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History of the Scandinavian Mission

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Av: Andrew Jenson



ERASTUS SNOW
Founder of the Scandinavian Mission
History
OF THE
Scandinavian Mission
BY
ANDREW JENSON
Assistant Church Historian
Author of "Church Chronology," "L.
D. S. Biographical Encyclopedia," "Jo
seph Smiths Levnetslob." "Kirkens Hi
storic," "Jorden Rundt," etc. Formerly
editor of the "Historical Record," "Mor
genstjernen," "Bikuben," etc. Special
correspondent of "The Deseret News" and
contributor of articles to a number of
other periodicals.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA GENEALOGICAL LIBRARY
ACCESSION NUMBER
O
PRINTED BY THE DESERET NEWS PRESS SALT LAKE CITY, UTA H
1927
KZj *h3
PREFACE
WHEN the author of this volume filled his first mission
for the Church to Europe in 1873-1875, he com menced to gather material for a history of the Scandi navian Mission from the original records kept in the different branches of the Aalborg Conference, Denmark, where he la bored. On his second mission, in 1879-1881, when he filled the position of writer and translator for "Skandinaviens Stjerne" at the mission headquarters in Copenhagen, he gath ered additional data from records kept in several of the other conferences and branches of the mission, and also gathered items from Church publications as well as from private jour nals and other sources. Then after his return home he culled data from the "Deseret News" and other periodicals, as well as from written Church documents, which enabled him to edit "Erindringer fra Missionen i Skandinavien" (Memoirs from the Scandinavian Mission), together with a number of biog raphies, etc., in the Danish-Norwegian language, which he published in four volumes of a periodical called "Morgen stjernen." While the work was progressing, he became in timately acquainted with the late Apostle Erastus Snow, the founder of the Scandinavian Mission, Elders John E. Fors gren, Peter O. Hansen, John Van Cott, Jesse N. Smith, Wm. W. Cluff, Canute Peterson, Chr. G. Larsen, Ola N. Liljen quist, Svend C. Larsen, and scores of others, who figured prominently in the early days of the mission. From them the author obtained much valuable information, which had never been written or printed before, but which is now incorporated in this volume. Finally he became associated with the His torian's Office, and on his historical tour through practically all the missionary fields of the Church in 1895-1897, he gathered all the old records he could find in these missions and
iv PREFACE
shipped them to the Historian's Office, Salt Lake City, where they are now safely housed.
Next it became his privilege, as one of the assistant Church historians, to compile histories of all the Latter-day Saint missions, as well as of the Stakes of Zion, and, in pur suance of this labor, he compiled a voluminous history of the Scandinavian Mission in eighteen large manuscript volumes, covering a period of 78 years, from which material he has written this work now issued from the press.
In the onerous work of compilation, the author has been ably assisted by Elder J. M. Sjodahl, who has contributed most of the biographical notes contained in this book. The author is also indebted to Dr. John A. Widtsoe for valuable suggestions and encouragement, to Elders A. Wm. Lund and Hugo D. E. Peterson for efficient aid rendered in proof-read
ing, to Mrs. Mary F. Kelly Pye, who is an expert in research work, to Elder Adam L. Petersen, and to others. No pains have been spared to make the work authentic and reliable in every particular. It has been a labor of love on the part of the author, who now takes pleasure in present ing the "History of the Scandinavian Mission" to the Latter day Saints and their friends everywhere. It is the author's tribute to his race—the stalwart sons and daughters of the North—and he fondly hopes that, after he shall have passed to the Great Beyond, he may still live in the memory of his fellow-men as one who, during his sojourn in mortality, en deavored to the best of his ability to tell the story of a God fearing people, whose devotion, integrity and noble charac teristics may serve as an inspiration to future generations.
ANDREW JENSON.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HISTOR Y O F TH E SCANDINAVIA N MISSIO N
CHAPTER 1 (1850). First missions of the Church—First missionaries called to con tinental Europe—Remarkable journey across the Plains—Hospitality of Saints of Kanesville, Iowa—Substantial assistance rendered the missionaries by Saints in the States—Crossing the Atlantic?—Generosity shown by the Saints in Great Britain— Arrival of Apostle Erastus Snow and fellow-missionaries in Copenhagen, Den mark —..Pages 1-4
CHAPTER 2 (1850). The missionaries secure lodging in Copenhagen—Meeting with Peter C. Monster, a Baptist minister—A visit with the American minister—Elder John E. Forsgren leaves for Sweden—First meeting held in Copenhagen—The first baptisms by divine authority in Denmark—Erastus Snow's first report—First con firmation meeting in Copenhagen—Inteview with the "Kultus"-Minister—A meeting hall rented—Organization of the first branch of the Church in Denmark Pages 5-11
CHAPTER 3 (1850). Arrival of Elder John E. Forsgren at Gefle, Sweden—Miraculous case of healing—First baptisms in Sweden—Elder Forsgren persecuted and arrested —Examined and tried by doctors and government officers—Banished from Sweden—- Landing in Denmark and befriended by the American minister Pages 11-15
CHAPTER 4 (1850). The renting of Mr. Nehm's hall in Copenhagen—First ordina tions to the Priesthood in Denmark—"En Sandheds Rbst" published—Elder Erastus Snow visits England—Elder George P. Dykes raises up a branch of the Church at Aalborg—Cases of healing by the power of God—Opposition by the Lutheran clergy—Book of Mormon presented to King Frederik VII—Growth of the work in Denmark Pages 15-20
CHAPTER 5 (1851). First ordinations to the Melchizedek Priesthood in Scandinavia— The Book of Mormon translated—Progress in Aalborg in the midst of persecution— Mobbing in Roskilde—First converts at Hirchholm—A Latter-day Saint hymn book published in Danish—Disturbances by mobs in Christianshavn—First missionaries called to Iceland Pages 20-25
CHAPTER 6 (1851). The Book of Mormon published in Danish—Erastus Snow's second visit to England—First missionaries on Bornholm—The gospel carried to southern Jutland and the island of Fyen—Persecutions in Aalborg—Saints abused and property destroyed—Elder Snow's report to President Brigham Young
Pages 25-30
CHAPTER 7 (1851). Elder Erastus Snow returns from England—First conference held in Copenhagen—New branches of the Church organized—First missionaries on the island of Falster—Elder Snow visits Aalborg—The first Norwegian baptized— The publication of "Skandinaviens Stjerne" commenced Pages 30-35
CHAPTER 8 (1851). First Latter-day Saint missionaries in Norway—First baptism in Norway—Persecution in Osterrisor—Opposition on the part of civil authorities in Norway—Elder Hans F. Petersen's voyage along the Norwegian coast Pages 35-38
CHAPTER 9 (1851). Persecutions on Bornholm—Second conference held in Scandi navia—The Scandinavian Mission divided into three conferences—Several new branches of the Church raised up in Denmark—Persecutions on Falster—Mobbings at Brondbyoster, on Sjaelland—Introduction of the gospel in Sailing,—Elder Erastus Snow's report Pages 38-44
CHAPTER 10 (1852). Elder Hans F. Petersen extends his voyage to Bergen, Norway— Elder Knud H. Bruun mobbed on Falster—First Scandinavian Saints emigrate to Utah—Another general conference—Farewell feast in honor of Elder Erastus Snow— His departure for America Pages 44-49
vi TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 11 (1852). Petition to the Danish "Rigsdag"—First branch of the Church organized on Fyen—Elder Jens Hansen's remarkable experiences—The Doctrine and Covenants and numerous pamphlets published in Danish Pages 49-50
CHAPTER 12 (1852). A branch of the Church organized in Sailing, Denmark—Per secution and mob violence; neither position nor sex spared—Missionary driven out of the district—Missionary work resumed in Sweden—Michael Johnson arrested and banished—Anders W. Winberg in Skane, Sweden Pages 50-54
CHAPTER 13 (1852). Arrival of Willard Snow—Johan F. F. Dorius mobbed in Jut land, Denmark—Elders Hans Peter Jensen and Johan A. Ahmanson in Norway— Branches of the Church organized at Osterrisor, Frederikstad and Brevig—"Zions Love"—Opposition in Brevig. Pages 54-59
CHAPTER 14 (1852). Fourth general conference held in Scandinavia—The Brevig, Bornholm, Vendsyssel and Lolland conferences organized—Voyages of "Zions Love"; council meeting on board—The missionaries in Norway arrested and imprisoned; experiences in prison Pages 59-66
CHAPTER 15 (1852). The imprisoned missionaries in Norway receive kind treatment, but choose imprisonment rather than to cease preaching—Life in the prisons at Frederikstad and Elverhoi—Series of examinations and trials—Answers to questions —Christmas in Norwegian prisons Pages 66-70
CHAPTER 16 (1852). Scandinavian Saints anxious to gather to Zion—The first large company emigrates to America—Experience on the ocean—Arrival at New Orleans —Crossing the Plains—Arrival in Great Salt Lake City, Pages 70-72
CHAPTER 17 (1853). The missionaries in Norway on trial—All the imprisoned Elders in Norway liberated—Progress of the work of the Lord Pages 72-75
CHAPTER 18 (1853). Persecutions on Lolland, Denmark—Disturbances on Bornholm —Mobbings on Sjaelland—New branches organized at the general conference at Copenhagen—A hired hall in Gothersgade, Copenhagen, demolished by a mob—"Mor monism" discussed in the Danish "Rigsdag." Pages 75-79
CHAPTER 19 (1853). Persecutions in Sweden—First branches of the Church in Sweden—The Skane Conference organized—A special conference held in Copen hagen—Sickness and death of President Willard Snow—John Van Cott appointed president of the mission Pages 79-83
CHAPTER 20 (1853). Arrival of the first American Elders in Norway—Elder Carl C. A. Christensen in Norway—Latter-day Saints classed as non-Christians in Norway —Organization of the Christiania Branch—Carl C. N. Dorius in Drammen Pages 83-87
CHAPTER 21 (1853). The principle of gathering cherished by the Scandinavian Saints —Two large companies of emigrants leave for America—A prosperous mission. Pages 87-90
CHAPTER 22 (1854). Imprisonment of Elders in Norway for baptizing—Preaching the gospel under difficulties—First baptisms in Drammen, Norway—Progress in Christi ania—Elder Canute Peterson in Stavanger—Branches of the Church organized in Drammen and Stavanger Pages 91-96
CHAPTER 23 (1854). More new branches organized—Anti-Mormon literature— Apostle Franklin D. Richards visits Scandinavia—Elder Peter O. Hansen leads a large company of Scandinavian emigrants to Utah—A stormy voyage across the North Sea—An important council meeting in Copenhagen—The Stockholm Con
ference organized Pages 96-102
CHAPTER 24 (1855). Hard winter in Scandinavia—Canute Peterson presides in Nor way—Report of general conditions in Norway, Sweden and Denmark—Visit of Elders Daniel Spencer and Joseph A. Young to Scandinavia Pages 102-106
TABLE OF CONTENTS vii
CHAPTER 25 (1855). Another large company of emigrating Saints leaves Copen hagen—A general mission conference held in Denmark—Fyen Conference organized —Summary of Pres. John Van Cott's Mission to Scandinavia* Pages 106-111
CHAPTER 26 (1856). Hector C. Haight presides—Another emigration—Scandinavian Saints cross the Plains with handcarts—President Haight's first report. Pages 111-115
CHAPTER 27 (1856). Visit of Apostle Ezra T. Benson and Elder John M. Kay—The law of tithing introduced—Statistical report Pages 115-117
CHAPTER 28 (1857). Change of officers in the Scandinavian Mission—A general reformation takes place—English schools established in the mission—Many new branches organized Pages 117-120
CHAPTER 29 (1857). Another company of emigrants—Aarhus Conference organized Hector C. Haight reports conditions in the mission—New branches raised up in Sweden Pages 120-124
CHAPTER 30 (1857). Arrival of Elders Joseph W. Young, John Y. Greene and Iyer N. Iversen—A general council meeting—Imprisonments in Norway—Statistics. Pages 124-127
CHAPTER 31 (1858). Utah Elders called home on account of the Johnston Army troubles—Hector C. Haight and Joseph W. Young report conditions in the mission —A small company of emigrants leaves Scandinavia for Zion—Persecution and im prisonment of Elders Pages 127-131
CHAPTER 32 (1858). Important council meeting in Copenhagen—President Carl Widerborg reports general conditions in the mission Pages 131-136
CHAPTER 33 (1858). Choirs organized in Scandinavia—More new branches organized in Denmark, Sweden and Norway—Pres. Carl Widerborg visits Sweden—Pres. Asa Calkin visits Scandinavia—More imprisonment of Elders in Norway—Pres. Widerborg visits England—Statistical information Pages 136-139
CHAPTER 34 (1859). Emigration re-opened—Crossing the Plains with handcarts— Scandinavian Saints advised to save means towards their emigration to Zion—Im portant council meetings in Copenhagen Pages 139-143
CHAPTER 35 (1859). Conditions in Norway and Sweden—The Elders in Norway continue to suffer imprisonment for preaching and baptizing—New branches of the Church organized in Sweden—Progress of the work in Denmark—Arrival of Elders John Van Cott and Ole N. Liljenquist—Important Priesthood meeting—Statistical report Pages 143-147
CHAPTER 36 (1860). John Van Cott again presides over the Scandinavian Mission— Swedish hymn book published—Elder Mads P. Sorensen imprisoned—Emigration of Saints Pages 147-150
CHAPTER 37 (1860). Arrival of ten missionaries from Zion—Visits of Apostles Amasa M. Lyman and Charles C. Rich—Catechism for children published-—Traveling without purse and scrip—A growing mission Pages 150-153
CHAPTER 38 (1861). Vendsyssel, Denmark, as a fruitful missionary field—Arrival of Elders Jesse N. Smith, Wm. W. Cluff and Johan P. R. Johansen—The spirit of gathering prevails—A large company of emigrating Saints leaves Scandinavia. Pages 153-156
CHAPTER 39 (1861). A second visit to Scandinavia by Apostles Amasa Mk Lyman and Charles C. Rich—Elder Lyman's graphic description of Denmark—Local Elders praised—Nearly 2,000 souls added to the Church by baptism in one year—A branch of the Church organized on the island of Gotland, Sweden Pages 156-161
CHAPTER 40 (1862). Elders Chr. A. Madsen and Hans C. Hogsted arrested—The large, emigration of Saints from Scandinavia to America crosses the Atlantic in four ships—Many die on the voyage—Difficulties in crossing the Plains Pages 161-167
viii TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 41 (1862). Elder Jesse N. Smith succeeds John Van Cott as president of the Scandinavian Mission—Visit of Pres. George Q. Cannon and other American Elders—The zenith of prosperity reached in the Scandinavian Mission. Pages 168-171
CHAPTER 42 (1863). False reports of apostates cause some excitement In the mis sion—Visit of Brigham Young, jun.—Arrival of American Elders—Pres. Geo. Q. Cannon again visits Scandinavia Pages 171-173
CHAPTER 43 (1863). Three ship-loads of Saints emigrate to Zion—Incidents of the voyage across the Atlantic—Life on the Plains Pages 174-179
CHAPTER 44 (1864). The war in Denmark makes a break in missionary labors—A number of young Danish Elders, liable to military service, emigrate to America— Elder Samuel L. Sprague takes temporary charge of the mission after Jesse N. Smith —Another large emigration—Arrival of Carl Widerborg to preside over the mission. Pages 179-183
CHAPTER 45 (1865). A severe winter in Scandinavia hinders the progress of the Elders—Pres. Daniel H. Wells visits Copenhagen—Many Saints emigrate to Zion. Pages 183-187
CHAPTER 46 (1865). More Elders arrive from Zion to labor as missionaries in Scan dinavia—The Norrland Conference organized in Sweden—Agitation for religious liberty in Norway .'. Pages 187-189
CHAPTER 47 (1866). Elders from Zion succeed local Elders in the presidency of conferences—Carl Widerborg arrested on a trumped-up charge, tried and acquitted— A large emigration of Scandinavian Saints sails in three ships from Hamburg for America Pages 189-196
CHAPTER 48 (1867). Apostle Franklin D. Richards visits Denmark—Elder Svend Larsen imprisoned in Norway—Return of American Elders and arrival of others— The first company of Scandinavian Saints crosses the Atlantic by steamer Pages 196-199
CHAPTER 49 (1868). Conferences in Scandinavia amalgamated—Last sailing vessel brings Scandinavian emigrants across Atlantic; the death toll on voyage very heavy on board the "Emerald Isle"—Last Scandinavian emigrants cross the Plains with teams Pages 199-203
CHAPTER 50 (1869). Hard times in Sweden—Nine missionaries from Zion arrive in Scandinavia—The completion of the Union Pacific Railroad makes emigration from Europe to Utah easier, but more expensive Pages 203-205
CHAPTER 51 (1870). Apostle Albert Carrington visits Scandinavia—Ten missionaries from Zion arrive—William W. Cluff succeeds Jesse N. Smith as president of the Scandinavian Mission—Sunday schools first established in the mission Pages 205-207
CHAPTER 52 (1871). Nine Elders arrive from Zion—Canute Peterson succeeds Wm. W. Cluff as president of the mission—A conference house built and dedicated in Christiania, Norway—Several companies of emigrating Saints sail for America. Pages 207-211
CHAPTER 53 (1872). Seven missionaries from Zion arrive in Scandinavia—Further emigration to Utah—Elders imprisoned in Sweden, Pages 211-213
CHAPTER 54 (1873). Apostle Erastus Snow visits Scandinavia—Arrival of new Elders from Zion—Elder Chr. G. Larsen succeeds Canute Peterson as president of the mission—Re-opening of missionary labors in Iceland Pages 213-217
CHAPTER 55 (1874). Pres. Joseph F. Smith and other American Elders visit Scandi navia—A branch of the Church organized in Iceland—"Mormonism" again discussed in the Danish "Rigsdag"—Large emigration of Saints—Seven missionaries arrive from Zion Pages 217-220
TABLE OF CONTENTS ix
CHAPTER 56 (1875). Pres. Joseph F. Smith and Elder John Henry Smith and others visit Scandinavia—Nils C. Flygare succeeds Chr. G. Larsen as president of the Scandinavian Mission—Pamphlets published in the Icelandic language—Missionary labors commenced in Finland—Fifteen Elders arrive from Zion Pages 220-223
CHAPTER 57 (1876). Local Elders make excellent showing in trading in Aarhus—• Miraculous case of healing—Attempt to build a conference house in Aarhus—A branch of the Church organized in Finland—Sixteen Elders from Zion arrive in Scandinavia—Elder Ola N. Liljenquist succeeds Nils C. Flygare as president of the mission Pages 223-228
CHAPTER 58 (1877). The publication of "Nordstjernan," a mission organ in the Swedish language, commenced in Scandinavia—Arrival of eighteen Elders from Zion—Four companies of emigrating Saints leave for Utah Pages 228-231
CHAPTER 59 (1878). Elder Nils C. Flygare succeeds a second time to the presidency of the Scandinavian Mission—The Book of Mormon published in the Swedish language—President Wm. Budge visits Scandinavia—Twenty-one Elders from Zion arrive in the missoin—Progress of the work in Sweden Pages 231-237
CHAPTER 60 (1879). Opposition to the work of the Lord in Sweden—Twenty-nine Elders from Zion arrive—Elder Niels Wilhelmsen succeeds Nils C. Flygare as presi dent of the mission—First regular Relief Society and first Y. M. M. I. A. organized in Scandinavia—A small book of Bible references (Bibelske Henvisninger), pub lished in Copenhagen Pages 237-242
CHAPTER 61 (1880). "Ungdommens Raadgiver," a monthly periodical, commenced in the Scandinavian Mission—The fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the Church celebrated in Copenhagen—President Wm. Budge makes a tour of the mission Pages 242-247
CHAPTER 62 (1880). Elder Ludwig Suhrke is arrested and imprisoned several times in Holstein for preaching and baptizing—Thirty-four Elders from Zion arrive. Pages 247-252
CHAPTER 63 (1881). Death of Elder Gustaf Pettersson; he is succeeded by Elder Hugo D. E. Peterson—Elder Pauli E. B. Hammer in Hamburg—Saints emigrating to Zion —Elder Ola Gothe's experiences in Holstein Pages 252-256
CHAPTER 64 (1881). Death of Pres. Niels Wilhelmsen—Elder Andrew Jenson in temporary charge of the mission—Elder Chr. D. Fjeldsted succeeds to the presidency of the mission—Elder Jenson's departure—Arrival of thirty-eight Elders from Zion. Pages 256-264
CHAPTER 65 (1882). Elders Jens G- Frost and Soren Sorensen imprisoned in Thisted, Denmark—Three companies of emigrating Saints leave for Utah—Persecutions in Horsens, Denmark—Arrival of fifty-one Elders from Zion Pages 264-269
CHAPTER 66 (1882), Large companies of emigrants leave for Zion—Apostle John Henry Smith visits Scandinavia—Elder Andrew Amundsen in Bergen, Norway - Arrival of forty-four Elders from Zion—Elder Anthon H. Lund succeeds Chr. D. Fjeldsted as president of the mission Pages 269-275
CHAPTER 67 (1884). Local Elders do splendid missionary work in Sweden—Difficul ties with mobs at Veile, Denmark—Emigration to Zion continues—Pres. John Henry Smith visits Scandinavia—Johan Blom persecuted in Finland—Arrival of thirty-six Elders from Zion Pages 275-283
CHAPTER 68 (1885). Banishment of Elders from Denmark—Healing of the sick - Elders in Sweden summoned to appear in court—Pres. Daniel H. Wells and Elder Chas. W. Penrose visit Scandinavia—General condition of the mission. Pages 283-289
CHAPTER 69 (1885). Elder Nils C. Flygare succeeds Anthon H. Lund as president of the mission—Another large emigration—Forty Elders from Zion arrive in Scandi navia Pages 289-295
x TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 70 (1886). Newspaper slanders—Johan Blom imprisoned in Finland— Emigrants to Zion leave in small companies—Arrival of thirty-one Elders from America Pages 295-301
CHAPTER 71 (1887). Death of Elder Jesper Petersen—Apostle George Teasdale visits Scandinavia—Emigrants for America continue to leave in small companies—Arrival of forty-five Elders from America Pages 301-305
CHAPTER 72 (1888). Four companies of emigrating Saints leave for Utah—Chr. D. Fjeldsted becomes president of the mission a second time—Twenty new Elders arrive from Zion Pages 305-308
CHAPTER 73 (1889). Mobbings on the island of Bornholm—Four companies of Saints leave for Utah—Arrival of forty-three Elders from Zion Pages 308-313
CHAPTER 74 (1890). Death of Elders Andrew K. Andersen and John Anderson Quist —Four companies of Saints emigrate to Utah—Edward H. Anderson succeeds Chr. D. Fjeldsted as president of the mission—Arrival of thirty-six Elders Pages 313-317
CHAPTER 75 (1891). Saints in Scandinavia study the English language—Apostle Brigham Young, jun , visits the Scandinavian countries—Saints in charge of re turning Elders leave Scandinavia for Zion—Fifty-eight Elders arrive from America. Pages 317-322
CHAPTER 76 (1892). Unsuccessful attempt at preaching the gospel in Schleswig— Missionary experiences within the Arctic Circle—Progress of the work in Sweden— More Elders banished from Denmark—Elder Joseph Christiansen succeeds Edward H. Anderson as president of the mission—Fifty-nine Elders arrive from Utah. Pages 322-330
CHAPTER 77 (1893). Elder Carl A. Carlouist suceeds Joseph Christiansen in the presidency of the mission—Elder Amel B. Jensen crossed the Tornea River from Sweden to Russia and distributes tracts—Death of Elder Pehr A. Bjorklund in Sweden—A branch of the Church organized in Esbjerg, Denmark—Visit of Anthon H. Lund, president of the European Mission—Arrival of forty-five Elders from Zion Pages 330-336
CHAPTER 78 (1894) i Elder Peter Sundwall becomes president of the mission—More small companies of Saints leave for Utah—Swedish newspapers comment on "Mor monism"—Sixty-four Elders arrive from America Pages 336-342
CHAPTER 79 (1895). A Lutheran priest opposes "Mormonism"—Marvelous cases of healing—Elder August Joel Hoglund in Russia—Missionaries in the extreme northern part of Norway—Returning Elders lead small companies of Saints to Zion —Arrival of forty-eight more Elders from America Pages 342-348
CHAPTER 80 (1896). Elder Peter Ehrnstrom in Sweden—Elder Chr, N. Lund suc ceeds Peter Sundwall as president of the Scandinavian Mission—Death of Elder Anders Bjorkman in Sweden—Elder Daniel K. Brown banished from Denmark— Elder Andrew Jenson visits Scandinavia in the interest of Church History—Emi gration of Saints continues—Arrival of sixty-eight Elders from Zion Pages 348-357
CHAPTER 81 (1897)—A lone family of Swedish Saints in St. Petersburg, Russia - Elder Janne M„ Sjodahl presents the King of Sweden with a copy of the Book of Mormon—Saints emigrate to Utah in charge of returning Elders—President Rulon S. Wells visits Scandinavia—Arrival of ninety-four Elders from America
Pages 357-364
CHAPTER 82 (1898). Elder George Christensen becomes president of the mission— Death of Elders Josenh H. Jenson and Albert Petterson in Sweden and Ole Chr. Jensen in Denmark—Elder Andreas Peterson succeeds George Christensen as presi dent of the mission—Arrival of eighty-seven Elders from Zion Pages 364-370
CHAPTER 83 (1899). Pres. Platte D. Lyman visits Scandinavia—Returning Elders and emigrating Saints journey to America in small companies—Arrival of seventy seven Elders from America Pages 370-376
TABLE OF CONTENTS xi
CHAPTER 84 (1900). Elders C. C. Rbnnow and Thos. P. Jensen banished from Den mark—Death of Elder Henry W. Berg in Norway—Ninety-nine Elders from Zion arrive in Scandinavia—Strength of the mission at the close of the century Pages 376-384
CHAPTER 85 (1901). The new century presents changed conditions in missionary work—Arrival and departure of missionaries Pages 384-387
CHAPTER 86 (1902). Visit of Pres. Francis M. Lyman—Dedication of a mission home •in Copenhagen—Andrew Jenson's special mission—A new edition of the Book of Mormon—Discussion with Lutheran priests at Nykjobing on Falster—More Elders arrive Pages 387-394
CHAPTER 87 (1903). Erection and dedication of a new mission home in Christiania, Norway—A large gathering of Utah people—More Elders arrive from America. Pages 394-400
CHAPTER 88 (1904). A new edition of "Joseph Smiths Levnetslob" in the Danish Norwegian language—Visit of Pres. Heber J. Grant—Dedication of a mission home in Stockholm, Sweden Pages 400-406
CHAPTER 89 (1905). Elder Andrew Jenson faces opposition on the part of the Lutheran clergy—The Scandinavian Mission divided—Sweden is made a separate mission. Pages 406-410
HISTOR Y O F TH E DANISH-NORWEGIA N MISSIO N
CHAPTER 1 (1905-1908). Jens M. Christensen's administration—Arrival of Elders from Zion—S6ren Rasmussen presides—Death of Oliver A. Hansen Pages 411-422
CHAPTER 2 (1909-1911). Death of Elder Charles Martinsen—Andrew Jenson's admin istration—Visits of Presidents Anthon H. Lund and Charles W. Penrose—Beyond the Arctic Circle—Visit of Apostle Rudger Clawson—President Joseph F. Smith and Bishop Charles W. Nibley visit Scandinavia—Illustrated lectures Pages 422-434
CHAPTER 3 (1912-1920). Martin Christoffersen presides—Apostle Hyrum M. Smith visits Scandinavia—Hans J. Christiansen succeeds to the presidency of the mission —The Elders from Zion return to America—Local Elders are called into presiding positions Pages 434-443
HISTOR Y O F TH E SWEDIS H MISSIO N
CHAPTER 1 (1905-1909). Peter Mattson's administration—Arrival of missionaries— Peter Sundwall presides—Visits of Presidents Anthon H. Lund and Charles W. Penrose Pages 444-455
CHAPTER 2 (1910-1913). Pres. Rudger Clawson visits Sweden—Visit of Pres. Joseph F. Smith and Bishop Charles W. Nibley1—Successful labors of Elders—Elder Andreas Peterson presides—Audience with King Gustav V—Deaths of Emil C. Thedell, Nephi R. Olson and Gustaf P. Anderson—A. Theodore Johnson presides—Theodore Tobia son succeeds to presidency of mission .'. Pages 455-462
CHAPTER 3 (1914-1920). Arrival of American Elders—Anders P. Anderson presides over the mission—The publication of "Nordstjernan" temporarily suspended—Elder Theodore Tobiason again presides Pages 462-464
CHAPTER 4 (1921-1924). Elder Isaac P. Thunell presides—Gideon N. Hulterstrom in charge—Hugo D. E. Peterson's administration—Death of Ernst George Hedberg— Visits of Apostles Reed Smoot, David O. McKay and John A. Widtsoe—Trouble with the Swedish government regarding the landing of Elders Pages 464-478
CHAPTER 5 (1925-1926). Opinion of Archbishop Nathan Soderblom—John H. Ander son presides—Apostle James E. Talmage visits Sweden—Presidents of the Swedish Mission—Skane Conference—Stockholm Conference—Goteborg Conference—Norr koping Conference—Sundsvall Conference—Gefle Conference Pages 478-486
XT1 TABL E O F CONTENTS
' HISTOR Y O F TH E DANIS H MISSIO N
CHAPTER 1 (1920-1926). Carl E. Peterson's administration—John S. Hansen presides —Joseph L. Petersen's presidency—Arrival of Elders—List of conference-presidents in Denmark, namely, Copenhagen, 1852-1926; Fredericia, 1851-1868; Aalborg, 1851- 1926; Bornholm, 1852-1864; Lolland, 1852-1868; Fyen, 1855-1864; Aarhus, 1857- 1926; Skive, 1857-1864; Oernes, 1864-1868; Odense, 1871-1872 Pages 487-500
HISTOR Y O F TH E NORWEGIA N MISSIO N
CHAPTER 1 (1920-1926). August S. Schow's administration—Albert Richard Peterson presides—Martin Christoffersen's presidency—Lorenzo W. Anderson succeeds to the presidency—Arrival of Elders—Mission presidents—Christiania Conference—Bergen Conference—Trondhjem Conference Pages 501-508
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES Pages 509-532 STATISTICS Pages 533-536
ILLUSTRATIONS
Aarhus Conference House, 224. Ahlander, Anders F., 373.
Andersen, Anders, 509.
Ardersen, Andrew K., 313.
Andersen, Andrew R., 409. Andersen, Anna K., 314.
Andersen, Christian, 427.
Andersen, Julius C, 368.
Andersen, Lars S., 215.
Andersen, Niels P., 412.
Andersen, Niels P., 509.
Andersen, Niels P., 510.
Andersen, Oluf Josva, 419.
Andersen, Wm. Ove, 35.
Anderson, Charles P., 451. Anderson, Edward H, 316, Anderson, Emil, 372.
Anderson, John E., 446.
Anderson, John H., 479.
Andresen, Axel J., 509.
Anthon, Nils, 307.
Applequist, Einer I,., 475.
Applequist, John F., 347.
Beckstrbm, Anna, 8.
Beckstrbm, John Nils, 450. Benson, Ezra Taft, 115.
Berg, Henry W., 378.
Berg, Ole H.., 192.
Bergstrom, Oscar F., 510.
Bjbrk, William, 511.
Bjorklund, Oscar H., 510.
Blomquist, Eben R. T., 459. Blomquist, Victor E,, 468.
Bohn, Jacob J. M., 532.
Book of Mormon, 358.
Bording, F. E., 26.
Borg, August J., 511.
Bostrom, Axel R., 473.
Brown, Daniel K , 277.
Bruun, Knud Hansen, 151. Budge, William, 245.
Cannon, George Q., 169.
Capson premises, Lund, Sweden, 81. Carlquist, Carl A., 331.
Carlquist, Hulda A. N., 511. Carlson, August, 327.
Carlson, August W., 234.
Carlson, David C, 477.
Carlson, John A., 340.
Carlson, John W., 464.
Carlson, Lars J., 404.
Christensen, Andrew, 274.
Christensen, Archibald, 426. Christensen, C. C. A., 15.
Christensen, Charles J., 334. Christensen, George, 365.
Christensen, Herman 0., 431. Christensen, Jens M., 411.
Christensen, Simon, 251.
Christenson, Joseph, 299.
Christiania Conference House, 209. Christiania Conference House, 295. Christiansen, Christian, 20.
Christiansen, David L., 421. Christiansen, Hans J., 438.
Christiansen, Joseph, 327.
Christiansen, Lars P., 334.
Christiansen, Martin S., 453. Christiansen, Peter S., 493. Christiansen, Wilhelmine J., 493. Christoffersen, Johan C, 353. Christoffersen, Martin, 434. Christoffersen, Niels S., 355. Christoffersen, Sbren, 294. . Clawson, Rudger, 428.
Cluff, William W., 409.
Dahlsrud, Andrew, 356.
Dalby, Oliver C, 381.
Dorius, Carl C. N., 84.
Dorius, Johan F. F., 31.
Dykes, George Parker, 16.
Eggertsen, Simon Peter, 121. Ek, Carl August, 276.
Engh, Arm, 512. , Erickson, August, 396.
Erickson, Erick J., 551.
Erickson, James, 506.
Erickson, John, 512.
Erickson, Matthias, 368.
Erikson, Johan J., 512.
Erikson, Johannes, 473.
Erikson, Svante A., 463.
Evensen, Johan, 513.
Evensen, Nils, 403.
Evensen, Oline A., 513.
Evenson, John Henry, 430.
Faldmo, Mikkael A., 271.
Fillerup, Anders P., 340.
Fjeld, Carl Johan E., 86.
Fjeldsted, Christian D., 263. Flygare, Nils C, 225.
Folkmann, Christoffer O., 117. Folkersen, Hans P., 413.
Fors, Carl S., 468.
Forsberg, Charles E., 513.
Forsberg, Gustaf W., 382.
Forsberg, Spohronia N., 514. Forsgren, John E., 6.
Forsgren, Peter Adolph, 12. Fredrickson, Lars, 423.
Garff, Orson A. J., 419. Grant, Heber J., 400. Green, Niels F. H. N., 439. Gudmundson, Gudmund, 77. Gulbrandsen, Ole, 420.
Haight, Hector C, 111. Hallbom, John L, 347. Hallstrbm, Martin H., 450. Hammer, Pauli E. B., 255. Hansen, Christian V., 515. Hansen, Hyrum W., 420. Hansen, Jens, 49.
Hansen, Jens, 263.
Hansen, John S., 488. Hansen, Jbrgen, 290. Hansen, Niels, 62.
Hansen, Oliver A., 424, Hansen, Peter O., 4.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Johnson, Carl Oscar, 364.
Johnson, Christian H., 421.
Johnson, Ellen P., 519.
Johnson, Erastus, 422.
Johnson, Gustave E., and wife, 474. Johnson, Ingeborg P., 469.
Johnson, James C, 394.
Johnson, Johan W., and wife, 518.
Johnson, John V., 396.
Johnson, Morris C, 469.
Johnson, Nils M., 520.
Jbrgensen, Christian, and wife, 519. Jbrgensen, Enoch, 355.
Jbrgensen, Johan G., 311.
Jbrgensen, John H., 487.
Kleven, Gustav O. J., 520.
Knudsen, Christian, and wife, 354.
Krantz, Carl A., 398.
Headquarters Swedish Mission, 401. Henrichsen, Erik C, 399.
Henricksen, Niels J., 321.
Hintze, Ferdinand F., 514.
Hintze, F. F., jun., 514.
Hogan, Erik G M, 78.
Hbglund, August J., 515.
Hbglund, Joseph, 470.
Holmgren, Anders G. and wife, 516. Holmgren, Axel H , 516.
Holmgren, John P., 516.
Holmquist, Johan H., 467.
Hulterstrbm, Gideon N., 471.
Hulterstrbm, Johan, 517.
Hulterstrbm, Signe V. L., 471. t
Ingelstrbm, Andrew O., 403.
Israelson, John A., 412.
Jensen, Daniel L., 436.
Jensen, Hans (Hals), 201.
Jensen, Hans Peter, 39.
Jensen, Hyrum J., 416.
Jensen, Jacob H., 204.
Jensen, Jens S., 517.
Jensen, Johan Andreas, 65.
Jensen, Sbren, 232.
Jenson, Andrew, 215.
Jenson, Andrew, 424.
Jenson, James, 362.
Jenson, James L., 372.
Jenson, Parley P., 376.
Johansen, Johannes, P. R., 154. Johanson, Natanael, 470.
Johanson, Oluf P., 457.
Johanson, Oscar V., 517.
Johansson, Ephraim, 518.
Johnson, Alfred, 391.
Johnson, Algot, 518.
Johnson, Andrew, 481.
Johnson, August, and wife, 519. Johnson, Carl J., 455.
Johnson, Carl O., 404.
Krantz, Carl F., 397.
Krantz, Henry C, 475.
Krantz, Victor E., 448.
Larsen, Christen, 489.
Larsen, Chr. Greis, 214.
Larsen, Christian J., 40.
Larsen, Chr. R., 521.
Larsen, Inger Marie, 264.
Larsen, Svend, 33.
Larson, A. Robert, 381.
Larson, Carl, 374.
Larson, Carl J., and wife, 520. Larson, Charles A., 521.
L. D. S. Chapel, Aalborg, Denmark, 416. L. D. S. Meeting Hall, Christianshavn, Den mark, 23.
Liljenquist, Harold F., 317.
Liljenquist, Ola N., et al., 99.
Liljenquist, Ola N., 145.
Lind, Carl P., 430.
Lindahl, Nils R., 252.
Lindquist, Charles J. A., 274.
Lindstrbm, Charles A., 452.
Lund, Anthon H., 208.
Lund, Anthon H., 278.
Lund, Christian N., 351.
Lund, Djalmar E., 397.
Lundell, Per G., 521.
Lundevall, Birger C, 459.
Lundgren, Carl J., 398.
Lundwall, Martin, 184.
Lyman, Amasa M., 157.
Lyman, Francis M., 387.
Madsen, Christian August, 163.
Madsen, Elise C, 522.
Madsen, H. Harry, 433.
Madsen, Peter W., 522.
Madsen, Theodor A., 522.
Magleby, Hanmer, 335.
Magleby, Hans Olsen, 126.
Malmberg, Emil A. F., 522. Malmberg, Lars P., 522.
Malmstrbm, John J., 477.
Martinsen, Charles, 424.
Mattson, Peter, 444.
McKay, David 0., 504.
Michelsen, Rasmus, 490.
Mikkelsen, Niels, 294.
Miller (Moller), Richard C, 373.
ILLUSTRATIONS XV
Pedersen, Jens Christian, 417.
Pehrson, Anthon, 341.
Penrose, C. W., and Andrew, Jenson, 425. Penrose, Charles W., 424.
Petersen, Adam L., 330.
Petersen, Bryan L, 489.
Petersen, Erastus P., 437.
Petersen, Eugene L., 494.
Petersen, Hans Fred., 33.
Mission Headquarters in Copenhagen, Den mark, (new home), 388.
Mission Headquarters in Copenhagen, Den mark, (old home), 588.
Mollerup, Andrew, 440.
Monson, Brigham, 447.
Monson, Christian H., 236.
Monson, James, 455.
Monson, Jeppa, 268.
Monson, Jons, 524.
Monson, Lawrence M., 449.
Monson, Mons, 524.
Mbrck, Bror J. L, and wife, 522. Morrison, Arthur, W„ 392.
Mortensen, Lars, 264.
Mouritzen, Anne Christine, 75. Mouritzen, Mouritz, 320.
Nelson, Carl H , and wife, 524. Nibley, Charles W., 429.
Nicolayson, Morten A. C, 525.
Nicolaysen, Thora L. M., 525.
Nielsen, Hyrum D., 408.
Nielsen, Iver Carl Magnus, 436.
Nielsen, James D., 422.
Nielsen, Lars, and wife, 251.
Nielsen, Peter Adolf, 491.
Nielsen, Peter Anton, 186.
Nielsen, Walter M., 490.
Nilson, Anders O., 525.
Nilson, Sven Carl, 293.
Nilsson, Carl M., 415.
Nilsson, Jeppe, 268.
Nilsson, Mathias B., 125.
Nilsson, Mons, 239.
Nilsson, Per, 474.
Nilsson, Sven, 526.
Norman, William D., 423.
Norwegian Missionaries, 195.
Nylander, Axel A., 503.
Nylander, Borghild L., et al., 503.
Ohlson, A. B. C, 526.
Ohlson, Gustav L , 393.
Olsen, Christian F., 297.
Olsen, Hans P., jun., and wife, 414. Olsen, James, 425.
Olsen, Joseph H , 392.
Olson, Olof R., 320.
Olson, William, 374.
Orlob, Christian A. F., 241.
Oscarson, Gustave E., 452.
Ostlund, Erik, E., 526.
Petersen, Hyrum, 339.
Petersen, Ida A., 492.
Petersen, Jesper, 301.
Petersen, Joseph L, 492.
Petersen, Lorentz, 311.
Petersen, Niels, 418.
Petersen, Niels A., 405.
Petersen, Peter J., 413.
Petersen, William, 487.
Peterson, Andreas, 366.
Peterson, Canute, 208.
Peterson, A. Richard, et al., 504. Peterson, Hugo, D. E., 253. Peterson, Hugo D. E. et al., 472. Peterson, Joseph W., 417.
Peterson, Nils P., 293.
Pettersson, Gustaf, 253.
Poulson, Martin W., 402.
Quist, John A., 314.
Rasmussen, Hans S., 341.
Rasmussen, Nils G., 527.
Rasmussen, Peter C, 333.
Rasmussen, Sbijen, 418.
Renstrbm, Andrew P., 275. Rich, Charles C, 157.
Richards, Franklin D., 97. Rosenkilde, Jens F., and wife, 527. Rundquist, Armand F., 448. Runswick, John Axel, 446.
Samuelsen, Ferdinand F., 441. Sandberg, Fred. R. O., 528. Sandberg, Peter J., 363.
Sander, Oscar, 476.
Sanders, Carl J., 527.
Scheby, Anders A., 528.
Schow, August S., 501.
Seperstedt, John A. L., 528. Sitterud, Ole J., 426.
Sjbdahl, Janne M., 358.
Sjbstrand, Ernst J., 447.
Skanch.y, Anton L., 388.
Skbnaback, Sweden, 81.
Smith, George Albert, 488. Smith, Hyrum M., 438..
Smith, Jesse N., 168.
Smith, John, 181.
Smith, John Henry, 280.
Smith, Joseph F., 218.
Smith, Joseph F., 429.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Smith, Joseph F., and Andrew Jenson, 429. Smoot, Reed, 504.
Snow, Erastus, 4.
Snow, Willard, 54.
Snow, Willard, et al., 78.
Sbderberg, Carl Axel, 480.
Sbderberg, Oscar W., 466.
Sbrensen, Charles, 329.
Sbrensen, Christian W., 328.
Sbrensen, Chr. Peter, 442.
Sbrensen, Ferdinand C, 432.
Sbrensen, Martine C. E. J., 442. Sbrensen, Sbren, 267.
Spjut, Otto A., and wife, 529.
Sprague, Samuel L., 180.
Stenquist, Erick A., 454.
Stevens, Augusta D., 48.
Stockseth, Rudolph M. J., 529.
Stohl, Joseph N., 375.
Stohl, Lloyd 0 „ 482.
Stohl, Oleen N., 312.
Stohl, Ole Nilsson, 134.
Straaberg, Hyrum A., 529.
Strbmberg, Charles J., 282.
Strbmness, Edward E., 440.
Strbmness, Paul O., 431.
Suhrke, Ludwig, 247.
Sundstrbm, Herman H., 339.
Sundwall, Peter, 336.
Svendsen, Knud, 130.
Swenson, Andrew, 530.
Swenson, Dan A., 454.
Swenson, Swen, 444.
Thomassen, Peter O., 175.
Thomsen, Christen O., 414.
Thomsen, Karl M. J., 494. Thoresen, Ingwald C, 226. Thornwall, Gustav A., 530. Thorstensen, Carl E., 312. Thorup, Herman F. F., 239. Thorup, John T, 240.
Thulin, George Wm., 427. Thunell, Isaac P., 467.
Thure, Sbren Christensen, 206. Tobiason, Theodore, 461.
Valentine, August, 284. Valentine, Nephi J., 362. Valentine, Nephi M., 457. Valentine, Sophy H.- E., 265. Van Cott, Frank A., 491. Van Cott, John, 82.
Wallin, Albert, 530.
Warnick, Carl Peter, 250. Weibye, Jens C. A., 163. Wells, Daniel H., 287.
Wessman, Amanda, 531. Westergaard, Jens C, 393. Widerborg, Carl, 128.
Widtsoe, Anna K. G., 271. Widtsoe, John A., 272. Widtsoe, John A., 505. Widtsoe, Obsorne, J, P., 272. Wilhelmsen and Jenson, 254. Wilhelmsen, Niels, 238. Wilsted, Ane Marie, 531. Wilsted Family, 531.
Wilsted, Hans Peter, 531. Winberg, Anders Wilhelm, 22. Winter, Ole A., 532.
History of the Scandinavian Mission
CHAPTER 1 (1850)
First mission of the Church—First mission aries called to continental Europe—Remarkable journey across the Plains—Hospitality of Saints of Kanesville, Iowa—Substantial as sistance rendered the missionaries by Saints in the States—Crossing the Atlantic—Generos ity shown by the Saints in Great Britain—Ar rival of Apostle Erastus Snow and fellow-mis sionaries in Copenhagen, Denmark.
When the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness was restored to the earth in the early part of the Nine teenth Century, through the instru mentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the divine command was given that it should be preached "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" (Rev. 14:6) ; or, as Matthew records it, in the language of the Savior, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come" (Matt. 24:14). Even before the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized on the 6th of April, 1830, Joseph Smith, jun., and Oliver Cow
dery, while eng'aged in translating the Book of Mormon, commenced to preach the gospel in Harmony, Pennsylvania, and also in Seneca and Broome counties, New York, and in other places. After the organization of the Church and the ordination of a number of brethren to the ministry, the gospel was preached by the first Elders in many of the States in the Union, and also to a number of Indian tribes. Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt and three other Elders proclaimed the gospel to the people in western Missouri and to the Delaware Indians "over the
boundary" early in 1831. This was about nine months after the Church was organized, and the field of labor covered by these early missionaries extended about 1200 miles west from Fayette, New York.
Up to 1837 the preaching of the gospel was confined to the United States and the British provinces in America, but in that year Apostles Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde, together with five other missionaries, crossed the Atlantic Ocean and be
gan missionary work in Great Britain. Thousands were baptized in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, and in 1840 the gathering to Nauvoo, Illinois, commenced from the British Isles.
^S'o far, however, the preaching by >4. the Elders had been confined to countries where the English language is spoken, and no attempt had, as yet, been made to comply with the heavenly command to preach the gospel to every "tongue." The first attempt of that kind was made in 1843, when Addison Pratt and three other Elders were called on a mis sion to the Pacific Islands. About the time that Joseph, the Prophet, sealed his testimony with his blood in Carthage, 111., the first branch of the Church established among a non-Eng lish-speaking people was organized on the island of Tubuai, in the South Pacific Ocean. But it was not until the Saints had passed through mob bings, persecutions and drivings in Missouri, Ohio, and Illinois, and had located permanently in the valley of the Great Salt Lake, that missions.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
where other tongues than English were spoken, received special atten tion. As soon as the pioneers of Utah had provided primitive log cabins and adobe huts for the con venience of their families, and had begun to produce from the earth the necessaries of life, the Twelve Apos tles and the Seventies were remind ed of their special calling to preach the gospel to all the nations of the earth. During the exodus from Nauvoo and the journeyings in the wilderness these officers had, like the rest of the people, been busily en gaged in other labors; but now that a place of comparative peace and safety had been found "for the weary feet," vigorous missionary work was to be continued, and foreign countries, which up to that time had not heard the everlasting gospel in its purity, were remem bered. By this time also, a few foreigners, speaking other languages than English, had become members of the Church, and some of them were quite anxious to carry the gos pel message to their countrymen in the larrds of their nativity. This, undoubtedly, had more or less in fluence on the First Presidency of the Church, whose special attention was thus drawn to several countries of continental Europe.
