Elder Ballard and Rasband!!

I just got back from my first time inside the D.C. Temple. It's absolutely beautiful just like all the others. The temple is such a peaceful and amazing place. If you haven't been lately chances are there's 1 or 5 right around where most of you live ;) So go! 

This week we had the unprecedented opportunity to hear from and shake the hands of 2 Apostles and 9 other General Authorities!! It was an absolutely amazing experience. It was incredible to hear them speak to such a specific audience and to hear an apostolic witness of Christ somewhere other than General Conference. 

I quickly want to bear my testimony to you that Christ lives. That He is leading this church and that He calls his Apostles. The words they speak truly are the word of God.

 

Multiple times they expressed their great love for us and for their Savior. The Spirit was so strong and testified to me as they spoke. I'd like to include one thing that president Ballard taught us between his jokes. He said " Every time I get tired, I picture in my mind The Savior in Gethsemane. And I find the strength I need to push on." My invitation to you is to strive to remember the Savior in all that you do. I know that He will strengthen you as you strive to live like He did. 

I love you all and hope you have an amazing week! Keep praying!

 

-Elder Brunsdale (Hyrum)

The Final Trip To D.C.

This week has been full of blessings! We didn't go a day without a lesson and most days had two or more! We came out with 16 this week. The work is really progressing in our area! We're very excited and know that we're being blessed every day! We put two more investigators on date tonight and it also finally snowed!!! 

For one of our lessons we found a new investigator who had an extensive knowledge of the Bible. He quoted many of the scriptures we typically use in support of the Restoration before we even mentioned them. But as soon as we brought up that Peter, James and John descended from heaven to restore the priesthood he got very upset. He shouted "False doctrine!" And then said they couldn't have descended because they have to wait for Christ to be resurrected. We kindly reminded him that Christ was resurrected on the third day. He realized he was wrong but was still very upset and just kept shouting "False doctrine!" And other stuff in Spanish I couldn't understand. It got to the point where he literally grabbed his keys, left his house and drove away just leaving us sitting there in his house. It was strange. haha, But right before he left he said we could come back! So I guess we'll see! 

We closed out a very eventful week with a trip to D.C! Rumor is it's about to be banned tomorrow so we had to get in one last hurrah! We saw the Smithsonian castle as well as the Natural History Museum (That was my favorite I could spend weeks in there). We also saw some of the American History Museum. We got to see a bunch of deep sea specimens as well as the original sun stone that sat on the Nauvoo temple. We went though the Holocaust Museum last. It was done very very well. There's just a sense of reverence and prayer while walking through it. 

   

So, here's some pictures of my last DC trip!! 

I love all of you!! Don't forget to pray.

Elder Brunsdale (Hyrum)

Transfers!!

My first transfer in the field is over!! I've learned so much and already seen so much in the way the Gospel can change peoples lives!! The Gospel is True people!!

I'll be staying with my trainer Elder Lucero for at least another transfer!! I'm super excited he's going to be able to finish training me! Our district is staying almost the same so it should be pretty fun.

Here's a picture of us! (Yes I am as tired as I look). We also got to go to the Temple lights one last time!!! It was an absolute blast! I hope you all had a happy new year!! Keep praying :)

LOVE YOU!!!

- Elder Brunsdale (Hyrum)