21 Day Book of Mormon Challenge

Kjære familie og venner,

On September 1, Europe began a 21 Day Book of Mormon Challenge. For 21 days, we are reading passages from the Book of Mormon with a daily question in mind. After we study the scriptures, we ponder and share what we learn!

This week I was touched by the joy of true repentance. On Day 2, we read Mosiah 4:1-21 while pondering this question: How can I feel joy? As I help others understand and practice repentance and repent myself, my understanding has increased of the joy of repentance! The "Gospel" of Jesus Christ is the "glad tidings of great joy" that we have a Savior. How we need a Savior! With one mistake, all hope is lost of a celestial home. But, because of the wisdom and love of our Father in Heaven, He provided us a mortal experience and a Savior. A Savior that would pave the way back to Him. Jesus Christ is that Savior. He gave up His life so that we all will live again. He also ransomed us from our sins on conditions of repentance and obedience. What a joy it is to change and experience the love of Jesus Christ!

Some highlights from this week:

• Eight year old twins were baptized! Without fail, baptisms remind me of Heavenly Father's love. I not only thought of my own baptism this time, but also of W. and K. When their father, a convert of three years himself, said "Motta Den Hellige Ånd" ("Receive the Holy Ghost"), I felt the Spirit so strongly. He testifies of truth. Jesus Christ set the pattern: faith in Him, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. He is the way because He makes it work. We also were able to talk with their nonmember friends that attended the baptism. Several of them knew they felt something special there. We have an appointment with a sweet lady tomorrow because of it!

• A. came to church! He participated in the Gospel Principles class, in our discussion of faith in Jesus Christ. He added several insights during the class, two of which were "Faith means that you do something." and "Faith is the key to everything". Even with a language barrier, the mutual language of the Spirit touched his heart and helped him understand.

• Relief Society activity. We invited P. to come, a returning member we work with. She and her daughter came! We had a discussion on self-reliance and talked about ways to preserve and avoid wasting food. She seemed to enjoy herself!

• Seminary. We also work with a 15 year old returning member. She wants to be more active and serve a mission when she's old enough! This week we committed her to sign up and start seminary! I have a huge testimony of seminary. Not only did I grow in Gospel knowledge, but I grew in faith. Each morning waking up early, sacrificing time from studies and sleep, was a personal sacrifice I made to the Lord. I would get up, in faith, knowing that Heavenly Father would sustain me one more day. I loved the experience of testifying to S. of the blessings of seminary! To all of you, and especially to those who are thinking of serving missions, take advantage of seminary and institute!

• A returning member family, J. & W. love attending Primary with their four year old son. We taught them this week and they were eager to share with us all they learned about prayer from Primary. W. even was whistling "Book of Mormon Stories" around the house. Søster Mumford and I just looked at each other and smiled. The Gospel is simple enough for a child to understand. As we visit them, we cater a lot to B. their son. When we have read about Nephi building the ship, we made and floated our own tinfoil boats. When we taught them the Word of Wisdom, we made a game he could sort out good food and harmful substances. I love teaching their family! My teaching skills have sharpened as we teach simply and get to use more visual aids and activities.

• We taught H. again. We followed up with his fear of being baptized. He told us it was all really new to him when he saw the baptismal font. That part made him scared. We talked about it and assured him that he wouldn't be baptized until he was ready. I am so grateful that the Spirit helps us discern the concerns of those we teach so that we can be instruments in meeting their needs.

Have a great week!

Love,

Søster Brimhall

Pictures:

1. Looking down from a waterfall onto a town by Hardanger fjord.

2. Us in front of the waterfall!

3. We made Norwegian waffles this week. We made ones with brown cheese and raspberry jam and ones with Nugati (like Nutella) and banana.

4. Each major city in Norway has a sign for the 21 Day Book of Mormon Challenge. We're ready to go!