As early as 1842 a number of Norwegians in La Salle county, 111., had become converts to "Mormon ism" and some of them assisted in building the Nauvoo Temple; and as early as 1843 a few Danes, and at least one Swede, had become mem
bers of the Church in Boston, Mass. A young woman, Ellen Sanders Kim ball, a native of Telemarken, Nor way, crossed the Plains to Great Salt Lake Valley in 1847, being one of the three pioneer women of the original pioneer company under President Brigham Young. Hans Christian Hansen, a Dane, who had
embraced the gospel in Boston, was also one of the original company of pioneers, and John E. Forsgren, a native of Sweden, who likewise had received the gospel in Boston, Mass., served in the Mormon Battalion. These three Scandinavians, represent
ing the three kingdoms, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, together with a few others, who had arrived in the Great Basin as early as 1849. were the first representatives of Scandi
navia in the Rocky Mountains. At a general conference of the Church, held in Salt Lake City, in Oc tober, 1849, a number of missionaries were called to distant lands and they became the first missionaries sent out from the "Valley" to preach the restored gospel in foreign countries. Apostle Franklin D. Richards and five other Elders were called to England; Apostle John Taylor and Elders Curtis E. Bolton and John Pack, to France; Apostle Lorenzo Snow and Elder Joseph Toronto, to Italy; Apostle Erastus Snow and Elder Peter 0 . Hansen, to Denmark, Elder John E. Forsgren, to Sweden under the direction of Apostle Erastus Snow, and Elders Addison Pratt, James S. Brown and Hiram Black well to the Society Islands. The mis sionaries thus called were set apart and received their instructions Oct. 7, 1849. The First Presidency set apart the Apostles to their respective mis sions and the Apostles then set apart the other brethren who had been called on missions. Predictions were made that great success would follow their administrations abroad. (Mill. Star, 12:133.)
It was already late in the season for crossing the mountains and plains, and, consequently, the Elders were compelled to make hasty prep
arations for their journey. After taking; an affectionate leave of fam ilies and friends, the missionaries gathered at the mouth of Emigration
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Canyon, Oct. 19, 1849, where Pres ident Brigham Young met with them and organized them for traveling, by appointing Shadrach Roundy cap tain of the company, and Jedediah
M. Grant captain of the guard.* The journey proved very toilsome and unpleasant at this inclement season of the year. John Taylor writes:
"Were it not for a mission of a public nature on which many of us were engaged, we should have felt great reluctance at leaving our comfortable homes and fire sides to combat the chilling winds and pitiless storms of the Rocky Mountains and the desert plains. * * * The snows have fallen on our right and left, before and behind, but With the exception of a slight fall on the Sweetwater, and another on the day of our arrival at Fort Kearney, we have escaped unharmed."
On the 7th of December, 1849, the company arrived at old Fort Kearney, the present site of Nebraska City, Neb., on the Missouri River, in the midst of a fierce snow storm. Thence the missionaries crossed the Missouri River on the ice and a few days later they arrived at Kanesville, Iowa. The Saints living there were overjoyed at meeting friends from the Valley. The missionaries were hailed with songs, the firing, of guns and other tokens of joy. From Kanesville the Elders took different routes to the several seaport towns, where they
*The company was composed of 35 men with twelve wagons, one carriage and 42 horses and mules. The personnel of the company were the following: Apostle John Taylor (called to France). Lorenzo Snow (to Italy), Erastus Snow (to Denmark), Franklin D. Richards (to England), Bishop Edward Hunter, Edwin D. Woolley and Joseph Heywood (going to the States on Church business), Jacob Gates, George B. Wallace, Joseph W. Young, Joseph W. Johnson, Job Smith, Hayden W. Church, John S. Higbee and Levi Stewart (going on missions to England), Curtis E. Bolton and Tohn Pack (to France), Joseph Toronto (to Italy), Peter O. Hansen (to Denmark), John E. Forsgren (to Sweden), and Robert Pierce, George W. Hill, W. J. Stewart, Dr. Ezekiel Lee, Shadrach Roundy, Russell Homer Perri grine Sessions, Abraham O. Smoot, Jedediah M. Grant, Charles Decker and Robert Graham (going to the States on business), Col. John Reece, merchant of New York, John H. Kin cade, merchant of St. Louis, Mo., Antonio Duval (Mr. Kincade's driver), and Benjamin Homer returning to his home in the East.
embarked for England. The Saints in St. Louis (Missouri), New Orleans (Louisiana), Boston (Massachu setts) and many other places were kind to the missionaries and contrib uted liberally of their means to assist them on their journeys. By this timely aid the Elders were enabled to reach their respective fields of labor. Franklin D. Richards landed in Liverpool, March 29, 1850; Peter 0 . Hansen and others, April 8, 1850; Erastus Snow, April 16, 1850; Lorenzo Snow, April 6, 1850, and John E. Forsgren, April 19, 1850; while John Taylor, John Pack and Curtis E. Bolton did not arrive until May 27, 1850.
The brethren who were appointed to open up new missionary fields on continental Europe spent several weeks in England, visiting among the Saints and gathering means with which to commence operations in the different countries to which they had been called. At that time there were nearly thirty thousand Saints in Great Britain and some of these, be
ing quite wealthy, contributed liber ally of their means toward defraying the expenses of the Elders who soon afterwards opened the gospel door to the inhabitants of France, Switzer land, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Swe den and Norway.
Elder Peter 0 . Hansen became rather an exception to the general rule in opening up missions. With out waiting for his chief, Elder Eras tus Snow, to get ready, after a short visit to Scotland he proceeded alone to his native land, Denmark, the Scottish Saints furnishing him clothes and means for his mission. He ar rived in Copenhagen May 11, 1850, and quietly commenced missionary work among his relatives and others. Apparently he met with very little success. His own father would not receive him and most of his former friends turned a cold shoulder to-
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
wards him. A little pamphlet en titled "En Advarsel til Folket" (A Warning to the People), which he wrote and had printed, did not create
ERASTUS SNOW
Born Nov. 9, 1818, in St. Johnsbury, Ver mont; died May 27, 1888, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
much of a stir among the people and none seemed to care anything about the message he brought to them from America, except a few honest and somewhat persecuted Baptists, who listened with some degree of interest to what he told them concerning the restoration of the gospel. In his com munications to Apostle Erastus Snow, who was still in England, Elder Han
sen was thus unable to give cheering news as to the prospects of making converts in Denmark.
Elder Erastus Snow spent several weeks in England and in Scotland, preaching the gospel and raising means among the English Saints to enable him to fill his mission to Den
mark. After a pleasant visit with his brethren of the Twelve in Lon don, Elder Snow left that city on the 8th of June, 1850, for Hull, accom
panied by Elder George P. Dykes, whom Elder Snow had concluded to take with him to Denmark. Bro. Dykes had introduced the gospel in
to a Norwegian settlement in La Salle county, 111., in 1842, and had in his intercourse with the Norwe gians there acquired some knowledge of their language.
Arriving at Hull, Elders Snow and Dykes were joined by Elder John E. Forsgren, and on the 11th of June, 1850, these three Elders took pas
sage on the steamer "Victoria" and arrived in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, Friday, June 14th, at 10 o'clock in the morning. Their bag
gage, books and papers passed the custom house without trouble, and Elder Peter 0 . Hansen, who met them at the landing, served as inter
preter and conducted them to a hotel, where, after being shown into an upper room, the four missionaries offered up thanksgiving to God and dedicated themselves to his service.
PETER O. HANSEN
Born June 11, 1818, in Copenhagen, Den mark; died Aug. 9, 1894, in Manti, Utah.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
CHAPTER 2 (1850)
The missionaries secure lodging in Copen hagen—Meeting with Peter C. Monster, a Baptist minister—A visit with the American minister—Elder John E. Forsgren leaves for Sweden—First meeting held in Copenhagen— The first baptisms by divine authority ia Den mark—Erastus Snow's first report—First con firmation Meeting in Copenhagen—Interview with the "Kultus"-minister—A meeting hall rented—Organization of the first branch of the Church in Denmark.
Finding the hotel noisy and a fa vorite resort for such company as would be disagreeable to them, Erastus Snow and fellow-mission aries in Copenhagen resolved to seek a private boarding house, or rent a room in a more retired place. They spent most of the afternoon in rambling over the city and its en virons, making observations, and, calling upon several families "to try their spirits and examine rooms," but found no place where the "ark seemed to rest."
The following night was a sleep less one to Brother Snow, though the other brethren rested. He had been very sick coming up the Cattegat, and his nerves were in a state of feverish excitement. The gaming at the billiard tables could be distinctly heard in the sleeping apartment oc
cupied by the missionaries, and car riages to and from the hotel dashing over the pavement immediately un der their window kept up a constant noise, until the dawn of day. Elder Show walked the floor of his room part of the night and then threw him self upon his bed. He prayed earn estly that God would direct his foot steps to a peaceful home, where the Spirit of the Lord would delight to dwell.
The next morning (Saturday, June 15th), the brethren set out anew to find a suitable stopping place. Soon they acknowledged that the prayer of Erastus Snow had not been offered in vain, for when they called on a Mr. Lauritz B. Mailing, who resided at No. 196 Bredgade (then also called
Norgesgade), they were shown a commodious and pleasant upper room, looking into a beautiful back garden, which they rented. Into this room they immediately moved. They also engaged their board in the fam
ily, consisting of Mr. Mailing, his kind-hearted wife, and A young lady of rank—a relative; there were no children in the household. Those people treated the Elders with the utmost kindness and took delight in hearing them sing and pray, although they understood no English. Soon, also, they became interested in the doctrines taught by the Elders and subsequently Mr. Mailing and his wife became members of the Church.
On Sunday, June 16th, Elders Snow, Hansen, Forsgren and Dykes attended the meetings of Peter C. Monster, a Baptist minister, who had suffered much persecution because of his religious belief, which differed materially from the established re
ligion of the land—the Lutheran. This man received the Elders in a most friendly and cordial manner and promised to call on them at their lodging place the next day. In the afternoon Captain Simonsen, father of the young lady who resided with Mr. and Mrs. Mailing, visited the family, dined and spent the evening with the brethren. This gentleman had been an officer in the service of the government for many years. He had also been a teacher of several languages and was sufficiently at home in English to carry on a con versation. The brethren obtained valuable information from him con cerning the country and the manners and habits of the people.
The next day, Monday, June 17th, Mr. Peter C. Monster called upon the Elders at their lodging, according to appointment. Concerning this visit Elder Snow journalizes as fol
lows:
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
"Mr. Monster's visit on Monday was very interesting. He related a short history of his life during the last eight years. He was about fifty years old; his countenance and bearing bespoke intelligence, meek
ness and sincerity, and he was the first man in recent years to preach baptism by immersion in Denmark. His persecutions had been similar to those of the Saints in America. He had often been brought be
fore rulers and judges, had been fined, and six times imprisoned, three years in all—and yet he had continued to teach his faith, and some three hundred and fifty had been baptized into the Baptist church. Had he been a foreigner, he would have been expelled from the country, but being a native, they could only fine and imprison him. Yet the more he was persecuted, the more friends gathered to his standard, until now, by the late political revolution, his persecutors (the State priests) are re stricted in their power, and he now enjoys comparative peace and quietness. Rigs
dagen has not yet enacted the necessary laws for carrying into execution the liberal provisions of the constitution with regard to religion, and the old laws are still liable to be enforced, although they have become somewhat unpopular. * * I related to Mr. Monster what the Lord had done for his people in America, the rise and pro gress of the Church—in short, their revela
tions and persecutions, etc. I told him the Lord had sent us to this land, not to undo any good that he had done, but that he and his people and all others, that would hear us, might receive more and obtain power to do a much greater work in the land. Our testimony produced a powerful effect on him. He received it with much tenderness, promised to investigate, and seek the Lord. We loaned him the Book of Mormon to read, also Bro. Hansen's Danish manuscript translation of it. * * After he.had left us, we bowed before the Lord and prayed to our Father that he would pour out his spirit upon him and the honest-hearted of his followers, and raise up from their midst, friends and fellow-laborers with us in the work of
God."
On Tuesday, Jun e 18th, Elders Snow and Dykes visited the Hon . Walte r Forward , U. S. Minister to Denmark, to whom Elde r Snow ha d an introductory letter from Senator Cooper. Mr. Forwar d was a membe r of the ba r from Pittsburgh, Pa., and
h a d formerly been a membe r of President Harrison's cabinet. The brethren found him a frank and generous gentleman of the old school. He welcomed the missionarie s cor dially an d mad e a good man y in
quiries about the "Mormon " peopl e and their religion. Being acquainted with their genera l history, he ex pressed himself very liberally with regard to their unhallowe d persecu tions in America , an d invited the brethren to continue their intercourse with him, promisin g to rende r them any aid which was in his powe r to give.
On Wednesday, Jun e 19th, Elde r John E. Forsgren took leave of his fellow-missionaries in Copenhagen, boun d for Sweden, his native land, there to open u p a missionary field amon g his countrymen. "H e took leave of us, " writes Elde r Snow, "with our blessings upo n his head, and full of the Hol y Ghost, though his eyes were full of tears and his heart ready to burst. He goes by
JOHN ERIK FORSGREN
Born Nov. 7, 1816, at Gefle, Sweden; died Jan. 22, 1890, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
steamboat to Gefle, high up on the Swedish shore of the Baltic. In that vicinity he hopes to find his fathei from whom he has been absent for twenty years." In the afternoon of this day Elders Dykes and Hansen visited Mr. Monster and imparted to him much more instruction with which he seemed elated and said that he wished to investigate the work thoroughly and store his mind with the evidence of its truth, that he might be able to lead his flock with him. Meantime the brethren had visited several other families, en deavoring to sow the seed of the gospel as best they could, Bro. Han sen acting as interpreter.
On Sunday, June 23rd, Elder Erastus Snow accompanied Mr. Mon ster on a visit to Ishoi, a little town about ten English miles from Copen hagen, where there was a small branch of Mr. Monster's Baptist church. Brother Snow was introduced to the people and then addressed them, aided by Mr.,
acted as intei^WifPrTneSWBtfefi tinued their| labors qp^D™ 'SiSo'n^' the people, 1 visiting aCTflimber of families, beating testimffly^«tMnWtfer ing questions! and they soon foqrod themselves surrounded by a s. circle of li n n|j lulm IM II1 I II III 11 investigating the gospel.
On Sunday, July 21st, the Elders in Copenhagen held their first meet ing in the house of Peter Beckstrom, who lived on Store Kongensgade. A spirit of investigation was mani fested among those who attended the little meeting, especially among the followers of Mr, Monster. During the following week, Mr. Monster advised his disciples not to hold any more family meetings for fear of calling forth persecution and hatred, which, he said, might result in the American Elders being banished from the country; and he discour
aged the zeal with which some of his members were investigating the doctrines taught by the Americans, as he called the missionaries from "the Valley." But his warning came too late. The seed sown had commenced to take root, and by the 1st of August eight or ten of his flock had decided to be baptized. They told him of their intention, but he advised them in the strongest terms not to take a step of that kind. It appears that when Mr. Monster found that his friends from America intended • to
organize a church of their own, in dependent of his, he felt grieved and disappointed, and he gradually with drew his association from them. But, though Mr. Monster never joined the Church, many of his flock, who be came fully convinced that the mes sage brought them from America was of God, received the truth with open hearts and applied for admission in to the Church throughthecJiflTnnel which Go^^j^e^ata^p&tttfSsr^^der
Ttf^dfl*yf9jft(y5^lDe baptiapd, ^^^tMrtp]|W3Mro*r'vack, advisl d* m^e^yjproiugh investigation, li - thSSwirn warned h |
^^..fl^ea^lrmdb s 0 n o longer, ar ioilfc«(^Miffl^invited4ft&»# s ^ iunoay, August
_._, _850, at which Elder Peter 0 . Hansen read to them the Articles of Faith and several eTxtracts of revela tions which he had translated, and Brother Snow, through Elder Hansen as interpreter, gave them wise and kindly instruction and appointed the
next day as the day for baptism. Monday, August 12, 1850, will al ways be classed as one of the im portant days in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Scandinavian countries. In the evening of that memorable day, Apostle Erastus Snow baptized fifteen persons in the clear waters of Oresund, immediately outside of
8 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
the ramparts of Copenhagen, as the first fruits of the preaching of the gospel of Christ in Denmark. Among those who were baptized on that oc
ATN'NA BECKSTROM
The first woman baptized in Denmark, was born April, 1825, at Dalby, Skane, Sweden; died Oct. 12, 1911, in Salt Lake City, Utah. casion were the following: Ole Ul rick Christian Monster and wife, Marie Christine; Hans Larsen and
wife, Eline Dorthea; Andreas Chris tian Samuel Hansen and wife, Ane; Johan Bartholomaeous Forster and" wife, Henrietta; Andreas Agren (Swedish), Anna Beckstrbm (Swed ish), wife of Peter Beckstrbm; Johanne Andersen and Karen Marie Nielsen. Owing to the loss of the first record of the Copenhagen Branch, the names of the other three candidates cannot be obtained. The next day (Aug. 13th) Elder George P. Dykes baptized one more convert in the city of Copenhagen.
On Wednesday, Aug. 14th, in the evening, a meeting was held in Peter Beckstrom's house, at which occasion Apostle Erastus Snow and Elders Peter 0 . Hansen and George P. Dykes administered to some of those who
had been baptized, the ordinance of laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost. Among those confirmed were Andreas Agren, Karen Marie Nielsen, Anna Beck
strom, Johanne Anderson and per haps all the others who had been baptized on the 12th. This was the first time that this holy ordinance was administered in Denmark, and the new converts were filled with joy and happiness.
For some time after this, baptisms were frequent in the city of Copen hagen. Among others who were bap tized on Saturday, August 17, 1850, were Christian Christiansen, Peter Beckstrbm and Knud Hansen Brunn, all of whom subsequently became successful missionaries. Bro. Bruun was the first of the Lutheran de nomination to receive the gospel in Denmark, as all those who had pre viously been baptized were Baptists. On this day Elder Erastus Snow wrote to the First Presidency of the Church his first report of the labors of himself and his fellow-mission aries in the Scandinavian Mission. Among other things he said:
"The Spirit of the Lord seemed to lead me to this city to commence my labors. From my first appointment, my mind rested upon Copenhagen as the best place in all Scandinavia to commence-* the work, and everything has since strengthened my con viction. It is the capital of Denmark, and was at one time the capital of the united kingdom of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. It is a beautiful city, strongly fortified, numbering about 140,000 inhabitants and is by far the largest and most influential town in the kingdom; from its central position on the east side of the island of Zealand [Sjael land], within sixteen miles of the Swedish shore, it affords an easy communication by steamboat to the principal places of Sweden, Norway and Denmark, and is the seat of learning for northern Europe, and I might add of priestcraft, infidelity and politics, and, in my opinion, it possesses more of the spirit of freedom than any other place in this part of the world. * * The government of Denmark, until recently, was
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 9
an absolute monarchy. The king and his ministry both made and executed the laws and the Lutheran clergy had the superin tendency and control of all the primary schools and public instruction of the country, with the exception of certain priv ileges granted to the Jews and to foreign mechanics who had been invited into the country, but no foreigner was permitted to proselyte from the Lutheran Evangelical Church, or preach against her doctrines, on pain of being expelled from the country. This mandate has been enforced against several foreign missionaries within the last ten or fifteen years, and would have been against us, in all probability, if we had come a little sooner. Mr. Peter C. Mon ster, the Baptist reformer, introduced im
mersion, and now his followers number in Denmark about 360. At first he was fined, and afterwards imprisoned, and when he had served out one term in prison, he would preach until the priests would cause him to be arrested and imprisoned again, and so continued until he was imprisoned six times and three years in all. Mean time, French philosophy, infidelity and republican principles have been increasing in this city, and throughout the country, until, about the time of the late revolution in France, the death of the old king of Denmark afforded the Danish people an opportunity to reform their government. The heir to the throne was kept at bay until a constitution or 'Grundlov' was agreed upon, signed and proclaimed June 5, 1849. This secured to the people a 'Rigsdag,' or legislature, to be elected by the people and quite as much political freedom as is enjoyed in England. The press is sufficiently free and untram melled for all purposes, for which we wish to use it, and while it protects and sup ports the Lutheran church as the state church, it secures to the citizens the right to dissent and organize other societies. * * Lutheranism is protected by similar laws in Norway and Sweden. Not loni; ago some Methodists were expelled from Sweden, and quite recently some Baptists, near Goteborg, were arrested and sentenced to leave the country. * * Last Monday, the 12th of August, we began to baptize; we baptized fifteen the first night and eleven more during the week, making twenty-six in all. The greater part of these are from Mr. Monster's followers, and the best he had; and many more of them are believing, while the rest of them are full of wrath and indignation. * * Among those who are baptized are Ger mans, Swedes and Danes, all, however,
understand Danish, and they are well grounded in the work, and firm. We had with us one copy of Elder Orson Hyde's German work, which we kept moving among the Germans; and when we found any who could read English, We gave them English books, and to the Danes we read Biro. Hansen's ftrartslation of the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Cove nants, etc. We have operated only in private and in small family meetings, but we have now arrived at the time when we shall no longer seek retirement, but pub licity. We hope soon to find a large public place, and we thank God that the seed has sprung up, and has deep root, so that if we are banished from the country, the work will spread.
"The Lord has visited the believers with many visions, and dreams, and manifesta tions of the Holy Spirit, and some have told us that they have seen us in vision before we came. They have drawn out of us by their faith, everything pertaining to the gathering, the redemption of the dead, etc., and drink it in as an ox drink
eth up water. * *
"As far as my experience and observa tion extend, the Danes are a kind, hos pitable people, especially the middle and lower classes; and a higher tone of mor ality pervades them than exists in the corresponding classes in England and America; and, if I mistake not my feel ings, the Lord has many people among them.
"Brother John E. Forsgren accompanied us to this place and stopped a few days with us, and then we blessed him and sent him on his way. The Lord is with him; he is full of faith and the Holy Ghost. From here to the home of his childhood, where his relatives are, is about six hundred miles in a northeast direction up the Baltic."
On Sunday, Aug. 18, 1850, a small meeting was hel d in the home of Han s Larsen on Christianshavn (a part of the city of Copenhagen situ
ated on the island of Amager), wher e a numbe r of thos e recently baptized were confirmed members of the Church, and thre e children, daugh - ters of Han s and Eline Dorthe a Larsen, were blessed according to the pattern given by the Savior of the Worl d eighteen hundre d years previously. Th e name s of the ehil-
10 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
dren were Petrine Christine, Marie Magdalene and Margrete Christine Larsen. These were the first chil dren blessed by divine authority in Denmark.
On Sunday, August 25th, another meeting was held at the home of Hans Larsen on Christianshavn, on which occasion the Sacrament was administered for the first time in Denmark in this dispensation by di
vine authority. The first ordination of local brethren to the holy Priest hood also took place in this meeting, when Knud H. Bruun was ordained to the office of a Priest and Ole U. C. Monster to that of a Teacher and appointed to watch over the Saints on Christianshavn. Bro. Bruun was on the eve of starting for the pro vince of Jutland (Jylland) to fill a position there as a servant, and Elder Snow, considering the occa sion opportune to introduce the gos pel into that part of the country, or dained Bro. Bruun a Priest that he might have authority both to preach and baptize on his arrival in Jutland.
In the meantime baptisms became more frequent in Copenhagen and meetings were held often in the pri vate houses of the Saints.
Early in the month of September the brethren visited the "Kultus" minister (the secretary or minister of church and education) and com
menced a correspondence with him and also with the mayor of the city of Copenhagen, in regard to the ob ject of the visit of the American Elders to Denmark, asking for per mission to preach the gospel through out the kingdom. These authorities requested a brief written synopsis of the faith, doctrines and organiza tion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This was im mediately prepared and forwarded, together with a copy of the Book of Mormon in English. The "Kultus"
minister subsequently told the breth ren that they might hold meetings in the city of Copenhagen, but re marked that they might possibly have trouble with the police on ac count of the evil reports which were already then circulating about the "Mormons."
On Sunday, Sept. 15, 1850, a meet ing was held in a rented room in "Vingaardsstrsedet," Copenhagen, on which occasion the first branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in Denmark, with Elder George P. Dykes as president, Johan B. Fbrster clerk, and Christian Christiansen treasurer. Lauritz B-. Mailing, Ole Svendsen and Andreas Agren were appointed a committee to take charge of the financial affairs of the branch, and, among other things, it was en
joined upon these brethren to rent a suitable hall in which the Saints might hold public meetings. About fifty members were present at this meeting which approximately repre
sented the membership in the Copen hagen Branch when it was first or ganized. Up to this time Elder Snow had not been prompted to rent any place for holding public meetings in Copenhagen, but had considered it best for him and his fellow-mission aries to confine themselves to private conversations with the people, and to the holding of small meetings in private houses. While they thus were making a host of friends they also had an opportunity of becoming ac quainted with the laws of the land and the language, habits and cus toms of the people.
The committee appointed to se cure a hall for holding meetings per formed their task without delay and rented from Mr. Nehm a large and commodious hall in the rear build ing of a property then known as No. 85 (now 21), Lille Kongensgade.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 11
near the heart of the city. Elder Snow paid fifty "rigsdaler" in ad vance for three months' rent. The converts were all laboring people and poor, but they furnished what was needed of seats and fixtures for the hall and began to make collec tions to pay rent.
On Wednesday, September 18th, Elder John E. Forsgren arrived in Copenhagen as an exile from Sweden. In the evening of that day the first meeting in the hall rented by the branch in Copenhagen was held. It was attended by the Saints and a few of their friends. Elder Forsgren gave a detailed account of his extra ordinary experience and sufferings in the land to the north. In listening to his interesting, yet sad, story, the eyes of the Saints were moistened with tears and their hearts softened, for they began to realize that the same opposition and persecution, which followed the preaching of the gospel in the ancient days, would become an integral part of the ex perience which the advocates of tbe same principles would meet in the Nineteenth Century, even among the liberty-loving inhabitants of north
ern Europe.
CHAPTER 3 (1850)
Arrival of Elder John E. Forsgren at Gefle, Sweden—Mircaulous case of healing—First bap tisms in Sweden—Elder Forsgren persecuted and arrested—Examined and tried by doctors and government officers—Banished from Swe den—Landing in Denmark and befriended by the American minister.
While the events recorded in the preceding chapter were occurring in Copenhagen, Elder John E. Forsgren, who on June 19, 1850, had taken leave of his fellow-missionaries. Erastus Snow, Peter 0 . Hansen and George P. Dykes in Copenhagen, Denmark, proceeded to Gefle, a sea port town of Sweden, situated at the mouth of the Gafvel River and on the Bay of Bothnia. Near this city
he found his brother, Peter Adolph Forsgren, and sister, Christina Erika Forsgren, still living at the old homestead. His father, Johan Olaf Forsgren, was absent on a sea voy age to America. Elder Forsgren found his brother very sick with con
sumption and, by the physicians, de clared past recovery. Upon making the object of his visit known among the neighbors, Elder Forsgren at once encountered opposition. The laws of the country prescribed pen alties for any religious movement which the Lutheran priests regarded as inimical to the Lutheran creed, which was then, and is yet, the state religion of Sweden. The Lutheran priests, with the civil authorities on their side, were strict in enforcing the laws prohibiting religious liberty in the land, though many of the middle and lower classes, like many of the Danish people, were panting for more liberty. A number of the peasantry soon became interested in Elder Forsgren and his doctrines and listened attentively to what he had to say, but he was closely watched by the police, and, according to the Swedish laws and customs pertaining to travelers at that time, his passport was retained by "Landskansliet." This prevented him from going into any other town without permission, for at that time a traveler, native or foreign, who was found without a passport in Sweden was looked upon and treated almost as an escaped convict.
Under these circumstances Elder Forsgren fasted and prayed, asking the Lord to open the way before him, while he privately taught the gospel whenever he had an opportunity. He also translated into Swedish Orson Pratt's pamphlet entitled, "Remark able Visions," but the printers re
fused to publish it. He therefore left the manuscript with some of the believers.
12 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Among the converts to the truth of his teachings was his brother, Peter A. Forsgren, who through faith and anointing with oil had been raised from his bed of sickness, and on the 26th day of July, 1850, he baptized
PETER ADOLPH FORSGREN
The first convert to "Mormonism" in Sweden, was born July 26, 1826, in Gefle, Gefleborgs Ian, Sweden, emigrated to Utah in 1852-53, and died as a Patriarch in the Church at Brigham City, Box Elder County, Utah, March 1, 1908.
him as the first fruit of preaching the gospel in its fulness in Sweden. This baptism took place about three weeks earlier than the first immer
sion by Erastus Snow in Copen hagen, Denmark. John E. Forsgren, consequently, performed the first baptism in the Scandinavian Mis sion.
Soon after Elder John E. Forsgren had baptized his brother, he also baptized his sister and two other per sons in Gefle, after which he con cluded to go to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, in the hope of finding there more tolerance on the part of the officials and of the peo ple, and, consequently, a better open ing to introduce the gospel. Accord ingly he called for his passport on
the 3rd of August, but he missed the steamer and was left at Gefle. Almost immediately afterwards, he heard of a ship which was about to leave for New York with a com pany of emigrating farmers. He sought them at once, finding them lodging temporarily in a warehouse, waiting for the vessel to get ready. These emigrants were somewhat con versant with the Scriptures, and, being tired of the oppression and religious intolerance of their native country, had concluded to seek their fortunes in America. Elder Fors gren preached the gospel to them, and they received him gladly; where fore he visited them frequently and instructed them concerning the prin ciples of the restored gospel. On August 6th, they proposed a public meeting in a grove, a short distance out of town; and, after due deliber ation, he decided to bear a public testimony and abide the conse quences. It was under these circum stances that the first public Latter day Saint meeting was held in Sweden, on Tuesday, August 6, 1850. Elder Forsgren on that day went to the water and baptized seventeen persons belonging to the emigrant company. Everything passed off quietly and satisfactorily and the people, becoming interested, asked for a second meeting, which was held the following day.
On Wednesday, Aug. 7th, Elder Forsgren organized the newly bap tized converts into a branch of the Church and ordained two of them to the office of Elders. He also ordained some Teachers among them, adminis tered the Sacrament and instructed all the emigrants relative to their journey and their future proceed ings. He gave the ordained Elders instructions how to baptize and con firm their traveling companions, should any of them desire to join
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 13
the Church on the voyage, or after wards.
At the appointed hour of the meet ing, 6 o'clock p. m., the rumor of the first meeting had drawn a vast multitude both from the town and country to the place appointed. Among the number were some Lutheran priests and "stadsfiskalen" (city marshal) with members of the police force, ready to take Elder Forsgren into custody. They, how ever, took no steps to arrest him until he had finished his discourse, for the power of God rested upon him as well as upon the people. "Some wept, others rejoiced, and nearly all seemed to feel that surely a prophet had come among them."
As soon as he was through speaking, the marshal and priests, full of in dignation, and boiling over with rage, came forward and arrested him, amid terrible threats and denuncia tions. As he was marched into town, the vast multitude followed, and they were met by large crowds from the town and shipyards. As the officer in charge, by way of introducing his prisoner to the crowd, called him "dopparen" (the dipper), the multitude swung their hats and cried with deafening shouts: "Hurra for profeten" (Hur rah for the prophet).
The following day (August 8th) John E. Forsgren was brought before the chief officer of police at Gefle; next he was taken before the chief officer of "landskansliet"; then be
fore the chief priest and his asso ciates, all of whom, in their turn, examined ,and questioned him, and
made records of the proceedings. He answered them as the spirit gave him utterance, until they became confounded and perplexed and knew not what to do with him.
He was next ushered before "borg mastaren" (the city mayor) of Gefle,
where all the before-mentioned dig nitaries were assembled with the priests and police. Here he had an other opportunity of bearing witness to the truth, for as they proceeded with their accusations of what he had said and done, he explained and bore testimony. Among other trans gressions, which the marshal accused him of, was healing the sick. The chief priest sent for Elder Forsgren's brother to have him examined, as it was believed he was still sick. But when this brother came, he testified boldly that he was well and that he had been healed by the power of God, through the instrumentality of his brother. The doctor was ordered to examine Brother Forsgren's head, as they would fain have sent him to the asylum; but the doctor very sig nificantly told them that he (John E. Forsgren) knew well what he was about. Everything increased their perplexitiy. Elder Forsgren was well dressed and bore passports from Washington, D. C. This, added to his bold indifference, made them feel dubious about imprisoning him. They finally concluded to send him to Stockholm with a full account of his doings in Gefle. The marshal suggested that for his bold, impudent demeanor he was worthy to go to Stockholm in irons; and the irons were produced for the purpose. But. after a little further consultation, he was dismissed with the following en dorsement upon his pass, which was suggested by the chief priest:
"The bearer of this pass received it and had it signed August 3rd for his departure to Stockholm, but was unable to leave at that time. The North American consul, now present, rejects him, and leaves him without protection. The bearer of the pass has, during the past few days, dis turbed the general peace by illegal preach ing in warehouses and in the open air before several hundred persons, and has even performed the act of baptizing several grown persons on the seashore. For these
14 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
offenses he will leave Gefle before 8 o'clock tomorrow morning for the above men tioned place of destination without fail. —Gefle Landskansli, 8th Aug., 1850."
When Elder Forsgren landed in Stockholm, he was again arrested, as the police officers had received from Gefle five or six pages of his sayings and doings there, and he was taken forthwith before the chief police officers of the kingdom for three successive days, where he again had an opportunity of expounding the principles of the gospel and bear
ing witness of its restoration to all in the court room.
During this time his fame spread through the city and notices ap peared about him in the different newspapers. The officers of the law, after trying in vain to make him stop preaching, concluded to send him back to America. But as there was no vessel in the harbor by which they could ship him immediately, and the American minister would not permit them to imprison him, he was set free with a strict charge not to preach his doctrines. But the papers made known his whereabouts, and people from all quarters sought him; thus he received numerous invita
tions, visited many families in their private houses, and soon had a large circle of friends and acquaintances. In this manner he continued his labors for about a month, and many began to believe his testimony.
Finally, the authorities in Stock holm heard that several persons had decided to be baptized by Elder Forsgren, notwithstanding the heavy penalty fixed by law for such an offense. So Elder Forsgren was ar
rested on the night between the 9th and 10th of September, 1850, and taken on board an American vessel, which was ready to sail for New York. His passport was endorsed for that city and his passage paid. But, fortunately, the vessel on
which he had involuntarily em barked, had to touch at Elsinore (Helsingbr), on the coast of Den mark, to pay the so-called "Oresunds
told" (Danish toll), before she could pass from the Baltic into the sea of Cattegat. Elder Forsgren imme diately took advantage of the oppor tunity of gaining his freedom, and as he, during the voyage from Stock holm, had won the friendship of the captain of the vessel, he had no dif ficulty in effecting a landing. Elated at the prospect of soon joining his fellow-missionaries in Copenhagen, about thirty miles distant from El sinore, and as he was preparing to leave, he was arrested by the Danish police, at the instigation of the Swedish consul, who had received orders from his government to unite with the Danish police in having Forsgren re-shipped to New York, if he should attempt to land in El sinore. As a cause for his arrest, the Danish authorities alleged that as he was without sufficient means he was a vagrant. Fortunately, however, Mr. Walter Forward, the American minister to Denmark, with whom Elder Erastus Snow had already formed a most friendly acquaint ance, was visiting Elsinore at the time, and to him Elder Forsgren, as an American citizen, immediately ap plied for protection. Mr. Forward, in answer to the Danish authorities, said that he would be responsible for Mr. Forsgren, and assured them that there was no danger of his becom ing a burden to the Danish govern ment through lack of money, as he knew the prisoner had friends and means in Copenhagen. This stand on the part of Mr. Forward had the desired effect; Elder Forsgren was liberated and accompanied the min ister to Copenhagen, where he ar rived on the 18th of September, 1850, and received a hearty welcome
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 15
from his beloved brethren in the priesthood, from whom he had been separated for three months.
Thus ended the first attempt to introduce the gospel into Sweden. It may be remarked in this con nection, that the company of farm ers, of whom Elder Forsgren had baptized seventeen, sailed for Amer ica soon after his arrest, and nothing authentic has ever been heard of them since, though Elder Forsgren claimed that some of them, subse quently, became identified with branches of the Church in the West.
CHAPTER 4 (1850)
The renting of Mr. Nehm's hall in Copen hagen—First ordinations to the Priesthood in Denmark—"En Sandheds Rost" published— Elder Erastus Snow visits England—Elder George P. Dykes raises up a branch of the Church at Aalborg—Cases of healing by the power of God—Opposition by the Lutheran clergy—Book of Mormon presented to King Frederik VII—Growth of the work in Den mark.
Meanwhile, in Copenhagen, the renting of Mr. Nehm's hall gave a fresh impetus to the work. For some time meetings were held regu
larly every Sunday from 10 a. m. to 12 m. and from 7 to 9 p. m., also on Wednesday evenings, commenc ing at 7:30 p. m. The hall being favorably located on one of the prin cipal streets in the city of Copen hagen, the meetings were generally well attended; many persons were baptized. The new members enjoyed the spiritual gifts of the gospel to a considerable degree. Several man ifestations of the power of God, espe cially in the healing of the sick, strengthened and comforted the be lievers and inspired them to renewed effort.
At the close of a general meeting held in Copenhagen the evening of Sunday, Sept. 22, 1850, Christian Christiansen was ordained a Teacher and Frederik Christian Sbrensen and Johan A. Ahmanson were ordained Deacons under the hands of Apostles
Erastus Snow and the other Amer ican Elders. Elders Snow, Dykes, Forsgren and Hansen spent Tuesday, Sept. 24th, in prayer and council, and, agreeable to the admonitions • of the Holy Ghost, it was decided that Elder Hansen should commence the revision and re-writing of the Book of Mormon and prepare the same for the press, while Elder Snow himself would make a visit to Eng land for the purpose of attending conference there and endeavoring to procure necessary means wherewith to have the Book of Mormon printed in the Danish language. Elder Fors gren, in the meantime, was appointed to labor in and around Copenhagen, while Elder Dykes was commis sioned to go to the city of Aalborg in the province of Jutland, Denmark. That night Elder Carl C. A. Chris-
. v7777*i77#7 7^1777;;^:%^;:;
CARL CHRISTIAN ANTHON
CHRISTENSEN
This is the same C. C. A. Christensen who afterwards became prominent in the Scandina vian Mission as a missionary, and in Utah as a literary man and diligent Church worker. He died in Ephraim, Sanpete County, Utah, as a Patriarch, July 3, 1912.
16 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
tensen, a youth of eighteen years, came, persuaded by his mother, to the house of Peter Beckstrbm, to hear what Brother Dykes had to say about religion. Elder Dykes, who lived with the Beckstrbms at that time, came home late and the con versation between the young man and Elder Dykes terminated after one hour's duration by the young man requesting baptism, which or dinance was performed by Elder Dykes two days later, Sept. 25, 1850.
After making all necessary ar rangements, Elder Snow sailed from Copenhagen for England, Oct. 4, 1850. Immediately before leaving for England he issued from the press in Copenhagen his popular pamphlet entitled "En Sandheds Rbst" (A Voice of Truth), in which the first principles of the gospel were ex plained and presented in a clear and logical style. Brother Snow wrote it originally in English and Bro. Peter 0 . Hansen translated it into the Danish language. With the ex ception of the little tract entitled "En Advarsel til Folket," written and published by Elder Hansen previous to Elder Snow's arrival in Copen hagen, "En Sandheds Rbst" was the first publication of the Church pub lished in the Scandinavian Mission. The first edition of this pamphlet, consisting of 2,000 copies, was print ed by Mr. F. E. Bording, who con tinued to print for the Saints in Denmark until his death, which oc curred Feb. 3, 1884, and his suc cessor in business, or his heir, who was still running the same printing office as late as 1912, doing most of the printing for the Church, in Scandinavia.*
•Upwards of 200,000 copies of "En Sandheds Rost" have subsequently been published in Copenhagen, in the Danish and Swedish lan guages, and it is still one of the most popular pamphlets treating upon the principles of the ^n.-nel. which have been circulated by the Elders in Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
Agreeable to the appointment re ceived at the council meeting Sept. 24, 1850, Elder George P. Dykes took passage on a steamer at Copen hagen bound for Aalborg, Elder John E. Forsgren succeeding him as president of the branch in Copen hagen.
During Elder Snow's absence in England, the Copenhagen Branch was divided into three districts, in each of which prayer meetings were held regularly. On the 13th of Oc
tober Elder Forsgren ordained Chris tian Christiansen and Frederik C. Sorensen Priests, and Andreas Agren and Johan B. Forster Teachers.
Elder Forsgren .also organized a branch council and many new con verts were baptized.
Elder George P. Dykes arrived in Aalborg, Oct. 10, 1850. His means
GEORGE PARKER DYKES
Born Dec. 24, 1814, in St. Clair County, Illinois; died Feb. 25, 1888, at Zenos, Maricopa County, Arizona.
being very limited, he hired a small room in a side street and lived very economically. Thus he bought a dinner as a rule every day, but very rarely ate either breakfast or supper. "Under these gloomy circumstances,"
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 17
•vrites Elder Dykes, "I began to raise ny warning voice to a very super stitious people, and soon I had snough to do, for the spirit that had For ages lulled the people to sleep under their ancient customs and dead ceremonies, was now awakened, and arose like the old lion from his slum bers and came forth in the powers of darkness which caused a tremb ling in the land such as has not been known for generations past. The people were astonished, their sleep was disturbed by night and their labors by day. There was something new in the land, it was the voice of God from on high—a message from that God whom they or their fathers had not known."
In Aalborg, as well as in Copen hagen, there were in 1850, quite a number of Baptists who seemed to be very sincere in their worship, and the success following the preaching of the gospel in the capital of Den mark was undoubtedly the main reason why the attention of the first Elders was drawn to the same class of people in the city of Aalborg. Among the leading Baptists in the vicinity of Aalborg was Hans Peter Jensen, the owner of a large mechan ical establishment in Nbrre Sundby. He was also "Forstander" or presi dent of the Baptists in Aalborg and vicinity. This Mr. Jensen and other influential Baptists were endeavoring to adjust some differences of opinion existing among the members of that denomination concerning certain doctrinal points, when Elder Dykes, unexpectedly to them, arrived in Aalborg. Mr. Jensen became one of his first converts and he, together with his wife, Sarah Josephine Ka trine Jensen, and six others were bap tized Oct. 27, 1850, as the first fruits of the gospel in the province of North Jutland. The names of the other six were: Niels Christian Schou and 2
wife (Marie), Ole Christian Nielsen and wife (Else Katrine), and Hans Frederik Petersen and wife (Helene Mathilde). Some of these first con
verts in Aalborg subsequently be came prominent and active in the Church, especially Hans Peter Jen sen.
After his baptism, Brother Jensen, who had been a very active Baptist for eleven years, went to his co religionists, to whom he felt himself attached by the most tender ties and affections, and endeavored to con vert them to "Mormonism," showing them how the Baptists, in many re spects had incorporated many erro neous doctrines into their creed. Some of them listened attentively to his testimony and explanations and were soon afterwards baptized, while others hardened their hearts against the principles of truth and were, from that time forward, the avowed enemies and opponents of Elder Dykes and his associates. Mr. Fbltved succeeded Mr. Jensen as president of the Baptist organization in Aalborg.
The newly baptized members in Aalborg and Nbrre Sundby were or ganized into a regular branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
day Saints, Nov. 25, 1850, with Hans Peter Jensen (who had been ordained a Priest the day before) as the presi dent of the same. This was the first branch of the Church organized in North Jutland and the second in Denmark. The Aalborg Branch has had a continued existence ever since it was first organized, and is still one of the largest and best branches of the Church in the Scandinavian countries. Among the many con verts who embraced the gospel in Aalborg was the late President Anthon H. Lund.
After an absence of twenty-six days, Elder Erastus Snow returned
18 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
to Copenhagen from England, Oct. 30, 1850, bringing with him suffi cient means to have the Book of Mormon printed in the Danish lan guage. On his return to Copenhagen, Elder Snow received a full-hearted welcome by the Saints in that city. He writes :
"Elder Dykes had gone to Aalborg, agreeable to his appointment, and, having opened his way through many adverse circumstances and much opposition, he had now begun to make many friends and enquirers after truth. Bro. Hansen had been diligent, but had proceeded very slowly with the Book of Mormon. Elder Forsgren had been blessed in his labors * * in Copenhagen and the meetings there were tolerably well attended. Dur ing my absence Elder Forsgren had also, pursuant to my instructions, ordained Bro. Christian Christiansen a Priest and some others, Teachers and Deacons. He has besides organized a branch council, established prayer meetings, etc., and the Saints were increasing in faith and the Holy Spirit, so that I had joy on my re turn. Several sick were also healed about this time, one or two of whom I will men tion. A boy of four years of age, son of a Sister Andersen, had withered limbs and had never walked. He was anointed and blessed by Elder Forsgren in the name of Christ, and his limbs received strength and grew full and natural like those of other children. Another, Mrs. Thomsen, who was very low with childbed fever two weeks after her confinement, and had Jost her child, was considered past recovery by her physicians. But a faith ful Sister Andersen, who was her waiting nurse, talked with, and prayed for her, and told her and her husband of us. They sent for Elder Forsgren, who went to them, and they received his testimony with joy; and although the woman could not talk much, she was filled with faith at hearing his words, and he prayed for and laid hands upon her and her pain and fever left her straightway. She arose and dressed herself and walked and praised the Lord, and soon she and her husband and other friends were baptized unto the Lord. These and several other cases of healing and manifestations of the Holy Ghost made much excitement and stir among the people. Knowing the great power of priestcraft in the land and the hold Satan had upon the hearts of the people, I charged the Saints to keep these
things from going abroad among the pet pie and in every way used caution t prevent excitement. Nevertheless, excite ment continued to increase as the wor] advanced. In the immediate vicinity o Mrs. Thomsen the people became exceed ingly wrath, not only with her and thosi who believed, but even persecuted theii prattling children who played in the yard One of their neighbors who raged th< most against the truth was seized by the devil and after fruitless attempts of the
physician to restore him to his right mindj he was sent to the lunatic asylum. This was also charged to 'Mormonism.' About this time also the newspapers teemed with old English and American lies, translated and revamped, in which dirty work the Baptists made themselves conspicuous be
cause we had baptized many of their mem bers. The Bishop of Sjaslland (the chief Bishop of Denmark) issued a pamphlet in which he detailed the usual catalogue of Trans-Atlantic lies and tried to crush the work of God with his influence. He thought it the duty of the government to protect the people against the dangerous sect. * * I replied to nothing that was published against us, but labored diligently to improve myself in the language and assist Bro. Hansen in translating the Book of Mormon. Meanwile we continued the circulation of my "Voice of Truth," and to hold meetings among the Saints and in our hall; and to talk, pray, read and sing, and hear the Saints tell their dreams and manifestations of the Holy Spirit, was truly cheering. We did not advertise our meetings, but still our hall Soon became filled, especially in the evenings, and we had confirmations nearly every Sunday: the baptizing we did in a quiet way, mostly week evenings, to avoid excitement."
