Doctrine & Covenants 34:4-6 July 3, 2017

And blessed are you because you have believed; And more blessed are you because you are called of me to preach my gospel. To lift up your voice as with the sound of a trump, both long and loud, and cry repentance unto a crooked and perverse generation, preparing the way of the Lord for his second coming.

Everyone,

It has been a good two years here in Denmark. I am grateful for the time that I have spent here. My mission has been a blessing for me to learn about the gospel, and to serve others. It has been a time of change, but it is one that has and will have a big impact on me.

I have learned to appreciate the little things that make up each day. For a long time I felt that I hadn’t done anything because it couldn’t be seen by the world. That all changed when I received a card from my aunt. The quote on the front said, ”Success, it’s not always what you see. ” This had a big impact on me. Around the same time during the mission conference we received the reminder that ”no effort is wasted” (PMG 170). I may not have accomplished something for everyone to see, but I have tried. My simple effort was worth it.

Letter from President O'Bryant - June 15, 2017

Dear Brother and Sister Francis,

Elder Benjamin Mark Francis will return home on 11 July 2017 from the Denmark Copenhagen Mission.

It has been a real joy to have Elder Francis here in the mission. He has been a diligent and obedient missionary throughout his mission. He has learned to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ with conviction and boldness. As a leader in the mission, he has inspired others to be their best and has influenced the lives of his investigators, his companions, and his mission president. He has been exact in his obedience, and has witnessed the miracles that have followed.

I have also had the chance to watch this young man grow in the gospel as he has served. His knowledge and testimony have put down deep roots, and his faith has expanded. He has learned to love the people of Denmark, and has made great sacrifices on their behalf.

Elder Francis returns from the mission field with our love, gratitude and prayers. He has a fixed determination to continue his faithful service to the Lord upon his return home. I ask that you help him in the difficult transition from intense missionary zeal to the routine of life at home. Please encourage him to enroll in an Institute program and help him become established in the Ward or Branch where he will be attending.

Thank you for sending such an outstanding young missionary to the Denmark Copenhagen Mission. May the Lord continue to bless you in your service.

Sincerely,

President Daniel R. O'Bryant
Denmark Copenhagen Mission

3 Nefi 17:8 - June 26, 2017

8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you.

Everyone,

I had one of the best Sundays yesterday in church. It was ward conference, so many of the stake leaders came. I got to see several members from Frederikshavn an Randers which was fun. What made it amazing was the talks in Sacrament. The Bishop spoke about the gospel, and talked about the importance of enduring to the end. One of the Stake Presidents councilers spoke about the improtance of the Book of Mormon. All of the talks were great, but these two were my favorites.

We spent some time with the Aalborg Elders on splits. I worked with Elder Schaffer who is almost done training. He was amazing with his vocabulary, and I was impressed by his example to speak up during contacts. We had a fun time together, and found out that both of us enjoy talking about history.

The ward had an activity on the island of Egholm. We played a game called rundbold with everyone. It is a game in between baseball and cricket. Everyone got involved with the Bishop as the referee. Everyone ate lunch on the lawn. Afterwards we played frisbee and viking spil. It was a good way for us to meet more of the ward.

Elder Lex spent a day with us while his companion was at the my plan meeting in København. Due to a crash close to the tracks his companion came back later than expected, so we spent a night in Randers. It was fun to work there again, and it felt like I had never left. I evan saw one of our old neighbors, and he recognized me.

Per is doing great. He met with the Stake Leaders this week, and it went well for him. Our goal right now is to have him prepared in 6 months to be baptized.

Willie is still in the hospital, and hasn't been doing as well. We are taking it slower now with him. He is continuing to read and pray, so that is a miracle.

Back to the talk in church yesterday about the Book of Mormon. I am grateful for it, and the chance I have each day to study it. There are so many insigts that I have gained. This morning I found the scripture 3 Nefi 17:8, and realized the importance of faith in Christ to have him help us. Faith is the step before repentance, and it is during repentance that Christ can heal us.

Elder Francis

Revelation 21:1 - June 19, 2017

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Everyone,

Part of our week was spent up in Frederikshavn. It was fun to be back in an old area. I was in splits with Elder Evans who has been here for a year. We did well together, and I was impressed by his great attitude about the work.

