't say "hey will you bail me out of this mess?" He presented a plan and asked for strength, that comes through the enabling power of the atonement, to accomplish it.
Why it was necessary: Fallen man cannot return to the presence of God without the Atonement. It is the key to the plan of salvation, because God wants us to return to Him, right? It is the key to the gospel of Jesus Christ, because it gives us something to have faith in, it gives us the ability to repent, it gives us the power to cleans us from sin at baptism and when we take the sacrament, it gives us the worthiness, and cleanliness, to have the Holy Ghost to be with us.
That is only a tiny bit of what we can learn from the atonement. And only a little bit of what I learned this week. The atonement is the root of everything good. All other things are appendages to it. So if we grow our knowledge of the atonement we will give life to the other aspects of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Changing gears. During Christmas Mom sent me inspirational messages for the 12 days of Christmas. Somehow I didn't read two of them untill yesterday. I'll only talk about one of them. It called, something like, "Because they choose not to see." This was a great and timely message for me to read. It talks about a man and his wife who are driving through Bryce Canyon in Utah, they are just amazed at the beauty of the place. The husband suggests they go see a basin that they had never visited before. They got there and he said we drove 40 miles for this! Obviously dissapointed with what they initially see, but they go in anyway. He was looking through a book at the bookstore and saw a statement, something like this, people don't see the beauty of the desert because they choose not to see. He had a little attitude shift after he saw that and he and his wife went out looking for the beauty the basin had to offer. He found something like 16 plants he had never seen before and the rare flower along the trail. All these things that he never would have discovered if had not chosen to see.
Love you all,
Elder Fagersten in AZ
This week I have learned much about the atonement of Jesus Christ.
What it is: And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
What it does: The part of the atonement that most people know about, and talk about, is the power to remit sin. To lift that burden from us. "Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me." But it is not only the ability to cleanse you from that sin, but to give you the strength to leave the sin in the past. The atonement has enabling power. "But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound." Nephi was given power to change his situation. Nephi didn't say "hey will you bail me out of this mess?" He presented a plan and asked for strength, that comes through the enabling power of the atonement, to accomplish it.
Why it was necessary: Fallen man cannot return to the presence of God without the Atonement. It is the key to the plan of salvation, because God wants us to return to Him, right? It is the key to the gospel of Jesus Christ, because it gives us something to have faith in, it gives us the ability to repent, it gives us the power to cleans us from sin at baptism and when we take the sacrament, it gives us the worthiness, and cleanliness, to have the Holy Ghost to be with us.
That is only a tiny bit of what we can learn from the atonement. And only a little bit of what I learned this week. The atonement is the root of everything good. All other things are appendages to it. So if we grow our knowledge of the atonement we will give life to the other aspects of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Changing gears. During Christmas Mom sent me inspirational messages for the 12 days of Christmas. Somehow I didn't read two of them untill yesterday. I'll only talk about one of them. It called, something like, "Because they choose not to see." This was a great and timely message for me to read. It talks about a man and his wife who are driving through Bryce Canyon in Utah, they are just amazed at the beauty of the place. The husband suggests they go see a basin that they had never visited before. They got there and he said we drove 40 miles for this! Obviously dissapointed with what they initially see, but they go in anyway. He was looking through a book at the bookstore and saw a statement, something like this, people don't see the beauty of the desert because they choose not to see. He had a little attitude shift after he saw that and he and his wife went out looking for the beauty the basin had to offer. He found something like 16 plants he had never seen before and the rare flower along the trail. All these things that he never would have discovered if had not chosen to see.
Love you all,
Elder Fagersten in AZ
April 16, 2012
This week was ward conference in Sedona. Our stake president told us he'd like to talk "trash" to us, because he owns one of the garbage pick up companies in the area.
CJ was leaving for his mission to Argentina. He had a flight from Utah to Georgia, then to Argentina. His mother told him to chew some gum on the plane to keep his ears from popping and stuff. So he did. During the plane ride he got tired and took the gum out and put it in a piece of paper and then in his suit jacket pocket. He was almost asleep when he realized there was water coming under his seat and his scriptures and Preach my Gospel books were on the ground. He got up and got his books but it was a little late. They were wet. In the commotion of all that the gum worked its way almost out of his pocket. But, he did not realize it. He sat down again and fell asleep. When he woke up in Georgia he had gotten gum all over his suit. Not only that but he managed to get it on the person sitting next to him on the plane! Thankfully during the layover in Georgia he was able to call home and his loving mother was able to walk him through some steps to get the gum off their clothes.
President Taylor then likened this story to us. With the gum being garbage or trash. What "garbage" have we picked up along the way? Usually we don't intend to keep it very long but in the commotion of life we forget about it until it has surfaced and makes a mess of us and sometimes others. Thankfully we can change and with the help of a loving Father in Heaven, Parents, and Bishop if necessary get clean of the mess.
I am thankful that our Savior Jesus Christ provided the atonement so that I can be changed by grace. Just like you can see "the change from one piano lesson to another piano lesson." We can be changed from one life lesson to another life lesson.
Love
Elder Fagersten in AZ
CJ was leaving for his mission to Argentina. He had a flight from Utah to Georgia, then to Argentina. His mother told him to chew some gum on the plane to keep his ears from popping and stuff. So he did. During the plane ride he got tired and took the gum out and put it in a piece of paper and then in his suit jacket pocket. He was almost asleep when he realized there was water coming under his seat and his scriptures and Preach my Gospel books were on the ground. He got up and got his books but it was a little late. They were wet. In the commotion of all that the gum worked its way almost out of his pocket. But, he did not realize it. He sat down again and fell asleep. When he woke up in Georgia he had gotten gum all over his suit. Not only that but he managed to get it on the person sitting next to him on the plane! Thankfully during the layover in Georgia he was able to call home and his loving mother was able to walk him through some steps to get the gum off their clothes.
President Taylor then likened this story to us. With the gum being garbage or trash. What "garbage" have we picked up along the way? Usually we don't intend to keep it very long but in the commotion of life we forget about it until it has surfaced and makes a mess of us and sometimes others. Thankfully we can change and with the help of a loving Father in Heaven, Parents, and Bishop if necessary get clean of the mess.
I am thankful that our Savior Jesus Christ provided the atonement so that I can be changed by grace. Just like you can see "the change from one piano lesson to another piano lesson." We can be changed from one life lesson to another life lesson.
Love
Elder Fagersten in AZ
April 10, 2012
This is Easter I was able to reflect on what Easter is to me. Is it the candy? Or is it the Christ? I am actually glad that I didn't even see Easter candy till the day of and then after. It helped me realize which was more important. It is all about the Christ.
General Conference is always a good way to get into the spirit of Easter. The spirit that is felt at conference is amazing. To carry that with us by continuing to read and study the words of the prophets will help us stay on the right path.
Love Elder Fagersten in AZ
General Conference is always a good way to get into the spirit of Easter. The spirit that is felt at conference is amazing. To carry that with us by continuing to read and study the words of the prophets will help us stay on the right path.
Love Elder Fagersten in AZ
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