In this connection it is indeed pleasing to note tha t th e Saints in Denmark , as well as in other parts of the world (wher e the gospel ha s been preached b y Latter-day Saint Elders), were, from the beginning, blessed with the knowledge tha t these siarns shall follow the believer. Man v and marvelous ar e the cases which could b e related in regard to the healin g of the sick, the casting out of devils, the out-pouring of the '
gift of prophes y and other manifesta tions of God's mercy and power, which yea r after year marke d the
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 19
progress of the work of God in the Scandinavian Mission.
During the months of November and December, 1850, the Lutheran clergy commenced to hold evening meetings in their respective churches, something almost unheard of in that city up to that time. The priests expressed the hope that the people would have no excuse for attending the meetings of the "Mormons;" but as this did not have the desired ef fect, they next tried to stir up the university students to j oin the appren tices and the rough-neck element of the city and break up the meetings of the Saints. For a number of even ings the brethren at their meeting hall endeavored to bear with numet
ous insults and disturbances, and in vain did they appeal to the better feelings of their tormentors. The brethren also appealed to the mayor and chief of police for protection, but the police looked through their fingers at these proceedings of the mob and neglected to do their duty, as the "Kultus" minister had pre dicted would be the case, and while they gave the brethren fair promises, which they never fulfilled, they ap
parently encouraged the mob in their acts of violence. Under these cir cumstances, Elder Snow deemed it advisable to stop the evening meet ings of the Saints, and notified the members of the branch accordingly. Thus when the time for holding the next meeting arrived, the members of the Church remained at home while the mob gathered in greater num bers than ever and uttered threats of violence, their particular object of hatred being Elder Forsgren. They surrounded the meeting hall, broke the door and made a terrible uproar, but they spent their fury upon the building and upon themselves, while the Saints were quietly praying in their own houses. Similar scenes
were repeated for some time as the evening upon which the Saints had been holding their meetings came around, and on each occasion several hundred men and boys would gather and set up a great howl; no women participated.
While this excitement ran its course Elder Snow and his mission ary companions associated quietly with the Saints who gathered in small groups in solitary and peace able places to pray and council with one another. After a time, the ex citement died away to such an extent that meetings could again be held in the hall.
In the meantime the brethren had sent a deputation to His Majesty, King Frederik VII, presenting him with a copy of Elder Snow's "En Sandheds Rbst" and also a copy of the Book of Mormon in English. The king gave the book to the queen dowager, who was religiously inclined. The book and the accom panying communication, according to a rumor, had such an effect upon the former queen that she was sick for several days afterwards.
On Sunday, Dec. 29th, two inter esting meetings were held in Mr. Nehm's hall in Copenhagen. On this occasion Erastus Snow was for the first time sustained as president of the Scandinavian Mission by the unanimous vote of the Saints and Elder John E. Forsgren as the local president of the Copenhagen Branch.
' At the close of the year 1850 there were about 135 members of the Church in Denmark, organized into two branches, one in Copenhagen and the other in Aalborg. Of the members about one hundred resided in Copenhagen and about thirty in Aalborg and vicinity. Twelve of the local, brethren had been ordained to the lesser Priesthood, namely, ten in the Copenhagen and two in the
20 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Aalborg Branch. The ordained of ficers in the Copenhagen Branch were the following: Priests: Knud H. Bruun, Christian Christiansen and Frederik Chr. Sbrensen; Teachers: Ole U. C. Monster, Andreas Agren and Johan B. Fbrster; Deacons: Jo
han A. Ahmanson, Niels Olsen, Chr. J. Larsen and Andreas Chr. Samuel Hansen. In the Aalborg Branch the priesthood consisted of Priest Hans Peter Jensen and Teacher Niels Chr. Schou. There were also three or four members of the Church in Sweden, namely, those baptized by Elder John E. Forsgren in Gefle the previous summer.
At the close of the year 1850, Apostle Erastus Snow and Elders John E. Forsgren and Peter 0 . Han sen were located in Copenhagen, while Elder George P. Dykes was laboring in Aalborg and vicinity.
CHAPTER 5 (1851)
First ordinations to the Melchizedek Priest hood in Scandinavia—The Book of Mormon translated—Progress in Aalborg in the midst of persecution—Mobbing in Roskilde. First converts at Hirchholm—A Latter-day Saint hymn book published in Danish—Disturbances by mobs in Christianshavn—First missionaries called to Iceland.
New Year's Day, 1851, was ob served as a day of fasting and prayer by the Elders and Saints generally in Copenhagen. The Saints met in their rented hall in Lille Kongens gade and enjoyed a goodly portion of the Holy Spirit. On that occa sion the Melchizedek Priesthood was conferred upon a convert in Den mark for the first time, Brother Christian Christiansen, who had pre viously been appointed to succeed Elder John E. Forsgren as president of the Copenhagen Branch, being ordained an Elder by Apostle Erastus Snow. Andreas Agren was ordained a Priest, Ole Svendsen a Teacher, and Hans Larsen a Deacon.
In the beginning of January, 1851, the first sheet of the Book of Mor
mon in the Danish language (16 pages) was issued from the press in Copenhagen; other sheets followed soon afterwards. As many of the
CHRISTIAN CHRISTIANSEN
Born Oct. 7, 1824, in Dolby, Sailing, Den mark; died Sept. 23, 1900, in Manti, Utah. Saints were poor, it was deemed wise to let them have each sheet as it was issued from the press, thus enabling them to pay for the book by small installments. Though the book was received by some of the new con
verts to "Mormonism" with reserva tions, yet it was made the subject of diligent study and serious reflection, and by faith and prayers, as well as by the patient labors of the brethren in explaining its contents, it became the means of strengthening the faith of the Danish Saints.*
•Elder Peter O. Hansen had, while residing in Nauvoo, Illinois, translated a portion of the Book of Mormon into Danish with a view to completing the work at some future day in his native land, and, carrying out his original intentions, he finished the translation of the book after his arrival in Denmark: but as he had spent several years in foreign lands and to some extent forgotten his native language, it became necessary to submit his translation to a thorough revision. An educated Danish lady, who was a teacher of several languages, was engaged to assist in the work. This was begun immediately after Elder Snow's return to Denmark from England (October 30th, 1850), and occupied the time of the parties nam?d for several months.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 21
In January, 1851, Elder George P. Dykes, who had continued his labors with great success in the city of Aalborg and its environments, went to Hals, a small market town in Vendsyssel, where a few persons had joined the Church. The first of these converts were Lars Christian Larsen Domgaard and Niels Peter Larsen Domgaard, of Hals, who had been baptized in Aalborg by Brother Hans Peter Jensen. While visiting Hals, Elder Dykes encountered an infuriated mob who committed per sonal violence upon him and even threatened his life. In addition to that, the mobbers almost demolished the Rouse in which he was found, tearing the tiles from the roof and breaking all the windows; but he finally escaped by the back way, through the aid of some women, without serious harm, and returned to Aalborg. Notwithstanding such acts of violence a number of converts were made, and soon a small branch of the Church was organized in Hals. From Aalborg, Elder Dykes extended his labors to a number of villages where well-attended meetings were held. The meetings in Aalborg were also well attended. But Elder Dykes became the target for opposition,
both from the Baptists and Luther ans. Finally the mayor of Aalborg summoned him to appear before him, and the result was a most rigid ex amination of the doctrines taught by Elder Dykes. As the mayor could find no special charge on which to deal with him, according to law, that official contented himself with for bidding Elder Dykes to hold public meetings until the officials of the city could get instructions from higher authorities. The consequence of this order was that the hall which the Saints had rented for meetinT purposes in Aalborg was closed for about three months, but during that
time Elder Dykes found ample op portunity for promulgating the gos pel by accepting invitations to visit the people in their houses.
In the meantime, Elder John E. Forsgren and Priest Andreas Agren hired a hall and commenced preach ing in Roskilde, a small city situated sixteen English miles west of Copen hagen, but after three meetings had been held there, the populace were incited by the Lutheran priests to drive the brethren away. A mob as sembled one evening and commenced depredations upon the houses where the missionaries had been enter tained; they also rushed Elder Fors gren through the streets, beating and abusing him in various ways until a late hour, when the police, which connived with the mob under the pretense of rescuing him, took him into custody. The next day Brothers Forsgren and Agren were both sent away by order of the Borgmester (mayor), but at the request of the brethren the mayor admitted, and so entered upon his records, that there was no law authorizing his actions in the matter, but that he did it for the peace of the town. Several other attempts to secure places for preach ing in the regions round about Copenhagen failed, and stree t preaching was not allowed. The brethren, however, were not so easily discouraged, for after their unpleas ant experience in Roskilde, thev commenced missionary work in Hirschholm, an estate situated about twelve miles north of Copenhagen. Here they also encountered much opposition and caused great excite ment, but found friends who received their testimony and were baptized soon afterwards. A branch of the Church was the result of their labors.
One of the first converts to "Mor monism" in Hirschholm was Niels Jensen, a potter by trade, who after-
22 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
wards became a well-known resident of the Second Ward in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a number of others who later distinguished themselves as faithful members of the Church in the Valleys of the Mountains. AmotiT; them was the late Anders W. Winberg, who subsequently fig
7II11'7'S'. i7«M;a;H,7?7s
ANDERS WILHELM WIN'BERG
Born April 13, 1830, near Lund, Sweden; died Aug. 8, 1909. in Salt Lake City, Utah. ured as a successful local missionary in Denmark and Sweden, emigrated to Utah and afterwards filled a good mission to Scandinavia. For many years he presided over the Scandi navian meetings in Salt Lake City, and in 1876, with the consent of President Brigham Young, com menced the publication of "Biku ben," which is still being published as a Church organ for the Danish Norwegian Saints in America.
At a Priesthood meeting held in Copenhagen, March 3, 1851, Chris tian J. Larsen, who was one of the early converts to the Church in Copenhagen, was ordained a Priest and his brother, Johannes Larsen, a
Deacon. Elder Christian Christian sen and Priest Christian J. Larsen were then appointed to go to Jutland as missionaries, to assist Elder George P. Dykes. These two breth ren left Copenhagen for their new field of labor March 12, 1851, and, traveling by way of Roskilde, Kors sbr and Aarhus, arrived in Aalborg on Sunday morning, March 16th. There they united their efforts with Elder Hans Peter Jensen of Nbrre Sundby, Hans F. Petersen and others who had been baptized in Aalborg and vicinity, and by their energetic and faithful labors they became the instruments in the hands of the Lord to add many souls to the Chursh on both sides of thp Linlfjord, and soon a new branch of the Church was organized at Kjeldgaard, near Aal borg.
In the latter part of March, the first edition of a Latter-day Saint hymn book in the Danish-Norwegian language was published by Erastus Snow in Copenhagen. Most of the hymns used in this little volume were translations from the English Latter day Saints' hymn book, and selec
tions from Danish authors; some of these selections had previously been used by the new converts in their Baptist congregations. The transla tions were principally done by Elder Peter 0 . Hansen, and a special effort was made to have the translated hymns correspond in meter to the tunes sung by the Saints in Zion, the Apostle himself teaching the Saints to sing them. This first edition of the Danish Latter-day Saint hymn book contained only 28 hymns, but in addition to the hymns, extracts from some of the most important revelations translated from the Doc trine and Covenants, together with the Articles of Faith, were printed and bound in the same volume. In that form the little book gave the young Saints in Denmark, as well as
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 23
the Elders, much joy and consola tion. In October, 1851, a second edi tion of the hymn book was published, containing forty-five hymns. In the preface, Erastus Snow expressed a prophetic hope in connection with its future in the following words:
'Thousands of Saints will also in Denmark be encouraged, comforted and strengthened by the use of these songs, and it is hoped that these few may be kindly accepted, until the Lord shall raise up gifted poets and give a greater abundance of the Songs of Zion." These sentiments have been most happily fulfilled, both as to the number of Saints and poets raised up since then. During the following seventy-five vears about 50,000 copies of improved and enlarged editions of the Danish hymn book have been published in Denmark and sold in that country as well as in Norway and Sweden, not to speak of several editions of a very similar collection of hymns published in the Swedish language. The fifteenth Danish-Norwegian edi tion of the Latter-day Saint hymn book, published in 1906, contained 281 hymns, of which about forty are translations from English, a few se lections from the hymn books of other denominations and the remain der originals. Many other poetical effusions in the Danish-Norwegian language have appeared in "Skan dinaviens Sfjerne" from time to time which have not yet found a place in the hymn-book, though perhaps en titled to as much appreciation as many of those used in the collection.
On Monday, April 14, 1851, Elder George P. Dykes left Aalborg for Schlesvig, where he went by invita tion of certain friends to open a new field of labor among German-speak ing people. Elder Dykes had la bored in Jutland six months and three days, and raised up a flourish
ing branch of the Church in the city of Aalborg, which, at the time of his departure, numbered about a hun dred members, including one Elder, three Teachers and one Deacon. He had also published 1,000 tracts treat ing upon the doctrines of the gospel which he circulated gratis; also 1,000 copies of a leaflet containing scrip tural references, and 800 copies of a chronological table published in order to show that the second com ing of the Savior was nigh at hand. He had also circulated about 200 tracts which Brother Erastus Show had sent him from Copenhagen. Bro. Dykes returned to Aalborg May 18, 1851.
In the meantime, Elder Erastus Snow and his fellow-missionaries labored successfully in the city of Copenhagen and vicinity. As many of the Saints in Copenhagen lived in that part of the city which is called Christianshavn, and which is mostly inhabited by the laboring classes, it was decided to rent a place
LATTER-DAY SAINT MEETING HALL IN' CHRISTIANSHAVN, DENMARK The meeting hall was in the second story of the house on the left.
24 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
there for holding meetings, and thus on the 25th of April, 1851, the Saints took possession of a hall situated on the corner of Dronningens Gade and Sankt Anna Gade, opposite one of the largest churches in the city, called "Vor Frelsers Kirke" (the Church of our Savior). In this hall good and spirited meetings were held for several years afterwards and many brethren, who later became prominent in the Church, here re ceived their various degrees of the Priesthood and much valuable train ing for future usefulness.
Disturbances by mobs were soon transferred to the new hall on Chris tianshavn and that, too, with in creased violence. Application for protection was ignored by the police authorities under the pretext that their duty was only to keep peace and order in the street, and not in the house. The brethren, therefore, soon came to the conclusion that if they wanted peace and protection, they would have to depend upon their own resources and strength and, consequently, prepared themselves for the next attack.
One evening the mob again ap peared on the scene, while the hall was well filled with people. Apostle Snow placed two very strong breth ren by the door, with instructions to get the disturbers out by force, if necessary, when he should give the signal.
Soon the rabble began their usual disorderly conduct, when Apostle Snow, filled with indignation, spoke with a voice like thunder, saying: "Now, brethren! if you will assist me, we will soon get these fellows out." Suiting his actions to the words he had uttered, he commenced to divest himself of his coat, in order to take a hand in the perform
ance himself. This, however, did not become necessary, as fear seized
upon the unruly element which quickly backed down towards the door where the brethren in attend-) ance waited upon them and gave them forcible assistance down a long flight of stairs. The mobbers beingl
thus ejected, the door was locked,! and after that they tried in vainl to open it from the outside. How ever, they broke the panels of thel door and threw stones in through thel windows. But as they were now in I the street, they were finally dispersed by the police; and during the re mainder of that evening a good meet-1 ing was held and peace was main tained in the hall. After that inci-1 dent the mobs did not disturb the meetings in Christianshavn. In the other hall, in Lille Kongensgade, the disturbances had been so fre quent and violent that the owner, Mr. Nehm, who had some special right as a tax-payer of real estate on one occasion called on the mili tary to keep order, and thus one Sim day, two soldiers, with fixed bay onets on their guns, stood by the door inside the hall, while the Elders held their meeting and preached the gospel in peace.
Two natives of Iceland, Thorarinn Haflidason Thorason and Gudmund Gudmundson became converts to "Mormonism" in Copenhagen in the early part of 1851, (Gudmundson was baptized Feb. 15, 1851, by Peter 0 . Hansen). They were both young men who had spent some time in Denmark learning trades. Thus Thorason was a cabinet-maker and Gudmundson a jeweler. When these young men were ready to return to their native island in the spring of 1851, Elder Erastus Snow concluded to ordain them to the lesser Priest hood, so that they might have au
thority to preach the gospel to their countrymen. Hence, Brother Thor ason was ordained a Priest by
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 25
Brother Snow at a Priesthood meet ing held in Copenhagen, March 10, 1851, and at a fast meeting held April 18, 1851, Brother Gudmund son was ordained a Teacher by Erastus Snow. Soon afterwards these two brethren sailed for Iceland, after being instructed by Elder Snow and the other brethren in Copenhagen how to proceed with missionary labors after their arrival. Following the instructions received, they com menced immediately after their ar rival in Iceland, to preach and to bear testimony to their countrymen. Several believed their testimony and Brother Thorason baptized a man, by the name of Benedikt Hanson, and his wife on Westmanben.
"Having baptized these two per sons," writes Elder John Thorgeirson, "they (Thorason and Gudmundson) were prohibited by legal authorities to preach, in consequence of which their operations were confined to instructions in private to those who would listen to them. These first missionaries to Iceland were not sub
ject to mob violence in any way whatever, as nothing is more odious, in the eyes or to the minds of the Icelanders than lawlessness of any kind, but they were simply barred from addressing public gatherings by a decree of the court of justice, in accordance with the laws of the country." A further reason why Brother Thorason ceased active mis sionary work, according to the state
ment of his companion, was that his wife hardened her heart against the work and burned her husband's books.
Some time during the following December (1851) Brother Thorason was accidentally drowned while out in a boat fishing near the coast. This left Brother Gudmundson alone with the two baptized but unconfirmed members. He wrote a letter to
Copenhagen, reporting the death of his companion, and also stated that there were twenty-four persons on the island who desired baptism, but as he only held the office of Teacher he had no authority to administer that ordinance unto them.
When Elder Snow received this news he felt very sad, as he then re membered that when he ordained Brother Gudmundson to the office of a Teacher, the spirit of God whis pered to him that he should ordain him an Elder, but he gave the in spiration no heed, as the young man seemed so lively and enthusiastic, while his companion, Brother Thor ason, appeared to be more sedate and thoughtful. Elder Snow's great desire was now to find a suitable Elder whom he could send to Ice land. Brother Peter 0 . Hansen volunteered, but while endeavoring to obtain a passport from the proper officials in Copenhagen, the object of his intended visit to Iceland was discovered, and for that reason he was denied the necessary papers. Nearly two years passed, before the needed help could be sent to Iceland.
CHAPTER 6 (1851)
The Book of Mormon published in Danish— Erastus Snow's second visit to England— First missionaries on Bornholm—The gospel carried to southern Jutland and the island of Fyen—Persecutions in Aalborg—Saints abused and property destroyed;—Elder Snow's report to President Brigham Young.
The last sheets of the Book of Mor mon were received from the printers May 22, 1851, and immediately sent to the book-binders. Elders Snow and Hansen, who during the previous winter had been extremely busy translating and proof-reading the sacred volume, now felt themselves relieved from a great burden. The book was printed by Mr. F. E. Bord
ing, who was paid 1,000 "rigsdaler" (about $500) for printing 3000 copies. Nearly 200 copies were for-
26 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
warded to subscribers in Copen hagen, Aalborg and other places as
-prtSftf-l
F. E. BORDING
Died in Copenhagen, Feb. 3, 1884, 66 years old.
they were issued from the press in sheets.*
At a council meeting held in Chris tianshavn, May 21, 1851, President Erastus Snow expressed his great joj at the completion of the printing ot the Book of Mormon in the Danish language, and as the work connected with its revision and proof-reading had proved a great mental strain on all concerned, he decided to make a trip to England, to attend a confer ence in London, and he advised Brother Peter 0 . Hansen to take a missionary tour to the southern part of Jutland. Teacher L. J. Jpson and Priest Andreas Agren were called to commence missionary labors on the island of Bornholm. About the same time, two Swedish brethren, namely, Nils Olson and Peter Beckstrbm, who had been ordained Priests, were called to cross the Sound (Oresund)
*A second edition of the Danish Book of Mormon (3000 copies) was published by Hec tor C. Haight in 1858, a third edition of 2000 copies by Niels Wilhelmsen in 1881, a fourth edition of 2000 copies by Anton L. Skanchy in 1902 and a fifth edition of 10,000 copies, by Andrew Jenson in 1910.
to SVeden and quietly commence missionary work in the province of Skane. As Sveden did not enjoy re ligious liberty, they were advised to spread the printed work as much as possible among their countrymen and by a wise, prudent course to avoid conflict with the Swedish police. Elder George P. Dykes left Aalborg for England, May 23, 1851.
Having appointed John E. Fors gren to take temporary charge of the mission in the Scandinavian coun tries, Elder Erastus Snow sailed from Copenhagen, May 24, 1851, for Wis mar, Germany, on his way to Eng land. His main object in going to England at this time was to obtain more means to enable him to publish other books and tracts, which were needed for the Scandinavian Mission, and also to obtain a much needed rest ""
Andreas Agren and L. J. Ipson ar rived on the island of Bornholm as missionaries June 6, 1851. After holding a few meetings on the island, they both returned to Copenhagen, giving an unfavorable report of the prospects for preaching there. Their failure, however, was partly due to the unwise conduct of Brother Ipson, who was excommunicated from the Church, June 20, 1851. Brother Agren returned to Bornholm soon afterwards, and two Sisters Bentsen, natives of Bornholm, who had been baptized in Copenhagen, also went over to bear testimony to their friends and relatives. The gospel seed soon fell into congenial soil and on July 10, 1851, five persons (the first fruits of preaching the gospel on the island of Bornholm) were baptized by Brother Agren. The next day he baptized two more. In the latter"
part of the month Elder Hans Peter Jensen arrived as a missionary from Copenhagen and confirmed the seven persons who had been baptized by
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 27
Elder Agren, and also baptized other converts*
In April, 1851, two brothers, Johannes and Lauritz Larsen, who had embraced the gospel in Copen hagen, returned to their native vil lage, Greis, in the southern part of Jutland. Johannes had been or dained a Deacon. Both brothers were tailors by trade. While working ai that vocation they were energetic in bearing testimony to the truth of the restored gospel wherever they had an opportunity to do so. Elder Peter 0 . Hansen and Priest William 0 . An dersen, who had been appointed on a special mission to Jutland, at the August conference held in Copen hagen, arrived in Fredericia, June 10, 1851. In that city they found a small branch of Baptists who had suffered great persecution because of their religion. On their arrival in Fredericia, Brothers Hansen and An dersen also called on Priest Knud H. Bruun, who served as a waiter in a hotel. The following Sunday (June 15th) the brethren held their first meeting in that city, in a larre hall, hired in a hotel. Subsequently they visited Greis and other places and held a few small meetings. Elder Hansen baptized Kiersten Olesen at Greis, June 29, 1851, and Ebbe Jes sen at Fredericia, July 5, 1851. These were the first converts to "Mormon ism" in that part of the country. After ordaining Johannes Larsen to the office .of a Priest, Elder Hansen returned to Copenhagen, where he arrived on the 7th of July. After his departure, Priest Wm. 0 . Andersen continued his labors in Fredericia and vicinity and also crossed over the sound (Lillebelt) to the island of Fyen, thus being the first "Mormon" to labor as a missionary on that
*The village of Arnager became the cradle of Mormonism on Bornholm, and Jens Nielsen, who died as a faithful member of the Church at Newton, Utah, some years ago, was the first man baptized on the island.
island. Elder Andersen encountered considerable opposition and some persecution. One case of that kind he described as follows:
"I appointed a meeting on a Sunday in Fredericia and had Brother Bruun write the address of the place of meeting on slips of paper which I distributed among the people. Sunday morning came, and I 'appeared at the appointed place with my Bible, but almost immediately I was con fronted by a man who forbade me to hold the appointed meeting, saying that he was the owner of the premises and that the man who had given me permission to preach in the house was only a tenant. I told the people that had gathered what had happened, and as they were unwilling to separate, they followed me to the house of Brother Ebbe Jessen, which was soon sur rounded by the multitude. Being requested by a post office official to speak to them, I endeavored to do so, but a policeman stepped up and told me that he was unable to protect me against the people, who were bent on doing me personal harm. Acting on the impulse of the moment, I threw a handful of my smaller tracts out over the multitude to divert their attention, and while the people were scrambling among themselves to catch them, or to pick them up, I improved the opportunity by slipping out through a door in the rear of the build ing, and by the assistance of a friendly blacksmith I hid in a small room on the top of a wardrobe. Here I remained while the angry mobbers sought for me; they even threatened to tear down the building, if the owner did not reveal my hiding place. At length the ruffians took their departure, and so did I, after the kind blacksmith had treated me to dinner. Act ing upon the advice of my friends, I left Fredericia the next day for Copenhagen, where I attended the conference in Au gust."
/
On Sunday, June 22, 1851, Elder Hans Peter Jensen and his brethren of the Priesthood in Aalborg con cluded that they would perform the ordinance of baptism at a public place by the seaside (that is, in the open waters of the "Limfjord," near the city of Aalborg.) A great gather
ing of people, comprising both sexes of all ages, gathered at the appointed place to witness something that could not fail to arouse their highest
28 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
curiosity. Before proceeding to bap tize, Elders Christian J. Larsen and Hans Peter Jensen spoke to the peo ple and warned them to flee from the "Church of the devil," intimating that the Lutheran priests represented >that (ch)urch. At these announce ments the people became enraged and seized some of the brethren, whom they brought before a promi nent clergyman of the city. They were followed thither by the mob, which next proceeded to the place where the Saints were holding their meetings and began an attack on the house; all the windows were broken, the doors torn down, and the mem- •bers of the Church within reach grossly insulted. For a while it looked as if several of the Saints would lose their lives; but, strange to say, none was seriously hurt, though the mob seemed to be angry enough to commit almost any crime. Sister Mathilda Petersen, who had just become convalescent after con finement, and who occupied a room adjoining the hall, was compelled to leave the house. In the evening, the soldiers, of whom quite a num ber were quartered in the city at the
time, were ordered out to quell the disturbance; but just before they ar rived on the scene of the mobbing, a fearful storm accompanied by thun der and lightning, the like of which had scarcely been seen in Aalborg before, broke forth, and the mobbers, drenched to the skin, fled to their homes.
The six following nights mob bers repeated their depredations, and, not satisfied with having demolished the Saints' place of worship, hunted up all the members of the Church they could find in the city and vicin ity and treated their private resi dences in much the same manner as they had the meeting hall. While they broke doors and windows, and
destroyed furniture and other prop erty, they insulted the people in al most every conceivable way, sparing neither sex nor age.
The late Hans F. Petersen of Ephraim, Sanpete county, Utah, the man with whom Elder Dykes lived in the rooms adjoining the meeting hall, gives the following detailed ac count of these mobbings in his pri vate journal:
"On Sunday, June 22 (1851) we held council meetings all day, and many of the Saints were present. About six o'clock in the evening most of the members went out to the fjord, at a point nearly a mile east of the town, to baptize three indi viduals who desired to join the Church. A large crowd of people followed us to the place selected for the baptisms; after we reached the spot, the crowd kept increas ing, until hundreds of people had gathered, who soon gave vent to their evil designs by insulting the Saints, not only by apply ing to them vile and wicked epithets, but also by pushing and beating them in many different ways. Brother Christian J. Lar sen and Hans Peter Jensen attempted to address the crowd and bear testimony to the word of God and the plan of salvation; but while they did so, the mob at intervals shouted, ridiculed and made the most hideous noises, only stopping now and then to listen to the speakers. Giving up the idea of baptizing the three candidates, we, at length, left the place, pushing our way through the immense crowd. Some si us were violently pulled along the road, and, while subjected to insults and blows, brought into town and up to the residence of the dean (Provsten), where we were asked to defend our case and prove what the speakers had said regarding the state church; that it was not the church of Christ. Nothing was accomplished by this interview with the priests, though the cor rectness of our statement was made pretty plain by the acts of the state church mem bers who persecuted us.
"An hour or so later, an immense multi tude gathered in the street (Slotsgaden) and outside of our meeting hall, partly as spectators and partly as a lawless mob, bent on further mischief; and they soon commenced their acts of violence. After using an abundance of foul language and crowding in and out through the rooms, several of the most desperate characters attacked a number of the brethren who were present, and whipped and ill-treated
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 29
them unmercifully. Thus they trod on the neck of Brother Jens Thomsen, and I my self was subjected to severe beating, push ing and hair-pulling; in fact, I was terribly beaten about the whole body. While I was in their hands, my mother-in-law came run ning to rescue me, followed by my wife, who was still weak after a confinement. As the mob did not heed the pleadings of the women, my wife at last sent a well directed blow into the face of one of the principal mobbers. This seemed to bring them somewhat to their senses, for the man who received the blow let go his hold on my person, which enabled me to tear loose from the rest and run into our sleeping apartment together with my wife and sev eral of the Saints. Brother Thomsen also succeeded in getting loose and ran in great haste to us. We now locked the door and pressed hard against it on the inside until the mob broke it. My wife insisted that I should save myself by jumping out of the window; but it seemed inconsistent for me to run away and leave my wife and little infant to their fate. At last, however, I concluded that it was the best I could do under the circumstances, as it was evident that if I remained in the room I could neither defend myself nor my family. Therefore, committing my dear ones to the protection of God, I leaped through a window out into the street, and thence fled into a garden lying back of the house in which I lived. There I secreted myself under the gooseberry bushes, and while lying there I could hear quite distinctly what was going on in the house. My wife remained in the room for some time, un hurt by the mob; but at length, when a couple of rocks were thrown through the windows, she fled to the residence of Mr. Frandsen, a police officer.
"From my hiding place, I could hear the work of destruction going on, as the mob tore, splintered and broke windows, doors, tables, benches, kitchen utensils, etc. They continued their depredations until past 11 o'clock at night when a terrificstorm ac companied by thunder and lightning, put a stop to their wicked doings. About the same time the troops were called out, but they did not arrive on the scene till the work of destruction was completed; a mili tary guard was placed around the de molished building till daylight. After everything had become quiet, I climbed over the board fence, between 12 and 1 o'clock at night, and to my great joy and satisfaction, I found my wife and child safe at the house of Mr. Frandsen."
Durin g the persecutions, the mo b surrounde d Elde r Han s Pete r Jen
sen's house in Nbrre Sundby for several successive nights, broke win dows and doors, tore off the tile from the roof of his buildings, and in other respects damaged his property. The last night of these attacks, Elder Jensen went out among the crowd,
numbering between four and five hundred people, which had surround ed his premises and spoke to them. They all remained reasonably quiet and listened while he addressed them; but as soon as he was through, they raised a great howl and decided to cast him into a deep sand pit sit
uated on the premises; with: the assistance of a friend, however, he escaped this fate and got safely back into the house. The hostile attitude of the mob at last assumed such a character that it became necessary for Brother Jensen to leave his home, in order to save his life, which was threatened repeatedly. In the dead hours of night he traveled on foot (running part of the way) twenty miles in five hours, to the town of Hals, where he again found himself surrounded by a mob led by several persons who recognized him. By using a little strategy, however, and through the providence of the Al mighty, he succeeded in getting on board the steamship passing Hals on its way from Aalborg to Copen hagen. The mob called out in angry tones from the shore, commanding the boatmen to cast him overboard. On boarding the ship he found his tried friend, Elder George P. Dykes, who had come to Aalborg on an other visit, but who had been com pelled to take refuge on the steamer and depart from the city without seeing the Saints.
While visiting in England, Elder Erastus Snow, under date of July 10, 1851, wrote to President Brigham Young in Salt Lake City, .Utah, giv - ing an interesting report of the in-
30 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
troduction of the gospel into the Scandinavian countries. Referring to the opposition in Copenhagen, he wrote :
"Our hall and the streets about us were thronged by a great crowd of journeymen, apprentices, sailors, etc., led on by the theological students who turned our meet
ing into a 'pow wow,' dealing out all man ner of threats and abuses until finally we were obliged to cease our public meetings; the police refused interference in our be half. Some private houses, where we had small gatherings, next became the objects of vengeance. About the same time, also, evil spirits attacked some persons in the Church and manifested their power in many strange ways, and it took some time to subdue them entirely; all of this, how ever, afforded lessons of wisdom and ex
perience to the young Saints. They also made an angry demonstration upon John E. Forsgren and myself in our room at night, somewhat similar to that upon Elders Orson Hyde and Heber C. Kimball in Preston. My eyes were opened to be hold them, and through humble prayer we obtained power to withstand them and to rebuke them from our presence and room. It seemed, indeed, as though the powers of earth and hell were combined to crush the work of the Lord in that land, but through prayer and fasting we received strength, and the clouds began to disperse.
"We sent a deputation to the king with a memorial, a Book of Mormon and my pamphlet. I shortly after heard of the Book of Mormon in the possession of the queen dowager (who is reputedly pious and a lover of the Bible). She, as the maids reported, was so Wrought up by the pre sentation of the book that excitement and alarm spread through her palace, and she was unable to leave her room for several days. We were afterwards informed through the 'Kultus minister,' who has the superintendency of all schools and church affairs, that the government was disposed to allow us our regular course and interpose no obstacles. After this the police officers in Aalborg, by order of the 'Kultus minister,' restored to the Saints their privileges and we began also to enjoy peace and quiet at our meetings in Copenhagen. * * Before the ad journment of the Danish Rigsdag (legis lature) a law passed in a modified form, sustaining religious freedom, and abro gating the old law which denied the rights of matrimony and all other civil and social privileges to native subjects unless
sprinkled, educated and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Yet there is nothing in the constitution or laws that guarantees us that protection in our worship and in the exercise of our religious rights which is afforded by the laws of England and America. I now feel that the 'shell is broken' in old Scandinavia, and that the work of the Lord will advance. Probably an earlier mission to that country would have proved a failure."
After Elde r Snow's departur e for England , Elde r Pete r 0 . Hansen visited the Saints in the southern part of Jutland, giving needed coun sel and instruction, and rendering the local brethren such aid as he found necessary. After tha t he vis
ited Aalborg , where h e comforted the Saints wh o ha d recently been ex posed to persecution. Durin g this visit Han s Frederik Petersen was ordained an Elde r an d appointed president of the Aalbor g Branch. Others of the local brethren were ordained Teachers. Th e Aalbor g mob , having discovered tha t some
thing importan t was going on amon g the Saints, gathered one night and mad e disturbances. A large stone weighing about thre e pound s was thrown throug h the window in the house wher e Brothe r Han s F. Peter sen lived, an d struck the cradl e in which their baby was sleeping, but, fortunately, no damag e was done . After setting things in orde r in Aal bor g and vicinity, Brothe r Hansen returned to Copenhagen.
CHAPTER 7 (1851)
Elder Erastus Snow returns from England —First conference held in Copenhagen—Is'ew branches of the Church organized—First mis sionaries on the island of Falster—Elder Snow visits Aalborg—The first Norwegian baptized— The publication of "Skandinaviens Stj'erne" commenced.
Elde r Erastus Snow returned to Copenhagen from his visit to Eng land August 3, 1851 , after having been absent from his field of labor about ten weeks. He was hailed with
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 31
heartfelt welcome and great joy by the Danish Saints. Soon after his return, he and the other American Elders were invited to live with a Brother Rasmus Petersen who re
sided on Gammeltorv No. 37. Con sequently, the brethren moved their residence from the home of Lauritz B. Mailing, where they had lived since their first arrival in Copen hagen. Soon afterwards they com menced the translation of Orson Pratt's "Remarkable Visions," which was published in the Danish lan guage under the title "Mserkvaerdige Syner." It was printed in octave form and subsequently found such a wide circulation in the Scandina vian Mission that 14,000 copies in Danish and 16,000 copies in Swedish had been distributed up to 1881.
Soon after his return from Eng land, Elder Snow called a general conference in Copenhagen, which was held in the Saints' hall on Christians havn, August 16th, 17th and 18th. At this conference over three hundred Saints in Scandinavia were reported in good standing and over thirty had been excommunicated for cause. A number of local brethren were or dained to the Priesthood. While the conference was in session, Elder John E. Forsgren, who had been sent to the island of Bornholm to assist Priest Andreas Agren there, returned to Copenhagen and reported that thirteen persons had been bap tized. Elder Snow then, with the sanction of the conference, organ ized a branch of the Church on Bornholm, and also organized the Saints iin and near Aalborg into three branches, namely, Aalborg, with Hans F. Petersen as president, Hals, with Nils P. Domgaard as pres ident, and Kjeldgaard, with Niels Petersen -as president. The Saints in Copenhagen were organized into two branches, the second to meet on
Christianshavn, where a hall had been secured for holding meetings. At this conference also, it was de cided to publish a monthly period ical in the Danish language as the organ of the Church in Scandinavia, and also to publish a larger edition of the hymn-book. Elder John E. Forsgren was appointed to open the gospel door on the island of Falster, and to be accompanied by one of the local brethren.
Soon after this conference Elder George P. Dykes, according to his own desire, left Denmark to continue his missionary labors in Germany.
Agreeable to appointment, Elder John E. Forsgren and Priest Johan
JOHAN FREDERIK FERDINAND DORIUS Born June 15, 1832, in Copenhagen, Den mark; died July 18, 1901, in Ephraim, Utah.
F. F. Dorius, proceeded as the first Latter-day Saint missionaries to the island of Falster. They arrived in the little city of Nykjobing, Sept. 4, 1851. A sister by the name of Ludvigsen, the only member of the
32 HISTOR Y O F TH E SCANDINAVIAN MISSIO N
Church on the island, met the breth ren at the landing place. She ha d previously been baptized whil e on a visit to Copenhagen, and she now became a great hel p to the mission
aries durin g their sojourn on Falster. Brothe r Dorius says, in his journal :
"Soon after our arrival on the island, we commenced holding meetings in various places and these were generally well at tended, curiosity causing a great many to come out to see and hear us. Very soon we became the object of general attention by the inhabitants, and some of them be
lived our doctrine, while a great many be came offended and hostile to us, in con sequence of which we soon had a few friends and many enemies. A Lutheran priest by the name of Peter Kock was one of our most energetic opponents; he met to oppose us in nearly every meeting we held and used every means in his power to hinder the progress of the gospel, but not being very successful by these methods, he wrote and published a scurrilous article about the 'Mormons' and 'Mormonism,' which was published in the local paper, 'Lolland og Falsters Stiftstidende.' The article was entitled, 'Vogter Eder for de falske Profeter' (Beware of the false Pro phets), and its publication had consider
able effect upon the people, who to a great degree were stirred up against us, and we came very near being horribly maltreated by a mob, as the following account will show: At Nykjobing, one evening, we were going out to visit some people who desired to have a talk with us about the gospel, but we had hardly arrived at our destination before several persons entered the house and sat down, being closely followed by others; more and more came in, till the thouse was filled to its utmost capacity by people who seemed bent on mischief. Soon, also, the street outside the house was full of people and the whole town seemed to be in a general uproar. Both Brother Forsgren and I made several attempts to talk to the people, but to no purpose on account of the great tumult and shouting both in and outside of the house. The mobbers then commenced to break in the doors and windows, and many of them crowded in upon us, cursing and swearing at us fearfully. We were also subjected to ridicule, but we kept ourselves passive and were silent throughout. Our situation was indeed disagreeable and it looked as if we certainly Would meet with harsh treatment. The Lord, however, came
to our deliverance. We were secretly in formed that by passing through a small chamber and the kitchen we could get away from the house unobserved by our enemies. This we succeeded in doing, and as soon as the crowd found we were gone, they also left, a few at a time, so that by 11 o'clock at night we could leave the town unmolested. We continued our missionary labors on Falster for several weeks and finally returned to Copenhagen to attend the general conference which had been appointed for November."
In the latte r part of August, Elde r Christian J. Larsen and William 0 . Andersen left Copenhagen for the southern part of Jutland , wher e they engaged in successful mission arv labors, and organized a branc h of the Churc h at Greis, nea r Veile. Amon g the first membershi p of that branc h was the family of Larsen, who afterwards figured prominentl y in the Church both in Denmar k and Utah .
About this time Elde r Erastus Snow arrived in Aalbor g on a visit, and on the 31st of tha t month be held a special conference, or genera l meeting, with the Saints at Kjeld
gaard, in the paris h of Gudumlund , about twelve English mile s southeast of Aalborg . Amon g the business at tended to on this occasion was the further organization of the Saints in Hals and Kjeldgaar d into branche s of the Church. Th e Saints in Aal
borg, wh o constituted th e main branc h of the Church in Jutland , were left in charge of Elde r Han s F. Petersen. Missionarie s wer e called to visit Dronninglun d in Vendsyssel, Logstor, Jetzmark and other local ities.
In the meantime some of the ene mies of the Saints learned of the presence of Elde r Erastus Snow in that part of the country an d tha t an important meeting at Kjeldgaar d was in session. A messenger dispatched by a friend in Aalbor g suddenly ap - peared in the meeting in Kjeldgaard
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 33
and informed the Saints that the mob was lying in wait, ready to fall upon them on their way back to Aalborg. The Saints, therefore, scat
tered and those belonging to Aalborg returned on different routes. Thus, instead of the Saints encountering the assault of their enemies, a com
pany of Baptists, whom the mob mis took for Saints, were shamefully mal treated.
Elder Erastus Snow, while visitinn; with Hans Peter Jensen in Norre Sundby, September 3, 1851, had a conversation with a Norwegian sailor, about which Elder Snow journalizes as follows:
"A Norwegian by the name of Svend Larsen, the master of a small merchant
SVEND LARSEN
Born Jan. 26, 1816, at Osterrisor, Norway; died April 3, 1886, in Mount Pleasant, San pete Co., Utah. He was the first convert to "'Mormonism" in Norway, emigrated to Utah in 1853-1854, and filled a mission to Norway in 1865-1867.
vessel, came to visit me. He said he had heard of me and my religion, and had come with a view to learn more about it. I improved the opportunity to explain to him the principles of the gospel and the order of the kingdom of God as it had been revealed from the Lord; he received my testimony with gladness. His vessel being ready to sail for Norway on his return next day, I called and appointed Elder Hans F.
Petersen to go with Mr. Larsen to his home in Norway to open up the gospel door in that country. The two sailed together from Aalborg on the 4th of September, well sup plied with the Book of Mormon and tracts."
The little vessel encountered stormy weather. It seemed as if the "prince of the air" was determined to hinder the servant of God from reaching his destination; twice the little craft had to seek shelter against the storm in the harbor of Frederiks
havn; but, after a prolonged contest
HAN'S FREDERIK PETERSEN
Born February 7, 1821, near Aalborg, Den mark; died Jan. 9, 1882, at Ephraim, Utah.
with the elements, Osterrisor, in Nor way, was finally reached in safety on Thursday, September 11, 1851.
Captain or "Skipper" Larsen, as he was familiarly called afterwards, offered Brother Petersen the hospi tality of his home as long as he re mained in the town. The following day (Sept. 12th) Elder Petersen com menced to visit the people in Oster risor and distribute tracts. On the 13th Captain Larsen went to the dean (Provsten) and asked if he would permit the "Mormon" Elder, who had just arrived in the land, to hold meetings in the school house on the Sunday. The priest became per-
34 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
fectly astonished at such a bold re quest and asked with considerable emotion if the "Mormons" really had now come to Norway.
Owing to the hasty departure from Aalborg, Elder Petersen had not se cured a passport, or a traveling per mit from the authorities of that city and, consequently, he was summoned to appear before the mayor in Oster risor and questioned very closely in regard to his object in visiting Nor way. He explained that he had come to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, but that, if it was contrary to the laws of the land to hold public meet ings, he would confine his labors to private conversation with the peo ple. On Captain Larsen giving good security for him, Elder Petersen es caped arrest and imprisonment and was permitted to stay for a few days, but was instructed to secure a pass port as soon as possible, or leave the country. After this, Elder Petersen resumed his labors without holding public meetings and made acquain tances and friends among different classes of people. Among those vis ited, to whom he bore testimony, were the Danish consul, the "Provst" Wittergren, and other distinguished citizens.
Through the neglect of the au thorities in Aalborg, Elder Petersen did not receive his passport, in con sequence of which he found it neces sary to return to Denmark to obtain it. He therefore sailed with Captain Larsen from Osterrisor September 20, 1851, and arrived in Aalborg on the 23rd. In the evening of that day Captain Larsen was baptized by El
der Ole Christian Nielsen. Thus he became the first fruit of the true gos pel from Norway, with the exception of the few Norwegians who had pre viously been baptized in La Salle County, Illinois.
On Wednesday, October 1, 1851, the first number of "Skandinaviens
Stjerne" (the Scandinavian Star) was published by Erastus Snow in Copenhagen. It was a single sheet of sixteen pages octavo size, and was issued as a monthly periodical the first year. Elder Peter 0 . Hansen had been appointed translator as well as clerk of the mission, while Erastus Snow was the responsible editor. The second year it was de
cided to publish the periodical semi monthly, on the 1st and 15th of every month, and thus it has appeared up to the present time.* The typo graphical work was done by F. E. Bording, who subsequently printed nearly all the publications of the Scandinavian Mission as long as he lived, and the same firm, Mr. Bord ing's heirs and successors, are yet printing literature for the Church in Denmark. The wife of Elder Peter 0 . Hansen recommended Mr. F. E. Bording, after some of the bigger
*Up to the close of Volume 76 (the volume printed in the year 1926), 1794 numbers of "Skandinaviens Stjerne" (each number contain ing 16 pages) has been published, aggregating 28,704 pages of printed matter altogether. Until 1877 when the publication of "Nord stjarnan" was commenced in the Swedish lan guage, the "Skandinaviens Stjerne" was the only organ of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Scandinavian coun tries. Since 1877 "Nordstjarnan" has been th? Church organ in Sweden, or for the Swedish speaking people, and "Skandinaviens Stjerne" the Church organ for the Saints in Denmark and Norway, or those speaking the Danish-Nor wegian language. The subscription price for "Skandinaviens Stjerne" for the first year of its publication was 8 skilling (4 cents a copy, or 24 skilling per quarter, but when the paper became a semi-monthly periodical in 1852, the price was reduced to six skilling (three cents') per copy or one rigsdaler and 3 mark (about 75 cents) per annum. When the money system of Denmark and Norway was changed in 1875, the old denomination of "rigsdaler," "mark" and "skilling" was dropped and the new coins denominated "kroner" and "ore" were substituted for the old coins. The sub scription price for "Skandinaviens Stjerne" was then placed at 12 ore per copy, or 3 kroner per annum. As prices have been advancd in Den mark, as well as in nearly all other countries, on nearly every article, the subscription price for the periodical at the present time is 25 ore per copy, or 6 kroner per annum for sub scribers in Scandinavia. The subscription price in America is $2 per annum.
The circulation of "Skandinaviens Stjerne," in the beginning, was 1000. This gradually increased to 2,700 in 1861. At present the circulation is less than 1000.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 35
and older firms of the city had re fused to do work for the "Mormons." Mr. Bording, who had just estab lished himself as a young printer and
| was seeking patronage, was thankful for the increase in his business, and I his subsequent prosperity as a printer I dates from the time he commenced to work for the Church. He died as a prosperous and well-to-do business
man in Copenhagen, February 3, 1884.
The first number of "Skandina viens Stjerne," bearing date of Oc tober 1, 1851, contained a brief ac
count of the organization of the Church, also a translation of the 5th General Epistle of the First Presi dency, a translation of Orson Pratt's writings on the Articles of Faith and a brief editorial.
On Sunday, October 5th, the first baptism by divine authority took place on the beautiful island of Fyen when William 0 . Andersen baptized Lars Nielsen. This was the begin ning of a great missionary work per
formed by the Elders of the Church
WILLIAM OVE ANDERSEN
Born Dec. 23, 1826, in Copenhagen, Den mark; died Aug. 24, 1907, in Kamas, Summit Co., Utah.
on that island. Among the early missionaries who labored success fully there were Jens Hansen of Spanish Fork, Utah, and Niels Han sen, who was Bishop of Etna, Can ada. A number of branches were soon raised up on Fyen and the neighboring island of Langeland, and from 1856 to 1864 there was a conference on Fyen with headquar ters at Odense, the principal city on Fyen. The Odense Branch is still in a healthy and prosperous condition.