We did lots of knocking in our area, and had some miracles. One man stopped us because he thought we were lost. He wasn't interested, but we had a long conversation with him about God and if there is anything out there. We also met a nice mom with two kids. She told us that she is trying to teach her kids about Jesus, and reads the Bible to them. We testified of the Book of Mormon, and that she will make a difference in her children's lives for reading to them. At first she wasn't very open to us, but as the conversation continued you could see that she was getting interested in our message.

James 4:10 - June 12, 2017

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Everyone,

It was a great week in Nørresundby for us. We did lots of biking around our area. We got rained on a few times, but we made it through.

We met an excommunicated member named Per and his family. They fed us dinner, and Per connected with us quickly. He told us about his job and hobbies. He also shared his testimony of the church with us, and what is holding him back. I could feel the Spirit as we talked with him. He came to church yesterday which was amazing to see.

My last Zone Conference was last Thursday. It wasn't what I expected because I couldn't believe that it was my last one. I bore my departing testimony of the Savior, and how I came to know him. They also sang for my birthday because it will happen right before I leave. There was a zone activity of ultimate frisbee and soccer before the training. For the training we discussed the mission conference with Elder Andersen, and having the faith to find. It got me excited to find those who are prepared because they do live here.

3 Nephi 13:33 - June 5, 2017

13 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Everyone,

Due to the public holiday in Denmark yesterday we had p-day moved to Tuesday. It was also Father's Day here, so Happy Fathers Day!

Aalborg is an exciting city. My area is Nørresundby which is on the other side of the fjord. It is about a 15 minute bike ride from our apartment, and there are only two ways to get to it by bike. We cover the lower half of Vendsyssel, and Frederikshavn covers the upper half. We bike everywhere because nothing is close to our apartment, but it is enjoyable.

Jan is one of our investigators who was a referral from Jimmi. He knows what is right, but doesn't have the will power to do it. We have had two lessons with him on faith and the Spirit. He is constantly on our minds because he wants to follow God, but there are a few things in the way.

We wanted to have a spiritual finding session, so we pondered on where to go. I am new, so I didn't really know too many spots. I thought of a road, but Elder Smith took off biking. I followed him directly too the road that I had thought about. First door we knocked was a girl named Benedikte who accepted a Mormons Bog, and expressed interest in coming to church soon. Both of us were thankful for the miracle.

This ward has many Norweigen and Swedish members in it. Their accents can be hard to understand, but they have been in Denmark long enough that many of the words are said in Danish.

Congratulations to all the graduates. I loved seeing the pictures of everyone.

Elder Francis

D&C 58:3 - May 29, 2017

Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

Everyone, 

Well, we had some big news on Saturday. I am now in Ålborg (Aalborg) with Elder Smith. Last transfer and a new area, so it is going to be great. It was sad to leave Elder Merrill, but his new companion is really going to help him. Elder Smith has been out a year, and is from California. He is the district leader here, and we have Frederikshavn and Randers in our district. Hopefully I will be able to go on splits to both of these areas.

We had a great training by Elder and Sister Andersen and Elder and Sister Kearon. We learned about how no effort is wasted (PMG 170). The importance of finding. ALL missions are HARD. There are more here who are ready for the gospel. Because of what we learned I am going to do what I can to help this area even though it is only for 6 weeks.

Irma is still doing well. We had a great lesson on baptism with him. At the end we invited him to baptism, and he accepted. He says that there are still things that he needs to repent of, but I know that he is going to make it.

Hanne was sick on the day of our appointment, so we were unable to meet with her.

Other than that last week was great.

Elder Francis

Alma 48:12 - May 22, 2017

Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.

Everyone,

Irma met with us this week, and we had a great lesson with him. We talked about the Book of Mormon, and how we can know that it is true through prayer. He understood what we were telling him, and I could feel the Spirit in the room. At the end he asked us about how we came to know, and then started asking about baptism. He is so prepared for the gospel, and is excited to regularly meet with us now.

We met Hanne a few weeks ago while knocking, and met with her on Friday. She told us that missionaries met with her several years ago, but then stopped after a few meetings. She said that now she wants to find out if the church is for her. We had a wonderful Restoration lesson with her, and learned about a few concerns she has with the Book of Mormon.

We met Thomas Blackman on the train, and he interviewed us about the church. It was an incredible experience for Elder Whitaker and I. Both of us got gift cards afterwards!

Alma 26:15 - May 15, 2017

15 Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work.

At the Copenhagen Temple with good MTC friends Elder Curnow and Elder Magleby

Everyone,

We had a wonderful skype call yesterday for Mother's day. It is sad that this is the last one, and that my mission will be coming to a close in a few months. All of my siblings are big now. The biggest change is with Nic, and how big he has grown. I loved seeing everyone. The kids are all grown up. . It was fun to hear what everyone was and is doing right now.