CHAPTER 8 (1851)
First Latter-day Saint missionaries in Nor way—First baptisms in Norway—Persecution in Osterrisor—Opposition on the part of civil authorities in Norway—Elder Hans F. Peter sen's voyage along the Norwegian coast.
Elder Hans F. Petersen, accom panied by Elder Johan August Ahmanson, arrived in Osterrisor on his second missionary trip to Nor way, October 7, 1851. As Captain Larsen's wife refused the brethren the hospitality of her home, Brothers Petersen and Ahmanson ascended a neighboring cliff and prayed earn estly to the Lord to open up the way so that they might find a home and an opportunity to preach the gospel in Norway. In the evening they met a blacksmith by the name of John Olsen, with whom Elder Petersen had become acquainted on his first visit to Norway. This man at once in vited the brethren to go with him to his house, were they found a good home. A few days later Elder Peter sen had the opportunity to preach and bear testimony to a large crowd of people who unexpectedly gathered in Mr. Olsen's house. They listened with great attention to what they heard. After that the two mission aries commenced to give Bible read ings and to spread books and tracts among the people and converse about the gospel to many who came in
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
both from the city and the country to see them.
On October 17, 1851, Elder Peter sen traveled to Rod in Sondelev par ish, where quite a number of labor ers were engaged in an iron working
establishment and he sold them a number of pamphlets treating upon the principles of the gospel. Not having brought his passport with him, he could not be permitted to stop over night at the tavern, but he succeeded in obtaining shelter for the night with a poor family living in the vicinity. The head of police at Osterrisor had kept his passport undoubtedly for the purpose of pre venting him from going out into the country.
The following day Elder Petersen sailed with the master or foreman of the mechanical establishment back to the town, where he soon dis
covered that John Olsen's wife no longer would extend to him or Brother Ahmanson her hospitality. However, they found another home in the house of Svend Larsen, whose wife now became kindly disposed towards the missionaries. Toward the close of the month, October, 1851, Brother Ahmanson, who had grown tired of missionary life in Norway, returned to Denmark, and Elder Petersen was left to continue his labors there alone. On Sunday, November 2nd, he held the first pub lic meeting at Rod, and the day fol lowing he visited the iron works at Ekland, distant about sixteen Eng lish miles from Osterrisor. Here he was cast out by the foreman and was compelled to leave the place in a rain-storm. In his attempt to cross the cliffs to Sondelev he lost his way, but fortunately happened upon a little hamlet called Skaavog, where He after some difficulty obtained lodgings for the night. In the even ing he took advantage of the oppor
tunity afforded him and bore testi-l mony to the people of the house. Hej also sold them some pamphlets, but] in the morning the master of the
Gaard (farm) politely requested him not to speak to the women about "Mormonism" for fear that he might | convert them to his creed. At Sonde lev, Elder Petersen had a chance to | talk to a number of people who gathered one evening. After his re turn to Osterrisor, he held several public meetings.
On Wednesday, November 26, Elder Hans F. Petersen baptized two men, viz., Peter Adamsen and John Olsen, at Osterrisor, Norway. These were the first baptisms in Norway by divine authority. On the night of the day after the baptism (Nov. 27th) persecution commenced in real earnest. Though the baptisms were administered as privately as possible, the news thereof spread, and a mob soon gathered under the leadership of a young man by the name of Knud Olsen, a brother of John Olsen, who had been baptized. This ma i was excited because, as he claimed, Elder Petersen had led his brother astray. The mobbers had strength ened their nerves by partaking freely of intoxicants and they soon attacked the house of Svend Larsen, where Elder Petersen stopped. Aftet knocking for some time for admit tance, while uttering vile oaths and threats, they at length broke the door, but before they entered. Brother Petersen had hid himself so successfully in an upper room that they had to leave the house without finding him. Hoping to secure him later, they kept guard around the house until 1 o'clock at night. Simi lar scenes were continued for several evenings in succession, but the mob bers failed in getting Elder Petersen in their power.
On the 29th of November, 1851,
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Brother Petersen wrote a letter to the civil authorities of the town (Oster risor) asking for protection accord ing to the laws of the land. On the same day he was summoned to ap pear before the mayor to explain why he had performed the ordinance of baptism without being acknowledged by the civil authorities as a clergy man; he was now forbidden in the strongest terms to baptize or hold meetings as long as his case was pending before the court. The moS had determined to transport him out of town that day, but by the inter ference of the police this was pre vented, as the people were forbidden to gather in a greater number than two or three persons at the same place.
On the 1st of December, Elder Petersen was requested by "Byfoged" Finne to send his credentials as a Church officer with all possible haste to the "Amtmand" (county judge) at Arendal. To the officer who brought him this order he promptly delivered his Elder's certificate and two letters of recommendation, all of which were sent to the "Amt mand."
The evening disturbances con tinued until the 4th of December, when a popular wedding, which was celebrated in the town, absorbed the attention of the people.
"Sunday evening, December 7, 1851," writes Elder Petersen, "we four brethren, Svend Larsen, Peter Adamsen, John Olsen and myself, assembled in an upper room at the house of Brother Larsen. On this occasion I confirmed Peter Adamsen and John Olsen members of the Church by the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost. After this the four of us par took of the Sacrament, it being the first time the Lord's Supper was administered by divine authority in Norway. I felt truly thankful for this blessed day and praised the name of the Lord for hearing my prayefs."
Thus was the ice broken in "Old
Norway" and the first converts made in that land, which, as one of the three Scandinavian countries, has since figured so prominently in the history of the Latter-day Saint mis
sionary operations; but the events which followed immediately after these first baptisms were calculated to put the first Elders and the first converts in that land on their true mettle. Through mobbings, persecu tions, imprisonments and hardships the road led to the successful estab
lishment of the Church of Christ in Norway.
On the occasion of the little con firmation meeting, Elder Petersen composed hymn 148 of the Danish hymn book, "Hor os, Immanuel, vi dig anraabe" (Hear us Immanuel, we call upon thee). Previously, during his sojourn at Osterrisor, he had written No. 27, " 0 hiker I Slaeg ter paa Jorden et Ord" (Listen, oh nations of earth), and No. 78, "Zion naar paa dig jeg taenker" (Zion, when of you I think).
On the 8th of December, Elder Petersen was called up before the mayor and, according to a communi cation which had been received from the "Amtmand," he was ordered to comply strictly with chapter 21, par agraphs 17 and 18, of the criminal code of Norway, where it is speci fied that none but such as the law recognizes as clergymen are permit ted to baptize or perform any church ordinance. Elder Petersen was threatened with imprisonment, if he failed to comply with the law.
About three weeks later, he re ceived a communication from the mayor of Osterrisor of which the fol lowing is a translation:
"According tc order of the Nedenaes and Robygdelagets Amt of the 17th inst., I hereby return the documents which were delivered to me on the 1st inst., namely, "Kaldsbrev" (Elder's certificate) and letters of recommendation dated Sept. 4th
38 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
and Oct. 1st, 1851, and also No. 2 of the periodical "Skandinaviens Stjerne," and I hereby also inform you that you are not acklowledged as a priest or president of any denomination of dissenters in this na tion, and consequently you are not author ized to perform any act in such a capacity; and the amt reserves the right to determine hereafter whether you will be prosecuted for having performed the act of baptism. * * Osterrisor, Dec. 27, 1851. Finne. To Mormon Master-Tailor Petersen."
Owing to opposition on the part of the civil authorities of Osterrisor, Elder Petersen had previously de cided to leave that town and select another field of labor; but before he could carry out his resolution in this regard, he was subjected to an other attack by a mob. About 9 o'clock in the evening of Dec. 11, 1851, the house of Captain Svend Larsen, where Elder Petersen still resided, was surrounded by a motley and noisy crowd, which soon burst the door open and filed into the house, demanding with terrible oaths that the "Mormon" priest be given into their hands. They lighted a candle and ransacked the house for him, closely examining every nook and corner in the building except the narrow chimney into which Elder Petersen had crawled and where he kept himself secreted until the danger was past. During the night the door was burst open twice, but the mob bers could not find their man. Later, the mob was dispersed by the police, when Elder Petersen ventured out from his rather uncomfortable hid
ing place in a plight which necessi tated the use of a liberal supply of soap and water. On the following day, the mobbers were summoned to appear before the court; but they were never punished.
On Sunday, Dec. 14, 1851, a man by the name of Svend Peter Larsen, a resident of Frederikstad, came to Osterrisor to have an interview with Elder Petersen. Mr. Larsen was a
religious man and soon became in terested in the doctrines taught by the missionary who had prayed earn estly for several days that the Lord would enable him to get away from Osterrisor and find a place where he could do more good. Mr. Larsen was bound for Bergen and Elder Petersen, who looked upon him as a God-sent messenger, decided to go with him at once. Consequently, after taking affectionate leave of the few Saints at Osterrisor, he sailed from that place in the sloop "Den gode Hensigt," commanded by his new friend, Svend Peter Larsen. This was on December 16, 1851. The next day they arrived at the little city of Arendal, where the master of the vessel laid by a couple of days, which gave Elder Petersen an oppor
tunity to converse with a number of religiously inclined people in the town; among them was a merchant by the name of Scheveland, to whom he bore a faithful testimony and gave him several pamphlets. The voyage was continued from. Arendal December 20th. During the night between the 22nd and 23rd the vessel came near running on a blind rock and the voyagers were only saved from destruction through the efforts of Brother Petersen who was at the helm and who, by calling into re quisition all his physical strength, succeeded in turning the little cratt around.
The sloop landed its passengers in Mandal, January 4, 1852.
CHAPTER 9 (1851)
Persecutions on Bornholm—Second confer ence 'held in Scandinavia—The Scandinavian Mission divided into three conferences—Several new branches of the Church raised up in Denmark—Persecutions on Falster—Mobbings at Brondbyoster. on Sjaelland—Introduction of the gospel in Sailing—Elder Erastus Snow's report.
Elders Hans Peter Jensen and Hans Larsen, accompanied by Jens
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 39
Jorgensen, a Teacher, landed upon the island of Bornholm, October 10, 1851. Andreas Agren who labored there had been ordained an Elder while on a visit to Copenhagen. The brethren felt strong enough in faith and power to enter the principal city of the island, Ronne, and for that purpose rented a hall in which to preach to the people. They soon found out, however, that the power of opposition and evil was not asleep. At first, opposition came only in the shape of false statements and illogi cal argumentation, but these had the effect of raising the ire in the more thoughtless and unruly class of peo ple, which resulted in a great uproar and the mobbing of the missionaries. While Elder Hans. P. Jensen and his companion, Hans Larsen, wer e
HANS PETER JENSEN
Born March 3, 1815, near Holbaek, Sjalland, Denmark; died in Brigham City, Utah, May 29, 1883.
preaching to a large congregation in their rented hall in Ronne, October 24, 1851, the storm of persecution broke loose in earnest. A man by the name of Beck gave the signal and ignited the evil fire in the mobbers
who had come to the meeting, and the brethren were at once dragged out of the house into the street, sur rounded by the mobbers and in sulted. By the interference of a Mr. Wulf and a Mr. Hermansen, who took the brethren out of the hands of the mob, they escaped further bodily injuries and reached their lodging place in safety. Soon after these experiences, however, Elder Jensen had the pleasure of baptizing eleven persons on the island of Born holm; eighteen had previously been baptized there.
Elder Christian J. Larsen and Priest William 0 . Andersen who had continued their missionary labors in the southern part of Jutland and on the island of Fyen, held a meeting in the house of Lars Jensen in the village of Strib on Fyen, November 9, 1851. At the close of the meeting, Mr. Lars Jensen and one of his daughters and another woman were baptized by Elder Larsen, who also confirmed them. At another meeting held in the evening at the same place, the Saints residing in Fredericia and vicinity and the three members just baptized on Fyen, and one previously baptized on that island, were organ ized into a branch of the Church called the Fredericia Branch, with Knud Hansen Bruun as president, Lars Jensen was ordained a Priest and Ebbe Jessen a Teacher and ap pointed to assist Priest Bruun in managing the affairs of the branch. The few Saints also partook of the Sacrament and had a most joyful time together. Several strangers, who attended this meeting, shortly afterwards joined the Church, among whom was the late Lars S. Andersen who was Bishop of Ephraim, Utah.
The second general conference of the Scandinavian Mission convened in Copenhagen, on Saturday, No vember 15, 1851, presided over by
40 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Apostle Erastus Snow, who gave the Saints interesting news about Elder John Taylor's labors in Hamburg, Germany, and Parley P. Pratt's mis
sion to South America; he also stated that the Elders had recently been called to open up a mission in Aus tralia, the East Indies, Switzerland, Italy and France.
The Saints living in the southern part of Jutland and on the island of Fyen were organized into a con ference called the Fredericia Confer ence, with Elder Christian J. Larsen
CHRISTIAN J. LARSEN
Born March 31, 1831, at Greis, Veile amt, Denmark; died Sept. 15, 1915, in Logan, Utah.
as president. Priest Peter Beck strom reported his late mission to SSveden and was appointed to labor in the country districts near Copen hagen. The conference was con tinued the following day (Nov. 16th) when the general authorities of the Church were presented, and Erastus Snow was sustained as president of the Church in Denmark with Elder John E. Forsgren and Peter 0 . Han sen as his assistants.
The Saints who lived in the north
ern part of Jutland were organized into a conference called the Aalborg Conference, with Elder Christian Christiansen as president. The newly made converts to the Church on the islands of Sjselland, Falster and Bornholm, etc., were organized into a conference called the Copenhagen Conference. A number of the local brethren were ordained to the Priest
hood and several called to take spe cial missions to different parts of the country. At this time there were twelve organized branches of the Church in Denmark, viz., Copen hagen, organized September 15, 1850; Aalborg, organized November 27, 1850; Hirschholm, organized March 10, 1851; Christianshavn, or ganized August 18, 1851; Bornholm, organized August 18, 1851; Hals, or ganized August 31, 1851; Kjeldgaard (Jutland), organized August 31, 1851; Sonder Oredrev (Sjaslland), organized September 14, 1851; Frankerup, (Sjaelland), organized September 14, 1851; Greis (Jutland), organized October 5, 1851; Freder icia organized November 9, 1851, and a temporary branch in Norre Sundby (Jutland). Since the open ing of the mission 532 persons had been baptized in the mission, but of that number 60 had been excom municated. This interesting con ference was held in the Saints' hall in Christianshavn because Mr. Nehm had refused to rent his hall in "Lille Kongensgade" to the Saints any longer. Consequently, the Saints of both branches (Copenhagen proper and Christianshavn) had to hold their meetings conjointly in the Christianshavn hall.
After the November conference, Brothers Johan F. F. Dorius and Knud H. Bruun, returned to the island of Falster, arriving there November 28,
1851. Several believed their testi mony and on the 3rd of December.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 41
1851, Brother Dorius baptized'Hans Tonnesen, the first person, as far as known, baptized on the island of Falster. Elder John E. Forsgren and Johan Swenson (a Swede by birth) joined Brothers Dorius and Bruun at a village called Virkede. Brother Swenson had also been appointed at the late conference held in Copen
hagen to labor on the island of Fal ster. They now divided up in twos, Brother Forsgren taking Brother Bruun with him, leaving Brothers Dorius and Swenson to work to gether ; they visited many villages on Falster, while Elders Forsgren and Bruun extended their labors to the neighboring island of Lolland. The two last named brethren returned from their first visit to that island after remaining one week, during which they had had many good op portunities to preach the gospel in private. The four missionaries spent Sunday, December 21, 1851, to gether in a meeting on Falster and partook of the Sacrament as a fit conclusion. Brother Knud H. Bruun was ordained an Elder on that occa sion by John E. Forsgren.
On Sunday, November 23rd, the hostile element broke out in open violence in Bornholm. Brother Jens Jorgensen, who at that time labored as a missionory on the island, had arranged to hold a meeting in the home of Brother Jens Peter Didrik sen in the village of Aaker, when the house was filled with people, but as soon as Brother Jorgensen com
menced to speak, he was interrupted by several of the rabble present and subjected to mockery and threats; soon they also laid violent hold on him and dragged him outside of the house by the hair, tearing his clothes to pieces and otherwise ill-treating him. Elder Ole Christian Nielsen, who had been appointed to preside over the Saints on Bornholm, in con
nection with Brother Jens Jorgensen, arrived on the island November 24, 1851.
On Thursday, November 27, 1851, while the two missionaries (Ole Christian Nielsen and Jens Jorgen sen) were peaceably passing along the road leading toward Aaker, they were stopped by ruffians who said that they were sent out to arrest them. These men, who were armed with heavy clubs, asserted that the prin
cipal men of the parish wanted to have a talk with the "Mormons," but when they arrived at the ap pointed place, they were only insult ed and threatened with whipping and beating and ordered to leave the neighborhood forthwith; they were even told their lives would not be safe, if they ever again appeared in Aaker parish. Between forty and fifty men were present on this oc casion and the parish justice of the peace only promised them temporary protection. The brethren pleaded that they, as peaceable citizens, had the right to travel on the public high ways of the country wherever they pleased, but he would not, for one moment, listen to their plea; in an angry tone he ordered them to leave the place, and so the brethren were obliged to follow his men as prison ers. While walking on the road, Elder Nielsen was struck on the cheek by one of the mobbers and wounded so that the blood flowed freely. Having reached the parish line, the brethren were permitted to go free, but the mobbers, who seemed to regret this, pursued them anew, but did not overtake them. Follow ing the admonition of the Savior, "When they persecute you in one city, flee to another," the mission aries continued their labors with un ceasing energy in other parts of the island.
While Elders Ole Christian Niel-
42 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
sen and Jens Jorgensen were stopping over night Dec. 2, 1851, at the house of Jens Nielsen (the first Latter-day Saint convert on Bornholm), in the small fishing village of Arnager, the people of the neighboring farming district, having heard of the presence of the "Mormon" Elders, made an attempt to enter the village for the purpose of whipping the "Mormons." But as soon as the villagers became aware of this, they hastily armed themselves with clubs, axes, iron rods, an old shotgun, etc., and drove the mobbers away, "for," said they, "the Mormons teach us correct doc trines, and therefore we will defend them." Most of the men who de fended the missionaries on that oc casion soon afterwards embraced the gospel and emigrated to Utah. Among them were the late Didrik Jacobsen Funk (Lund) of Plain City, Utah, Mons P. Ipsen, Jens Kofod. Peter Poulsen, George K. Riis, Hans Thorsen and others. Arnager was for several years one of the main rest ing places for the missionaries who labored on the island of Bornholm.
In December, 1851, a number of Saints were mobbed in the village ' of Brondbyoster (East Brondby) a
suburb of Copenhagen, where a fam ily of Saints named Knudsen resided. The man was a tailor in whose home meetings had previously been held on several occasions, and as a rule no disturbances had taken place, except once or twice when some young peo ple had been a little noisy, but one evening in December, 1851, while two brethren (Fred C. Sorensen and a Brother Moller) were preaching repentance to the people, the lights were suddenly extinguished and both the brethren named were roughly handled by a mob which had gath ered. In the fracas Brother Moller's coat was torn to pieces. On Sunday, December 14th, four of the brethren
held A meeting and many of the Saints had come out from Copen hagen to attend the services. As soon as the meeting was dismissed, and the visitors began to disperse and start on their return trip, they were greeted with a shower of stones, potatoes and other missiles from a crowd which lay in ambush waiting for them. After proceeding a little farther on their way, someone gave a signal to announce that the Saints were coming, and when these were within the firingj-line they received another salvo of stones and potatoes: still farther on men and women who had posted themselves along the hedges, and in trenches, came out to take an active part in the unequal battle between Saints and sinners. Some of the assailants were armed with heavy sticks and clubs, and stones and dirt flew thick and fast around the Saints. Some of the women of the assaulting party car ried the missiles in their aprons and skirts with which to supply their male companions while they in a blasphemous manner cried out: "Now call on your God to defend you!" Several of the brethren were knocked down, rolled on the muddy road and beaten with sticks and fists; their coats were torn to pieces in several instances and even one of the sisters was abused and handled very roughly. For more than half a mile the mob pursued the Saints in this way, and when they at lastcame to a farmhouse by the roadside, they sought shelter within, but as they were not safe there either, they fled across the fields in the darkness, istill pursued by their "Christian friends" till they reached another large farmhouse where they once more sought shelter. Here, however, the occupants refused them protec tion, but a friendly disposed girl kindly showed them a way out
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 43
through the garden into the fields, and by this means they finally es caped from their pursuers.
One of the sufferers on this oc casion says: "For three quarters of an hour we were seemingly in the ab solute power of the devil, but while
God permitted him to have power over our flesh, our spirits rejoiced, for we knew we suffered for the cause of truth. We cannot describe the sufferings we passed through, but for a short time it certainly looked as if none of us would es
cape with our lives."
A complaint was at once entered before the district judge (Birkedom meren), but that official, after read ing it, made use of abusive language
towards the sufferers, and in an angry tone said that he would give them as little protection as possible. He also told them that his sheriff had spoken to him several times about the meetings and the distur
bances in the village. It seemed that both he and the sheriff were acquainted with the conspiracy against the Saints before the actual mobbing took place. At all events, no steps were taken by the authorities to bring the perpetrators of these un
lawful acts to justice. The Saints who suffered on that occasion were twelve in number and some of them presented the complaint personally to the judge.

In December, 1851, Elder Chris tian Christiansen moved his family from Aalborg to the little city of Skive (in Sailing) where he com menced active missionary operations. Great excitement among all the peo ple followed and large numbers of them gathered to learn something of the new religion. Among the visitors was the parish priest, Mr. Moller, who came to Brother Chris tiansen's house and threatened him
with the consequences of preaching "Mormonism" in the city of Skive, assuring him at the same time of his hostile intent. Brother Christiansen told the priest that he might use his influence all he wanted to against the work of God, but he should not succeed, for the Lord would stop his opposition. This proved to be a prophetic utterance. The priest left in a rage, but died a few days later.
The following extracts from a letter written by Elder Erastus Snow in Copenhagen, December 15, 1851, will give the readers a general idea of the condition existing in Denmark about a year and a half after the first Elders arrived in Scandinavia:
"We have been endeavoring to extend our operations into all the principal islands and provinces of this little State (Den mark), as also to Norway, and in most places where we have tried we have gained a footing, although the difficulties we have to encounter cannot be realized by those who have only labored in England. * * In many places here, to embrace the gos pel is almost equal to the sacrifice of one's life; and to travel and preach it, a man carries his life in his hands. The Danish Constitution guarantees the right, but it is not sustained by collateral laws, nor backed up by the moral force of the country; and when you except Copenhagen and the principal merchant towns, it is scarcely known that such a right exists. It is in the interest of the priests to keep the people ignorant of the fact, and their in fluence in the country towns and settle ments is almost boundless. The masses are not a reading people. We have to preach the constitution to prepare the way for the Bible, and the Bible to prepare the way for the Book of Mormon. * * The more I become acquainted with the Danish people the better I know them; they are the true descendants and living represen tatives of the ancient Goths and Vandals. They are jealous and excitable, deadly enemies, but warm friends. * * We have recource to the law, sometimes, when we can find an officer bold enough and honest enough to undertake to do his duty. * * Elder - Forsgren and his fellow laborer ran the gauntlet for some weeks upon the island of Falster and made some narrow escapes, but they weathered the
44 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
storm, made many friends, and now have a good prospect before them. Upon the island of Bornholm there seems to have been a regular and concerted war waged against the truth. It began in the chief town and spread through the island. It is some months since the seed was first sown on the island and five different brethren have labored more or less among the people, until, after baptizing between thirty and forty, they have been entirely driven from the island. The last two ar rived here on the 5th inst. The mission aries, after having been watched and way laid, were hunted and driven from place to place, and sustained considerable per sonal injury. Their friends attempted to
rally to defend them, but their enemies, armed with various weapons and in large bodies, began the destruction of property, and the work of vengeance upon their friends with such threats that to save the effusion of blood their friends sent them away. * * The way the Danish priests and editors avail themselves of the old lies of Bennett, Caswell, Turner and others, might well put to shame even Bowes him self, and besides these trans-Atlantic wares, there seems to be an abundance of supply of domestic manufacture. Instead of at
tempting with my limited means and lan guage to check this tornado of trash that has swept through the land, I have con tented myself with publishing the plain, simple story and faith of the Saints. * * The young Saints of this country have al ready been tried with apostasy as well as with persecution. About sixty were re ported at our last conference as having been expelled in this country. Some of these have manifested the old, wicked apostate spirit. * *
"We had an excellent conference on the 15th, 16th and 17th ultimo. Most of the Priesthood and a large congregation of Saints assembled; great union and love prevailed. The Holy Spirit was poured out bountifully, numbers were ordained and much needful instruction given to young sprigs of the Priesthood. Several of these have a good common education and knowledge of the Scriptures. A few only read the English."
At the end of 1851, the Scandina vian Mission consisted of 12 organ ized branches grouped into three con ferences, viz., Copenhagen Confer ence, with six branches (Copenhagen,
Christianshavn, Hirschholm, Sonder Oredrev, Frankerup and Bornholm;
Fredericia Conference, with two branches (Greis and Fredericia), and Aalborg Conference, with four branche s (Aalborg, Kjeldgaard, Hals, and Norre Sundby). The total membership in the whole mission was about five hundred, including twelve local Elders and quite a num ber of Priests, Teachers and Deacons.
CHAPTER 10 (1852)
Elder Hans F. Petersen extends his voyage to Bergen, Norway—Elder Knnd H. Bruun mobbed on Falster—First Scandinavian Saints emigrate to Utah—Another general conference —Farewell feast in honor of Elder Erastus Snow—His departure for America.
On Sunday, January 4, 1852, and the following day, the first confer ence was held in Aalborg, Denmark. Elder Christian Christiansen, who had arrived from Sailing, presided. He and Hans Peter Jensen took an active part in the proceedings and preached the gospel with power. The reports given by the local mission
aries showed that the prospects for the spread of the gospel were good in the city of Randers, the province of Vendsyssel and other places. The Saints in Vendsyssel were orgainized into a branch of the Church with Hans Peter Jensen as president. Niels Christian Schou was ordained an Elder and appointed to preside over the Aalborg Branch. Missionaries were called to labor in Randers, Sailing, Hjorring, etc., and several ordinations to the Priesthood took place.
A few days later, Pres. Chr. Chris tiansen wrote that thirty persons had been added to the Church by bap tism in and near Aalborg. He found it necessary to remain in Aalborg for the purpose of making needed arrangements in the newly-organized branches, as there was much oppo sition to the truth, especially on the part of the Baptists. He had just received a letter from his wife in
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 45
Skive, telling him how a mob had broken the windows of the house, and compelled her to leave the premises with her child. His father had been threatened with injury if the priest or his colleagues should see a "Mor
mon" enter his house.
— Elder Hans F. Petersen, who ar rived in'Mandal, Norway, Jan. 4, 1852, en route from Osterrisor, to
Bergen, spent a week in Mandal while the vessel in which he traveled lay at anchor there. He utilized the time by making himself acquainted with the people, and preaching the gospel to them. On one occasion, when he was invited to dinner in the house of a master carpenter by the name of Larsen, the room was suddenly filled with people to whom he, by invita tion, commenced to preach the gos
pel. A "provst" (head priest) Vogt, a member of the "Storthing," who was reputed one of the best speakers in Norway, entered the house while Elder Petersen was speaking, and soon endeavored to create a disturb
ance by telling the crowd that a part of what had been said was un true. When Elder Petersen requested him to point out the falsehood, the priest invited him to meet him the next day at his office; but as he had made his accusation publicly, Broth er Petersen desired that he should produce his proofs in public. Mr. V e t refused to do this, under the pretense that he could not remembe all that had been said, as the sermon was so long. He still sought to cause disturbance until that part of the congregation which was in sympathy with him pressed forward as if tc take Elder Petersen by force. The owner of the house then declared that, as the stranger was his guest, he would not permit any harm to be fall him as long as he was under his roof. The priest withdrew, together with his friends, after which Elder Petersen conversed a long time with
those who remained. He made a number of friends, of whom several embraced "Mormonism."
Continuing the journey, Elder Petersen in due time arrived at Ber gen, on the west coast of Norway, where he spent the remainder of the winter. He lived with a brewer by the name of Magnus, who, together with his family, treated Elder Peter sen with kindness and hospitality, notwithstanding their poverty. The civil authorities in Bergen would not allow Elder Petersen to hold public meetings, unless he hired a large hall for the purpose, and this he could not do, through lack of means, but he spent a couple of months visit ing from house to house and bearing testimony of the gospel wherever the people would receive him. He was compelled to live very economically, and on different occasions he suf fered for want of the necessaries of life.
In the meantime his friend Larsen returned to Bergen from his fishing expedition in the North and was on his way to Copenhagen, Denmark. Elder Petersen made ready to ac
company him. They sailed from Bergen in the latter part of March and arrived in Copenhagen about the 1st of April, 1852. Soon after their arrival in Denmark's capital, Cap
tain Svend Peter Larsen, who, through his association with Elder Hans F. Petersen on the voyaae had been converted, was baptized by El
der Andreas Agren and confirmed by Elder John E. Forsgren. This took place April 2, 1852. Four days later (on April 6, 1852) Captain Larsen's wife, Bethine Randine Larsen, who had accompanied her husband on his voyage, was baptized in Copenhagen. Thus Svend P. Larsen and his wife, on their return to Norway, became the first Latter-day Saints in Fred rikstad.
46 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Knud H. Bruun, Jens Jorgensen, Ole C. Nielsen and Johan Swenson, missionaries laboring on the island of Falster, Denmark, who previously had been subject to much persecu
tion and many hardships, held a meeting in the house of a respectable farmer in the village of Falkerslev, on Falster, January 20, 1852, and while Brother Nielsen was reading from the Gospel of St. John the meet
ing was interrupted by a mob, among whom was a Lutheran priest. The lights were blown out and the breth ren assaulted in a most brutal man ner. Elder Bruun, particularly, was beaten with clubs, knocked down, tramped upon and dragged through several rooms out into the yard; his coat was torn from his back and he lost considerable blood. Some of the mobbers proposed that he should be thrown into a well, but as the village school-teacher intervened, the mobbers became divided and began to quarrel among themselves, and Brother Bruun escaped. For some time afterwards he suffered excru
ciating pains from his wounds, but through the faith and prayers of the Saints he was healed, and con tinued his missionary labors.
Up to the beginning of 1852, the subject of emigration had scarcely been mentioned by the American mis sionaries, hut by degrees it dawned upon the minds of the Saints through the light of the spirit which had been conferred upon them after baptism, that this was a gathering dispensa
tion, and the Elders had, therefore, no difficulty in introducing that doc trine. The Scandinavian Saints were as eager to cast their lots with the Saints in America as were the con verts in England and other parts of the world. As a large company of Saints prepared to emigrate from the British Isles in the month of Feh ruary, 1852, Apostle Franklin D. Richards, who presided over the
British Mission, wrote to President Erastus Snow, that if any of the Saints in the Scandinavian Mission desired to go to Zion, they might have the privilege of joining that company. When Elder Snow made this known a few days previous to the time appointed for the emigrants to leave England, he found nine per
sons ready to respond at once. Hur riedly they arranged their affairs and commenced their long journey Jan. 31, 1852.
The names of these first nine who proved to be the forerunners of tens of thousands of Saints who have subsequently wended their way from Denmark, Sweden and Norway to the Valleys of the Mountains, were Ras
mus Petersen, wife and adopted child; Conrad Emil Edward Schvan eveldt, wife and two children, and two unmarried men, Wilhelm Knud sen and Nils Olson. They traveled by stage from Copenhagen to Kor sor, whence they crossed "Storebelt" and "Lillebelt". on ferries; they then traveled through Schleswig by stage to Rendsborg in Holstein, where they arrived in the evening of February 2nd. The following day they con tinued the journey by rail to Altona, where Elder George P. Dykes was on hand to receive them. After treating them to dinner, he took them on hoard the steamship, "John Bull," which on the morning of the 4th sailed for London, England, where it arrived on the 5th, in the evening. After much inquiry in London, the little company of foreigners at length succeeded in finding Elder J'acob Gates, who presided over the London Conference, and to whom they had a letter of introduction from Apostle Erastus Snow. Elder Gates rendered them necessary aid and assisted them to continue the journey by rail to Liverpool on the 7th. Arriving there, they were informed that they were too late to sail on the "Ellen Maria,"
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 47
as had been their intention, for that ship had just cleared port the same day. Consequently the little com pany had to wait in Liverpool over a month to find an opportunity to sail on another vessel. Brother Ras mus Petersen was detained one day in London to get the luggage passed through the customhouse. In the meantime Elder Show arrived in Liverpool with nineteen more Scandi navian emigrants, and with these the first nine embarked in the ship "Italy" on the 11th of March, 1852, and commenced the voyage across the Atlantic.
On account of the approaching de parture of Apostle Erastus Snow, a conference of the Scandinavian Mis sion was held in Copenhagen, com mencing on Friday, February 20th, and ending on Sunday, February 22, 1852.
During this conference much im portant business was transacted for the benefit of the Saints and for the further advancement of the work of God in the Scandinavian countries. Elder John E. Forsgren was ap
pointed to preside over the Scandi navian Mission after the departure of President Snow, and Elders Peter 0 . Hansen and Hans Peter Jensen were appointed to act as his coun selors. The subject of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund recently established in Zion and also in the British Mis sion, was explained to the Saints, and it was proposed to establish branches of said fund in the various confer ences and districts of the Scandina vian countries. This proposition was received with characteristic alacrity by the assembled Saints and a foun dation was laid at once by donations to the amount of 450 Danish dollars ($225 American). It was decided to petition the King of Denmark for redress for the persecutions and wrongs that the Saints had been suf
fering from mobs in various places in Denmark, and to which the of ficers of the law had paid no atten tion, although petitions and com plaints had been brought before
them, substantiated by witnesses. A committee was, therefore, appointed to draft and present such a document to his Majesty in person.
Several brethren were called dur ing this important conference to go on missions into new fields. Elders Anders W. Winberg, Nils Capson and Ola Nilson were appointed to labor in the southern part of Sweden. Elder Hans Peter Jensen was or dained a High Priest and called on a mission to Norway, where a few had already been baptized. Johan F. F. Dorius was ordained an Elder and appointed to labor as a mission ary in the Aalborg Conference.
During the conference, Apostle Snow gave much valuable instruction to the Saints in general and to the Priesthood in particular. He urged the people to lay their grievances before the King and the Diet, when in session, that these might be held accountable before God if they neg
lected their duty in behalf of the Saints. The reports read to this con ference showed that more than seven hundred persons had been baptized since the gospel was introduced into the Scandinavian bountries. This splendid conference was held in a large hall in "Hotel du Nord," in Copenhagen.
On Tuesday, February 24, 1852, the Saints arranged a farewell social in honor of the much-beloved Apos tle, Erastus Snow. A beautiful and spacious hall in "Hotel du Nord" had been rented for this purpose and had been decorated by appropriate mottoes, among which was one "Her
rens Love" (Lion of the Lord) which was very pleasing to Brother Snow. Many were the tokens and expres-
48 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
sions of pure, affectionate love be stowed upon him on that occasion: not in jewelry or gifts of moneyed value, but from genuine apprecia tion of his mission and the eternal blessings he had bestowed by bring ing to them the gospel in its purity and authority. A sumptuous ban quet, which had been prepared, was partaken of by perhaps three hun dred guests and many of the poor Saints said that that day was the happiest of their lives. With all who attended it was a day always kept in pleasant remembrance. That this love for Apostle Snow did not die with his departure was exhibited on a later occasion of a similar kind when Elder John E. Forsgren was about to leave with a large company of Saints for Zion and a feast was arranged by friends. On that oc casion, one of the young Saints com posed a song, which was sung with much feeling and spirit to a well known national tune, and in which was sent affectionate greeting to the beloved Apostle in Zion from the Saints in Scandinavia.
Having finished his work in Scan dinavia, Apostle Erastus Snow sailed from Copenhagen March 4, 1852, on his return to America, accompanied by nineteen emigrating Saints whose names are as follows: Ole Ulrick Christian Monster (one of the first fifteen persons baptized in Den mark), wife and' child; Christian Hildur Raven, wife and three chil dren; Niels Jensen, wife and one child; Frederik Petersen, Ferdinand F. Hansen, Hans Hansen, Carl Jor gensen, Bertha S. Hansen, Augusta Dorius, Cecelia Jorgensen and Jo hanne Andersen. The company took steamer from Copenhagen to Kiel, in Holstein ; thence traveled by rail to Altona, took steamer from Ham burg to Hull, in England, and. thence went by rail to Liverpool, where they
arrived March 8th, and found the previously named nine persons wait ing for them. Apostle Erastus Snow, who had some important business to attend to in England before he could
AUGUSTA DORIUS STEVENS
One of the first 28 Latter-day Saints who emigrated from Scandinavia, was born Oct. 29, 1837, in Copenhagen, Denmark; died in Salt Lake City, Utah, July 28, 1926.
return home, placed Ole U. C. Mon ster in charge of the little company of Danish Saints, now numbering twenty-eight souls, and saw them safely on board the ship "Italy," on which they sailed from Liverpool, March 11, 1852. After a safe pas sage, they arrived at New Orleans, May 10th. Proceeding up the Mis sissippi and Missouri rivers, the Danish emigrants reached Kanesville (now Council Bluffs), Iowa, in good health and spirits. There they were again met by their beloved Apostle Erastus Snow, who had reached the Bluffs by way of New York, and in the beginning of July, 1852, attached to a large company of Saints under
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
the leadership of Eli B. Kelsey, the twenty-eight Danish emigrants com menced the journey across the plains with ox-teams; they arrived in Salt Lake City, Oct. 16, 1852.
CHAPTER 11 (1852)
Petition to the Danish Rigsdag—First branch of the Church organized on Fyen—Elder Jens Hansen's remarkable experiences—The Doc trine and Covenants and numerous pamphlets published in Danish.
A petition was written to the Danish "Rigsdag" March 16, 1852, which presented in detail the perse cutions to which the Saints had been subjected in Denmark, and the peti tioners asked for redress and pro tection. Eight hundred and fifty Saints subsequently signed the peti tion.
On March 16, 1852, also, the first branch of the Church on the island of Fyen was organized under the name of Trbstrup-Korup Branch and made a part of the Fredericia Conference. Elder Jens Hansen gave the following details of the introduc
JENS HANSEN
Born Oct. 13, 1823, in Otterup parish, Odense amt, Fyen, Denmark; died in Spanish Fork, Utah, June 28, 1897.
4
tion of the gospel on the island of Fyen :
"At the general conference held in Copenhagen November 15 and 16, 1851, I was ordained a Priest and, together with Elder William O. Andersen, appointed to labor as a missionary on the island of Fyen. We went to work immediately in our field of labor and commenced talking to the people, selling tracts and holding meet ings; we generally had a fair attendance and quiet audiences. One of the first villages that I visited was Sulkendrup.. Just as I entered a certain house I was met by a woman who said: 'These are my brethren.' She had never seen us be fore, and we had not told her who we were. This woman's name was Gjertrud Hansen and soon afterwards (Dec. 5, 1851) I baptized her as the first fruit of my labors and those of Brother Andersen in that field. We next visited my parents, who received us with much joy and several well attended meetings were held in their house. In a dream which my father had had a long time previous, he was shown that I should become a savior to his household, but for some time he never was able to comprehend the meaning of the dream. One evening, however, after I had held a well-attended meeting, he walked out into his garden where he bent his knee and prayed earnestly to God for a testimony that he might know if the message which I had delivered was from God. When he re-entered the house he received the sign, which had been given him in answer to his prayer and with tears in his eyes and a trembling voice he asked for baptism which ordinance I administered to him and my mother that same evening. Soon after wards four of my brothers joined the Church by baptism.
"Meanwhile, the spirit of persecution began to show itself. One evening, as we held our usual meeting in my father's house, a number of intoxicated men, armed wi,tli clubs, surrounded the house and stated that a certain person had offered them money if they would give us a thrashing. One of the ruffians attacked me with his cane, but Brother William O. Andersen and I both succeeded in getting out of the door and fled across the fields. My aged parents, who remained in the house, then became the objects of their abuse. They wrote with chalk upon my father's back, and in other ways made him the scape-goat of their tirade and sacrilegious ridicule. Our persecutors next ran out to hunt for us, but we had hidden ourselves in a ditch behind a fence, where
50 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
we could hear them swear and utter threats to the effect that they would not go home until they had killed us. We prayed to God that he would strike them with blind
ness, which he literally did, for they did not find us, although they searched for us till past midnight. When they finally gave up the search, we re-entered the house and joined in songs of praise to the Lord, rejoicing Exceedingly because we were counted worthy to suffer persecution for Christ's sake.
"Being possessed of a burning desire that all should hear the gospel, Elder An dersen and I concluded to separate. Con sequently, he went to the south and I to the north. I visited many of my relatives and friends who received my testimony with joy, and several of them afterwards became faithful members of the Church. One day, while I was on my way to my father's home, I became suddenly im pressed with a feeling that .1 should quicken my pace. I did not know why, but no sooner had I opened the door till the cause of this impression was made plain to me. My brother Jo'rgen Peter had been attacked by an evil spirit which caused him to shake and tremble. For some time I stood and looked at him, wondering what could be the cause of this unpleasant oc
currence. It finally struck me that he must have sinned in some way and thereby given the evil one a chance to attack him, and after I had questioned him somewhat closely, he confessed that when the parson had asked him if he had been bap tized, he had answered no. I reproved him a little and, as I then held the Priesthood of an Elder, I laid my hands upon his head and in the name of Jesus commanded the evil one to depart. I was obeyed instantly. By thus witnessing the power of God man ifested as in former days, we rejoiced ex
ceedingly.
"From this time on I continued my labors with much success and I became an instrument in the hands of the Lord of bringing many souls to a knowledge of the truth. One day, as I was walking on the road between Nyborg and Svendborg, I heard a voice close by my side calling me by name, saying: 'How do you dare to say by authority from Jesus Christ when you baptize?' This voice had a peculiar effect upon me, but after I had prayed fervently to the Lord I remembered a vision that I had had previously and I was firmly convinced that the ordinance of baptism was performed with perfect con sistency."
Soon after Apostl e Erastus Snow had left Denmar k for England , the
first edition of the book of Doctrine and Covenants was issued from the press in the Danish language . I n the first edition, consisting of 1,000 cop
ies, the Lectures on Faith wer e omit ted. Th e translation ha d partl y been done b y the same Miss Mathiesen who assisted in translating the Book of Mormon , bu t before he r manu
script was allowed to go to press it wa s carefully read an d revised bv President Snow an d Elde r Pete r 0 . Hansen . Since tha t time five editions of the book hav e been published in the Danish language . Th e last edi tion, which wa s carefully revised by Apostl e Antho n H. Lund, wa s printed in the "Desere t News " establishment, Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1900. Earl y in 1852, also, an enlarged edition of the Danish Hym n Book was pub - lished; likewise a pamphle t in Swed
ish entitled "E n rost fran lande t Zion " (A Voice from the Lan d of Zion), which contained a brief sketch of the establishment an d progress of the Church and its status at that time ; besides an outline of the doc trine s an d faith of the Latter-day Saints. This little work containing fifty pages, octave, ha s seen several editions. Besides the above men tioned publications, Apostl e Snow had , previous to his departure , pub - lished "E n Sandhed s Rost " (A Voice
of truth), "Maerkvaerdige Syner " (Remarkabl e Visions), "Guddom elig Myndighed " (Divine Authority), "Troes-Artikler " (Articles of Faith), a n d six numbers of "Skandinaviens Stjerne. "
CHAPTER 12 (1852)
A branch of the Church organized in Sailing, Denmark—Persecution and mob violence; neither position nor se* spared—Missionary driven out of the district—Missionary work resumed in Sweden—Mikael Johnson arrested and banished—Anders W. Winberg in Skane. Sweden.
A branc h of the Church was or ganized April 18, 1852, in a district
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 51
of Jutland, Denmark, called Sailing, in the neighborhood of the little city of Skive. This part of the country constituted a part of the Aalborg1 Conference over which Elder Chris
tian Christiansen acted as president. About the introduction of the gospel in Sailing, Elder Christiansen gives the following account:
"In the month of December, 1851, I moved my family to Skive that I might have a better opportunity for opening the gospel door in that part of the country; but no sooner had it become known who I Was than the whole town was in com motion and the people turned out in crowds to hear about our doctrines. Among this class of visitors was also the parish priest, Mr. Moller, who came to my house to warn me of the consequences of preaching 'Mor monism' in his parish, and he told me that he would exert all his influence against me. I answered that he was welcome to do so, if he so desired, but I assured him that his attempt would be of no avail, as God could easily stop him in his efforts. He went away very angry and a few days later he died. The Lord only knows the cause of his demise.
"For three months I continued my labors in that neighborhood, almost continually exposed to persecution, but I baptized about forty persons, among whom were my own parents, my brother and his fam ily, and also an unmarried brother and two sisters. After that, mob persecutions became so frequent and severe that I was compelled to move away, in order to save my life. My windows were smashed by stones and blocks of wood thrown by the mob, and even the new converts were fre quently subjected to annoyance and per secution, so much so, that most of them moved to Aalborg. My father had for a number of years been a highly respected school-teacher and chorister in Dolby and Hindberg parishes, but after his baptism he became a subject of disrespect and persecution and was forced to sell his effects. He then moved to Aalborg. He finally emigrated to Utah, where he died a faithful Latter-day Saint."
The first person baptized in Sail ing was Karen Petersen Hostgaard, her son, Frederik Jensen Hoist, hav ing been baptized in Copenhagen. Pres. Christian Christiansen ordained
his brother, Niels C. Christiansen, in Skive, a Priest and appointed him president of the branch, and after having baptized a few more, Elder Christiansen returned to Aalborg, as stated, in order to escape mob vio lence. The mob, however, expended their wrath upon his [brother, Niels C, and several times smashed his windows and damaged other prop
erty.
At last, he with his family, were compelled to leave their home in the middle of the night, to save their lives, and flee to Aalborg. So fierce had the spirit of persecution become that Brother Christiansen could not appear in the street without being as saulted by the mob, who flung stones and dirt at him. A Brother Frenze also suffered much. His windows were smashed by mobs several times; it even went so far, that the police had to place a guard by his house in the night. At length, three mission
aries, Johan F. F. Dorius, Anders An dersen and Niels Milkjaer arrived in that district of [country and com menced to hold meetings. This en raged the populace still more and mob violence was again resorted to. A meeting had been appointed in the village of Dommerby, and in order to reach that place, the missionaries and some of the Saints had to pass through the city of Skive; but when they had reached a point a short dis tance beyond the town, a mob led by a Mr. Borup, a hatter, caught up with them, and assaulted them most furiously. Brothers Dorius and Mil kjaer especially received rough treat ment. After first pelting the brethren with stones the mobbers laid violent hands on them, tore Brother Dorius' coat to pieces and at length pushed both missionaries into a peat bog. Fortunately there was not sufficient water in the bog to drown them, and so they soon came out of it alive.
Having appeased their hatred for
52 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
the present, the mob at last permitted the brethren to go, but on their return the mobbers met a number of the Saints on their way to the meeting in Dommerby. Among them was a man by the name of Christian Wil
lardsen, from the village of Dolby, who at that time was not a member of the Church, but was baptized soon afterwards. The mob handled him in a most fearful manner. Notwith
standing the bad treatment the breth ren thus received, they concluded to proceed to Dommerby and commence their meeting, but during the opening prayer an armed mob surrounded the house and manifested their wicked intentions against the Saints, and the •missionaries in particular. The poor man, who owned the house, begged the Saints to leave his premises, which they did, but by so doing they were placed at the mercy of the infuriated mob on the outside. The Saints im mediately fled across the fields in every direction while Brothers Dorius and Milkj aer reached a farm near the road, where they asked for shelter and protection, but as the proprietor refused them this, they were again captured by the mob and brought back to the city of Skive. On the road the mob made all kinds of hideous noises and continued the same after reaching the town, where the brethren finally succeded in seeing the district judge (Herreds
fogden), to whom they stated their case in a straight forward manner, Brother Dorius exhibiting his torn coat in evidence. While this scene took place in the office of the judge, the street outside was packed by a clamorous rabble. After studying the matter over for a while, the judge concluded contrary to law to send the missionaries home to their respective places of birth. He at once summoned one man to take charge of each of the brethren and conduct them to their homes. Thus
Brother Andersen was taken to Aal borg, Brother Milkjaer to Jetzmark and Brother Dorius to Copenhagen, and as they passed through the vari ous towns and villages along the road they were continually exhibited to the populace as prisoners and crim inals.
When Elder Christian Christiansen heard of the persecutions in Sailing, he, as president of the Aalborg Con ference, at once set out from Aalborg to visit Sailing with a view to straighten up, as well as he could, the affairs of the Church there, and to give comfort and encouragement to the remaining Saints in the vicinity of Skive; but while endeavoring to perform these duties as quietly as possible, the enemies of the Saints learned of his presence, and so he and his younger brother were mobbed and had to flee to save themselves. Elder Christiansen writes:
"Notwithstanding the threatening aspects before me, I concluded to visit Skive, and officiate in the ordinances of the gospel. In company with a younger brother of mine, I left my father's house in Dolby about midnight on June 15, 1852, and passed through Skive about 1 o'clock a. m., hoping that our enemies were all asleep; but in this we were sadly disap pointed, for they had been lying in wait for us for three nights concealed under a bridge that we had to cross. Conse quently, when we reached the bridge, three men suddenly sprang upon us, threw me off the bridge and violently dragged my brother with them back to town. On the way thither they treated him in a most barbaric manner, thinking all the time that they were handling me. When I regained consciousness from my fall from the bridge and saw that my enemies had gone, I jumped over a fence and traveled by out of-the-way paths some four English miles till I reached the house of some friends, who received me kindly and administered to my wants. After having washed and warmed myself (for I was wet through) I sent word to an old sister, Kirsten Smaalerup, asking her to send word of these happenings to my father's house. When she arrived there, she found that my brother had already reached the house
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 53
and he returned with the sister to the place where I had found shelter. From that place we traveled southward, and, after visiting some Saints living in the neighborhood of Veile, we continued our journey over the island of Fyen until we reached the home of a widowed sister who lived near the town of Nyborg, on the east side of the island. Soon a large crowd of intoxicated men and boys gath ered around the house bent on mischief. As the mob entered the front door, we retreated through a back entrance, but the rabble followed us and finally caught hold of my brother, who was again fearfully ill-treated, and as the old sister whose name Was Gjertrud rushed in between him and the mobbers to shield him with her person, she, too, was beaten and abused in a brutal manner. This time I escaped from bodily harm. Being impressed with the power of the spirit of God, I commenced talking to the mob, commanding them in the nime of the Lord. They left us, and We remained in the house over night. It has been my firm belief that the sufferings to which my brother was subjected during that trip caused the early termination of his mortal career. After the trouble in Nyborg was over, we proceeded on our journey un molested and reached Copenhagen July 22nd."
In the spring of 1852, another attempt was made to continue mis sionary work in Sweden. A Brother Mikael Johnson, a native of Sweden, who had received rough treatment at the hands of mobs in Denmark, was sent as a missionary to Sweden. Agreeable to instructions, given him by the presiding brethren in Copen
hagen, he went to Gefle, the place of Brother John E. Forsgren's nativity and former labors. He found Peter A. Forsgren and the others, who had been baptized a year and a half pre
vious, holding on to the faith, and the arrival of Elder Johnson in their midst was a great comfort to them. It appears that the seed sown in the be
ginning had commenced to spring up and that many of the words spoken by Elder Forsgren previous to his ban ishment were remembered by some of the people. On the arrival of Elder Johnson, these were anxious to
learn more of the principles of the gospel, but just as he had commenced baptizing he was arrested and trans ported to Stockholm. On his arrival at the capital he demanded a trial, but, after a preliminary examination, he was told by the police that his papers from Gefle were sufficient to send him on. He was, therefore, transported in chains—part of the way between two thieves—a distance of about five hundred miles over
land to the city of Malmo, in Skane. On this toilsome journey his only food was coarse bread and water and his suffering from exposure and in
sult was very severe. On his arrival in Malmo in a half-starved and weak condition, he was thrust into one of. the prisons, which were originally royal castles, but afterwards became state prisons. After remaining there for some time, he was visited by a Lutheran priest who, on conditions, offered to help him out of his dif ficulties. Inviting him into a more comfortable apartment, the priest, upon discovering that Elder Johnson possessed some learning, proposed to assist him in getting into a high school, to complete his education, provided he would associate himself with the Lutherans, renounce "Mor monism," and cease to preach its doc trines. Brother Johnson answered: "You make me think of the 'gentle man' who was with Jesus on the mountain when he was an hungered."
"What," said the astonished divine, "do you liken yourself to Jesus and me to the devil? You shall go out of the country." Accordingly, the police authorities of Malmo took him over Oresund (the sound between Sweden and Denmark) and delivered him to the police authorities in Copenhagen on the 9th of September, 1852. This action on the part of the Malmo police was the more incon sistent because Elder Johnson was a native-born subject of Sweden, and
54 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
had neither been tried nor condemned by any judicial court. His crime consisted in having baptized several respectable citizens at their own re
quest. About the same time Elder Forsgren's brother and sister and one of those baptized by Elder John son arrived in Copenhagen. Thus ended the second attempt to intro
duce the gospel into Sweden. Elder Anders W. Winberg may be classed as one of the first successful missionaries in Sweden. The mis sionary efforts of Elders Forsgren and Johnson in Gefle and Stockholm having terminated in their banish ment from the country, it was re served for Skane, the southernmost province of the kingdom, or that part lying adjacent to Denmark, to become the cradle of "Mormonism" in Sweden.
At the general conference of the Scandinavian Mission, held at Copen hagen, Denmark, in February, 1852, just previous to the departure of Erastus Snow on his return to Amer ica, a number of Elders were called to labor as missionaries in different parts of Denmark, and three, Anders W. Winberg, Nils Capson and Ola Nilson, were appointed to open up a missionary field in the province of Skane, Sweden. For some unknown reason, Brother Nilson did not go, but the other two brethren responded to the call.
Elder Winberg left Copenhagen April 21, 1852, crossed Oresund and wended his way to Lund, his native town, where his parents still resided. There he commenced his missionary operations with1 success, and on the 7th of June, 1852, he had the pleasure of baptizing his sister and brother-in
law (Peter Peterson and wife), who resided in the village of Dalby, about seven miles east of the city of Lund. This is supposed to be the first bap
tism performed by divine authority
in southern Sweden. Mr. Peterson was a tanner by trade,, and he and his wife were baptized in a new tanner's vat, which had not been used for tannery purposes.
CHAPTER 13 (1852)
Arrival of Wiilard Snow—Johan F. F. Dorius mobbed in Jutland, Denmark—Elders Hans Peter Jensen and Johan A. Ahmanson in Nor way—Branches of the Church organized at Osterrisor, Frederiky^ad and Brevig—"Zions Love"—Opposition in Brevig.
On Monday, April 26, 1852, Elder Willard Snow arrived in Copenhagen from England, having been ap pointed by the presidency in Liver pool to take charge of the Scandi navian Mission. He was a brother of Apostle Erastus Show and was cor dially received by the Saints. He took full charge of the mission when Elder John E. Forsgren, with a com pany of emigrants, left for Utah in December, 1852.
^^llllllPllf
WILLARD SNOW
Born May 6, 1811, in St. Johnsbury, Cale donia Co., Vermont; died on the North Sea, Aug. 21, 1853.
Elder Willard Snow, in speaking of his arrival in Copenhagen and his first impressions of the country and its people, writes:
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 55
s "I left Hull on the 21st of April and landed in Copenhagen on the 26th, making my voyage across the North Sea in five days. I paid £3 or $15 for my passage. Captain Lund, the master of the vessel, appeared quite friendly and spoke English as well as Danish. We encountered head
winds and rough seas on the voyage and I was seasick all the way. I felt rather lone some, as I was the only passenger on board, and having left the English people, and the Saints with whom I could con verse, I was now mingling with people of whose language I did not understand a single word. This, coupled with the reali zation that I was so far away from my home, made me feel most 'sublime' and solemn, especially when I contemplated the mission upon which I had been called. I fully realized that I should have to obtain a knowledge of the language, manners, customs and laws of the Danish people. On my arrival in Copenhagen I found Elders Peter O. Hansen and John E. Fors gren in good spirits; they welcomed me with such a warm reception that I felt quite at home. Hans Peter Jensen, the other counselor, could not converse with me in English, but he seemed to be a man of good countenance and possessed the spirit of his calling. He had just returned from Hamburg where he had seen Elders George P. Dykes and Daniel Gam. Bro. Jensen stayed a day or two after my ar rival in Copenhagen and then left for his home near Aalborg, accompanied by Elder John E. Forsgren, to attend a conference. He then expected to go to Norway to open up a mission there, according to an appointment given him by Erastus Snow before he left. I found that persecu tion raged in some parts of the country, but the Elders continued their labors, and quite recently thirty-five members had been added to the Church by baptism in Copenhagen. Some indications of hostili ties had been manifested in Copenhagen since Brother Snow left, and in several of the country branches some of the brethren had been abused and taken up for vagrancy and sent to the police courts in Copen
hagen, but they had all been given their liberty. The large hall which the Saints had when Erastus left was refused them, the proprietor seemingly afraid of dis
turbance."
I n the beginning of July, 1852, President Willar d Snow received a note from Bro. Joha n F. F . Dorius, giving an account of how he ha d
been maltreated in Vendsyssel, Den mark. He was holding a meeting with some of the Saints in a farmer's house, when some lawless fellows came in and commenced pricking him with awls and broke up the meeting. Having driven him out of the house, they ran after him and beat him with clubs and sticks. However, he suc
ceeded in getting into a house, al though in a suffering condition, be ing soiled with his own blood. He was washed and anointed with oil and sent to bed, but the mob broke into the house, tore off the bedding and dragged him out into the field, intending to throw him into the creek, but an unseen power prevented them from carrying out their evil intent, and so they left him almost naked. However, he was healed by the power of God, so that he was able to preach and baptize again the next morning.
~ On Thursday, June 10, 1852, Elder Hans Peter Jensen, accompanied by Johan A. Ahmanson, landed in Bre vig, one of the coast cities of Norway, as Latter-day Saint missionaries from Denmark. They had sailed from Norre Sundby on the 6th. Almost immediately after their arrival at
Brevig, they commenced to hold meet ings, circulate tracts and converse privately with1 the people. Mr. Trane
(a newspaper editor), the town priest, and a school teacher, soon be came their bitter opponents.
After staying in Brevig six days, Elder Jensen traveled on to Oster risor, where he arrived June 16th and was warmly received by Bro. Svend Larsen and two Saints who had pre viously been baptized by Brother Hans F. Petersen. Soon after Elder Petersen's departure from Osterrisor, in December, 1851, Brother Svend Larsen returned home from a visit to the eastern parts of Norway (Ost landet) and learned that Brother Petersen had left for the west coast on account of persecutions. Svend
56 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Larsen spent the winter at home, laboring as best he could to continue the work which had been commenced by Elder Petersen. Together with the other two converts (John Olsen and Peter Adamsen) he held fast meetings regularly every Sunday, at which they spent their time praying for and with one another; they also read in the Bible and Book of Mor mon and bore testimony to the truth of the gospel. Henrik Evensen, the master of a small vessel, was a con
stant visitor in these little meetings. He soon afterwards joined the Church. Also the wives of the three brethren opened their hearts to be
lieve the truth; and as the meetings were continued, more strangers met with them, and though none of the brethren had yet been ordained to the Holy Priesthood, the spirit of testi
mony rested upon them as they ad dressed the people and the hearts of many were softened to believe the words spoken. On one occasion a member of the clergy and a school teacher came to the meeting to op
pose them, but they went away con founded.
Brother Larsen also spread the printed word, including "Skandina viens Stjerne." He also posted him self in regard to th'e so-called dis senter law and found that, according to the provisions of said law, people who differed with the State Church on religious matters could be or ganized into a society with as small a number as six members. Conse quently, three of the men, viz., Svend Larsen, John Olsen and Henrik Evensen, together with their respec tive wives, withdrew their names from the Lutheran Church. Their next step was to petition the diocese of Christiansand and the church de partment of the state (Kirkedeparte mentet) to be organized into a Chris tian dissenter society, according to the laws of the land, but though
Mayor Finne of Osterrisor assisted Brother Larsen in formulating the petition, and instructed him how to proceed in order to obtain the gov
ernment permission, their petition was denied.
Three days after the arrival of Elder Hans P. Jensen at Osterrisor, June 19th, he ordained Svend Larsen an Elder, and on the 24th he blessed his four children. At a meeting held on Sunday, June 20th, the brethren administered the Sacrament to the few Saints in Osterrisor. On the 25th Elder Ahmanson baptized six per sons and Elder Jensen ordained two of the brethren (John Olsen and Henrik Evensen) Priests,
After these labors, Elder Jensen made a missionary trip to Arendal, Christiansand and Mandal, bearing testimony of the truth in these places. On his arrival at the last named town, he was fatigued and his feet were blistered so badly that he was unable to proceed any further. As the in
habitants hardened their heart s against him and refused to receive his testimony, he decided to walk back to Osterrisor, a distance of about 130 English miles. Following the advise of a friendly lady, he wrapped his feet in rags and commenced his march on foot, and, strange to say, v*hen he arrived at Osterrisor on the 8th of July, his feet were free from sores and he felt himself as strong and healthy as ever before.
In the meantime, Elders Hans Peter Jensen and Svend Larsen con tinued their labors in Norway, and on the 16th of July, they organized a branch of the Church in Osterrisor, with eighteen members. Elder Jensen ordained John Olsen an Elder and appointed him to preside over the branch, which was the first branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established in Nor
way. The following day, Elders Hans Peter Jensen and Svend Larsen
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 57
returned to Brevig from Osterrisor. Finding a large number of people in Brevig who were anxious to hear them preach, and not being permitted to hold meetings in halls used by other denominations, they secured a meeting place of their own. From a Mr. Jorgen Christensen they hired a hall in an upper story of a house located in the central part of the town, for which they agreed to pay an annual rent of forty "speciedaler" ($40). The holding of meetings was at once commenced in the hired hall and they were well attended. Among those who came to listen were several priests, some town officials, mer chants, etc. At one of the meetings the clergymen, some from the city and some from the country, were bent on having a discussion, and while the brethren spoke, they were exceedingly busy taking notes. Elder Jensen bore a powerful testimony to the truth of the gospel, and, referring to those who were writing, he said that he, by the power of God, would write the words of truth in their hearts in a manner that it could never be ef faced. Hearing this, the scribes ceased their note-taking and listened attentively to the rest of the sermon. After the meeting was closed, all went away in peace.
From Brevig, Elders Hans Peter Jensen and Svend Larsen proceeded by water to Frederikstad. While laboring1 in the ministry in Osterrisor, Elder Jensen advised Svend Larsen to purchase a vessel to be used for carrying the missionaries from place to place in Norway, and between that country and Denmark. Brother Lar
sen, whose zeal for the truth was un bounded, and who considered no sacrifice too great in the interests of God's cause, readily consented to this proposition, and consequently made a visit to Frederikshavn, in Denmark, where he purchased one of the best and swiftest pilot boats in the country
for the sum of 400 "rigsdaler." He fitted up the vessel as a pleasure yacht and named it "Zions Love" (Zion's Lion). It was a splendid sailer and bore on the masthead a white ensign on which was painted a lion holding a radiating eye in a golden circular halberd, under which
the letter Z was painted in blue colors. The whole was a symbol of strength and light and represented Zion spreading its light by divine power over the nations.
The brethren soon put their vessel to gjood use and for some time Capt. Larsen was kept busy sailing with missionaries from place to place, both in Norway and Denmark. The first trip made with "Zions Love" in the interest of missionary work was between Brevig and Frederikstad. On that occasion Elders Jensen and Larsen sailed from Brevig July 22nd, leaving Elder Ahmanson in Brevig to continue the meetings and do other missionary work. Arriving at Fred erikstad on the 23rd, they found Priest Jeppe J. Folkmann from Born
holm, Denmark, who had been sent to Norway by the president of the Scandinavian Mission to strengthen the mission there, and who had al
ready spent a short time in Frederik stad endeavoring to make an opening for preaching the gospel in that city. He had been kindly received in the homes of Brother Svend Peter Lar sen, who, as before stated, had been baptized in Copenhagen, and Emil Larsen, a dyer and brother of Svend Peter Larsen, both of whom lived in Vaterland, a suburb of Frederikstad. These two families also extended a warm welcome to the two Elders (Hans Peter Jensen and Svend Lar sen), who at once commenced mis sionary work. The following1 day, (July 24th) they held a meeting at the home of Jacob Jensen, a gardener, who lived near Frederikstad, and where the seed fell in good soil, as
58 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
a number of those people were so wrought upon under the influence of the power of truth that they received the testimony in their hearts with joy and thanksgiving. On Sunday (July 25th), Elders Jensen and Larsen held another spirited meeting in the house of Emil Larsen, and in the afternoon, they attended a meeting of certain revivalists, who were called "Kirke troende," where the door at first was closed against them, but finally opened, and Elder Jensen was given the privilege of speaking. In the course of his remarks, he endeavored to prove that the State Church* of Norway was not the true Church of Christ. A number of those present, among them the mistress of the house, taking umbrage at hearing their old religion thus attacked, Elder Jensen was interrupted in his talk, but as there were several persons present who desired to hear more, a neighbor by the name of Guttorm Baardsen, opened his house for the speaker, who then continued his discourse. At the close of the meeting several persons expressed themselves con vinced of the truth of the principles they had heard, and that same night witnessed the baptism and confirma tion of five persons, the first con verts to "Mormonism" in Frederik stad. Among them was Johan Johan
sen, who had presided over the local branch of "Kirketroende." He was ordained a Priest and appointed to preside over the little branch of seven members, which was organized on the same occasion and named Fred erikstad Branch. In the evening of the 26th, three other persons were baptized in Frederikstad, and in the morning of the 27th, Elder Jensen and Larsen took their departure on board "Zions Love" for Brevig, where they arrived on the 28th, ac companied by Priest Jeppe J. Folk
mann, who was appointed to labor in
Brevig and vicinity under the direc tion of Elder Ahmanson.
Elder Hans Peter Jensen, after hav ing founded the Church in Norway, and spent his means freely for the welfare of the mission, left for Den mark in the latter part of July, 1852, sailing with Captain Svend Larsen in their own vessel, "Zions Love." Elder Johan A. Ahmanson was left in charge of the Norwegian Mission. During the voyage to Denmark, El ders Jensen and Larsen encountered the full fury of a terrific storm, but on July 31st they arrived in Aalborg, Denmark, where they attended a con ference August 1, 2 and 3,1852. They then continued the voyage to Copen hagen, taking with them in their ves sel President John E. Forsgren, Willard Snow and Christian J. Lar sen and a number of other Danish Saints, who, like themselves, went to Copenhagen to attend thie general conference of the mission, arriving in Copenhagen August 11th.
After the departure of Elders Jen sen and Larsen from Norway, Elder Ahmanson continued his missionary labors in Brevig, and on Monday, August 9, 1852, the first four con
verts to "Mormonism" in Brevig were baptized. The names of these first converts were Knud Larsen, Bertha Katrina Larsen, Iver Mikkelsen Ugle
stad, and Susanne Uglestad. At this time meetings were held in Brevig twice on Sundays and on every Tuesday and Wednesday evening in the hired hall. Small meetings were also held in private houses in and near Brevig and Skien. Elder Ahman son was a good and influential speaker, and several believers were soon numbered among the regular at tendants at the meetings.
No sooner had these first believers yielded obedience to the initiative or dinances of the gospel than the Lu theran clergy and newspaper editors in Brevig united in a crusade against
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 59
the work of God, and did all in their power to embitter the minds of the people, by circulating all kinds of falsehoods and slurs against th'e "Mormons." Their opposition, how
ever, availed them but little, as a number of other converts were soon baptized. In the meantime a con spiracy was inaugurated with the in tention of taking Brothers Ahmanson and Folkmann out of the town by force, but the plot proved unsuccess ful. On the 24th the two mission aries were arraigned before a local court and forbidden to preach and baptize, but on the 3rd of September, Elder Ahmanson held an audience with the "Amtmand," whose name was Aal, who agreed to receive a petition from Brother Ahmanson and send it to the Church department (Kirkedepartementet). Consequent ly, Elder Ahmanson wrote such a petition in which he prayed that the Church he represented might, as soon as possible, obtain recognition as a Christian denomination and thus be entitled to protection under the Nor wegian dissenter law.
On Sunday, September 5th, Elder Ahmanson called the newly-baptized members in Brevig together and or ganized them (eight in number) into a branch of the Church called the Brevig Branch. After ordaining Knud Larsen a Priest he appointed him president of the branch. This gave Brother Larsen authority to con tinue preaching and baptizing, in case brothers Ahmanson and Folk mann should be cast into prison. In tbe evening, the two missionaries went to Gjerstad to hold a meeting, for which they were arrested and im prisoned on the 7th of September. However, after four days in prison, they were liberated on the 11th on condition that they in the future would not perform any act connected with the doctrines of the "Mormons" in that amt (county). The brethren
submitted to these conditions because they expected a number of other Elders from Denmark, who, on their arrival, would become acquainted with the situation, and if they (Brothers Ahmanson and Folkmann) should remain in prison, the new mis sionaries would, on their arrival, be
at a loss to know what to do. The imprisonment of Elders Ahmanson and Folkmann in Brevig was the first of many imprisonments of Latter-day Saint missionaries in Norway for preaching the gospel and administer
ing its ordinances.
CHAPTER 14 (1852)
Fourth general conference held in Scandi navia—The Brevig, Bornholm, Vendsyssel and Lolland conferences organized—•Voyages of I'Zions Love;" council meeting on board—The missionaries in Norway arrested and impris oned; experiences in prison.
On Thursday, August 12, 1852, the fourth general conference of the Scandinavian Mission convened in Copenhagen. The large hall, known as "Enighedsvaern," situated a short distance outside of the city of Copen
hagen, had been rented for the oc casion, and here a large number of missionaries, Saints and friends as sembled in the afternoon. Pres. John
E. Forsgren presided, and among those present were two High Priests (Willard Snow and Hans Peter Jen sen) and two Seventies (John E. Forsgren and Peter 0 . Hansen), 23 Elders, 15 Priests, 5 Teachers and 3 Deacons. At this conference splen did reports were made by the mis sionaries, who reported great success
in different parts of the mission. The conference was continued the next day (August 13th), when Hans Peter Jensen, Christian Christiansen and Johan F. F. Dorius were ap pointed to formulate a petition to the Danish government, asking for protection against the mal-treatment and persecution to which some of the Saints in Denmark had been sub-
60 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
jected. The Elders who had labored as missionaries reported baptims and great success on the island of Sjael land, Lolland, Falster, Fyen, Born holm, and other places, while Elder Hans Peter Jensen gave a most in teresting report of the introduction of the work into Norway. On the third day of conference, August 14th, it was decided to change the mission periodical, "Skandinaviens Stjerne," from a monthly to a semi-monthly periodical. The branches in Nor way were organized into a confer ence called the Brevig Conference, and Christian J. Larsen was called to go to Norway to preside over that conference, after he had finished his labors in Fredericia. The Saints in Bornholm were organized into a con ference called the Bornholm Confer ence, with Ole Svendsen as president. The Saints in Vendsyssel were or ganized as the Vendsyssel Confer ence with Elder Niels Christian Schou as president, and the Saints on the islands of Lolland, Falster and Moen were organized as a conference called the Lolland Conference, with Johan Swenson as president. The Schles vig Mission was attached to the Fred ericia Conference.
On the fourth and last day of the conference, held August 16th, Elders Anders W. Winberg and Nils Capson were called to labor as missionaries in Sweden. Priest Ole Olsen was called on a mission to Norway.
President Forsgren, in summing up the business of the conference, re marked that there were now seven organized conferences in the mission. The general authorities of the Church and mission and conference author ities were sustained by unanimous vote, and quite a number of young men were ordained to the Priesthood and called to labor as missionaries in different parts of the mission. According to the reports made at this conference, there were now 934 per
sons in the mission belonging to the Church, of whom 95 had been or dained to the Priesthood.
On Thursday, August 19th, Elders John E. Forsgren, Hans Peter Jen sen, Christian J. Larsen, Svend Lar sen and others (14 persons alto gether), boarded the little sailing craft or sloop, "Zions Love," and set sail for Fredericia, where they ar rived the next day. They held a conference on Sunday, August 22nd, at which Elder Niels Mikkelsen was sustained as president of the Frede ricia Conference, succeeded Elder Christian J. Larsen who had been called to Norway. A new branch of the Church was organized at Store Lihme. After the conferene, Elders John E. Forsgren and his compan ions returned to Copenhagen on "Son s Love," arriving there August 26, 1852.
On Thursday, September 2nd, the sloop "Zions Love," with a number of missionaries on board, who had
been called to labor in Norway, sailed from Copenhagen for Aalborg, where they arrived on the 3rd. After attend ing meetings in Aalborg, the voyage was continued to Norway, where they landed on Sunday, September 12th.
The mission to Norway, consisting of Elders Christian J. Larsen (newly appointed president of the Brevig Conference), Johan F. F. Dorius, Peter Beckstrom, Svend Larsen and Ole Olsen, Priest Christian Knudsen (later known as Nielsen) and Teacher Niels Hansen, arrived in the Brevig
fjord on the sloop, "Zions Love." They had sailed from Copenhagen, Denmark, September 2nd. Elder Christian J. Larsen writes:
"When we came near the city of Bre vig, perhaps two or three miles from the town, we were very much surprised, at about 10 o'clock a. m., to meet two of our brethren, Elder John A. Ahmanson and Priest Jeppe J. Folkmann, coming out in a small skiff, not aware of our arrival; they were on their way to visit a family
HISTOR Y O F TH E SCANDINAVIAN MISSIO N 6 1
of investigators living across the water. These two missionaries had just been liberated from four days' imprisonment in Brevig for preaching the gospel. They were expecting us, but did not know when we would arrive, besides, the town of Brevig was in an uproar, and the mob had threatened to kill the 'Mormon Priest' who might attempt to set foot on shore. It had already been rumored that some more 'Mormon Priests' were coming from Denmark. Upon hearing this intelligence, we all felt to give thanks to God, our Heavenly Father, for it was now clear to our understanding that the Lord knew the plans of our enemies and had frustrated them by keeping us out of their power, and now we were placed in communication with our brethren in a convenient place and at a suitable time. We accompanied our brethren to a fishing village called Bauen, and I, with some others of the brethren, went up among the rocks and implored the Lord for his guidance under our peculiar circumstances. We had a very interesting conversation with one fam ily in that place upon the principles of the gospel, and they showed their good will and appreciation by treating us to a good meal. When we again boarded our own vessel, 'Zions Love,' we found the other brethren, whom we had left on board, engaged in singing and prayer, which was a source of joy to me. We now held a council meeting on board, at which it was decided that Elder Johan F. F. Dorius should remain and labor in Bre vig and vicinity quietly, while the rest of us would proceed to Frederikstad, where we would be assigned to our re spective fields of labor. I advised the brethren to work with wisdom, always seeking the guidance of the Spirit of God. Several of the brethren also gave expres sion to their feelings, and we had a very pleasant time together. The Spirit of God rested upon us in a very great degree, al though that important meeting was held in the 'bowels of a lion,' the cabin of the 'Zions Love.' After the meeting was dis missed Johan A. Ahmanson, Johan F. F. Dorius, Jeppe J. Folkmann, Fred. Anderson and I sailed to a place called Satre, near Brevig, but not in sight of the town, and in the evening we held a good meetihg with the Saints who lived in that vicinity, speaking encouraging words to them. We then went to our rented hall and slept there that night."
T h e next da y (Sept. 13th) Elde r Christian J. Larsen and fellow-mis
sionaries confirmed two recently bap - tized members in Brevig, and blessed thre e children. Leaving Elde r Joha n F. F. Doriu s in Brevig to continue missionary labors there , the other brethren resumed the voyage on "Zions Love " to Frederikstad, wher e they arrived the next day. To their great jo y they found tha t the few Saints in Frederikstad were doing well. A meeting wa s held with the Saints the same evening, on which occasion Elde r Pete r Beckstrom an d Priest Christian Knudse n were ap pointed to labor in Frederikstad and vicinity, while Elde r Ole Olsen, Priest Jepp e J. Folkman n and Teache r Niels Hanse n were appointed to travel eastward to open u p a new field of labor. After makin g the necessary arrangemen t in Frederik stad, Elders Christian J. Larsen, Jo han A. Ahmanso n and Svend Larsen sailed in the "Zions Love " for Oster risor. Ther e they remained eight days, hel d ten meetings, baptized seven persons, administered to a num b e r who were sick, organized the branc h mor e fully, an d enjoyed themselves amon g the Saints. Whe n Elde r Larsen called at the police sta tion to show his pass, h e was warne d unde r threat s of imprisonmen t against preachin g his doctrine in Osterrisor, but this only gave him an excellent opportunit y to bea r testi mon y to the members of the polic e force. Th e missionarie s next re turned to Brevig, wher e they arrived Oct. 2nd. Later they went to Fred
erikstad.
Whil e Elde r Christian J. Larsen a n d others were holdin g a meeting in the house of Emil Larsen at Vater land, a subur b of Frederikstad, Oct. 13, 1852, a theologica l candidat e (Kjaerulff) opposed the brethren, claiming tha t h e ha d permission from thie mayo r of th e city to appea r against the "Mormons " anywhere , and at all times, to oppos e the doc -
62 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
trines advocated by them. With this object in view Mr. Kjaerulff and his companions repeated a string of old lies and accusations which were circu
lating against Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. A long discussion ensued, during which the brethren got the best of the argument on every point. Soon the mayor himself ap peared on the scene, and the brethren asked him if anyone could with impunity oppose and insult them in their meetings without per
mission, and if they did not have the same right as any other religious society to the protec tion of the civil authorities, provided they did nothing in opposition to good Christian morals and proper order and decorum. To this the mayor answered in a low tone, "Yes, but opposition to 'Mormon' doctrines is permissable." The next day, Oct. 14, as Elder Chr. J. Larsen and Svend
NIELS HANSEN
Born Aug. 11, 1832, at Trostrup, Fyen, Denmark; died Dec. 13, 1902, at Etna, Canada.
Larsen, in company with Jeppe J. Folkmann and Niels Hansen, were walking towards Ingelsrud (a large farm near Frederikstad, Norway), to visit some Saints at that place, they met the "Amtmand" or county magistrate, Mr. Birch Reichenwaldt, who accosted the brethren in a most abrupt manner, when he learned that they were "Mormons." He ordered them to go back with him to Fred erikstad to be arrested. This the brethren refused to do on the grounds that they had not transgressed any law, and they understood that prisons were built for criminals, and that the tribunals of justice were appointed to punish lawlessness, to protecjt the rights of citizens and maintain order in the community. And as they had not transgressed any rules or laws in this connection, nor had any in tention of doing so in the future, they bade the "Amtmand" goodbye and continued on their journey to Ingels
rud. But they had scarcely got in side the door before the son of the sheriff stepped in, accompanied by ten or twelve persons belonging to the peasantry, who at once, in a gruff manner, questioned the brethren as to who they were, ordering them to show passports. Fortunately for Elder Lar
sen, he had a note with him signed by the mayor, stating that his pass port was at Frederikstad. By this means he was permitted to retain his liberty, after some further question ing, but was ordered to return to Frederikstad at once. Brothers Folk mann and Niels Hansen, whose pass ports had been left at Moss, where they had intended to go the following day, were at once ordered to prison, all protests on their part being fruit less. The Norwegian Brother, Captain Svend Larsen, who had not his pass with him, but had his vessel lying at Vaterland, was also ordered to prison, but, a/ter considerable parley ing, he was permitted to go to the
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 63
town in the evening to look after his boat, on condition that he would meet 'n court the following day. Elder Larsen, however, was prevented from keeping his promise, for he had scarcely got up the next morning when the mayor's deputy (Underby foged), Mr. Fjeldstad, accompanied by a police officer, appeared at the residence of Brother Emil Larsen at Vaterland, where Brothers Svend and Christian J. Larsen stopped over night, with orders from the mayor that these two brethren should ac company them to the mayor's office. The brethren complied with the re
quest, but the moment they opened the door the mayor, addressing him self to Elder Chr. J. Larsen, said: "You are a prisoner." Hearing no cause given for his arrest, Elder Lar sen asked what he had done to deserve imprisonment. The answer was, "You have administered the Sacrament and preached. Go with the officer at once." The police officer, to whom he had reference, already stood by Elder Larsen's side. Elder Larsen asked for the privilege of returning to his lodgings for his clothes and to arrange his affairs before going to prison, but he was told that he could send for them. Realizing that further remonstrance would be in vain, he accompanied the officers to the court house, where he was duly imprisoned in the so-called citizen's jail (Borgerarresten). While Elder Chr. J. Larsen was thus cast into prison, Brother Svend Larsen was re tained at the mayor's office for some time, being requested to explain the principles and doctrines believed in by the "Mormons." This request Brother Larsen readily complied with, and thus the mayor had an op
portunity of listening to something which he no doubt remembered as long as he lived. The straightfor ward testimony given by Elder Lar sen on this occasion ought to have
saved himself and fellow-laborers from further arrest and imprison ment, but it seemed, on the contrary, to make matters worse. Though Elder Svend Larsen had neither baptized nor administered the Sacrament in Frederikstad, or the vicinity, the mayor said to him, "I'm compelled to arrest you. You will have to fol
low the officer." Elder Larsen an swered, "If it were not that I am being arrested for the sake of the testimony of Jesus Christ, you would find it no easy task to get me into the prison." He then Willingly accom panied the officers and was a pris oner after that hour for five months. Elder Chr. J. Larsen writes:
"I rejoiced in being counted worthy to suffer for the gospel's sake, like my co-relig ionists in far-off America; but I felt grieved in my spirit when I thought of the many noble souls who were anxious to learn of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, and that I was now deprived of the opportunity to instruct them. I also felt quite sure that my fellow-missionaries would be compelled to share my fate, and this apprehension I was soon to realize, for a few hours after my own imprison ment, Brother Svend Larsen was brought in as a prisoner by the same officer who had placed me in durance vile. He was ignorant as to the cause of his imprison ment, as he had neither administered the Sacrament nor any other ordinance of the gospel. But we clearly saw that the sole object which the authorities had in view was to get us under arrest on whatever pretext might be suggested in order ' to hinder and stop the progress of truth."
On the same day, Elder Johan F. F. Dorius and Chr. Knudsen were ar rested by Lehnsmand Printz. The fol lowing account is given by Johan F. F. Dorius:
"On Friday, Oct. 15, 1852, we visited Brother Mons Petersen and about noon Elder Beckstrom started for Frederikstad, while Brother Knudsen and I went to Aale (a farming district) with the intention of holding a meeting there; but on our ar rival we could not obtain a room for that purpose. Toward evening we walked to Kjolbergbro (a farm and inn) where we
64 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
asked for lodgings, but when the matron of the place learned that we were "Mor mons," she said, that the Amtmand had given her strict orders not to entertain that class of people. While we were yet conversing, a uniformed officer stepped in from a side room and, without further introduction, he at once asked me who I was and if I had a passport. To which I replied that my pass was in Frederikstad. He then said to me, "You are under arrest." He then turned to Brother Knudsen and asked him for his passport, but receiving a similar reply to the one I had given, Brother Knudsen was also made a prisoner. We were then brought into another room where we understood we were to remain until the preliminary hearing was over. But what a surprise awaited us when we entered; the room was nearly full of Saints, who had been summoned to appear for examination. We also found Brother Ole Olsen, who had already been imprisoned about two weeks, and Brothers Folkmann and Niels Hansen, whom they had arrested the day before and now brought to Kjol berg for examination. While our feelings were peculiar at meeting under such cir cumstances, yet an unspeakable joy filled our hearts, for we knew we were guilty of no crime. After the trial or preliminary! examination, Brother Olsen was imprisoned at Elverhoj, in charge of Sheriff (Lehns mand) Mikkelsen, while Brothers Folkmann and Niels Hansen and I were placed in confinement with Lehnsmand Printz, about ten miles from Frederikstad. A guard was kept over us all night."
On Saturday, Oct. 16th, in the fore noon, Elder Johan F. F. Dorius was brought in a vehicle to the court house in Frederikstad, where he ar rived about noon, and was delivered to Officer Fjeldstad, who conducted him into the jail. Here Elder Dorius was surprised to meet his beloved brethren, Elders Christian J. and Svend Larsen, who had been arrested the previous day. In the afternoon the number of "Mormon" prisoners was further increased by the arrival of Elder Peter Beckstrom, who was ar rested at Vaterland by an officer who conducted him to prison. Thus the police officers had arrested eight of the brethren for no other cause than this, that they had preached the
gospel of repentance and sought to do good to their fellowmen. It may seem strange that the "Mor mon" Elders should be thus treated by the liberty-loving people of Nor way ; but it must be remembered that the Lutheran religion had at that time become so fully established in that land, and in the hearts of the people, that any deviation from its "well beaten track" seemed unlawful and unwarranted. A law, however, had been passed some years previously granting certain liberties and priv ileges to dissenters, that is, those who differed with the State Church on points of doctrine, but who, neverthe less, were considered Christians. Un der this provision the Catholics, Methodists, and perhaps other sects, had already obtained a foothold in Norway, and their several congrega tions had full liberty to worship the Lord according to the provisions of their respective creeds. But when the "Mormon" Elders appeared in the land and commenced to preach about new revelation, the Book of Mormon and kindred topics, the peo ple and authorities were confronted with something so entirely new to them, and so different from all orthodox religion, that they at first did not know what to think of it, or how to meet it. The query soon arose, whether the "Mormons," with their peculiar doctrines, could be classed as Christian dissenters. If they were such, they were entitled to the same protection under the law as other dis senters ; but if not, all their acts were unlawful and their baptisms and other ordinance work were punish able with fines and imprisonment. The great majority of the clergy, who in all the countries visited by the "Mormon" Elders have ever shown the most bitter opposition, took the stand in Norway from the beginning that the "Mormons" were not Chris tians, and consequently the clergy
278 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Copenhagen, April 4, 1884, per steamer "Milo." It consisted of 87 souls, including 5 returning Elders, viz., Christian D. Fjeldsted (leader of the company), Peter Sundwall, John Anderson, Soren Madsen and Nils W. Anderson, the latter having been released by the First Presidency on account of the sickness of his wife at home.
On the same day (April 4th) a small company of Saints in charge of Elder Andrew Amundsen (who was now released from his second mission to Scandinavia) left Chris
tiania and went direct to England, where the Norwegians joined the emi grating Saints from Denmark. The "Milo" arrived at Hull, England, April 7th, in the morning, and the same day the emigrants went by train to Liverpool, where all the Scandi navians, now numbering 95 souls, were joined to a company of 207 British emigrating Saints and 11 more returning missionaries. They all sailed from Liverpool, April 9th, on the steamer "Nevada," which ar rived in New York on the 19th in the evening. The next day (April 20th) the emigrants were landed at Castle Garden and on Monday, April 21st, they left New York by train westward bound for Utah. On leav ing Liverpool the whole company numbered 336 souls, of whom 17 were returning missionaries.
This was the first company of emi grating Saints which arrived in Utah from Europe in 1884; it arrived in Ogden, April 27th, and 85 of the company arrived in Salt Lake City the following day, after a successful and speedy journey from their native lands. The only mishap occurring on the journey worth mentioning was the fact that a four-year old boy from some unknown source got a bottle of whiskey of which he drank quite a quantity. This caused in
flammation of the brain which result ed in the death of the child. With the departure of Pres. Chr. D. Fjeldsted, Elder Anthon H. Lund took charge of the Scandinavian Mission.
ANTHON H. LUND
Was born May 15, 1844, in Aalborg, Den mark; baptized by Jacob Julander May 15, 1856. At 16 years of age he was appointed president of the Aalborg Branch and traveled extensively as1 a local missionary in a number of branches until he emigrated to Utah in 1862. In 1S64 he went to the Missouri River as a Church teamster after emigrants. In 1870 he married Sarah Ann Peterson, daughter of Canute Peterson, which marriage was blessed with seven sons and two daughters. He filled a mission to Scandinavia in 1871-1872, man aged the Ephraim Co-op store ten years, pre sided over the Scandinavian Mission in 1884- 1885, served twice in the Utah legislature, was an officer in the Sunday schools* and a member of the High Council of the Sanpete Stake, also Stake clerk and vice president of the Manti Temple. In 1889 lie was chosen as a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles; presided over the European Mission in 1893- 1896, filled a special mission to Palestine in 1897-1898; acted as second counselor to Pres. Joseph F. Smith from 1901 to 1910 and as first counselor to Presidents Joseph F. Smith and Heber J. Grant from 1910 to 1921. He died in Salt Lake City March 2, 1921. Presi dent Lund was1 a lovable character, an edu cated man, a wise counselor and the most prominent Elder of the Church of Scandina vian birth.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 279
A small company of emigrating Saints (71 souls) bound for Utah sailed from Copenhagen June 6, 1884, per steamer "Panther," which, arrived safely in Hull, England; thence the emigrants proceeded by rail to Liver
pool where they were joined by two other companies of Saints from Scandinavia. Of Elders from Zion returning with this company were the following: Jens Peter Jensen, who took charge of the company, Niels Rasmussen, John Capson, Jeppa Nil
son, Nils Johnson and Peter Mikkel sen. Elder Mikkelsen, who had re cently arrived in the Mission, re turned home because of poor health.
Another small company of emi grating Saints bound for Utah sailed from Copenhagen, June 9, 1884, per steamer "Milo," while a small divi sion from Norway (47 souls) in charge of Elder Halvor Olson, a re turning missionary, went direct to England. The "Milo" arrived in Hull, Thursday, June 12th, and the emigrants at once proceeded to Liver pool by railway, joining the rest of the Scandinavians there who had crossed the North Sea in the "Pan ther," and many British Saints.
The whole company now num bered 531 souls, of whom 406 were Scandinavians, 100 British and 25 were returning missionaries. Among these were the following Scandina vian Elders: Johan B. Hesse, leader of the company, Peter Christensen, Niels P. Petersen, Lars H. Outzen, Christian J. Christiansen, Hans Poul sen, Jacob J. H. Jensen, Niels C. Schougaard, Peter Anderson, Mons Rosenlund, Jeppa Monson, Charles E. Anderson, Andrew H. Anderson, Thomas S. Lund and Waldemar Petersen. They all embarked on the steamer "Arizona" which sailed from Liverpool, Sunday morning, June I5th. After a pleasant and speedy voyage the mighty vessel ar rived in New York on Monday, June
23rd, and the same day the pass engers landed at Castle Garden. This was the third company of emigrating Saints from Europe in 1884; it ar rived in Ogden and Salt Lake City, June 29th.
Still another company of emigrat ing Saints bound for Zion sailed from Copenhagen Aug. 25, 1884, on board the steamer "Panther." After a successful voyage on the North Sea, the emigrants arrived at Hull on Thursday, Aug. 28th, and the next day continued their journey by railroad to Liverpool, where a small company of Norwegian Saints, who had come di
rect from Norway (leaving Christi ania Aug. 22nd), joined them, and all went on board the steamer "Wyo ming," which sailed on the 30th. The whole company now numbered 496 souls, including 31 returning mis sionaries, 222 Scandinavian Saints, 193 British and 50 Swiss and German Saints. The ship arrived in New York Tuesday evening, Sept. 9th. The following morning the company landed at Castle Garden and late in the evening started westward by train from Jersey City. This was the sea son's fourth company of emigrating Saints from Europe. It arrived in Ogden and Salt Lake City, all well, Sept. 17th. Among the Utah Elders who returned with this company were the following from Scandinavia: Emil Andersen, Charles A. Tietjen, Andrew J. Hansen, Lars Peter Ove sen, Gustaf Anderson, Christian Lar sen, James P. Olsen. Soren Pedersen, Soren Sorensen, Anders Anderson, Olaus Johnson Nordstrand and Peter P. Dyring. The latter was released because of poor health. Elders Nord strand and Dyring accompanied the Norwegian Saints from Christiania to Liverpool.
A company of Saints, consisting of 66 emigrants and eight returning mis sionaries, viz., Carl August Ek, Andreas Peterson, Bengt M. Ravsten,
280 HISTOR Y O F TH E SCANDINAVIAN MISSIO N
Charle s Jensen, Frederik Juliu s Chris tiansen, August Svenson, Paul i E. B. Hamme r an d Han s Christensen, left Copenhagen, Oct. 17, 1884, boun d for Utah. Elde r Andrea s Peterson, one of the returning Elders, gives the following account of the journey :
"Pres. Anthon H. Lund called Carl A. Ek to act as leader of the company. On the day of sailing the weather was very stormy and a contrary wind was blowing from the north. Hence, after running against the wind and waves for several hours, we had to cast anchor off Helsingor (Elsinore), where we remained until Satur day morning at 2 o'clock, when the wind ceased sufficiently for us to continue the voyage. In the afternoon we had a meet ing of the Saints and in the evening we held a public meeting, at which a numbei of other passengers besides Saints were in attendance. On Monday (Oct. 20th) we arrived at Hull, England, at 7 p. m. The next morning we continued the journey by railroad to Liverpool, where we re mained until Thursday, Oct. 23rd, when we went on board the steamer "City of Berlin." Here we were joined by eighteen emigrants and one returning missionary from Norway (Chr. H. Steffensen), which swelled our company to 84 emigrating Saints and nine returning Elders. We sailed from Liverpool at 12 o'clock noon. On Saturday, Oct. 25th, we were exposed to a very strong wind. The storm increased during the day and the night was still worse. About 12 o'clock midnight, six of the missionaries arose and united in prayer, asking the Lord to quiet the elements. Our prayers were answered, for the weather on Sunday morning was much better and we praised the Lord. On Sunday, Nov. 2nd, we arrived at New York, and in the even ing of the same day we left New York by railroad train. During the next six days we enjoyed a pleasant journey over the fertile fields, plains, valleys and mountains of our beautiful America, and on Sunday, Nov. 9th, we arrived at Ogden, Utah, all happy and well."
Apostl e John Henr y Smith and Elde r George C. Lambert arrived in Copenhagen, Aug. 5, 1884, on a visit to Scandinavia . After their retur n to Englan d the following appeare d as an editorial in the "Millennia l Star: " "We [President John Henry Smith and
Elder George G. Lambert] recently en joyed the privilege of paying a brief visit to the Scandinavian Mission and learning
APOSTLE JOHN HENRY SMITH, Born Sept. 18, 1848, at Carbunca, near Kanes ville, Pottawattamie County, Iowa; died Oct. 13, 1911, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
by observation and report of the progress of the work in Denmark and Sweden. We held meetings in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aal borg, Goteborg and Malmo, thus visiting five out of the seven conferences of the mission, those of Stockholm and Christiania being alone excepted. Though laboring under the disadvantage of not being able to speak the language of the country, we were fortunate in having most excellent interpreters, generally Pres. Anthon H. Lund, to render what we said intelligible to those who did not understand English. And as for understanding the people, if their language was not always plain to us, there was no mistaking the spirit that animated the Saints when they met us, that caused their faces to beam with joy and prompted the hearty greeting. It was the same spirit that characterizes the Saints of God in every land. We met 24 of the Utah Elders who were engaged in the Scandinavian Mission, and found them enjoying the spirit of their calling and generally in good health. Not as many conversions are made now in that region as at some periods in the past, but this is from no fault of the Elders who are laboring there, for they are zealous and energetic in their efforts to bring the people to a knowledge of the truth. Scan dinavia has been a very prolific field for the propagation of the gospel. It has yielded a large number of very good Saints,
HISTOR Y O F TH E SCANDINAVIAN MISSIO N 2 8 1
who are among the staunchest supporters of the work of God at the present day."