We had a fun week last week. Most of our week was spent in København getting trained. Lots of sitting, but at the same time lots of spiritual growth. The biggest highlight was the home cooked meals we got. I'm really looking forward to those when I get home. Elder Merrill had fun seeing his MTC group, and I had fun at the MYPlan meeting seeing my MTC group. The overall point of the meeting was to keep working hard for the last few weeks. They showed that Christ did almost all of his important work during his last week in Jerusalem.

Training in Copenhagen - May 9-11, 2017

 

Ben was in Copenhagen for his "30 days in the land training" as a trainer, and then stayed over for his "My Plan" training to return home in 2 months.

His Mission Mom, Sister Janna O'Bryant, posted wonderful photos and details from the three days of training. Ben looks happy and involved. I cried when I saw the photo of his MTC group, now the missionaries about to head home. These 12 elders have crossed paths and served together many times during the past two years. I feel like I know most of them!

They attended the temple for possibly the last time on his mission!

Here is the description from Sister O'Bryant:
http://cop-den-mission.blogspot.com/2017/05/thirty-days-in-land-and-my-plan.html?m=1

Alma 21:17 - May 8, 2017

And it came to pass that the Lord began to bless them, insomuch that they brought many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, they did convince many of their sins, and of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.

Everyone,

It was a big week for us here in Horsens. We went on two splits back to back. One was with Sønderborg and the other was with Esbjerg. It was lots of fun, but we are glad that it is back to the two of us here in Horsens.

Elder Merrill is still doing well. He seems to understand more and more every day. We are working harder and harder each day, and he is keeping up. This week is the 30 day meeting, so we will get more training on training, and get him caught up on all the past zone conferences.

Doctrine and Covenants 5:24 - May 1, 2017

Behold, I say unto him, he exalts himself and does not humble himself sufficiently before me; but if he will bowdown before me, and humble himself in mighty prayerand faith, in the sincerity of his heart, then will I grant unto him a view of the things which he desires to see.

Everyone, 

We had another great week in Horsens. Elder Merrill is an incredible missionary, and is learning the language quickly. We have had lots of fun this week working in our area together, and trying out some new finding ideas.

We had a lesson with Søren who was contacted by Elder Gardner and I. He lived down the road from the church building in Skive. Turns out he is trying to quit using tobacco right now, and he is a little stressed about it. He accepted a Mormons Bog from us, and committed to read Alma 32. He has asked us to wait a few weeks until he has overcome his addiction before we can come back, so that is a little sad. This lesson did help Elder Merrill when we talked about it afterwards.

Psalms 29:11 - April 24, 2017

11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; 

the Lord will bless his people with peace.

Odense

Everyone,

This week has been great here in Horsens. I spent two days in Odense with Elder Burgin while we waited for our trainees to arrive. Elder Burgin is a great Elder, and we had lots of fun together. Including riding city bikes to their area. To give you an idea on my city bike. The front tire was crooked, the back tire had a lump in it, the gears were broken, the pedals were bent, and the seat slowly slides down. We just laughed about it, and kept biking.

Mosiah 16:8 - April 17, 2017

But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

Everyone,

It has been a special week in Horsens, but also a week of change.

The big news first. Forrest got baptized, and it was amazing. The Spirit was incredible during the meeting. Once we finished the closing prayer Forrest jumped up and shared his testimony to everyone. He gave a powerful testimony of how he knew this was right. We had lots of success there. Irma came, and felt the Spirit. He said that he felt that this was the place that he needed to be. That was wonderful to hear (He came to church yesterday, and Elder Gardner gave him a tie. He (Irma) made the comment that he would be wearing it more often). Camille came to the baptism as well. She is still a little skeptical, but is thinking about all of it a little more seriously. Wille is a referral from Århus, and he was there as well. He had a great time as well.

Mosiah 4:10 - April 10, 2017

And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins andforsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and askin sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.

Everyone,

It has been a wonderful week with many miracles here in Horsens. The biggest one was with Forrest. The Sisters had a lesson with him, and we watched the talk by Elder Costa of the Seventy. The Spirit was really strong. It made it perfect because immediantly afterwards I interviewed him for baptism. He is prepared for this step. At church yesterday he was so excited to be able to get baptized. His baptism is the Wednesday the 12 of April.