Elders Smit h an d Lambert left Copenhagen, returning to England , Aug. 15, 1884.
Unde r date of July 18, 1884, a local Elder, Joha n Blom, wrot e from Amin nefors, Finland , to the effect that h e ha d been summone d befor e the authorities of the province , an d after trial was fined for having circulated tracts an d for having baptized two peopl e on a Sunday night, which the court interpreted as breakin g the Sabbath. He was fined 597 marks, besides costs of court, amounting to 913 marks, altogether 1510 marks. Brothe r Blom writes:
"The costs of court will be paid by the selling of my little furniture, and the fine I must, through lack of means, atone for by 28 days in prison on water and bread. However, I was permitted to [appeal the case to the Senate within 60 days, reckon
ing from June 30th. * * I am now wait ing to see what the outcome will be. I am at present engaged in laying out a garden here at Aminnefors Bruk. The Saints here are good and faithful and believe that these prosecutions will result in good. Some friepds declare that the greater the persecutions, the stronger their faith in the gospel is established."
Unde r dat e of Nov. 22, 1884, Elde r August L. Hedber g wrote to Pres. Anthon H. Lun d from Abo, Finland, a s follows:
"I arrived here in Abo, Oct. 8, 1884, safe and well, with my books and stayed here eight days; sold some books and bap tized two persons. On the 16th I traveled to Helsingfors, where I also spent a few days, sold books and baptized one person. Incidentally I called on two priests and offered my literature and spent several hours in conversation with them. I was successful in my discussion and afterwards held a meeting, the first which had ever been held in that place. Thence I went to Sibbo, where some Saints and investigators are living. I there held many good meet ings and the people expressed a desire that I should continue to preach to them. I therefore held meetings every second day, occasionally every day, and on one day 1 held three meetings. For some time I
wondered how long Lucifer would permit me to have such progress, but I did not have to wonder very long, for one morning, at 7 o'clock, I was visited by a parish magistrate armed with a written order *rom the Governor commanding me to leave the neighborhood within three days. The officer was accompanied by another man as a witness. I paid no attention, however, to this order, but continued to hold meetings and baptized one person. On the 9th of November, in the evening the officer called again, but on that occa sion I was several miles away holding a meeting at the home of one of our sisters I was afterwards informed that he had visited a number of people, asking them what I had taught them, and he was an
swered that I had taught them doctrines contained in the Bible. The following day, as early as possible, I was compelled to leave the place, and went to Helsingfors. Here I had to be very prudent, as the police officers were after me. The newspapers throughout the province were filled with stories concernirtg me and four police of ficers got hold of my books, which I had left with one of the Saints, and carried them away with them, which caused the editors much joy. * * While I stayed there three days the officers sought in vain for me twice, and then I thought I had better leave, which I did and walked to the residence of Brother Blom at Bilnas Bruk, ten miles from Helsingfors. When the baron heard that I intended to visit that place, he caused such an uproar that Brother Blom was not permitted to give me shelteri. Consequently, I had to find lodg ing with strangers. Brother Blom has suf fered much for the gospel's sake and still expects 28 days' imprisonment and also several hundred marks fine, but he is happy, nevertheless, although he had to eat his Christmas meals in prison. He has done much good for the spread of the gospel here. I spent a couple of days there and baptized two persons; several others requested baptism. I held a meeting at the home of a sister God, in the village of Ajale. There I received a letter from Sister Vorster of Helsingfors, in which she stated that she had called at the police station for my books, but was answered that they could not be delivered, and that if they got hold of me I would have to pay al least 600 marks in fine, as it was abso lutely forbidden to sell "Mormon" liter ature in the city.
"Notwithstanding all the opposition I have had, I am happy to be laboring for
282 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
the progress of the work of the Lord, and never in my life have I been more blessed than during my sojourn in Finland: yet 1 shall soon have to leave here in order to avoid punishment, for no mercy can be found among the Finns; yet I expect to visit Helsingfors and Sibbo once more, for there are some there who will receive the gospel and some of my effects are there. The officers will have to do with me what they like, for I know that my cause is right, and I hope that the Lord will con tinue to be with me. If he had not helped me, my circumstances would have been worse than they are. Tomorrow I expect to hold a meeting here (in Abo) and I shall watch for the consequences."
Elder Hedberg departed from Fin land after baptizing eight persons. A number of others were believers when he left. The mail department in Finland adopted the habit of open ing the "Nordstjernan" packages and sending the empty wrappers to the Saints. On being remonstrated with, the post office officials explained that their orders were to let no "Mor mon" papers enter Finland.
During the year 1884, 36 Elders were called to Scandinavia as mis sionaries from Zion. They arrived on the following dates: Waldemar Petersen of Salt Lake City (on his second mission), Christian F. Olsen of Hyrum, Ferdinand F. Hintze of Cottonwood, James Nielsen of Brig
ham City, Hans Christensen of Rich field, Peter Mikkelsen and Peter P. Dyring of Manti, James Olsen of Logan and Soren Christensen of Deseret, arrived on May 6th. Pauli E. B. Hammer of Salt Lake City, (who had been banished from Aus tria) arrived on June 4th (on his second mission), Christian Anderson of Ogden, Jeppa Jeppsson of Brigham City, Thomas R. Schroder of Nephi, Mads P. Madsen of Ephraim, Niels C. Christensen of Levan, Nephi Anderson of Peterson, Utah, Matts S. Mattson of St. Charles, Idaho, Swen A. Wannberg of Salt Lake City, Peter W. Peterson of Smith
field, Edward Hanson of Logan, Christian Christiansen (on his second mission) of Levan, Niels Hansen of Manti, Christian N. Lundsteen of Levan, and Carl Gustaf Anderson of Salt Lake City, Utah, arrived Nov. 1st, Jas. H. Clinger of Provo, arrived Nov. 2nd. Rasmus Borgquist of Salt Lake City arrived Nov. 8th. Andrew Olson of Gunnison, John J. Johnson (Johanson) of Logan, Johan Peter Mortensen of Salt Lake City, John A. Eliason and Anders Gustaf Sandberg of Grantsville, Lars Tool son of Smithfield, Charles J. Strom
berg, Peter M. Anderson and August K. Anderson of Grantsville arrived
CHARLES J. STROMBERG
Was born April 8, 1847, at Kyrkefalla, Skara borgs Ian, Sweden, the son of John Fredrick Stromberg and Ulrika Julina Johnson; baptized Aug. 25, 1862, by John Felt; emigrated to Utah the same year; crossed the Plains by ox team in Captain Joseph Home's* company; married Anna Dorothea Erickson, Jan. 10, 1876, which marriage was blessed with 13 chil dren (9 boys and 4 girls), of whom 7 are still (1926) living. In 1876 he commenced a seven years' mission among the Indians, and per formed a mission to Sweden in 1884-1886, la boring in the Stockholm Conference, mostly on the island of Gotland and in Eskilstuna. Re turning home he had charge of 400 emigrants to Hull, England. He was ordained a Seventy in 1884, by Joseph Young, and was president of a Seventies quorum for years. He has had two sons' on missions; one, Noel L. Strom berg, labored in Sweden, in 1926.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 283
Nov. 18th, and Rasmus P. Marquard sen of Elsinore arrived Dec. 24th, 1884.
Waldemar Petersen, Christian F. Olsen, Peter Mikkelsen, Mads P. Madsen, and Peter W. Peterson, were appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference. Hans Christensen, Pauli E. B. Hammer, Niels C. Christensen, John J. Johnson (Johanson) and Johan P. Mortensen were appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference. Christian Christiansen was appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference, part of the time as president of said conference. Rasmus P. Marquardsen was appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference and afterwards in the mission office in Copenhagen. Soren Christensen and Christian N. Lund steen were appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference. Elder Lund
steen was subsequently banished from Denmark.
Peter P. Dyring, Christian Ander son, Nephi Anderson and James H. Clinger were appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference. Andrew Olson and Charles John Stromberg were appointed to labor in the Stock holm Conference. Edward Hanson was appointed to labor in the Stock holm Conference and later as trans lator and writer in the mission office in Copenhagen. Jeppa Jepps son, Matts S. Mattson, Rasmus Borg quist, Lars Toolson and Peter Mag nus Anderson were appointed to labor in the Skane Conference. Swen A. Wannberg, Carl Gustaf Anderson, John A. Eliason and Anders G. Sand berg were appointed to labor in the Goteborg Conference. August K. Anderson was appointed to labor as traveling Elder and later as president of the Goteborg Conference. Jens Olsen and Thomas R. Schroder were appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference and later in the Aarhus Conference. Ferdinand F. Hintze, James (Jens) Nielsen and Niels
Hansen were appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference.
CHAPTER 68 (1885)
Banishment of Elders from Denmark—Heal ing of the sick—Elders in Sweden .summoned to appear in court—President Daniel H. Wells and Elder Chas*. W. Penrose visit Scandinavia —General condition of the mission.
The enforcement of the anti-polyg amy laws against the Latter-day Saints in the United States had its effects also in the Scandinavian countries, especially after the U. S. ambassadors and consuls abroad had been instructed from Washington not to extend any protection to Ameri
can citizens who were engaged in missionary work in the interest of the "Mormons." The effect of this was felt at once in Denmark, where Latter-day Saint missionaries hither
to had enjoyed more liberty than in either Sweden or Norway. The civil authorities on the island of Bornholm were the first to issue edicts of banish ment against the Elders. Thus the court at Ronne on May 23, 1885, banished Elder August Valentine from the island for having preached "Mormonism." He was sent to Copenhagen, where he was impris
oned five days, and then sent to Hull. England. Brother John P. Ipsen, who had labored as a missionary in Norway, visited Bornholm for the purpose of seeing some of his rela
tives and preach the gospel. He was summoned into court at the same time as Bro. Valentine, and was arrested, but was given permission to remain on the island, if he would promise not to preach "Mormonism." Elder Ipsen replied that he neither could, nor would, make such a promise. Bro. Valentine had appointed a meet ing out in the country on Whitsuntide Sunday, and Bro. Ipsen went to the place appointed, and, at the request of the owner of the house and others present, he delivered a discourse on the doctrines of Ghrist, proving his
284 HISTOR Y O F TH E SCANDINAVIAN MISSIO N
assertions from the Bible. As there was religious liberty in Denmark, he did not imagine tha t it could be
AUGUST VALENTINE
Was born Aug. 27, 1837, on the island of Bornholm, Denmark, the son of Valentin Val entinsen. His parents were among the first converts to the gospel on the island of Born hoim, being baptized in 1852, August was* baptized soon afterwards and emigrated to Utah, with his parents' consent, leaving Copenhagen in December, 1852, in the so-called John E. Forsgren company, and located in Brigham City. Soon afterwards his parents arrived in Utah and the family passed through many vicissitudes and hardships of pioneer life. August received a common school education and When 22 years of age married Mary Houston who bore him eleven children. In 1883-1885 he filled a mission to Scandinavia, but was ban ished from Denmark for preaching the gospel. In 1885 he married Sophy Hansen Egesen who bore him gix children. From 1892 to October. 1905, he acted as Bishop of the Brigham City Second Ward. In 1914 he removed with his family to Salt Lake City, where he labored in the Temple and where he died Jan. 11, 1916. as a faithful Latter-dayt Saint. Bishop Val entine held many positions of responsibility and trust in the community and was known as an honest, upright, public-spirited man who never shirked a duty; he was kind and con siderate to his family.
otherwise on Bornholm, and did not surmis e tha t the civil authoritie s would forbid Danish men and women to exercise their liberties as the con
stitution of the country guaranteed them. Yet, Bro. Ipsen was inter rupted in his sermon and compelled
to close the meeting. H e was then arrested and taken to Ronne , wher e h e was imprisoned till the following day, when he was sentenced to two days' imprisonment for having preached Bible doctrines. After serv ing his time in prison, h e was libera
ted, but soon afterward h e was again summone d into court, wher e an order was read to him, simila r to the one tha t ha d been read to Bro. Valentine the week before. He wa s taken to Copenhagen and, after suffering two days' imprisonment, he wa s trans ported to England .
Speaking about those cases of banishment, Pres. Antho n H. Lund wrot e unde r date of Ma y 28 , 1885, the following:
"Here in Denmark we have been so secure, having religious liberty, that we have not considered the civil authorities would do anything against us by the law. It was therefore like a bomb in our camp when we heard, yesterday, that Bro. Niels Hansen had been banished from the coun try. We have heard for some time that they wanted to drive the Elders from Den
mark and we knew that something was brewing, as they had called the Elders up before the police courts, asking them a great many questions; but we had no idea that they could do anything of the kind. I went to see a lawyer about this, and he told me they could not do it, as there was no law against preaching, and he thought that Bro. Hansen should demand a trial. I telegraphed him to that effect and felt quite assured that we would gain the case. In the afternoon (yesterday) we had a still greater surprise. We re ceived a letter from Bro. Valentine that he was confined in one of the cells in the courthouse here in this city (Copenhagen), expecting to be sent away from the country tonight. He had advertised to hold meet ings on Bornholm and was then called up and told to leave forthwith, or they would send him away by force. He refused to go and five minutes after the appointed time two policemen came for him, and he was sent here to Copenhagen with orders that he should be sent to England. I called on the U. S. minister today and asked him the question, if American citizens could be banished from the country without a trial. He said: 'I believe they can; there is
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 285
some law that gives them arbitrary power to expel foreigners.' He then told me that he had tried to help Mr. Frandson (the preacher who was in Utah about four years ago), but they had banished him anyhow. This Frandson had many influential friends, but they could not move the authorities. When I learned they had banished him, I wondered how long they would leave us alone. The minister promised, if we sent him a written statement and the party's citizenship papers, that he would go to the chief of the department of justice and see what could be done; but he had very little hopes. Our counsel had meanwhile been up to find out the grounds on which they banished Bro. Valentine, and found that it was not on account of religious belief, or preaching, but that they had construed, or rather contorted, a paragraph in the law concerning foreigners to be applicable to our missionaries. It was originally intended for socialists and political agi tators, but the law being very arbitrary in its wording, the authorities can expel any foreigner who has not obtained the right to be supported, if they have occa sion to believe that he may become ob noxious. Our counsel said there was nothing to do, as the judge who banished Bro. Valentine did it according to orders received from the attorney-general. Had the initiative come from the lower courts, we might have had some chance of fighting it, but as it came from the head we had none. When I saw there was no chance to bring the case before the courts, I telegraphed for Bro. Niels Hansen to come to Copenhagen.
"Bro. Valentine left here tonight. He was taken on board by one of the police. It was with curious feelings I saW Bro. Valentine leave. He is the first one that my native land, always so law-revering, has banished from her shores for preaching the gospel of Christ. Where will it end? Brother Daniel K. Brown, who wishes to visit relatives in England before going home in June, went by the same steamer. Bro, Valentine will go to Liverpool to get orders from you what to do. If it meets your mind, he might be sent to Norway, where we are short of missionaries. He might labor in England, as he talks Eng lish better than Danish. He has been in this mission a little more than a year and a half."
Elde r Niels Hansen, who had labored in the Frederikshavn Branch, arrived in Aalborg , May 27th, having
been served with papers banishin g him from the country. He was given permission to remai n two days in Frederikshavn, two days in Aalbor g and two days in Copenhagen. If he was not out of the country by the end of these days of grace , h e wa s to be fined 180 kroner, or b e imprisoned 30 days on brea d an d water.
When Elde r Hanse n arrived in Copenhagen, he was appointed to labor in Norway. A coupl e of breth ren accompanied him to the court house in Copenhagen to let the polic e know that he ha d arrived. They were quite astonished when they opened the door an d entered the hall to meet Elde r Joh n P . Ipsen, who ha d been led away to a cell to be kept in confinement until h e could be sent out of the country. Bro. Ipsen ha a been released to return home , having served two years in the mission as a missionary, and h e wa s simpl y on a visit to his friends on Bornholm when he was arrested.
Elde r Ferdinan d F. Hintze was called before the polic e court in Aalborg, Denmark, Ma y 26, 1885, to give an account of himself and his fellow-missionaries in tha t city. He had been questioned by these officers once before. Later orders of banish
ment from Denmar k wer e served on Elders F. F. Hintze and Christian Nielsen (Lundsteen) at Aalborg , Jun e 8, 1885. Bro. Hintze, however, was permitted to stay in Aalbor g until the 13th.
Elders Hintze and Lundsteen ar rived in Copenhagen, Jun e 14th, and as they appeare d in court, Elde r Lundsteen did not answer the ques tions put to him to the satisfaction of the officer in charge , and so h e was placed in prison, wher e h e wa s
kept until the ship on which h e was to leave Denmar k left the following day. He was stripped of all his valuable s and kept on prison fare. At night the prison officers ordered
286 HISTOR Y O F TH E SCANDINAVIAN MISSIO N
h im to take off his clothes and go to bed ; they took his clothes out of his room, and according to his say ing "wa s treated like a dog. " Bro.
Lundsteen submitted to this treatment cheerfully, realizing that he only suffered for the gospel's sake, and tha t the treatment he received was unjust an d unrighteous. Elde r Hintze was turned loose, and finally per
mitted to visit his friends an d rela tives on Sjaelland. To escape the re sults of banishment h e was appointed to labor in Norway. Unde r date of Jun e 19, 1885, Elde r Hintze journal izes as follows: "This was the last day of grac e for me . Toda y I was
to leave my native land never mor e to return, but there will come another day when the servants of the Lord will be treated differently. "
Bro. Hintze left Copenhagen for Norwa y Jun e 19, 1885, wher e he ha d been appointed to labo r and wher e he arrived after visiting friends and relatives in Sweden.
As a sampl e of how the Elders occasionally were mobbe d in Den mar k we quote the following from the pen of Elde r Hintze :
"We came to Nibe (near Aalborg, Den mark) in a cold and severe northeastern blizzard, the snow blowing right into our faces; but as we had appointed a meeting in Nibe for that evening, we were deter mined to fill our appointment. At the appointed hour the hall was filled with a turbulent element, only a few decent peo ple being seen among them. Seeing the kind of people who had come together, we decided to hold no meeting, as it was evident that the great majority of the people had come to kick up a row, and besides, we thought it blasphemy to ask the Lord to bless a drunken mob. As soon as it was announced that we would not hold a meeting, the mob began howling and whistling and clapping their hands, acting in a way which reminded me of the wild Indians of Western America. We donned our overcoats with the intention of taking a walk out in town, but we had no sooner started before the mob com
menced to yell, curse and swear and
threaten to baptize us in the fjord. We had scarcely reached the outer door when some of the mobbers crowded in upon us and compelled us to fall back in a corner of the room. There I stood silent, saying but little except when some of the rabble got too close to me. They, however, got hold of Brother Lauritzen and before I was aware he was beyond my reach. The main part of the mob, however, stayed by me, as it seemed that I was the particular object of their hatred. One cried out querying, 'Who was it that was pulled out?' 'The little one,' answered one of the mob bers. Then several shouted 'Out with the big one, as he must be the prophet; baptize him good and see that he gets completely under water.' A number of other threats were uttered, but some un seen power seemed to prevent them from hurting us. One strong fellow attempted to take hold of me, but he did not succeed in moving me from my position. In a little while, Bro:. Lauritzen came; they had thrown him to the ground, but had not hurt him bodily, as some one out in the street had interfered, and had commenced boxing some of the mob, thus giving Bro. Lauritzen a chance to get away. In the meantime the landlord came around and succeeded in dividing the mob, and we found an opportunity to retire into a little side chamber until the mob dispersed. The mobbers seemed to be led by a sailor by the name of Petersen and his sons. A rope-maker named Foldager and others also seemed to be among the ring-leaders, while a Mr. Ole Graveson and his son, Bran, defended us most nobly, together with a Mr. Jorgen Hermansen and family. Altogether the outlook in the beginning was that we would be maltreated, but the Lord, by raising up friends, over-ruled it all for our good, and we got away without receiving a single scratch on our bodies. During the whole affair we were not the least frightened, and after it was all over, we felt to thank the Lord for our de liverance."
Cases of miraculous healings unde r the administration of the Elders were of very frequent occurrences in the Scandinavian Mission, though only a few instances have been referred to in detail in this history. Bro. Marcus Hermanse n and wife (Mari e Christine Hermansen), who were bap tized in October, 1884, published
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 287
their testimony to the world that their little son was subject to having fits every day, and often several times a day, and suffered so that they did not think the child could live, but that he has been healed by the power of God through the laying on of hands by Elders Christian Nielsen and Daniel K. Brown. After the administration the child was entirely free from these attacks and was per fectly well. The man was a miller, well known and highly respected.
During the winter of 1884-1885, the missionaries who labored in Namsos, Norway, baptized a family in which the wife had been a chronic invalid, but after her baptism she had not been sick a single day.
A man by the name of Martinsen, a sort of religious agitator, delivered lectures against the Mormons, utter ing the grossest lies and slanders that could be imagined. In his lectures, he exhibited the kind of clothing used by the Saints in their temples.
Under date of May 28, 1885, Pres. Anthon H. Lund reported that some of the brethren in Norway had been treated to the dreaded diet, bread and water.
In Stockholm, Sweden, Pres. Oley Oleson was called up before the court to meet the charge of having preached after being warned by the church council not to do so. It was con
sidered best for him not to meet the charge in person, but request leave to answer in writing. This threw the burden of proof upon the prosecuting attorney, who asked to have the case postponed until a later day. The police authorities had • expected to get evidence from Bro. Oleson him self by asking him questions, but his answering by letter instead of ap
pearing in court spoiled their calcu lations for the time being. A gentle man not in the Church offered to conduct the case, and while there was not much chance to escape trial,
it would postpone the time until Pres. Oleson's missionary term had expired, so that he could return home. After leaving the country, he would not care what the sentence might be.
When Bro. Oley Oleson was sum moned to appear in court June 20th, the charge against him for teaching in the Sunday school was quashed, but Bro. N. Erickson, in whose name the Saints had hired a hall, was sentenced to a punishment for using the hall for Sunday school purposes. August Johanson was convicted for having taught children under 15 years of age the Latter-day Saint catechism, and Bro. Oleson for hav
ing preached, after having been for bidden to do so by the Church council.
On Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1885, Elders Francis M. Lyman, jun., and Geo. C. Naegle arrived in Copenhagen, Den mark, on a visit to Scandinavia. They spent several days in Copen hagen.
Pres. Daniel H. Wells, president of
DANIEL H. WELLS
Born Oct. 27, 1814, in Trenton, Oneida Co., New York, died March 24, 1891, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
288 HISTOR Y O F TH E SCANDINAVIAN MISSIO N
the Europea n Mission, an d Elders Chas. W. Penros e and Melvin D. Wells of Salt Lake City, Utah , an d George Osmond, of Bloomington, Idaho , arrived in Copenhagen, Sept. 26, 1885, on a visit to Scandinavia . These visiting brethren attended meetings in Malmo (Sweden), Christiani a (Norway), Stockholm (Sweden), and at these places gave timely and good instructions to the Saints; their visit accomplished a grea t deal of good.
After the return of Pres. Danie l H. Wells to England, the following editorial from the pen of George Osmond was published in the "Mil
lennia l Star: "
"The aptitude of the Scandinavians to receive the gospel, and the important part taken by them in the great Latter-day work, are sufficient to make interesting any particulars relating to that mission, and therefore, during the recent visit of Pres. Wells and party, a few items were gath ered for the information of our readers
"The work of the Scandinavian Mission is moving slowly at the present time. The people, generally, manifest great indiffer ence to religion of all kinds. Denmark appears to have been thoroughly warned by our Elders, who say that our tracts are to be found in nearly every house they visit. Nearly all the people they meet and converse with tell them they have relatives and friends in Utah. Of course, among the thousands who have gone up to Zion some have been disaffected, and the letters, which that class of people has sent home, seem to have enjoyed a much larger circu lation than the letters sent by the faithful and contented Saints. It is possible, too, that they have been more industrious in writing.
"All religions are tolerated in Denmark with the rather vague condition that noth ing immoral shall be taught. No out-door preaching is allowed in any part of Scandi navia. The correspondence columns of the Star have made our readers acquainted with the arbitrary "Foreigners' Law" of Denmark, by means of which any resident foreigners, who may become obnoxious to the government, can be summarily banished from the kingdom without trial or hearing. That such a law exists in autocratic Ger
many is not surprising, but it is an ugly
blot upon the free institutions of Denmark, and is so regarded even by some members of the government themselves, and prob ably nothing less than an intense fear of Socialists and dynamiters (for the law was professedly made for their benefit) could reconcile a liberty-loving people to such a law. Be that as it may, it has been taken advantage of by the hireling clergy, who have brought a great pressure to bear upon the government against our mission
ary Elders, in whose successful labors they see the overthrow of their man-made and un-inspired systems of religion. It is a singular fact that at a large religious con
vention, held some months ago, the repre sentatives of the various sects could agree upon no matter of business nor doctrine that came up, until the subject of 'Mor monism' was broached, when all imme diately united in the sentiment that 'the "Mormons" must go.' It is also said that American influence is at work inducing the Danish Government to turn the law against our Elders. When the mayor of Aalborg banished Elder Neve under the 'For eigners' Law,' he asked how such an arbi trary course could be taken in a country where religious freedom was claimed to exist, against a man whose only offence consisted in preaching the gospel. The mayor candidly acknowledged the injustice of the act, but said his orders came from high officials and he believed that Amer ican influence had something to do with it. Six of our Elders have already been ban ished from Denmark under this law, which is justified by its supporters upon the theory that visiting foreigners are the guests of a nation, and government assumes to say who shall be its guests, on the prin ciple that a man has a right to say who shall visit his house.
"In Norway and Sweden all Christian dissenters are tolerated, but the Latter-day Saints are not recognized as a Christian sect. * * The consequence is that in Sweden and Norway the Saints have no tight to preach or pray in meetings, ad minister the Sacrament or baptize. But the law in this matter is not strenuously enforced, and we find that the practice is far better than the theory. * *
"Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, and its environs present the best field at pres ent for our missionaries, there being a flourishing branch in that city and a spirit cf friendliness and enquiry among the peo
ple. In this conference is a fine corps of a dozen young, native missionary Elders. "In Christiania, the capital of Norway,
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 289
there is a fine branch of the Church, with a good choir. * * The Saints are blessed in the possession of a large, well built house, which affords a suite of rooms for conference purposes, a commodious and well-fitted-up meeting hall, and several spare rooms which are rented out. At a critical time, when there seemed to be danger of the property passing from the possession of the Saints through debt, a little timely help from President Taylor carried them safely over the crisis.
"The Saints have suffered some perse cutions in all these three Scandinavian countries, and many of our Elders have been imprisoned at various times. About three years ago, one of our young mission
aries was arrested in Upsala, Sweden, and sentenced by the judge to seventeen days' imprisonment on bread and water. Three days after passing sentence the judge died. A short time after this a policeman was requested to arrest some 'Mormons.' He refused, remarking at the same time that they could spare no more judges.
"While it is certain that the lives of some of our brethren have been consider ably shortened by exposure, ill-usage and imprisonment in Scandinavia, there has been
but one who has suffered direct martyrdom for the Gospel's sake. This was about eight years ago, in the City of Aalborg, Denmark. A young man was quietly walk
ing in the streets, when he was attacked by a ruffian who, without the slightest pro vocation, cursed him for being a 'Mormon' and stabbed him in the throat. The young brother died in a few days from the effects of the wound, and his murderer was sen
tenced to one year's imprisonment, which would be considered by some as rather a severe sentence, considering that his vic tim was only a 'Mormon.'
"While in Copenhagen, Pres. Wells and party visited the grave of Elder Niels Wilhelmsen, who died in that city, August 1, 1881, just at the close of his presidency of the Scandinavian Mission, an office which he honorably filled for about two years. His fellow-laborers in the mission ary field erected a monument over his grave, which, though not grand nor pre
tentious in its style, is considered an exquisite piece of work, Elder Wilhelm sen had been a close personal friend of some of the party, and as we stood rever
ently by his grave, we recalled his pleasant, kindly manner and unfaltering devotion to the truth.
"The Scandinavian Saints cherish his 19
memory with great affection, and as Pres ident Lund traveled with us through the conferences he was occasionally addressed by the Saints as 'Brother Wilhelmsen,' and we learned that it was intended as the greatest compliment that could be offered him. We need hardly say that Brother
Lund looked upon it in the same light. "About five hundred baptisms have re warded the labors of the Elders in Scandi navia so far this season, and we found the brethren full of faith and zeal, abounding in good works. At the various meetings attended by Pres. Wells and party, the Saints and strangers crowded the meeting houses and paid close attention to the re marks of the speakers. That the service of interpreters had to be called into requi sition was a little drawback, but the excel lent spirit that prevailed needed no in terpreter."
CHAPTER 69 (1885)
Elder Nils C. Flygare succeeds Anthon H. Lund as president of the mission—Another large emigration)—Forty Elders from Zion ar rive in Scandinavia.
Elder Nils C. Flygare of Ogden, Utah, arrived in Copenhagen, Den mark, Oct. 14, 1885, having been ap pointed to succeed Pres. Anthon H. Lund in the presidency of the Scandi navian Mission. For several days after that, the outgoing and incoming president were busy balancing ac counts and making the transfers. When Pres. Lund left with the emi grant company Oct. 19, 1885, Elder Flygare took charge of the mission.
The emigration of Saints to Zion from Scandinavia in 1885 was not quite as large as the previous year; but we notice the following com
parison: The steamship "Milo" sail ed from Copenhagen, April 2, 1885, with 73 Saints on board, including three returning Elders, bound for Utah. The returning Elders were Niels Petersen, Lars Peter Jensen and Niels C. Christensen. After a pleasant voyage across the North Sea, the company arrived in Hull, England, at 10 p. m. on the 5th. The following day the emigrants were joined by 10 emigrating Saints
290 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
from Norway, who had left Chris tiania on the 3rd, under the leader ship of Hans Poulsen, and the same, day the journey was contigued to Liverpool, where the emigrants stop ed at a hotel until April 11th, when they sailed from Liverpool on the ship "Wisconsin," together with other returning missionaries and emigrants from Great Britain. Elder Louis P Lund was placed in charge of the company, which arrived in New York April 22nd, and in Salt Lake City, April 28th, 1885. During the voyage across the Atlantic the emigrants en countered stormy weather and also came in close contact with an iceberg.
A Company of emigrating Saints, 32 in number, sailed from Copen hagen, June 11, 1885, per steamship "Cato" in charge of Elders Lars F. Swalberg. Another company of Saints, 40 in number, sailed from Christiania, June 12, per steamship "Angelo," in charge of Elders Mar tin Christoffersen, Thorvald A. Thoresen and Joseph Monson. After a pleasant voyage, this company of emigrants arrived in Hull, England, on Sunday afternoon, June 14th, after 47 hours' voyage across the North Sea. They remained on board the ship until Monday morning, when they continued the journey to Liver pool by rail. Here they joined the company of Saints which had left Copenhagen the previous Thursday (June 11th).
A company of emigrating Saints, consisting of 273 Danish and Swedish emigrants, sailed from Copenhagen June 15, 1885, per steamer "Panther," which had been specially chartered for the purpose of bringing these emigrants to England. The com
pany was placed in charge of Elder Jorgen Hansen. Other returning Elders were the following nine: Frederik Ludvigsen, Chas. J. A. Lind
ouist, John Hyrum Anderson, Samuel P. Nielsen, Emil Erickson, Ole Soren
sen, Chas. J. Christensen, Ole Han sen and Chr. N. Lundsteen. The
JORGEN HANSEN
Leader of emigrant company, was born Aug. 1, 1852, in Haulykke, Lolland, Denmark, the son of Peter Hansen and Anne Danielsen. who joined the Church in April, 1857. Jorgen was baptized by his father May 13, 1865. With his parents he emigrated to Utah in 1866, crossing the Atlantic in the sailing vessel "Cavour" and the Plains in Captain Abner Lowry's company. His mother died on the steamboat going up the Missouri river, and 'his three brothers died on the plains. Bro. Hansen made his home in Provo, Utah, where he has lived ever since, and after being ordained to offices in the Priest hood became a member of the 34th Quorum of Seventy, Jan. 28, 1876. On May 13, 1877, he married Mary Nielsen; twelve children were born to them, five sons and seven daughters. In 1883-1885 Elder Hansen filled a mission to Scandinavia, where he presided over the South west Sjaelland Branch and later over the Copen hagen Conference. Returning home in June, 1885, he had charge of a company of 541 emi grating Saints (including 335 Scandinavians') and thirty returning missionaries, crossing the Atlantic on the ship "Wisconsin." The com pany arrived in Salt Lake City July 7, 1885. Bro. Hansen was ordained a High Priest July 19, 1885, and set apart as* first counselor to Bishop James W. Loveless of the Provo Second Ward; later, he served as second counselor to Bishop Myron Tanner of the Provo Third Ward. In 1885 (Oct. 9th) he married Alma Nielsen, who, after giving birth to a swn died Sept. 27, 1886. He acted as a home missionary and presi dent of a quorum of block teachers. In a civil capacity he has served as a member of the city council and as street supervisor of Provo City, deputy water-master, justice of the peace, etc. He also acted as superintendent of the Timpano gas Ward Sunday School for eleven years and is now secretary of the Timpanogas Ward High Priests' Quorum.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 291
weather was fine and the best of order prevailed while the emigrants boarded the ship. Many friends and strangers had gathered on the wharf to witness the departure of the "Mormons." Just before the sailing of the vessel, Elder Christian Nielsen Lundsteen was brought on board by the police; he had been banished from the country, and when he ar rived in Copenhagen the previous Sunday morning and reported him
self at police headquarters, he was placed under arrest and kept a pris oner till the following afternoon. He did not feel downcast because of the unpleasant event, but rejoiced because he was counted worthy to suffer for the sake of Christ. The steamer "Panther" encountered stormy weather on the voyage from Copenhagen to Hull, especially in doubling Cape Skagen, where a de
lay of 12 hours was made necessary on account of the bad weather. Con siderable seasickness prevailed as a matter of course. Early in the morn ing of June 19th, anchor was cast off Hull, but, owing to low water, the emigrants did not land till about noon. The same day an extra train was placed at their disposal and they left Hull at 12:30 p. m., and ar rived in Liverpool in the evening, the train taking them direct to the Alexandria dock, whence their bag gage was hauled to the steamship "Wisconsin," on which they went on board, together with quite a number of emigrating Saints from Great Britain. The whole company then consisted of 541 emigrating Saints and 30 returning Elders, under the direction of Jorgen Hansen.
On Thursday, Aug. 20, 1885, a compafty of emigrants, 93 in number, sailed from Copenhagen with the steamship "Cato" for Hull, bound for America, under the leadership of Elder Niels C. Mortensen. Three other Elders from Zion, returning
home from missions, also went with this company, namely, Lars Larsen, Mons Monson and Andrew J. Ander. son. After a successful voyage across the North Sea, during which the emigrants were treated with due courtesy by the ship's officers and crew, the emigrants arrived in Hull, Aug. 23rd. Thence they continued the journey by rail to Liverpool where they went on board the steam ship "Wisconsin" August 28th, to
gether with a number of British Saints and several returning mission aries. The company was organized with Elder J. W. Thornley as presi dent and Niels C. Mortensen and Thomas Biesinger as his assistants. The ship sailed Aug. 29th and had a pleasant voyage across the Atlantic. During the voyage a child, two years old, died, belonging to Sister Mar grethe Degelbleck from Germany. Sister Johanna Nyberg, after several days' sickness, also died on board Sept. 6th, and her remains were con signed to the watery grave on the 7th. Several meetings were held on board. The "Wisconsin" arrived in New York harbor in the evening of Sept. 8th and the following day, Sept. 9th, the emi. grants landed at Castle Garden, New York. The same day, the journey was continued by rail westward. They arrived in Salt Lake City, Sept. 14th.
On Friday, Aug. 21st, a company of emigrating Saints, 38 in number, sailed from Christiania, Norway, with the steamship "Angel o" under the leadership of Elder Niels Hansen, a returning missionary. The company reached England jin safety, where they joined the larger company of Scandinavian Saints which had left Copenhagen August 20th, and to gether with them they crossed the Atlantic in the ship "Wisconsin."
A company of emigrating Saints, 112 souls, and 8 returning Elders, sailed from Copenhagen, Denmark*
292 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
in the evening of Oct. 15, 1885, per steamship "Bravo," under the leader ship of M. Fred. T. Christensen, who had labored in the office of "Skandi naviens Stjerne." The following day (Oct 16th), the company was organized so as to hold prayer meet ings morning and evening at three places on board. The weather during the voyage across the North Sea was exceptionally good and the company arrived in Hull, Sunday morning, Oct. 18th. Owing to low water the harbor was not reached until the afternoon and the emigrants spent another night on board. After landing Monday morning, Oct. 19th, and passing through the custom-house, the emi grants traveled by rail to Liverpool, where they stopped at a hotel until the afternoon of the 23rd, when they went on board the steamship "Nevada." The next morning (Oct. 24th) the company was organized by Pres. Daniel H. Wells and Charles W. Penrose, with Anthon H. Lund as leader and Christopher J. Arthur and Samuel R. Bennion as his counselors. There were 433 passengers on board of whom nearly 300 were Latter
day Saints, including 26 returning Elders. Pres. Lund appointed Elder M. Fred. T. Christensen to preside over the Scandinavian Saints with Hans D. Petterson and James Olsen as his assistants, and Edward Morgan to preside over the English Saints and Brother John R. Boshard over the German Saints. It was decided to hold prayer meetings at 7 'clock morning and evening, and that every thing was to be quiet after 9 p. m., that all who desired to rest might do so.
The ship sailed from Liverpool Oct. 24, 1885, in the evening. The next day (Oct. 26th) there was con siderable seasickness on board, as the sea was somewhat rough, but as the voyage proceeded the passengers, one after another, came to their meals
and could spend their time on deck. The time on board was spent in dif ferent amusements, such as generally are engaged in on board ship. The pilot came on board Nov. 3rd and the following day (Nov. 4th) in the morning, the shores of Long Island were seen, and early in the afternoon the ship arrived at the quarantine sta tion, where the emigrants were sub jected to close examination by the doctors. The ship arrived in New York on Thursday, Nov. 5th, in the morn ing, at the Guion Dock where the lug gage was examined by the custom house officers. The emigrants were next taken to Castle Garden, where their goods were weighed, and later in the afternoon they were taken on a tender to Jersey City; the same night (Nov. 5th), they boarded the cars at Jersey City and traveled by rail via Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Omaha to Salt Lake City, where they arrived on Tuesday, Nov. 10th. Some of the emigrants, however, had left the company at Evanston, Wyo ming, and some at Ogden, Utah.
Oley Oleson, Albin C. Anderson, Mads F. T. Christensen, Andrew P. Renstrom, James Olsen and Chr. Christiansen, all returning Elders, traveled with this company.
Besides the Elders who returned home with emigrant companies, the return of the following missionaries is noted: Some time in May, 1855, Elders Christian Nilson, Andrew Andersen, Andrew Christensen and Gustave L. Rosengren left Copen
hagen, to return to their homes in Zion. Elders Daniel K. Brown and August Valentine left Copenhagen for their homes in America, May 28, 1885. Elders Martin Jensen, Charles W. Knudsen and Christen Nelson left Copenhagen, June 2, 1885, to return to their homes in Utah. John P. Ipsen left Copenhagen on the steam er "Milo" for Hull, England, June
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 293
4, 1885, on his return to America. Hans D. Petterson, left Copenhagen Nov. 15th, 1885," for his home in Zion.
In 1885, 50 Utah Elders were called as missionaries to Scandinavia, who arrived in Copenhagen as fol lows: August L. Hedberg of Salt Lake City, March 7th; Soren P. Neve of S. L. City (on his second mission) and John Felt of Huntsville, Utah,
SVEN CARL NILSON
Was born Dec. 24, 1838, at Damstorp, Salle rups parish, Malmohus Ian, Sweden. When 17 years old he moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, where he became a.convert to the restored gos pel and was baptized in 1863. In 1867, being ordained to the Priesthood, he was called to labor as a local missionary on the island of Sjselland, during which he presided over sev eral branches of the Church. He married Maren Sophie Jorgensen and emigrated to Utah with a company of Saints which arrived in Salt Lake City Aug. 10, 1870. After residing in Logan two years he became a permanent settler of Richmond, Cache County, Utah, where he presided over the Scandinavian meetings from 1895 to 1917. In 1S83, he was called to labor as a home missionary in the Cache Stake and in 1885-1887 he filled a mission to Scandinavia, presiding part of the time over the Aalborg conference, Denmark. __ and later labored as a missionary in the Skane conference, Sweden.
After returning home he continued his labors 1 as a home missionary and acted as a president of the 39th quorum of Seventy. In 1914 he visited Scandinavia and traveled considerably in Swe den, Denmark and Norway. He is now a High Priest. For a number of years he has been a member of the Richmond City council and has also acted as sexton in Richmond. Although advanced in years, Elder Nilson is still active in Church affairs.
arrived April 17th; Ole Poulsen of Brigham City, Niels H. Jensen and Peter Mattson of Mt. Pleasant, and Hans J. Christiansen of Logan, Utah, arrived April 20th; Jens W. Jensen of Moroni, James Yorgason (Jorgen - son) of Fountain Green, Jens Chr. Nielsen of Moroni, Utah, and Niels Jorgensen of Oxford, Idaho, arrived April 29th; Soren Thomsen of Bear River City, Nils A. Anderson of Spanish Fork, Anders P. Eliason of Logan, Sven Carl Nilsson of Rich mond, Utah, Jens C. Nielsen of Gen
tile Valley, Idaho, Carl Frederik Carlson of Manti, Christian Nielsen and Nils P. Peterson of Pleasant Grove, Peter C. Jensen of Ephraim, Einar Erickson of Spanish Fork, James Petersen of Fillmore, Nils Anderson of West Jordan, Frederick N. Christiansen of Ephraim, John Hagman of Salt Lake City, Hans Chr.
NILS P. PETERSON
Was born in Bara, Skane, Sweden, March 6, 1840, the son of Anders Petterson and Anna Ofgren, He was baptized in April, 1867, and emigrated to America in 1868, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel. Many deaths oc curred on this voyage owing to bad drinking water. Brother Peterson married Mathilde Holden, who bore him three children, namely. Nils, Frithiof and Hermes. In 1885-1887 he filled a mission to his native country, Sweden, and died at Pleasant Grove, Utah County, Utah. May 8, 1926.
294 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Petersen of Logan, Soren Christof fersen of Manti, Utah, arrived May 4th; Jens Chr. Nielsen and Peter A.
SOREN CHRISTOFFERSEN
Born March 5, 1819, in Bodstrup, Sorby magle parish, Soro Amt, Denmark, embraced the Gospel and was baptized Dec. 8, 1851, by John E. Forsgren; presided over the Son der-Overdrev Branch, Copenhagen Conference, two and one-half years; and when he, as a well-to-do farmer sold his property to emigrate to Zion in 1856, he assisted quite a number of poor Saints to emigrate with him. He lo cated in Brigham City and removed to San pete County in 18S8; filled a mission to Denmark in 1860-62, laboring in the Aarhus and the Skive conferences; participated in the Black Hawk war; filled another mission to Denmark in 1874-75, laboring as traveling Elder in the Copenhagen Conference; acted as a counselor to Bishop Hans Jensen, of Manti, several years; filled a third mission to Den mark in 1885 and died Dec. 29, 1894, after an active life in the Church and in the community.
Forsgren, of Brigham City, Utah, ar rived June 24th; Johan L. Berg of Showlow, Arizona, arrived Aug. 19th; Elof Gustaf Erickson of Salt Lake City, Utah, arrived Sept. 23rd; Nils Chr. Flygare of Ogden, arrived Oct. 14th; Joseph Anderson of Fountain Green, Chas. Oscar Petersen of Fairview, Andrew L. Hyer of Lewiston, Erastus Anderson of Eph
raim, Anton Anderson of Logan, Peter Anderson of Ephraim, Utah, Rasmus Rasmussen of Mink Creek, Idaho, Christen Frandsen of Eph
raim. and Erick B. Ericksen of Mt.
Pleasant, Utah, arrived Nov. 3rd; Swen Ole Nilsson of Fairview, Niels Mikkelsen of Fountain Green, Victor Chas. Hogsted of Harrisville, James J. Anderson of Fountain Green, Mouritz Mouritzen of Smithfield, Peter Olson of Moroni, Rudolph Strom of Mt. Pleasant, Nils Oscar Gyllenskog of Smithfield and Hem ming Hansen of Spring City, Utah, arrived Dec. 1, 1885.
August L. Hedberg, John Felt,
NIELS MIKKELSEN
Was born Jan. 31, 1S50, near Randers, Den mark, and performed military service in the Danish army as a dragoon from Jan. 15, 1872, to Sept. 28, 1873. From July, 1876, to No vember, 1879, he was in the service of Prime Minister Estrup, and while thus employed he became a convert to the restored gospel and was baptized June 8, 1879, at Randers. After being ordained to the Pristhood he labored as a local missionary from November, 1879, to June, 1881, and then emigrated to Zion, ar riving in Salt Lake City in July, 1881. In 1881 (Aug. 10th) he married Dorothea Marie Nielsen, who was born at Oster Veiling, Aug. 10, 1854, and emigrated to Utah in 1880. This marriage was blessed with two sons and two daughters, In 1885-1887 he filled a mission to Denmark and acted part of the time as president of the Aalborg conference. He filled a second mission to Scandinavia in 1903-1905, laboring principally in Aalborg, Aarhus, Veile and Randers. During these missions he baptized about twenty persons. Two of his brothers and one sister received the gospel and emigrated to Utah, settling in Fountain Green, Sanpete County. Brother Mikkelsen's wife and broth ers have done temple work for about 600 persons.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 295
Peter Adolph Forsgren, Joseph Anderson, and Rudolph Strom were appointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference. Soren Peter Neve (ban
ished), Christian Nielsen, Peter Chr. Jensen, Christen Frandsen, Victor Chas. Hogsted, and MourhzJVlourit;^ zen were appointed tolabo r in the Aalborg Conference. Ole Poulsen, Niels Jorgensen, Jens Chr. Nielsen, Frederick N. Christiansen, Soren
Clrri^ff^rsen (on his third mission)^ Jens Chr. Nielsen, Johan L. Berg, Rasmus Rasmussen and Hemming Hansen were appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference. Niels H. Jensen, Nils A. Anderson, Carl Fred Carlson, Jens Petersen, Hans Chr. Petersen, Charles Oscar Peter sen, Anton Anderson and Erick B. Erioksen were appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference. John Hagman, Sven Ola Nilsson and Nils O. Gyllenskog were appointed to labor in the Skane Conference. Peter Mattson was appointed to labor in and afterwards as president of the Skane Conference. Jens W. Jensen, Jens Chr. Nielsen (on his second mission), Soren Thomsen, Erastus Anderson and Peter Andersen were appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference. Anders P. Eliason, Nils Peter Peterson, Nils Anderson, and Elof G. Erickson were appointed to labor in the Goteborg Conference.
Hans Jacob Christiansen (on this his second mission to"i Scandinavia) was appointed to labor in the Copen hagen Conference, and later to pre side over the Christiania Conference. James Yorgason (on his second mis sion) was appointed to preside over the Goteborg and later over the Stockholm Conference. Sven Carl Nilsson was appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference and later to preside over the Aalborg Con ference. Einar Erickson was ap pointed to labor in Iceland. Nils Chr. Flygare was called to preside
over the Scandinavian Mission on this his second mission to Scandi navia.
Andrew L. Hyer was appointed to labor in Norway and afterwards (Dec. 17, 1886,) was called to Eng land to labor. Niels Mikkelsen was appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference, but labored in the Aal borg Conference, part of the time as conference president. Jens Jorgen Andersen was appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference, Denmark, but was banished and finished his mission in the Skane Conference, Sweden. Peter Olsen was appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Confer ence and afterwards in the Aarhus Conference.
CHAPTER 70 (1886)
Newspaper slanders—Johan Blom imprisoned in Finland—Emigrants to Zion leave in small •companies—Arrival of 31 Elders from America.
Under date of March 9, 1886, Pres. Nils C. Flygare wrote the following:
"The newspapers have been very busy of late circulating anti-'Mormon' stuff against us. One of the leading papers of Copen hagen and a paper having a large circu lation in the country, had a very severe article against us a couple of weeks ago, based upon Surveyor-General Dement's in terview in America. This article set forth that the 'Mormon' Apostles had carried on for years a great land fraud, and had swindled the government and robbed the people of thousands of dollars; this, with other lies, spread like wildfire over the land. I wrote a lengthy and truthful an swer to the article, showing up the false hood of every statement made therein. I went to the editor of the paper with but a very faint hope of getting him to publish the article, but I was agreeably surprised when he began to make apologies for the article he had published against us, saying that it was not original, and offered to make any corrections I desired. I told him I had written an answer and that he would do an unpopular people a great justice in publishing it. I handed him the paper; he read it very carefully and said, 'Yes,
296 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
I will publish your answer in full.' I had a long talk with him on Utah matters, and he seemed to be quite interested in hearing our side of the question. The next day my article appeared in full with my signature to it, in a very prominent place in his paper, and without any com ment. It has had a good effect. Nearly everybody was talking about the two arti
cles, and gave him credit for being candid and truthful."
Early in the year 1886, Johan Blom, who had been living in Fin land several years, was sent to prison for 28 days, on water and bread, for having performed baptisms. He ap pealed his case to the supreme court of Finland, but the sentence was con firmed with the expenses of the court added, which amounted to about 400 marks. This was very hard on him, as he was a poor man having a large family.
Under date of March 10, 1886, Elder Einar Erickson wrote from Westmanoen, Iceland, to the effect that there were 28 members of the Church in Iceland; that seven had been baptized during the past year (1885) and three, up to the date of writing, in 1886; three Saints had also emigrated to Zion.
A company of Saints emigrating to Zion (69 souls) and four returning Elders sailed from Copenhagen. April 8, 1886, for England. Elder Charles J. Stromberg was appointed leader of the company to England. The other returning Elders were: Jeppa Jeppsson, Thomas R. Schroder and Peter W. Peterson. After an uneventful voyage the emigrants ar rived in England, whence the journey was continued to Liverpool by rail. Here the emigrants, together with other emigrating Saints from the British Isles, went on board the steamship "Nevada" April 16th. The following day (April 17th) the com
pany was organized by Pres. Daniel H. Wells with Elder Edwin T. Wool ley as leader and Charles J. Strom
berg and James L. McMurrin as his assistants. During the voyage three meetings were held on board, one of them in the first-class cabin. The captain was exceedingly kind and obliging to the Saints, and the weath
er was pleasant, the wind being favor able, and the Saints had a good time, except that a few of them suffered a little with sea sickness. The ship arrived in New York, April 27th, and the Saints were landed at Castle Garden in the evening. The same day (April 27th) the company left New York and traveled by rail via Chicago and Omaha to Ogden, where they arrived safe and well early in the morning of May 4, 1886. The train on which they traveled was de
layed 12 hours at Laramie, Wyom ing, on account of a strike among the laborers. A similar tie-up oc curred at Rawlings, Wyoming. The strikers permitted the train to go on, if the conductor would agree to go through without a brakeman, the strike being on this occasion among the brakemen of the road. The conductor, agreeing to do this, the journey was continued and finished without further molestation.
A small company of emigrating Saints, under the leadership of Eld er James Nielsen, sailed from Chris tiania, Norway, April 9, 1886, for England, and after a safe voyage across the North Sea this company reached Liverpool in good condition and there joined the larger company of Scandinavian emigrants, which had sailed from Copenhagen, April 8th, and traveled with them across the Atlantic Ocean and the continent of America to Utah.
A small company of 17 emigrating Saints and two returning mission aries (Ferdinand F. Hintze and James H. Clinger) sailed from Christiania, Norway, June 18th, 1886, destined for the gathering places of the Saints in the Rocky Mountains. After a
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 297
successful voyage across the North Sea, this company arrived in Eng land, where they joined a large com pany of emigrating Saints, which sailed from Copenhagen, Denmark, June 21st.
A company of Saints, consisting of 290 emigrants and 11 returning mis sionaries, sailed from Copenhagen, Denmark, June 21, 1886, on the steamship "Otto," under the leader ship of Christian F. Olsen. The other
CHRISTIAN FREDERIK OLSEN. Missionary in Scandinavia, was born May 23, 1859, in Copenhagen, Denmark, the son of Frederik Olsen and Bolette Hendriksen. His parents having joined the Church in 1853, he was baptized when eight years old and emi grated to Utah in 1870. He completed his education in the University of Deseret, and the B. Y. College at Logan. In 1875 he located in Hyrum, Cache County, where his parents already resided. There he taught school and filled various positions in the Church and the city. In 1882 (Nov. 7th) he married Emrett Anderson. He filled a mission to Scandi navia in 1884-1886, presiding over the Copen hagen Branch and Conference part of the time. He baptized 43 persons on this mission. Elder Olsen has served 24 years as teacher in the Hyrum schools and two terms as senator in the Utah legislature; he has also acted as county assessor and a director of the Agri cultural College. In 1890 (Oct. 20th) he married Mary Ann Unsworth, who died April 11, 1894. In 1900-1901 he filled another mis sion to Denmark, laboring in the Copenhagen Conference. In 1918 he was appointed county assessor in Cache County, and in 1905 (June 7th) he married Hilda Christina Kjellberg, which marriage has been blessed with six children.
Elders from Zion who returned to Utah with this company were the following: Fred N. Christiansen, Mads P. Madsen, Johan Peter Mor
tensen, John Felt, Peter A. Forsgren, Rasmus Borgquist, Swen A. Wann berg, Elof Gustaf Erickson, Lars
Toolson and Erastus Anderson. The voyage across the North Sea was quite stormy, a brisk wind blow ing against the ship most of the way; consequently, seasickness became quite general, yet good cheer pre vailed among the emigrants, who were not seasick, and they passed the time singing songs of Zion and as sociating pleasantly together. Hav ing safely arrived in the Humber River, the emigrants landed at Hull early Friday morning (June 25th) and continued the journey the same day by rail to Liverpool, where the emigrants boarded the steamship "Nevada," which sailed from Liver pool Saturday, June 26th. During the voyage across the Atlantic two children, belonging to Danish Saints, died and were consigned to a watery grave. As they had been sick almost from the beginning, their demise was not altogether unexpected. A little girl from Copenhagen died July 6th, of lung trouble and the same evening a lame sister (Andrea sen) from Copenhagen, Denmark, was stricken with apoplexy, which ended her life. One of the steward esses in the employ of the steamship company was also stricken with a fit of apoplexy and died on the 6th, and her remains, like the others, were low ered into the depths of the sea. Such mortality among Latter-day Saint emigrants was something very un usual in the history of the emigration of recent years. Otherwise the con dition among the Saints on board during the voyage was good. Union and peace prevailed and the Saints were willing to abide by the counsel given them by those in charge. A
298 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
number of meetings were also held on board. The "Nevada" arrived in New York July 17. The railroad journey was commenced from Jersey City and at Philadelphia, 12 persons were added to the company, increas
ing the total number of the emi grants and returning Elders to 437 souls. Traveling via Chicago and Omaha, the company arrived in Ogden, Utah, Monday afternoon, July 10th, and those who were des tined for the southern settlements reached Salt Lake City the same night. Elder Chr. F. Olsen proved
himself an efficient leader. A number of Saints (131 souls) emigrating to Zion sailed from Copenhagen, Aug. 12, 1886, per steamship "Bravo," in charge of five returning Elders, namely, August K. Anderson, Anders Gustaf Sandberg, Peter M. Anderson, Christian Nielsen and Nephi Anderson.
After a safe voyage across the North Sea, the emigrants arrived in Hull, England, Sunday, Aug. 15th, and thence traveled by rail to Liver
pool, where they joined with other emigrants and returning missionaries from the British Isles. At Liverpool they went on board the steamship "Wyoming," which sailed from that port on Saturday, Aug. 21, in charge of Elder David Kunz, a returning Elder from the Swiss and German Mission. After a pleasant voyage, the company arrived in New York on the 31st. Forty-five of the emigrants were detained there by Commissioner Stephenson on pretended charges of pauperism, but finally all were per mitted to continue their journey, ex cept a woman and three children who were sent back to England. The rest of the company left New York Sept. 21, 1886, and traveled over the Baltimore and Ohio and the Denver and Rio Grande railroads to Utah, arriving safe and well in Salt Lake City, Sept. 27, 1886.
A small company of Saints, 13 in number, emigrating to Utah, sailed from Christiania, Norway, Aug. 13, 1886, per steamship for Eng
land, where they arrived in safety and were united for the journey across the Atlantic with the company of Scandinavian Saints which left Copenhagen, Denmark, August 12th.
A company of emigrating Saints, 103 persons, including eight return ing missionaries, sailed from Copen hagen, Oct. 7, 1886, at 7 p. m. on the English steamship "Milo," Captain Leach, to begin their migration to Zion. Elder Edward Hansen was ap pointed leader of the company. The names of the other returning Elders were, Rasmus P. Marquardson, John A. Eliason, Carl Gustaf Anderson, John J. Johnson, Sven C. Nilsson, Anders Olson and Matts S. Mattson. After a safe passage across the North Sea, the emigrants arrived in Hull, England, on the 10th, and continued their journey by rail to Liverpool on the 11th of October. Here they went on board the steamship "British King," together with emigrants and returning Elders from other parts of the European Mission, and sailed from Liverpool Oct. 13th. The voyage across the Atlantic Ocean was stormy; consequently, nearly all the Saints suffered more or less from seasickness. Sister Karen Petersen of the Aalborg Conference met with a misfortune whilst standing in a door-way when a wave struck the door, slamming it with such force against her arm that one of the bones was fractured. Receiving the best attention, she recovered. On the 8th a little girl from Wales died and her body was consigned to a watery grave. The Saints, whilst on board, were divided into districts with Eld ers to preside over them and to call them to prayer morning and evening. On Sunday, Oct. 24th, a meeting was held on deck which cheered and com-
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 299
forted the Saints. The captain, of ficers and crew were very kind to the emigrants. The company arrived in Philadelphia Oct. 27th, in the morning, being the 5th company of Latter-day Saint emigrants of the year 1886, from Europe, but the first company to land in Philadel phia. Later, the same day on which they landed, the emigrants started westward and traveled by rail via Baltimore, Chicago and Omaha, ar riving in Salt Lake City, Nov. 1,1886.
A small company (13 persons) of emigrating Saints sailed from Chris tiania, Oct. 8, 1886, bound for Utah. After a safe voyage across the North Sea, this company reached England, where they joined the larger com pany of Scandinavian emigrants who had left Copenhagen Oct. 7th.
In 1886, 31 Elders from Utah, called on missions to Scandinavia, arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark: Jens Hansen of Spanish Fork, Utah (on his third mission), arrived Jan. 27th; Peter Chr. Geertsen of Hunts
ville, Utah (on his second mission), arrived March 20th; Martin Chris tensen of Manassa, Colo., and Louis J. Holther of Ogden, Utah, arrived May 4th; Peter Gustaf Hanson of Payson, Joseph Christenson of Gun. nison, John Anderson of Fountain Green, Anders Gustaf Nygren of Grantsville, Andrew N. Michaelsen and Chr. Thomsen Balle of Mayfield, Abraham Johnson of Mt. Pleasant, August F. Westerberg of Logan, Pehr Hakanson of Hyrum, Carl Erickson of Manti, Albert Nephi Tollestrup of Gunnison, Utah, Svante J. Koeven of Montpelier, Idaho, Christian Olsen of Weston, Idaho, and Nils Larson Hogberg of Salt Lake City, Utah, arrived Sept. 28th. Karl H. P. Nordberg of Lewiston, Anthon L. Skanchy (on his second mission) and Nils P. Lindelof (on his second mission), both of Logan, Utah, Charles R. Dorius of Ephraim,
Gustave Backman of Salt Lake City, and Christoffer 0 . Folkmann of Plain City, Utah, arrived Nov. 2nd; Christian D. Fjeldsted (on his third mission) of Logan, Ola Olson of Millville, Pehr Olof Pehrson of Logan, and Hans C. N. Hansen of Preston, Idaho, arrived Nov. 16th; Willard S. Hansen of Brigham City, and Jacob Hansen of Bear River City, Utah, arrived Nov. 23rd, and Christian L. Christensen of Salem, Utah, arrived Dec. 24th, 1886.
JOSEPH CHRISTENSON,
Chief Recorder of the Salt Lake Temple, was born April 19, 1865, at American Fork, Utah County, Utah, the son of John Christenson and Johanna Harling. He was baptized June 4, 1873, by James Hanson. In 1886-1888 he filled a successful mission to Scandinavia, laboring in Sweden. After his return home he labored as a home missionary in the Salt Lake Stake for several years. In 1893 he assisted Elder John Nicholson in preparing the records for the opening of the Salt Lake Temple and was appointed Temple Recorder April 30, 1916, Suc ceeding Duncan D. McAllister. Bro. Christen son was ordained a High Priest Dec. 21, 1902, by Charles W. Penrose, and on Aug. 21, 1904, appointed Bishop of the Tenth Ward, Salt Lake City, which position he held until Feb., 1925. Elder Christenson has been connected with the Genealogical Society of Utah for several years, is a member of the board and the librarian. He is an efficient clerk and recorder and has gained the confidence and good will of his associates in the Temple and the Saints gen erally.
300 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Jens Hansen and Albert Nephi Tollestrup were appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference. Martin Christensen, Christian Thomsen Balle and Christian Larsen Christensen were appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference. Louis J. Hol ther, Abraham Johnson, Carl Erick
sen, Christian Olsen and Charles R. Dorius were appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference. Anthon L.
Skanchy was appointed to preside over the Christiania Conference. Peter Gus taf Hanson, John Anderson, Svante J. Koeven and Nils Larson Hog berg were appointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference. Joseph Chris tenson, Pehr Hakanson, Pehr Olof Pehrson and Ola Olson (second mis sion) were appointed to labor in the Skane Conference. Anders Gustaf Ny gren, August F. Westerberg and Gus tave H. Backman were appointed to labor in the Goteborg Conference. Karl H. P. Nordberg was appointed to labor in the Goteborg and later in the Stockholm Conference. Andrew N. Michaelsen, Hans Chr. Nielsen Hansen, Willard Snow Hansen, and Jacob Hansen (on his second mis sion) were appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference. Peter Chr. Geertsen (on his second mission) was appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference and later as translator and writer in the mission office in Copenhagen. Nils P. Lindelof was appointed to labor in the Skane and Goteborg conferences, on this his second mission to Scandinavia. Christoffer 0 . Folkmann (on his second mission) was appointed to labor in the Copenhagen and later in the Christiania Conference. Chris tian D. Fjeldsted was appointed to preside over the Scandinavian Mis sion on this his third mission to Scan dinavia.
In a letter written by Pres. Nils C. Flygare, Dec. 1, 1886, the writer
refers to some excellent meetings held in different parts of the mission, in which fair and impartial reports were given, in several instances, by the newspapers.
In the beginning of the year 1886, it seemed as if the Elders would not be permitted to do missionary work in Denmark, as the government had decided to banish the Elders. Although one more Elder was ban
ished from Denmark in 1886, and several others had been arrested and brought before the police courts, they had been set at liberty, and then had continued their labors as mis sionaries. The authorities of the land, being well aware that the Saints were loyal and law-abiding people, who sustained the govern
ment and took no part in political agitation, became convinced that the banishment of "Mormon" mission aries was not in keeping with the general spirit of the country. The Latter-day Saints in Denmark were not found in drinking saloons or other places of bad repute; they were not brought before any court and convicted of crime, but were found to do what the gospel teaches, viz., be honest, sober, industrious, virtu
ous, and alltogether a God-fearing people. In Sweden in 1886, the prospect for increased missionary work was very good. The Elders were seldom interfered with and met but very little opposition. During the summer of 1886, the missionaries extended their labors further north than ever before, and some of the people were baptized on the borders of Lappland. New fields of labor were opened and in many places where the work had stood still for some time, new life was being infused and fresh starts made.
At this time, the "Skandinaviens Stjerne" in Denmark and Norway, and the "Nordstjernan" in Sweden,
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 301
had a good circulation, many non Mormons subscribing for those peri odicals regularly. Books and pam phlets to the amount of nearly 3000
kronor were disposed of in Sweden, during the year 1886.
In Norway, the Elders had also extended their labors to the far north and new members had been added to the Church by baptism on the barren and inhospitable islands of the sea. The Elders met but very little opposition in Norway, yet Nor way was, as it had been from the beginning, a very hard missionary field for the Elders, who had long distances to travel, and the people were, in some instances, rather in
hospitable towards them. Pastor Mortensen, who had spent some time in Utah, still labored very hard in Christiania and other places to get the "Mormon" Elders forbidden to preach. He gave a number of lec tures about Utah and its people, basing his false statements upon such literature as that of Stenhouse, Bea
dle and others, which, while sensa tional enough, was, in many instances, too coarse for decent people. He continued to illustrate his lectures with the exhibition of a so-called set of temple clothes, to the disgust of many people. However, his labors were in vain, for his lectures had the tendency to fill the Saints' hall with attentive listeners. The fair
minded people of Norway, after listening to his accusations, desired to hear the "Mormon'' side of the question, as well as his.
CHAPTER 71 (1887)
Death of Elder Jesper Petersen—Apostle George Teasdale visits Scandinavia—Emigrants for America continue to leave in small com panies—Arrival of 45 Elders from America.
Under date of Jan. 17, 1887, Elder Jens C. Nielsen reported that he had just returned from a pleasant visit to the island of Bornholm, and that
he found 34 members, where eight een months before there were only nineteen. Yet sixteen people had re cently emigrated to Zion. Not long before, eleven persons were added to the Church by baptism on the is land, mostly young people ranging
from sixteen to thirty years. To show the change of policy which of recent years had taken place in Sweden, we may say, that when some rough element disturbed a Latter-day Saint meeting at Mal mo, in November, 1886, two of the ring-leaders were promptly arrested, brought into court and fined 100 kronor each; they also setrved a month's imprisonment each for break ing open the hall door.
Elder Jesper Petersen of Castle
JESPER PETERSEN,
Son of Rasmus Petersen and Ane Marie Han sen, was born June 6, 1847, at Moderup, Odense amt, Denmark. Becoming a convert to the gospel, he was baptized Nov. 16, 1860, and emigrated to Utah in 1866. Soon after his arrival in Utah he married Louise Jensen and located in Castle Valley, Emery County, Utah. In 1886-1887 he filled a mission to the Southern States and was then transferred to Scandinavia, arriving in Denmark April 26, 1887. He was appointed to labor in the Odense Branch of the Aarhus Conference. To ward the close of May his health began to fail and he died June 23, 1887, at Odense. Since his death the Saints of Odense have taken care of his grave in the Odense ceme tery.
302 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Dale, Emery County, Utah, who was laboring as a missionary on the island of Fyen, Denmark, died in Odense.
Elder Petersen arrived in Copen hagen April 26, 1886, and was as signed to labor on the island of Fyen. Previous to his arrival in Denmark he had filled a six months' mission in the Southern States (America). On his arrival in Denmark, he was apparently healthy and strong, but was soon afterwards attacked with the chills and fever, which continued to get worse until it terminated his earthly career. Brother Petersen left an interesting family in Zion. His remains were interred in the Odense cemetery, where his resting place has ever since been taken care of by local Saints.
Apostle George Teasdale, presi dent of the European Mission, and Elder Robert S. Campbell of Logan, arrived in Copenhagen, July 30, 1887, on a visit to Scandinavia. They attended meetings in Copen hagen, Stockholm and Christiania, and, returning to England, they sailed from Christiania Aug. 12th.
Under date of Nov. 30, 1887, Elder Haider Johnson wrote from Solfhol, Iceland, that he had labored in that mission 18 months and had baptized 20 people, and that the membership on Iceland numbered 34, most of whom were very anxious to gather to Zion, but as nearly all of them were poor they could not ex pect to have their desires fulfilled without assistance. Bro. Johnson had appointed Tobias Tobiasen of Rey
kjavik to take charge of the Iceland Mission.
A company of emigrants (108 souls) and nine returning mission aries sailed in the steamship "Pan ther" from Copenhagen, April 7, 1887, bound for Utah, under the leadership of Elder Martin Chris tensen. The other returning Elders
were: August L. Hedberg, Ole Poul sen, Niels H. Jensen, Soren Thomsen, Anders P. Eliason, Peter C. Jensen, Nils Anderson and John Hagman.
After a safe voyage across the North Sea, the emigrants arrived in Hull, where a small company of emigrating Saints from Norway, who had sailed from Christiania on April 8, 1877, joined them. From Hull, the emigrants proceeded by rail to Liverpool on Monday, April 11th. To. gether with a number of emigrating Saints and returning missionaries from the British Mission they boarded the steamship "Nevada," which sailed from Liverpool on Saturday, April 16th, in charge of Daniel P. Callister, a returning missionary. The com pany arrived in New York, April 29th and in Salt Lake City, May 4th.
A small company of emigrants (14 souls) sailed from Christiania, Norway, May 27, 1887, bound for Utah, under the direction of Carl F. Carlson, a returning Elder. After an ordinary passage across the North Sea, the little company arrived safe
ly in England, where they joined a larger company of emigrating Saints, who sailed from Copenhagen, May 30th.
A larger company of emigrating Saints (138 in number) destined for the gathering places of the Saints in America, sailed from Copenhagen, May 30, 1887, per steamship "Argo," together with 11 Elders from Zion returning to their homes, namely: Peter Mattson, Jens W. Jensen, James Yorgason, Jens C. Nielsen (of Gen tile Valley, Idaho), Niels Peter Petersen, Jens James Petersen, Hans Chr. Petersen, Jens Chr. Nielsen (of Brigham City, Utah), Niels A. Ander son, Niels Jorgensen and Christian Thomsen Balle.
After a successful voyage, lasting two days and 11 hours (spending two nights on the North Sea), the good ship "Argo" brought its pre-
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 303
cious cargo safely to Hull, England, June 1st. On the voyage the Saints assembled for prayer morning and night and the officers of the ship treated the emigrants with kindness. On their arrival in Liverpool they were at once taken on board the steamship "Wyoming,'' and on the 3rd of June the Norwegian Saints, who had already spent several days in Liverpool, went on board. The "Wyoming" sailed from Liverpool on Saturday, May 14th, having on board 159 Saints, including 14 re turning Elders, in charge of Jens C. Nielsen. The voyage across the Atlantic was pleasant, though there were several days of windy weather causing some seasickness. The num ber of passengers was increased dur
ing the passage on the morning of June 11th, when Sister Ramstrom, from Stockholm, Sweden, gave birth to a daughter, to whom was given the name Oceana. The emigrants landed in New York, June 15th, whence they continued the voyage the same day in the afternoon on the fine steamship "Seneca" (of the Old Dominion Line), and after a pleas ant passage along the American coast, they arrived in Norfolk, Virginia, on the 16th. From there the emi
grants journeyed by rail to Salt Lake City, where they arrived June 23rd.
A company of emigrating Saints (88 souls) and nine returning Eld ers sailed from Copenhagen, Sept. 29th, 1887, per steamship "Bravo," under the leadership of Rasmus Ras mussen, for the gathering places of the Saints in America. The names of the other returning missionaries were: Charles Oscar Pedersen, Niels Mikkelsen, Victor Charles Hogsted, Peter Olsen, Nils Oscar Gyllenskog, James Ottesen, Gustaf Blomquist and Simon P. Eggertsen. Without any accident or unpleasantness the emigrants arrived in Hull, England,
whence they traveled by rail to Liverpool, and there boarded the ship "Nevada,'' together with emi grating Saints and returning Elders from Great Britain, the whole com pany being in charge of Elder Joseph S. Wells, a returning Elder. The ship sailed from Liverpool Oct. 8th, and after an uneventful voyage ar rived in New York on the 18th. Here the emigrants the following day (Oct. 19th) boarded another steamship on which they sailed to Norfolk, Vir ginia, whence they traveled by rail to Salt Lake City, Utah, arriving there October 25th.
A company of emigrating Saints destined for Utah (165 souls), to gether with eight returning mission aries, sailed from Copenhagen, Aug. 18, 1887, per steamship "Bravo" under the direction of Jens C. Niel sen, of Moroni, Utah, a returning Elder. The names of the other re turning Elders were: Johan L. Berg, Joseph Anderson, Peter Anderson, Christian Frandsen, James J. Ander son, Mouritz Mouritzen and Hemming Hansen. The passage of this com pany of emigrants across the North Sea was pleasant in the early part of the voyage and the Saints frequently grouped on the deck singing hymns and enjoying themselves. On Fri day evening a brisk wind sprung up which soon put the sea into an up roar, causing violent heavings of the vessel and universal seasickness among the passengers. However, on Sunday morning, Aug. 21st, the ship arrived in Hull, but owing to low water could not cross the bar until the evening. The steamship "Rolla" which had sailed from Christiania, Aug. 19th, with 32 emigrating Saints, in charge of Elder Anthon Anderson, arrived in Hull about the same time, and the two companies being united then constituted 198 Saints, besides nine returning missionaries. On Monday morning, Aug. 22nd, the
304 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
emigrants passed through the custom house in Hull, and then continued the journey by rail to Liverpool, where they arrived in the afternoon of the same day and were taken to a hotel on Kent Square. In Liver pool the emigrants went on board the steamship "Wisconsin," together with emigrating Saints and returning Eld. ers from the British Isles (about 400 souls in all), in charge of Elder John I. Hart, a returning Elder. The com
pany, after a safe voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, arrived in New York, Aug. 27th. Thence the journey was continued to Salt Lake City, Utah.
In 1887, 45 Elders from Zion ar rived in Copenhagen as missionaries to Scandinavia, in the following order: Jesper Petersen of Castle Dale, Utah, arrived April 26th; Jens Peter Meilstrup of Ephraim, on May 4th, and James Clove of Panguitch, on June 8th. John Peter Sorensen of Salt Lake City, Utah, Ephraim Mor
tensen of Sanford, Colorado, Gustaf W. Blomquist of Richfield, Frantz T. Gronberg of Salt Lake City, Hans Larsen of Woodland, Utah, James Ottesen of Ephraim, Colorado, Claus H. Karlson of Oakley, Idaho, Peter Nilson of Smithfield, Ole Olson of Lewiston, James Jens Thomsen of Brigham City, Christian J. Plowman of Smithfield, Simon P. Eggertsen and Lars E. Eggertsen of Provo, John Peter Toolson of Smithfield, Adolph Anderson of Logan, Mads Jorgensen of Provo, Hans J. Nielsen of Logan, Hans C. Sbrensen of Orderville, Carl Eliason of Millville, Ola Jonson Nordberg of Logan and Carl B. Olsen of Brigham City, Utah, Jacob Madsen of Bloomington, Idaho, and Henrich Peter Jensen of Provo, Utah, arrived June 14th. Lars S. Andersen of Ephraim and Andrew Knudsen of Provo, Utah, arrived June 24th; Henry Jensen of Gentile
Anderson Quist of Big Cottonwood, Utah, arrived July 19th; Carl C. A. Christensen of Ephraim and James Hansen, jun., of Brigham City, Utah, arrived Sept. 16th; and Jens C. A. Weibye of Manti, on Sept. 30th; John A. Hendricksen of Logan, Olof Jenson of Brigham City, Otto Julius Swenson of Plain City, Julius John son of Hyrum, Anders Mortenson of West Porterville, Jonas Ostlund of Elsinore, Olaus T. Nilsson of Heber City, Ferdinand Jacobsen and Ras
mus Larsen of Logan, Utah, arrived Nov. 8th; James Anderson of Spanish Fork, John Berg of Santaquin and Carl K. Hansen of Fairview, Utah, arrived Dec. 9th.
Jesper Petersen, Jens P. Meilstrup, John P. Sorensen, Simon P. Eggert sen, Lars E. Eggertsen, Hans J. Niel sen, Henrich P. Jensen, Ferdinand Jacobsen and Rasmus Larsen were ap pointed to labor in the Aarhus Con ference. Lars Strib Andersen, on this his second mission, was appointed to preside over the Aarhus Conference, Denmark. Hans Larsen was appoint ed to labor in the Aarhus Conference and afterwards in the Copenhagen Conference. James Clove, Henry Jen sen, James Hansen, jun., and James Anderson were appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference. Eph raim Mortensen was appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference, but finished his mission in England. Jens C. A. Weibye, on this his second mission, was appointed to preside over the Copenhagen Conference, Denmark. Gustaf Blomquist, Frantz T. Gronberg, Jonas Ostlund and John Berg were appointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference. Adolph Anderson was also appointed to labor in the Stookholm Conference and afterwards as a translator and writer in the mission office in Copenhagen, Denmark. James Ottesen, Jens
Valley, Idaho, on July 5th, and JohnThomsen, Christian J. Plowman,
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 305
Hans C. Sorensen, Carl K. Hansen, Mads Jorgensen and Jacob Madsen were appointed to labor in the Aal
borg Conference; later Elders Jbrgen sen and Madsen acted as presidents of the Aalborg Conference. Claus H. Karlson, Ola Olson, Carl Eliason, Ola J. Nordberg, Otto J. Swenson, Olaus T. Nilsson and John Anderson Quist (on his second mission) were appointed to labor in the Goteborg Conference. Peter Nilsson (on a second mission), John P. Toolson and Anders Mortenson were ap
pointed to labor in the Skane Conference. Carl B'. Olsen, Andrew Knudsen and Julius Johnson were appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference. John A. Hendricksen was appointed to labor in the Chris
tiania Conference, but finished his mission in England. Olof Jenson was appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference, Norway, but later trans
ferred to the Skane Conference, Sweden. Carl C. A. Christensen (on his second mission) was appointed to labor as a translator and writer in the mission office in Copenhagen.
CHAPTER 72 (1888)
Four companies of emigrating Saints leave for Utah:—Chr. D. Fjeldsted becomes presi dent of the mission a second time—Twenty new Elders arrive from Zion.
Under date of Jan. 17, 1888, Pres. Nils C. Flygare reported that en couraging news from all parts of the mission were received at the mis sion office, and therefore, the Elders laboring in Scandinavia began the year 1888 with bright prospects.
The season's first emigrating com pany of Latter-day Saints from Scan dinavia sailed from Copenhagen, May 24, 1888, with the steamship "Milo," under the leadership of Eld er Peter C. Geertsen. The company numbered 102 souls, Danish and Swedish Saints. Six Elders from Zion, who had labored faithfully 20
and successfully in the Scandinavian Mission, returned to their homes with this company, namely: Peter C. Geertsen (who had labored as a writer for "Skandinaviens Stjerne"), Jens Hansen, Pehr Hakanson, Svante J. Koeven and Charles R. Dorius.
After a pleasant voyage the emi grants arrived at the harbor of Hull, England, on the 27th in the afternoon. They landed the following morning
(May 28th) and proceeded by rail to Liverpool, where they, an hour after their arrival, were joined by a small company of emigrating Saints from Norway. The Norwegian con
tingent of the company (24 souls) sailed from Christiania, Norway, May 25, 1888, in charge of Louis J. Hoither, who returned from a mis
sion to Scandinavia. The little com pany had a safe passage across the North Sea to England.
Together with other emigrants and returning Elders from the British Mission, the Scandinavians went on board the steamship "Wisconsin," sailed from Liverpool, June 2nd, and, after a safe voyage, arrived in New York, June 13th. From New York the westward journey was con
tinued and part of the company ar rived in Salt Lake City, June 19th. One death occurred on the voyage, that of an infant daughter of a Swedish lady named Anderson. From New York the company proceeded by coast steamer to Norfolk, Virginia, on the 8th, and arrived in Salt Lake City, Aug. 15th, having traveled by
rail from Norfolk, Virginia. The third company of emigrating Saints from Scandinavia (62 souls from Denmark and Sweden) and five returning missionaries sailed from Copenhagen, Aug. 23, 1888, for Hull, England. The names of the five Elders were: Willard S. Hansen (leader of the company), Peter G. Hanson, August F. Westerberg, Nils L. Hbgberg and Jacob Hansen. On
306 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Sunday, Aug. 26th, about noon, the company arrived in Hull harbor, and the following day (Aug. 27th) the emigrants landed and continued the journey by rail to Liverpool.
A small company of emigrating Saints (10 souls) sailed from Chris tiania, Norway, Aug. 24, 1888, in charge of Abraham Johnson, a re turning Elder. After a successful voyage across the North Sea, this little company arrived safely in Eng land and there joined the company which sailed from Copenhagen, Aug. 23rd. The amalgamated company sailed from Liverpool on board the steamship "Wyoming," on Saturday, September 1st, Elder Abraham John son in charge. After a pleasant voy age the company arrived in New York, Sept. 11th, and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sept. 19th and 20th.
The fourth and last company of Saints who emigrated from Scandi navia in 1888, consisted of 102 souls, including seven returning Elders, and sailed from Copenhagen, Sept. 27, 1888. The names of the returning Elders were: Nils P. Lindelof (leader of the company), Joseph Christenson, John Anderson, Albert Nephi • Tol lestrup, Gustave Backman, Hans C. N. Hansen and Hans J. Nielsen. After a safe voyage across the North Sea the emigrants arrived in Hull, England, and thence continued their journey by rail to Liverpool, where they, together with a small company from Norway (19 souls), boarded the ship "Wisconsin," which sailed from Liverpool, Oct. 6th, in charge of Elder Lindelof. Part of the Nor. wegian company sailed from Chris tiania, Sept. 28, 1888, in charge of Carl Erikson and Christian Olsen. This little company had a safe voyage across the North Sea. After a safe voyage across the Atlantic the "Wis
consin" arrived in New York Oct. 15th. A family with two children was left in New York, because the
husband had diphtheria. The other emigrants boarded the ship "Roa noke" in New York and enjoyed a voyage along the American coast to Norfolk, Virginia, whence they trav eler! by railroad to Salt Lake City, where they arrived safe and well, Oct. 23, 1888.
Pres. Nils C. Flygare, after a suc cessful mission in Scandinavia, left Copenhagen, Oct. 3, 1888, to return to his home in Utah, in charge of a company of emigrating Saints. Elder Christian D. Fjeldsted succeeded him as president of the mission.
The second company of Scandi navian Saints, who emigrated to Zion in 1888, sailed from Copen hagen, July 19, 1888, per steamship "Cato" in charge of Elder Christen L. Christensen, who, together with three other Elders from Zion (Anders Gustav Nygren, Andrew N. Michael sen and Pehr Olof Pehrson), were returning home to Zion after suc cessful missionary labors in Scandi navia. There were 113 souls in this company from Denmark and Sweden. The weather being good, only a very little seasickness was experienced by the emigrants. On Sunday fore noon (July 22nd) a meeting was held on deck with the captain's per mission, and many of the 125 other passengers on board had the oppor tunity of listening to explanations of the first principles of the gospel by "Mormon" Elders for the first time in their lives. The captain and the crew were very kind to the emigrants. The ship reached Hull, England, that day (Sunday, July 22nd). The fol lowing day, the emigrants continued the journey by rail to Liverpool.
A small company of emigrating Saints from Norway sailed from Christiania July 20, 1888, in charge of Elders Hans J. Christiansen and Chr. O. Folkmann, who were return
ing to their homes, after having per formed faithful missions. This com-
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 307
pany had a safe voyage across the North Sea to England, where they joined the emigrant company which left Copenhagen, Denmark, July 19th. At Liverpool the amalga
mated company boarded the steam ship "Wyoming" and sailed from
dent of said conference. Jens Poul sen and Mathias Chr. Lund were appointed to labor in the Copen hagen Conference. John J. Nielsen
i
n
that port, July 28th, in charge of Elder Hans J. Christiansen. After a pleasant voyage across the Atlantic, the emigrants landed in New York August 8th.
In 1888, 20 Elders from Zion, who were appointed to labor as mission aries in Scandinavia, arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the fol lowing order: John Jacob Carlson of Pleasant Grove, Anders Johan Anderson of Santaquin, Utah, Ola Peterson of Bennington, Idaho, and Ludvig Ernstrbm of Ogden, Utah, arrived May 4th; James Poulsen of Liberty, Idaho, arrived May 9th;
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John J. Nielsen of Brigham City, Mathias C. Lund of Plain City, Bengt Johnson, jun., of Provo, Gearsen S. Bastian of Washington, Ole Pedersen of Clarkston, Nils Anthon of Spanish Fork and Elof George Erick
son of Grantsville, Utah, and Lars Peter Nielsen of Ovid, Idaho, arrived June 6th; Joseph Christoffer Kempe of Alpine, Arizona, arrived June 20th; Carl Edwin Peterson of Ogden, Hans C. Kofoed of Levan, Andrew K. Andersen and Erastus C. Willard sen of Ephraim, arrived October 30th; Frands Peter Petersen of Koosharem, arrived Nov. 13th, and Erik Hogan of Bountiful, Utah, ar
rived Dec. 3rd.
Elders John Jacob Carlson and Bengt Johnson, jun., were appointed to labor in the Skane Conference. Anders Johan Anderson and Elof George Erickson in the Goteborg Conference, and Olof Peterson and Nils Anthon in the Stockholm Con
ference. Ludvig Ernstrbm was ap pointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference and afterwards as presi
NILS ANTHON,
Son of Johan Gustav Anthon and Hannah Pearson, was born Oct. 30, 1862, at Kaflinge, Sweden; baptized June 8, 1882, and, emigrat ing to Utah, arrived in Spanish Fork July 16, 1882. He married Caroline Jorgensen Hansen in the Logan Temple Dec. 10, 1884. In 1888-1890 he filled a mission to Sweden, laboring in Stockholm, Gotland, Upsala and Eskilstuna; at Upsala he was fined 100 kro nor for preaching the gospel. He filled a second mission to Scandinavia in 1900-1903, laboring in the Stockholm Conference and later as president of the said conference. Upon his return to America he had charge of an emi grant company of 200 souls. Being ordained a High Priest, he was set apart as first coun selor to Bishop George Hales of the Spanish Fork Third Ward. He has been a resident of Salt Lake City since July, 1920.
and Carl Edwin Peterson were ap pointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference, Denmark, and later in the Christiania Conference, Norway. Erastus Chr. Willardsen was appoint ed to labor in the Copenhagen Con ference and later in the Aarhus Con ference. Gearsen S. Bastian and Frands Peter Petersen were appoint ed to labor in the Aarhus Conference and Ole Petersen and Anders K. Anderson in the Aalborg Confer ence. Anders K. Anderson acted as president of the Aalborg Conference
308 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
until his death which occurred Jan. 5, 1890. Lars P. Nielsen was ap pointed to labor in the Aalborg Con ference, Denmark, and later in the Christiania j Conference, Norway. Joseph C. Kempe, Hans Chr. Kofoed and Erik Hogan were appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference, Norway.
CHAPTER 73 (1889)
Mobbings on the island of Bornholm—Four companies of Saints leave for Utah—Arrival of 43 Elders from Zion.
Elders James Hansen and Erastus C. Willardsen were on trial on the island of Bornholm before the mayor of the city of Ronne, Feb. 5, 1889. Elder Hansen had labored about sixteen months on the island and through his diligence made a number of converts. During his absence from the island on a visit to Copen hagen, a Lutheran priest (Hasle) in Ronne published a scurrilous article in the newspaper of that city in which he slandered the Saints and their doctrines. As the success of the Elders had already caused uneasi
ness in certain circles, this article added additional fuel to the flames and excited the rude and somewhat ignorant population. Consequently, when Elder Hansen, accompanied by Elder Willardsen (who had been ap
pointed to labor as a missionary on Bornholm with Brother Hansen) arrived in Ronne and held a meeting the same evening in their hired hall, a mob appeared, making hideous noises and sundry demonstrations in the presence of the 'pious priest', who seemed to sanction the disturbance. Strange to say, the following Sun
day passed without any demonstra tion on the part of the mob, and the Saints held their meeting in peace as usual. But the next Sunday, Feb. 3rd, the police officers arrived and broke up the meeting. A certain man had, in the forenoon, apparent
ly as a friend, invited the brethren to take supper with him, but the Eld ers were impressed not to accept the invitation, and later they found out that this was only a part of the plans of the mob laid for the purpose of bringing the brethren into their power, for a dozen or more men had gathered to inflict bodily violence upon the brethren, should they put in an appearance. While the mob thus waited to carry out their plans, the brethren, guided by the Spirit, chose a round-about road, in order to reach a certain place previously selected, where they administered the holy ordinance of baptism to three persons. The mob next sought after the brethren in their assembly hall, and gave vent to their hatred by breaking in the doors and some of the windows until they were at last dispersed by the assistance of the police. On Tuesday, Feb. 5th, the Elders, as stated, were called into court for a preliminary hearing, and on this occasion the mayor advised the brethren in all kindness to leave the island, which they did a few days later, after having baptized four • other persons, agreeable to the Savior's admonition, "When they per
secute you in one city, flee to an other."
In the early part of 1889, the Lutheran priests in several districts in Sweden used their authority to forbid the Elders to preach, and in a couple of instances they were fined to the amount of 60 and 100 kronor, ($15 and $25) respectively. The latter was imposed on one of the native young men, about 18 years of age, and was based on the ground that he had, notwithstanding he was forbidden to preach in public, "of
fered extempore prayers in the 'Mor mon' spirit."
A company of emigrating Saints (239 souls) sailed from Copenhagen, Denmark, May 30, 1889, in the
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 309
evening per steamship "Milo," for Hull and Liverpool, England, on their way to America. Thirteen Eld ers from Zion, who, during the last two years, had labored as mission aries in Scandinavia, returned to their homes with this company of emigrants; their names follow: John P. Sbrensen, Francis T. Gronberg, Claus H. Karlson, Peter Nilsson, Christian J. Plowman, Charles Carl Eliason, Carl B. Olsen, Jacob Mad sen, Lars S. Andersen, Henry Jensen, James Hanson, jun., Bengt Johnson, jun. (released on account of sick ness), and Karl H. P. Nordberg. On Sunday, June 2nd, the emigrants ar rived in Hull harbor, landed the fol lowing day (Monday) and continued their journey by rail to Liverpool. A smaller company of emigrants from Norway, under the leadership of John A. flendricksen and Carl B. Olsen, sailed from Christiania May 31st, reached Hull Sunday evening, and joined the larger company from Copenhagen, in Liverpool, June 3rd. Together with a number of Swiss and German Saints the two companies of Scandinavians sailed from Liverpool on the ship "Wyoming" June 8, 1889, and after a pleasant voyage the com pany arrived in New York on the 19th. Thence the journey was con tinued to Salt Lake City, which was reached in safety June 26, 1889.
The second company of emigrating Saints from Scandinavia for this season, consisting of 150 souls, sailed from Copenhagen, Aug. 8, 1889, per steamship "Bravo," destined for the gathering place of the Saints in the Rocky Mountains. After a success
ful voyage across the North Sea, the company arrived in Hull, England, Sunday, Aug. 11th, all well. In the forenoon of that day, the Saints had held a meeting on the deck, by per
mission of the captain, and had al together been treated very well by the ship's crew. The following day
(Aug. 12th), early in the morning, they landed and continued their journey by rail to Liverpool. While staying in Liverpool the emigrants secured lodgings at Hotel Svea.
A company of Norwegian Saints, numbering 22 souls, who sailed from Christiania, August 9th, in charge of Elder Olof Jensen, joined the larger company in England. The leader
ship of the amalgamated company was entrusted to Elder Jens C. A. Weibye with Mads Jbrgensen and Andrew Knudsen as his assistants. Besides these three brethren there were 12 other returning missionaries, viz., Hans Larsen, Ole Olson, James Thomsen, John P. Toolsen, Hans C. Sbrensen, Ola Jonson Nordberg, Henrik P. Jensen, Olof Jensen, Otto J. Swenson, Anders Mortensen, James Anderson and Ole Petersen. At Liverpool the Saints boarded the steamship "Wyoming" and sailed on the 17th. Altogether 191 emigrating Saints crossed the Atlantic in the steamship "Wyoming," which arrived in New York August 27th, in the morning. Thence the emigrants traveled by rail to Salt Lake City.
The third company of the season's Latter-day Saint emigration from Scandinavia (42 souls) sailed from Copenhagen, Sept. 12, 1889, per steamship "Milo," under the direction of Elder Rasmus Larsen. After a successful voyage over the North Sea the company arrived in Hull, whence they traveled by rail to Liverpool, where they went on board the steam ship "Wyoming" and sailed from Liverpool, Sept. 22nd. A company of 16 souls from Norway, which sailed from Christiania Sept. 13th, joined the larger company in Eng
land, a local brother having had charge of the company from Norway. After an uneventful voyage across the Atlantic, the "Wyoming" arrived in New York, Oct. 1, 1889; the voyage had, however, been somewhat stormy.
310 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
From New York the voyage was con tinued by steamboat to Norfolk, Vir ginia, whence the emigrants pro ceeded westward by rail and arrived safely in Salt Lake City. The Utah Elders returning with this company were the following: Rasmus Larsen, John Berg and Lars E. Eggertsen. The 42 souls sailing from Copen hagen were emigrants from Den mark and Sweden and the 16 sailing from Christiania were emigrants from Norway.
Another company of Saints bound for Zion sailed from Copenhagen, Oct. 17, 1889, per steamship "Cameo" and arrived in Hull, Sunday morn
ing, Oct. 20th. Some Norwegian Saints, under the leadership of Elder Anthon L. Skanchy, arrived in Hull the same day on a steamer, which laid to by the side of the "Cameo." On Monday morning, Oct. 21st, the emigrants landed and journeyed by rail to Liverpool where they were taken care of at Hotel Svea. In Liverpool the emigrants were joined by other Saints emigrating to Utah from Great Britain and Holland, and boarded the steamship "Wyoming," which sailed from Liverpool on Saturday, Oct. 26, 1889, with 161 Saints on board, namely: 116 from Scandinavia, 6 from Holland and 24 from Great Britain, besides 12 re turning Elders and three returning visitors; the whole company was placed in charge of Anthon L. Skanchy. After a pleasant voyage, during which the weather was mild and pleasant most of the time, the ship reached New York harbor in the evening of Nov. 5th. The following day, the emigrants passed through quarantine and landed in New York. The emigrants re-embarked on the ship "Wyanoke" and sailed for Norfolk, Virginia, where they arrived Nov. 7th; thence they started westward by rail and traveled via Pueblo, Colorado, etc., to Salt Lake
City, where they arrived Nov. 13, safe and well. The names of the Eld ers from the Scandinavian Mission who returned with this company are as follows: Anthon L. Skanchy, Ola Olson, Carl C. A. Christensen, Julius Johnson, Olaus T. Nilson, Ferdinand Jacobsen, Carl K. Hansen, John J. Nielsen and Edmund Sanderson (on account of ill health).
In 1889, 43 Elders arrived in Co penhagen from Zion, as missionaries to Scandinavia, on the following dates: Jens Jensen of Salina, Utah, arrived Feb. 24th; Lars Chr. Johnson of Redmond, and Ole H. Berg of Provo, Utah, on March 26th; Alif Ericksen of Mt. Pleasant, August Severin Schow of Richmond, Niels Peter Madsen of Manti, Andrew Johnson (Jonson) of Union, Jonas Mattson of Salina, Carl Sbderlund of East Mill Creek, Niels Nielsen of Salt Lake City, Lars K. Peterson of Huntsville, John Elof Johnson of Tooele City, Christian M. Jensen of Mantua, Edmund Sandersen of Gun
nison, Sbren P. Jensen of Ephraim, Lorentz Petersen of Hyrum, Utah, John Dahlquist of Oakley, Idaho, Lars Erik Larson of Richmond, John August Beokstrand of Meadow, Nils Nilson of Santaquin, Christian J. Mortensen of Salina and Christian Hermansen of Elsinore, Utah, arrived April 30th; Niels Frederiksen of Salem and Hans Peter Miller of Richfield arrived May 27th; and Erastus Kofoed of Mt. Pleasant on June 24th. Truls A. Hallgren of Ogden, James Petersen of South Jordan, Hans Martin Hansen of Fre mont, Andrew P. Renstrom of Hunts ville, Michael A. Hansen of Elsinore, Boye P. B. Petersen of Castle Dale, Oleen N. Stohl of Brigham City, Andrew P. Anderson of Salt Lake City, Utah, and James Keller, jun., of Mink Creek, Idaho, arrived Aug. 28th; Johan A. Hellstrbm and Michael Nielsen of Richfield, Utah,
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 311
arrived Oct. 2nd. Frands Carl Mich aelsen of Redmond, John Johnson of Provo, Ole Olson of Smithfield, and John Peter Olsen of Scipio, Utah, arrived Oct. 29th; Carl Edward Thor
LORENTZ PETERSEN
Was born Feb. 15, 1857, in Valby, Sjadland, Denmark, the son of Hans Petersen and Doris Laurentsen. He emigrated with his parents to Utah in 1863, crossing the Atlantic on the ship "John J. Boyd," and the plains with ox teams in the company of Captain Young. He was baptized when eight years of agex and married Christine Nielsen in 1877, which union was blessed with nine children, six sons and three daughters. In 1890-1892 Bro. Petersen filled a mission to Denmark, during which he presided over the Copenhagen Conference. He acted as Bishop's counselor for twenty years, and has officiated in the Logan Temple about thirty years. Three of his sons have filled missions, one in England and two in the United States.
stensen and Hans Erickson of Logan, and Johan Gustaf Jbrgensen of Koo sharem, Utah, arrived Nov. 28th.
Jens Jensen, Sbren Peter Jensen, Michael A. Hansen and Boye Peter B. Petersen were appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference. Niels Frederiksen was appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference and later in the Copenhagen Conference. Frands Carl Michaelsen was appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference and later in the Aalborg Conference. Alif Ericksen, Erastus Kofoed (Kofford)
Hans Martin Hansen, Michael Niel sen and Johan Gustaf Jbrgensen were
JOHAN GUSTAV JORGENSEN,
Son of Jens Jorgensen and Caroline Gus tava Fredrikke Fjeldstrom, was born in Dram men, Norway, Jan. 25, 1837. The father was a sailor from Nottero, near Tonsberg, and the mother a native of Drammen. The parents died while he was still a small child, and at the age of 15 he became an apprentice in the cooper shop of Erland Pedersen. While working there, he was attracted one evening by singing in the home of one Amund Dahle. Invited in, he attended the meeting and received a testi mony that the people there assembled were the Saints of God. After three years of inquiry, lie was baptized, Jan. 30, 1858. In November, 1859, he received a master's diploma as a cooper, and the following year he was sent on a mission to Kongsberg and the Drammen district, and from 1860 to 1863 he presided over the Stravanger Branch. He emigrated to Utah in 1863, crossing the ocean in the sailing vessel "John J. Boyd," married Mrs. Serine K. Staalesen at Florence, Neb., crossed the Plains with ox teams, and arrived in Salt Lake City Sept. 12, 1863; he located in Ephraim, Sanpete County. Elder Jorgensen was known as J. Gustav Jensen, until he and his wife en tered the Endowment House, when he was counseled to take his father's surname. Of five children, there are now (1927) living: Enoch, at Sandy; Bertha J. Paulsen at Eph raim, and Heber, in Chicago, 111. May 17, 1869, Bro. Jorgensen married Annette Ma tilda Iversen. Of fourteen children by this union six now are living: Joseph A., and Mary O. Nelson, at Richfield, Utah; Sam M., at Salina, Utah; Amanda J., in Oklahoma; Dr. James M., and Jennie J. Jones, in Salt Lake City. Bro. Jorgensen suffered trials and hardships incident to pioneer life by Indian depredations, etc. In 1878 he became a pio neer of Koosharem, Utah, and in 1889-1891 he filled a mission to Norway, laboring in Ber gen and Christiania; after his return he moved to Salina, Utah, where he died, May 18, 1900.
312 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference. Ole H. Berg was ap pointed to preside over the Chris tiania Conference. August S. Schow
OLEEN N. STOHL
Was born Feb. 19, 1865, at Sugar House Ward, Salt Lake County, Utah, the son of Ole N. Stohl and Christina Johnson. The family moved to Brigham City in 1866, where Oleen grew to manhood and took an active part in religious and civic affairs. In 1889-1891 he filled a successful mission to Sweden, laboring in the Christianstad Branch, Skane Confer ence, and later in the Stockholm Conference. In 1892 (Sept. 7th) he married Sarah Peters, from which union three sons and three daugh ters were born. Bro. Stohl acted as president of the Boxelder Stake from May 29, 1905, un til his death, which occurred Nov. 28, 1916. He was a success as a presiding officer and was universally beloved and respected by all who knew him.
was appointed to labor in the Chris tiania Conference and later in the Copenhagen Conference. Christian Hermansen was appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference, and later in the Aalborg Conference. John Johnson was appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference and later to preside over said Conference. Niels Peter Madsen and Christian M. Jensen were appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference. Christian J. Mortensen was also appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference, but
being banished from Denmark in October, 1889, he finished his mis sion in England. Andrew Johnson, Niels Nielsen, Lars K. Peterson, Nils Nilson, and Truls A. Hallgren (sec ond mission) were appointed to labor in the Skane Conference. Oleen Nils son Stohl was appointed to labor in the Skane, Goteborg and Stockholm conferences. Jonas Mattson, Carl Sbderlund, Anders Peter Anderson and Hans Erickson were appointed to
CARL EDWARD THORSTENSEN Was born March 6, 1863, in Christiania, Nor way, baptized July 17, 1873, ordained to the Priesthood and sent out as a missionary when 16 years old. He was ordained an Elder at 17 and appointed superintendent of the Christiania Branch Sunday School and later president of the Y. M. M. I. A. in the Chris tiania Branch and clerk of the Norwegian Mission. After emigrating to Utah in 1882 he was ordained a Seventy and located at Lo gan, Utah. In 1889-1891 he filled a mission to Scandinavia and acted as a translator in the office of the "Skandinaviens Stjerne,'' and during the last five months he also acted as president of the Copenhagen Conference. He acted as superintendent of the Logan Sev enth Ward Sunday School for thirteen years, and in February, 1899, he was set apart as a president of the 119th quorum of Seventy. Bro. Thorstensen died at Logan, March 11, 1903.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 313
labor in the Stockholm Conference. Andrew P. Renstrom (on his second mission) was appointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference and later in the Goteborg Conference. Johan August Hellstrbm was appointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference and later as a writer and translator in the mission office in Copenhagen, Denmark. Lars Chr. Johnson was appointed to labor in the Copenhagen and later in the Aalborg Conference, Denmark. Edmund Sandersen, Lo rentz Petersen, Hans Peter Miller, James Petersen, James M. Keller, jun., and John Olson were appointed to labor in the Copenhagen and later in the Aalborg Conference. Carl Edward Thorstensen was appointed to labor in the mission office in Copenhagen and later as president of the Copenhagen Conference. John Elof Johnson, John Dahlquist, Lars Erik Larson, John A. Beckstrand and Ola Olson were appointed to labor in the Goteborg Conference.
CHAPTER 74 (1890)
Death of Elders Andrew K. Andersen and John Anderson Quist—Four companies of Saints emigrate to Utah—HMward H. Ander son succeeds Chr. D. Fjeldsted as president of the mission—Arrival of 36 Elders.
Elder Andrew K. Andersen, presi dent of the Aalborg Conference, died in Aalborg, Denmark, Jan. 5, 1890, of lung trouble, after only a few days' sickness. He was buried on the 12th in Hovlbjerg parish, Viborg Amt, Denmark, by the side of his parents. Brother Andersen was born Aug. 6, 1859, in Hovlbjerg parish, Viborg Amt, Denmark, and emigrated to Utah when quite young. He ar
rived in Denmark as a missionary to Scandinavia in October, 1888, and after laboring a short time as a travel ing Elder in the Aarhus Conference, he was appointed to preside over the Aalborg Conference, Nov. 3, 1888, which position he held until his demise.
Elder John Anderson Quist, presi dent of the Goteborg Conference, died at Vingaker, Sweden, March 13,
ANDREW K. ANDERSEN
Was born in Hovlbjerg parish, Viborg amt, Denmark, Aug. 6, 1859, baptized May 5, 1880, and emigrated to Utah about 1881, locating in Ephraim, Sanpete County. Here he was or dained a Seventy and became a member of the 47th quorum of Seventy. In 1888 he was called on a mission to Scandinavia, his wife accompanying him. After laboring one year as a traveling Elder in the Aarhus Conference, he presided over the Aalborg Conference until Jan. 5, 1890, when he died in Aalborg of pneu monia after only a few days' illness. He was buried at Hovlbjerg. Elder Andersen, who was called hence in the midst of a useful ca reer, was beloved by all who knew him, both at home and abroad.
1890. He was one of the most suc cessful and faithful Elders in the mission.
A company of emigrating Saints, consisting of 116 souls, and six re turning missionaries, sailed from Copenhagen April 24, 1890, per steamship "Cameo" for Hull, Eng land, bound for Utah, under the di rection of Elder Adolph Anderson. The names of the other returning Eld ers were as follows: Gearsen S. Bas tian, Ole Peterson, Nils Anthon, Elof G. Erickson and Mathias C. Lund. The voyage across the North Sea was successful, though considerable sea sickness prevailed on the Saturday,
314 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
which was stormy. Capt. Chambers treated the emigrants with kindness and consideration. The company ar rived in Hull, England, on the 27th,
ANNA K. ANDERSEN,
Wife of Andrew K. Andersen, was born June 7, 1858, in Copenhagen, Denmark, married An drew K. Andersen Oct. 14, 1879, accompanied her husband on a mission to Denmark in 1888- 1890 and rendered efficient help in missionary labors until she became a widow. After bury ing her husband beside his father in his native village (Hovlbjerg) she returned to her home in Ephraim, Sanpete County, Utah, where she still resides. For a number of years Sister Andersen took an active part in the Primary Association in Ephraim, acting as counselor to the local president.
in the morning. A small company of emigrating Saints (29 souls) and two returning missionaries (Ludvig Ehrnstrbm and Lars P. Nielsen) sailed from Christiania, Norway, Apr. 25, 1890, bound for Utah. After a somewhat stormy voyage across the North Sea this company arrived in Hull on the evening of the 27th, where they joined the larger com
pany of Scandinavian emigrants who left Copenhagen on the 24th. On Monday morning (April 28th) the two emigrant companies traveled by rail to Liverpool, where lodging was secured for them at Hotel Svea. President George Teasdale organized the company with Adolph Anderson
as leader and Elders Ludvig Ehrn strbm and Gearsen S. Bastian as his assistants. On Friday evening, May 2nd, the emigrants went on board the steamship "Wyoming" and sailed from Liverpool the next day, May 3rd. A few hours after leaving the River Mersey, stormy weather set in, causing considerable sickness among the emigrants. After a quick voyage across the Atlantic, the "Wyoming" arrived in New York May 13th, whence the emigrants continued their journey to Utah.
The season's second company of emigrating Scandinavian Saints, con
JOHN A. QUIS T
Was born Dec. 9, 1845, near Kongelf, Bohus Ian, Sweden, baptized June 7, 1863, in Norr koping, and labored as a missionary about six years in Norway and Sweden before he emi grated to Utah in 1869. He located in Big Cottonwood, Salt Lake County. In 1877-1S79 he filled a mission to his native land, laboring first as a traveling Elder and later as presi dent of the Goteborg Conference. Returning home, he was leader of a company of emigrat ing Saints. He then labored with zeal as a home missionary in the Salt Lake Stake of Zion, was one of the presidents of the Second quorum of Seventy, etc. In 1887 he was called on a second mission to Scandinavia and the Goteborg Conference once more became his field of labor. While working diligently as a missionary he died, March 13, 1890, at Ving aker.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 315
sisting of 158 souls and three return ing missionaries, sailed from Copen hagen, Denmark, May 29, 1890, on their way to Utah. The names of the returning Elders were: John J. Carl son, who had labored in the Skane Conference (leader of the company), James Poulsen from the Copenhagen Conference and John Dahlquist from the Goteborg Conference. This com pany had a safe voyage to Hull, Eng land, and proceeded to Liverpool where they embarked on the steam ship "Wyoming" June 7, 1890, for New York, where they arrived June 19th.
A small company of emigrating Saints (12 souls) and Elder Erastus C. Willardsen, returning from his mission in Scandinavia, sailed from Christiania, Norway, May 30, 1890, destined for the gathering place of the Saints in America. This little company, after a safe voyage across the North Sea, joined the larger com pany of Scandinavian emigrants in Hull, England, June 2nd. The amal
gamated company sailed from Liverpool June 7, 1890, for New York on the steamship "Wyoming" in
charge of Elder Erastus C. Willard sen. It arrived in New York June 19, 1890, whence the journey was continued by rail to Utah.
The third of this season's emigrant companies of Scandinavian Saints, consisting of 107 souls and four re turning missionaries, sailed from Copenhagen, Denmark, Aug. 7, 1890, under the leadership of Elder Jonas Ostlund, one of the returning Elders. The other returning Elders were: Anders Johan Anderson, Michael A. Hansen and Andrew J. Aagaard. After a safe voyage across the North Sea, the company arrived in Hull on the 10th. No sickness had pre
vailed among this company on the voyage owing to fine weather. A small company of emigrating Saints (16 souls) sailed from Christiania,
Norway, Aug. 8, 1890, under the leadership of Elder Joseph C. Kempe, bound for Utah. After a safe voyage across the North Sea, this little com
pany of Norwegians arrived in Hull, and were united with the larger com pany of emigrating Saints which had left Copenhagen, on the 7th. On Monday, August 11th, the emigrants went by rail to Liverpool, where they, on the 15th, went on board the steamship "Wyoming" and sailed from Liverpool on the 16th. After an unusually pleasant voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, during which they were treated with kindness and due consideration by the captain and other officers of the vessel, they ar rived in New York on August 26th. Thence the journey was continued by rail to Utah.
The season's fourth company of emigrating Saints from the Scandi navian Mission, consisting of 133 souls, three returning missionaries and Sister Anna Anderson, from Utah, who had spent two years in Denmark visiting relatives, sailed from Copenhagen, Sept. 13th, 1890, under the leadership of Elder Jens Jensen, and Lars C. Johnson. A small company of emigrating Saints (23 souls) sailed from Christiania, Norway, Sept. 12th, 1890, bound for Utah, under the direction of Elder Erik Hogan, a returning Elder. After a successful voyage across the North Sea, this company joined the emi grants who had left Copenhagen on the 13th. The amalgamated com pany sailed from Liverpool Sept. 20th, per steamship "Wyoming," which arrived safely in New York, whence the emigrants traveled by rail to Utah.
Elder John U. Stucki, president of the Swiss and German Mission, and Elder Wm. B. Preston, jun., arrived in Copenhagen, June 21. 1890, on a visit to Denmark. They spent a very pleasant time in Copenhagen and
316 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
vicinity, visiting Saints and places of interest.
President Chr. D. Fjeldsted, who had presided over the Scandinavian Mission since October, 1888, and Elder Carl E. Peterson, who had pre
sided over the Copenhagen Confer ence, left Copenhagen Sept. 29, 1890, for their homes in Utah, having per formed efficient and faithful labors in the Scandinavian Mission. Elder Edward H. Anderson succeeded Chr. D. Fjeldsted as president of the mis sion.
In 1890, 36 Elders from Zion ar rived in Copenhagen, as missionaries to Scandinavia, in the following order: Mads Nielsen of Spring City, Utah, arrived April 14th; H. W. Hanson of Salt Lake City, Lars L. Nilson of Provo, Utah, James C. Berthelsen of Sanford, Colorado, Rasmus Sbrensen of Levan, and Andreas Jensen Aagaard of Fountain Green, Utah, arrived May 2nd; Ola Jenson of Peoa, Charles W. Olson of Grantsville, Lars Johan Henstrbm of Logan, Laurentius Dahlquist of Salt Lake City and Joseph R. Olson of Grantsville, Utah, arrived May 23rd; Anders Sbrensen Hyrup of Salt Lake City, Utah, June 27th, and Edward Berg and Lars Pehrson of Logan, August 23rd. Edward H. Anderson of Ogden, Jens N. Hansen and John 0 . Rosenkrantz of Logan, Utah, Chris tian H. Poulsen of Franklin, Idaho, Harold F. Liljenquist of Hyrum, Peter H. Sbrensen, Jens H. Kofoed and Thor C. Nielsen of Brigham City, Michael Johnson of Hyrum, Pehr Cronquist of Logan, Andrew Hansen and Andrew G. Johnson of Pleasant Grove, and Pehr N. Pehrson of West Jordan, Utah, arrived Sept. 28th. Anton E. Christensen of Fountain Green, Peter Christensen, Niels J. Anderson and Jens Peter Petersen of Moroni, Peter Henry Hansen and Mads P. Sbrensen of Mayfield, John H. Forsgren of Brigham City and
Nils Borgeson of Lewiston, Utah, ar rived Oct. 28th, and Christian Meyer of Vermillion, Utah, on Nov. 14th, 1890.
Mads Nielsen, Jens N. Hansen, Harold F. Liljenquist, Jens H. Ko
EDWARD H. ANDERSON
Was born Oct. 8, 1858, in Billeberga, Mai mohus Ian, Sweden, emigrated to Utah in 1864, was baptized July 1, 1869, resided in Mill Creek, Farmington and Huntsville suc cessively, laboring alternately on the farm and attending schools. He graduated from the Nor mal department of the University of Deseret in 1877, was superintendent of public schools and taught school for several years in Weber County. He figured as a newspaper manager and editor in Ogden from 1879 to 1889, and served six years as city recorder, in 1894-1900; was a member of the fourth Utah legislature, and United States surveyor-general in 1901-1905. He was ordained an Elder in 1880 and married Jane S. Ballantyne in 1882. They have six sons and one daughter. He was ordained a High Priest in 1882, served the Weber Stake as superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. and High Counselor for several years. From 1888 to 1890 he edited the "Contributor" for Junius F. Wells. After arriving home from his mis sion field in Scandinavia, 1890-1892, he wrote "A Brief History of the Church", a "Life of Brigham Young", followed later by "Conduct", "Courage", "Character", "Spiritual Growth", "The Apostles of Jesus Christ", etc. He has been associate editor of the "Improvement Era" since June, 1899; clerk of the general confer ences of the Church since September, 1916, and counselor in the Granite Stake presidency for a number of years.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 317
foed, and Peter H. Hansen were ap pointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference. Niels J. Andersen was appointed to labor in the Copen
HAROLD FRIDTJOFF LILJENQUIST, Son of Ola N. Liljenquist and Christine Ja cobsen, was born Jan. 19, 1857, in Copenhagen, Denmark, emigrated with his parents to Utah in 1857, was baptized Twhen about nine years old, and was raised and schooled in Hyrum, where he was also ordained to the Priest hood and took part in Church affairs from his early youth. He married Laurine Rasmussen Jan. 1, 1876, which marriage was blessed with eight sons, of whom five are still living. In 1890-1892 he filled a mission to Scandina via, laboring in the Copenhagen Conference, Denmark, part of the time as conference president. Returning home he had charge of a company of emigrating Saints. At home he acted as president of the Y. M. M. I. A. for two years, and as assistant superintendent and superintendent of the Sunday School in the Hyrum Ward. When Hyrum was divided into three wards, he was chosen as Bishop of the First Ward, which position he held for twelve years. He has also served as county commissioner (one term), mayor of Hyrum (three terms), city councilman (seven terms), and has been an employee of the Amalgamated Sugar Company, as fieldman, for twenty-two years.
hagen and later in the Aarhus Con ference. James C. Berthelsen, Ras mus Sbrensen, Andreas J. Aagaard, Anders S. Hyrup, Christian H. Poul sen (who finished his mission in Eng land), Peter H. Sbrensen, Jens P. Petersen and Mads P. Sbrensen were appointed to labor in the Aarhus
Conference. Christian Meyer was also appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference, having labored a short time in Germany and Switzerland. Anders Hansen was appointed to labor in the Aalborg and later in the Copenhagen Conference. H. W. Hanson, Lars J. Henstrbm, Joseph R. Olson, Lars Pehrson, Andrew G. Johnson and John H. Forsgren were appointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference. Lars L. Nilson was ap
pointed to labor in the Stockholm and later in the Goteborg Conference. Ola Jenson, John 0 . Rosenkrantz, Pehr Cronquist, and Pehr N. Pehr
son were appointed to labor in the Skane. Conference. Charles W. Olson, and Nils Borgeson were ap pointed to labor in the Goteborg Con ference. Laurentius Dahlquist was appointed to labor in the Goteborg Conference and later as president of said conference. Edward Berg, Michael Johnson, Anthon E. Chris
tensen and Peter Christensen were ap pointed to labor in the Christiania Conference. Thor C. Nielsen was appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference.
CHAPTER 75 (1891)
Saints in Scandinavia study the English language—Apostle Brigham Young, jun., visits the Scandinavian countries—Saints in charge of returning Elders leave Scandinavia for Zion—Fifty-eight Elders arrive from America.
Elder Andrew P. Renstrom report ed in January, 1891, that the meetings in the city of Goteborg, Sweden, were, at that time, better attended than for several years past. In Eskilstuna and vicinity the Elders had held a number of well attended meetings in country districts, but the local Lutheran priest had opposed them and presented some of the old threadbare accusations against the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Saints generally.
In January, 1891, a night school
318 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
for teaching the Danish Saints the English language was commenced in the Copenhagen Branch. The school was divided into three divisions and met every Monday evening. About this time also the Copenhagen Branch choir increased its membership un til it became the largest choir in the mission. The success of the splendid meetings, which had recently been held in Copenhagen, was partly due to the excellent musical numbers rendered by this choir. In July a hall for holding meetings was rented in Slagelse on the island of Sjaelland, Denmark.
Apostle Brigham Young, jun., president of the European Mission, and Elder John F.' Squires of the Liverpool office, England, arrived in Copenhagen, April 25, 1891, on a missionary trip to Scandinavia. These brethren attended conference meet
ings in Copenhagen (Denmark), Christiania (Norway), Stockholm (Sweden), and public meetings also in other parts of the mission. The visiting brethren left Goteborg on their return to Englanid May 20, 1891.
Under date of June 19, 1891, Eld er Edward H. Anderson, president of the Scandinavian Mission, gives an interesting report of conference meetings which he attended in Copen hagen, Christiania, and Stockholm, in company with Apostle Brigham Young, jun., and also of other con ference meetings which he later at tended in Norrkoping, Malmo, Aal borg and Aarhus. Pres. Anderson reported that the Elders in most parts of Sweden labored under the dis advantage of having too large a terri tory to travel in, with an insufficient number of laborers. In many dis tricts of country the restored gospel had not recently been preached, but there were openings everywhere for the Elders to preach, though this generally had to be done by hiring
halls, which meant expenses that some of the Elders were not pre pared to meet.
The name of the street in Copen hagen where the mission office had been located for many years, was changed in June, 1891, from Lo rentzensgade to Sankt Pauls Gade.
The following Elders, who had been released from their labors in the Scandinavian Mission, left Copen hagen April 2, 1891, on their return to their homes in Zion: Frands Peter Petersen, Alif Ericksen, Jonas Matt son, Christian M. Jensen, Lorentz Petersen, Lars Erik Larson and Hans Martin Hansen (released early on account of sickness at home). These Elders sailed per steamship "Volo," accompanied by 43 emigrating Saints.
The following Elders, who had labored as missionaries in Scandi navia, left Copenhagen April 16, 1891, to return to their homes in Utah: Christian Hermansen, Erastus Kofoed, Truls A. Hallgren, John 0 . Rosenkrantz, Niels Nielsen and Lars K. Peterson. They were accom panied by 59 emigrating Saints.
On May 14, 1891, Elders Niels Frederiksen, Hans Peter Miller, Jens P. Petersen and James C. Berthelsen, who had labored as missionaries in Scandinavia, left Copenhagen for their homes in America, accompanied by 24 emigrating Saints.
A company of emigrating Saints (141 souls) sailed from Copenhagen, Denmark, May 28, 1891, bound for Utah; 41 of these were from the Skane, 14) from the Goteborg, 66 from the Stockholm, 11 from the Aarhus and 9 from the Aalborg Conference. The following Elders who returned from missions accom panied the emigrants: Carl Sbder
lund, John A. Beckstrand, Nils Nilson, Andrew P. Renstrom and Boye B. P. Petersen.
In June, 1891, another company of emigrating Saints (42 souls), of
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 319
whom 10 were from Norway, sailed from Copenhagen and Christiania, bound for Utah, accompanied by four returning Elders, namely, Ole H. Berg, John Elof Johnson, James M. Keller and Pehr Cronquist.
Elder Hans Eriksen, who had labored as a missionary in the Stock holm Conference, left Copenhagen Aug. 6, 1891, for his home in Zion, in charge of 34 emigrating Saints, namely, 13 from the Copenhagen, 12 from the Aarhus, 3 from the Aalborg, 2 from the Christiania, 2 from the Stockholm and 2 from the Goteborg Conference.
Elder Ola Olson, jun., who had labored as a missionary in the Gote borg Conference, left Copenhagen, Aug. 20, 1891, accompanied by 38 emigrating Saints, namely, 20 from the Copenhagen, 9 from the Gote borg, and 5 from the Stockholm Con ference, also four others from dif ferent places.
Elder Andrew P. Anderson, who had presided over the Stockholm Conference, left Copenhagen Sept. 3, 1891, homeward bound, in charge of 52 emigrating Saints, namely, 24 from the Stockholm, 9 from the Copenhagen, 7 from the Aalborg and 1 from the Skane Conference, and 11 others from different places.
A company of Saints (66 souls) left Copenhagen for Utah, Sept. 17, 1891, namely, 13 from the Copen hagen, 10 from the Stockholm, 3 from the Goteborg, 15 from the Aalborg and 25 from the Christiania Conference in charge of Elders Oleen N. Stohl and Johan Gustav Jbrgensen, who had labored faith
fully in the Stockholm and Chris tiania conferences.
Elder Rasmus Sbrensen and Hans Peter Olsen, who had labored as missionaries in Scandinavia, left Copenhagen, Oct. 1, 1891, bound for their homes in Utah. These Elders were accompanied by 47 emigrating
Saints, namely, 16 from the Copen hagen, 18 from the Aarhus, 2 from the Aalborg, 9 from the Stockholm and 2 from the Christiania Confer ence.
Besides the Elders whose return is mentioned in connection with the emigrating companies, the following Elders, who had labored as mission
aries in Scandinavia, were released and returned home on the following dates: August S. Schow, from Copen hagen June 22; James Petersen, July 23rd; Pehr H. Pehrson, Oct. 20; Mads Nilson and John Johnson Oct. 29th; Frands Carl Michaelsen and Carl Edward Thorstensen, Nov. 9th, and Laurentius Dahlquist, Nov. 30th.
In 1891, 58 Elders from Zion ar rived in Copenhagen, to labor as missionaries in Scandinavia. They arrived on the following dates: Fred Lundberg, Carl Nyman and Joseph A. Anderson of Logan, Jacob Jbrgen sen and Theodor Gyllenskog of Smithfield, Anders Hanson of West Jordan, Anders Anderson of Provi dence, Johan Svenson of Salt Lake City, Utah, Olof Requel Olson of Oxford, and Martinus Nielsen of Ovid, Idaho, arrived March 21st; John Lawrence (Larsson) and Jacob Broman (Anderson) of Salt Lake City, James Erickson of West Bounti ful, Peder C. Christensen and Joseph Christiansen of Mayfield, Andrew Olson of Beaver, Hans Peter Olsen of Fountain Green, and Lars F. John son of Bear River City, Utah, ar rived May 1st; Nils Matts Nilson of Sandy on May 10th; and Nils Peter Larsen, of Pleasant Grove, July 20th. Adolph Madsen of Brigham City, Hans Andreas Pedersen, August Westerberg and Mouritz Mouritzen of Logan, Carl G. Anderson and Niels J. Henricksen of Salt Lake City, Joseph Jeppson of Millville, Lars C. Moller and Andrew Pedersen of Newton, Utah, and Hans C. Hansen of Mink Creek, Idaho, arrived Sept.
320 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
18th. Christian Nephi Anderson and James Nielsen, jun., of Brigham City, Peter Berthelsen Green of Plain City, Christian Peter Larsen of
OLO F R. OLSON
Was born at Osteriker, Sddermanland, Swe den, July 16, 1859, was baptized May 11, 1879, and labored as a missionary in Vestervik, Sma land, from Sept. 1, 1880, till 1882, when, in the month of June, he accompanied his parents and brothers and sisters to Utah. Bro. Olof R. Olson filled a mission to Sweden in 1891-1892 and presided ever the Vingaker Branch until the fall conference in 1891. He was then sent to the Vestervik Branch and was released in June, 1892, to proceed home on account of the severe illness of his wife. He now (1927) '
resides at Oxford, Idaho.
Manti, Jens P. Andreasen of Eden, Brynte Anderson of Ogden, Martin Nielsen of Levan, Anders Jensen of Gunnison, Utah, Joseph A. Folkman of Gentile Valley, Ole Olsen of Iona, and John A. Cederlund of Mont
pelier, Idaho, and Sbren C. Sbrensen of Mesa, Arizona, arrived Sept. 19th, and John Anderson of Salina, Utah, on Sept. 29th; Adolph Martin Niel
sen and Andrew M. Israelsen of Hyrum, Charles Ludvig Olsen of Payson, John A. Anderson of Hunts ville, Anthony Christensen of Oak City, Utah, Andrew Jepsen of Mink Creek, Idaho, Olof Monson of Pleas
ant Grove and Ole Sbrensen, jun., of
Fountain Green, Utah, arrived Nov. 1st, and Gustav W. Sbderberg of Ephraim and John Christensen of Gunnison, Utah, on Nov. 9th. Peter Trulson Rundquist of West Jordan, Pehr A. Bjbrklund and Herman Knudsen of Provo, Utah, arrived Dec. 12thr and Christian Magnuson of South Cottonwood and Erik P. Lindquist of Salt lake City, Utah, on Dec. 18th.
Jacob Jbrgensen, Hans Peter Olsen, Hans Chr. Hansen, Lars C. Moller, Peter B. Green, Sbren Chr. Sbrensen, Andreas Jepsen, and Gustaf W. Sbderberg were appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference. Martinus
MOURITZ MOURITZEN
Was born at Svendstrup, Aalborg amt, Den mark, April 2, 1857, the son of Peter Christian Mouritzen and Inger Jorgensen, was baptized at Aalborg, Jan. 3, 1877, by Anders Frederik sen, and called to labor as a missionary in the Aalborg and Seeby branches. In 1878 he pre sided over the Thisted Branch and while labor ing in Thyland, he and N. C. Larsen were ar rested for preaching but were liberated the next day. Being honorably released from his mis sion, he emigrated to Utah and arrived in Salt Lake City July 29, 1880; he settled first in Manti and later in Logan. In 1881 (Oct. 27) he married Jensine Jensen. Being ordained a High Priest Nov. 3, 1890, he was appointed second counselor to Bishop Christian J. Lar sen of the Logan Seventh Ward. Bro. Mou ritzen performed a mission to Denmark in 1891-1893, laboring in the Aalborg Conference, part of the time as president. He still (1927) resides in Logan, Utah.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 321
Nielsen, Peder C. Christensen (second mission,) Niels Peter Larsen, James Nielsen, jun., Anders Jensen, and Anthony Christensen were appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference. Mouritz Mouritzen was also appoint
ed to labor in the Aalborg Confer ence, and later as president of said conference. Lars F. Johnson was appointed to labor in the Copen hagen and Aalborg conferences, and later as president of the Aalborg Conference. Andrew Pedersen, and Jens P. Andreasen were appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Confer ence. Niels J. Henricksen was also appointed to labor in the Copen hagen Conference, but being ban ished from Denmark, he was called to preside over the Skane Conference, Sweden. Chr. P. Larsen was ap pointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference, part of the time as presi dent of said conference. Martin Nielsen was appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference and later in the Aarhus Conference. Adolph M. Nielsen was appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Confer ence, and later in the Christiania Conference. Ole Sbrensen, jun., was appointed to labor in the Copen hagen Conference, but being ban ished from Denmark, he finished his mission in the Christiania Conference. Carl Nyman, Joseph A. Anderson, John Lawrence (Larsson,) Jacob Broman (Anderson), John A. Ce derlund, John Anderson, Christian Magnuson and Erik P. Lindquist were appointed to labor in the Stock holm Conference, Sweden. Johan Svenson, Anders Olson, Nils Matts Nilson, Joseph Jeppson, Olof Mon son and Anders Hanson (2nd mis sion) were appointed to labor in the Skane Conference. Frederik Lund berg was appointed to labor in the Skane Conference and later presided over the Stockholm Conference. Peter T. Rundquist was appointed to labor 21
in the Skane Conference, a part of the time as conference president. Pehr Anderson Bjbrklund was ap pointed to labor in the Skane Con
NIELS JACOB HENRICKSEN
Was born Oct. 1, 185S, at Raabylille, Moen, Denmark; baptized Feb. 11, 1879, by Carl Jensen; labored as a missionary on Sjaelland until 1881 when he emigrated to Utah. In 1891 he was ordained a Seventy by Pres. C. D. Fjeldsted and called on a mission to Den mark; he presided over the Oernes Branch until he was banished from the country. He then went to Skane, where he first labored as a traveling Elder, and later as conference president. In 1903 he was again called to labor in Scandinavia and presided over the Copenhagen Conference till 1906, when he returned home. From 1911 till 1924 he labored among the Scandinavians in Granite Stake, first as counselor to Elder C. M. Nielsen and then as president of the Scandinavian meetings. From March, 1925, to September, 1927, he presided over the Danish L. D. S. meetings in Salt Lake City.
ference, and while faithfully dis charging his duties died August 28, 1893, in Helsingborg.
Olof R. Olson, Anders Anderson, Theodor Gyllenskog, Carl Gustaf Anderson (second mission), August Westerberg (second mission), and John Christensen were appointed to
322 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
labor in the Goteborg Conference. James Erickson, Adolph Madsen, Hans A. Pedersen, Chr. N. Anderson, Joseph A. Folkmann, Brynte Ander
son, Ole Olsen, John A. Anderson and Herman Knudsen were appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference. Andrew M. Israelsen was also ap
pointed to labor in the Christiania Conference; later he became confer ence president. Charles L. Olsen was appointed to labor as a writer and translator at the mission office in Copenhagen, Denmark. Joseph Christiansen was appointed to pre
side over the Aarhus Conference and later as president of the Scandi navian Mission, succeeding Elder Edward H. Anderson.
CHAPTER 76 (1892)
Unsuccessful attempt at preaching the gos pel in Schleswig—Missionary experiences with in the Arctic Circle—Progress of the work in Sweden—More Elders banished from Denmark i—Elder Joseph Christiansen succeeds Edward H. Anderson as president of the Mission— Fifty-nine Elders arrive from Utah.
In January, 1892, Elder Lars C. Moller went into Schleswig from Fredericia, Denmark, to commence missionary labors among the Danes in North Schleswig, which province, though belonging to Germany, had been added to the Aarhus Conference, most of the inhabitants there being Danes. Elder Moller walked to Christianfeld, a little city about two miles across the national bound
ary line into Schleswig, where he commenced his 'missionary labors, but finding no one willing to show him hospitality, he put up at a hotel for the night, where he witnessed much wickedness, a number of the guests being drunk. On the 22nd of January he walked to Haderslev, where he found a few people who seemed willing to receive his testi
mony, but as he again had to stop over night at a hotel, and was short
of money, he soon returned to Fredericia in Denmark.
In Norway, the Elders continued their missionary labors with un abated zeal, and with considerable success. Elder Hans A. Pedersen and other Elders had recently visited Orkedalen, near Trondhjem, but the Lutheran priests in that locality in
terfered and prevented them from hiring a hall for holding meetings. In Hedemarken, Bergen, Trond hjem and other places in Norway the Elders met with considerable suc cess. Elder John A. Anderson visit ed Langesund, Kragerb, Arendal and Mosby, and held successful meetings in these towns as well as in some of the country districts. In one of these meetings, where Elder Anderson ex plained that faith alone was insuf ficient for complete salvation, one of those present remarked that a man who would advocate such a doctrine ought to be whipped and banished from the country. In Frederikstad, a Brother Hansen had just erected a fine two-story building, the upper story of which had been built for a meeting hall, which he rented to the Saints for holding meetings. The first meeting in this new hall was held Sunday, April 17th. Elder James Ericksen, together with the local brother (Hansen), had made great sacrifices and had labored faith fully to secure such a commodious place for holding meetings.
In Christiania, Pastor Mortensen lectured against the "Mormons," and the brethren inserted in a newspaper an advertisement in which they promised to answer the questions, "Was Joseph Smith a deceiver?" and "Is the Book of Mormon false?" The meeting, which was held May 30, 1892, was crowded, the hall being filled to overflowing with hearers, and among those present was the pastor whom the brethren invited to the stand; he, however, refused to
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 323
come. The Elders who spoke were filled with the Spirit of the Lord and all present listened with rapt at tention.
In June, Elder Ole Sbrensen, jun., and A. E. Christensen held an open air meeting in Guldbrandsdalen, in which they preached to 300 people.
Late in the year 1892, missionary labors were re-opened by Elders John L. Johnson and James Erickson in Aalesund, Norway, where the re
stored gospel had not been preached for about thirty years. Thte two Elders arrived there Dec. 24, 1891, and attended a Lutheran meeting on Sunday, Dec. 25th. As the preach
ers got into a discussion among them selves about certain passages in the Bible, the Elders asked for permis sion to say a few words, which was granted. When the people found out that the brethren were "Mor mons," a newspaper article was pub lished warning the people against the Elders, who were forbidden by the police to preach. Soon a rumor was circulated that the Elders were going to hold a meeting in the eve ning of Nov. 1st, and a number of men and boys prepared themselves to break up the meeting and mob the Elders. A police officer came up and asked the brethren if they were going to hold a meeting. They an swered in the negative and tried to find out his intentions, but did not succeed. In the evening another man came up and asked them the same question, when the Elders began to think that something was wrong. However, they entertained their visi tor by explaining the principles of the gospel to him. Soon he got un easy and went out; then all at once a war yell was heard and a shower of rocks was sent against the house. The mob then rushed up the stairs and threw the door open, when 50 men and boys rushed into the room. Elder Johnson arose and addressed
them, explaining to them the princi ples he taught, and suggested to them that if they thought the "Mormons" were in error, they should endeavor to convince them in a Christian way with love and good will and the Bible for their guide, and not with violence. Elder Erickson then gave them good counsel and answered several questions satisfactorily to them. The mild influence of the Spirit overcame their wrath, so that they did not molest the Elders.
Elder Hans A. Pedersen wrote from Tromsb, Norway, under date of Dec. 27, 1892, that he and Elder Gustaf A. Iversen had arrived safely and well in Tromsb, after a tiresome and unpleasant voyage of 7 ^ days from Trondhjem. On their arrival at Tromsb they succeeded in hiring a couple of rooms, one of which was large enough to hold meetings in, and the few Saints in that far-off part of Norway endeavored to make the Elders as comfortable as possible. As soon as it became known that the "Mormons" had entered the town, some interest was aroused and many of the inhabitants came to the meet ings which the Elders commenced to hold soon after their arrival, and at the time of writing, meetings were be ing held three times a week. Brother Pedersen writes:
"For those who are not used to it, it seems strange to live in a place where the lamps must burn continuously, not only in the night, but also in the daytime. It is strange indeed to see the moon beam both day and night, while the sun in the summer season shines both night and day. At this time of the year (December) we see no sun, nor will it shine again for a month to come; hence it is not very pleasant in this northern part of Norway. The most interesting feature of nature here is the northern lights ('aurora borealis'), which every evening, when the weather is clear, sends its golden rays in different colors far beyond the zenith. It is certainly a grand sight, especially for those who have not seen it before. Of late the weather has
324 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
been very cold, and during the past two or three days much snow has fallen and a cold winter seems to be approaching. Per haps we have no reason to expect anything else in a place lying so near the north pole and the icy Arctic Ocean. I cannot say how large this branch is, as it reaches many miles southward and as far north as any human being may be pleased to travel. There are quite a number of inhabitants occupying the various islands and hamlets, and consequently there will be work for many missionaries, but it is very expensive for one to sojourn here, as the cost of food, especially in the winter, is very high. Everything is much dearer here than in districts farther south. Here are many of the descendants of Adam who have never heard the true gospel of Christ, but are bound in the chains of false traditions and ignorance. It is strange enough that where ever we go, the people have heard lying stories about the Latter-day Saints, but scarcely a word of truth."
In Sundswall, Sweden, the Elders advertised in the newspapers quite extensively, which had the effect that their meetings were well attend
ed by strangers every Sabbath. In Karlskrona, the Elders hired a hall in which well attended meetings were held regularly. Recently 20 persons had been added to the Church by baptism in that part of Sweden. On several occasions, in the neighbor
hood of Jbnkbping, the Elders had been shown the door, after being promised lodgings for the night, as soon as the householders learned they were "Mormons." Several suc
cessful meetings were held in the home of a rich farmer in the Ves teras Branch. The large room in which the Elders held forth was filled with attentive listeners. In the summer of 1892, Pres. Carl G. Anderson visited the various branch es and localities in the Goteborg Con ference and held many meetings, some of which were attended by several hundred people. Bro. Ander son was invited to speak at a Good Templars' Feast, which was held in the forests near Goteborg. He spoke
an hour, and at the close of the meet ing he answered a number of ques tions which seemed to temper the prejudice which had existed against the "Mormons."
At Osby, near Christianstad, Skane, 21 persons were added to the Church by baptism; among whom were a school teacher and his family.
In Copenhagen, Denmark, the ex cellent branch choir, under the di rection of Carl Lbhdefinck, did splen did work in making the meetings in the Danish capital interesting. The
English school, divided into four classes, which was held every Mon day evening, proved a success, and many of the pupils had already be come quite proficient in the English language.
On the island of Bornholm, the Elders met with some success during the year 1892, but while meeting houses on the island were numerous and were placed at the disposal of all so-called Christian preachers, the "Mormon" Elders had so far been denied the privilege of preaching in any of them.
In Jutland, Denmark, the head quarters of the Horsens Branch had been moved to Fredericia because of the enmity which had been mani
fested against the "Mormons." In Fredericia the people seemed to be more interested in the message of the Elders.
In the city of Odense and vicinity, on the island of Fyen, the Elders met with considerable success. Elder Peter Sbrensen had recently hired a hall in the town of Assens, where meetings were held regularly. The Elders had hired a hall in Randers capable of seating 150 persons. In the little city of Skive, Jutland, where the gospel had not been preached for thirty years, the reappearance of "Mormon" Elders caused con siderable interest, as a new gener
ation had grown up since the Elders
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 325
had labored there before. Pres. Joseph Christiansen visited Skive Feb. 21, 1892, on which occasion he dedicated the hall which had been hired there and advertised regular meetings for Thursday evenings and Sundays at 2 and 7 p. m. The first meeting held after that was so well attended that the hall was incapable of holding them all. On the 26th of Feb. the Elders visited a sister who had been baptized about three years previously, and who, through sick ness, had kept her bed over two months. At her request she was ad
ministered to by the Elders and was miraculously healed. The same day she arose from her bed of affliction, enabled to perform her domestic duties.
In the spring of 1892, Elders N. J. Henricksen and Ole Sbrensen, jun., were banished from Denmark by order of the police authorities. These brethren had succeeded in holding a number of meetings and in baptizing several persons on the islands of Falster and Moen. This annoyed the Lutheran priests, who complained to the civil authorities and asked that the "Mormon" Eld ers should be designated as "danger
ous foreigners with false and mis leading doctrines." Elders Hen ricksen and Sbrensen were therefore brought before the authorities, who gave them two weeks to get out of the country. At Hillerbd and Tols trup, north of Copenhagen, the Eld ers were mobbed. On a Saturday evening, at Tolstrup, the brethren were threatened, the lamps put out and the windows broken. After receiving some severe knocks, the Elders finally escaped by the assist ance of a friend, leaving the mob to fight amongst themselves. The crowd was led by a priest. It seems that nothing but the power of God saved the Elders from severe injury.
In both places there were quite a number of respectable people who were disgusted with the proceedings of the mob, and the Elders received opportunities to bear their testi
monies, notwithstanding the tumult. The two Elders banished from Den mark were sent to finish their mis sions, Elder Henricksen in Sweden, where he presided over the Skane Conference, and Elder Sbrensen in Norway.
In Hjorring, Jutland, the hall which had been used by the Elders for meeting purposes proved to be too small to accommodate the people who attended the meetings; hence a larger hall was secured.
The day for emigrating to Zion in large companies from Scandinavia had passed, and those who did emi grate left their native lands in small numbers, usually in care of returning Elders. Four emigrating Saints left Copenhagen, Jan. 14, 1892, bound for Utah.
On April 28, 1892, Elder Charles W. Olson, who had labored in the Goteborg Conference, Lars Johan Henstrom, who had labored in the Stockholm Conference since May. 1890, and Niels J. Andersen left Copenhagen to return to their homes in Utah. These Elders were accom
panied by 21 emigrating Saints. Eight emigrating Saints who left Christiania, Norway, April 29th, joined the Copenhagen company in England.
On May 12, 1892, the following Elders, who had labored faithfully as missionaries in the Scandinavian Mission, left Copenhagen, to return to their homes in Zion: Lars L. Nilson of Provo, Utah, Anders S. Hyrup of Salt Lake City, Andrew Hanson of West Jordan and Niels Peter Larsen of Pleasant Grove, Utah. The latter had filled a genealogical mission. In charge of these Elders was
326 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
a company of 64 emigrating Saints, namely, 8 from the Copenhagen, 12 from the Skane, 7 from the Aalborg, 2 from the Copenhagen, 20 from the Goteborg and 15 from the Stock
holm Conference. On May 13, 1892, three emigrating Saints left Chris tiania, Norway, to join the company in England which had left Copen hagen on the 12th inst.
On June 9, 1892, Elder Anders Hansen, of Pleasant Grove, Utah, and Olof Requel Olson of Oxford, Idaho, who had labored as mission
aries in Scandinavia, left Copenhagen on their return home, having been honorably released. These Elders had charge of a company of 74 emi
grating Saints, namely, 10 from the Goteborg, 8 from the Aalborg, 11 from the Aarhus, 24 from the Copen hagen and 21 from the Stockholm Conference.
On July 14, 1892, Elder Lars Pehrson, who had labored in the Stockholm Conference since August, 1890, left Copenhagen, returning to his home in Logan, Utah. He had charge of a company of 12 emigrat
ing Saints.
A company of emigrating Saints (39 souls) left Copenhagen, Aug. 4, 1892, to emigrate to Zion; of these 12 were from the Copenhagen, 4 from
the Stockholm, 11 from the Goteborg, 10 from the Aarhus and 2 from the Skane Conference. Elder Peter H. Sbrensen, who had labored in the Aarhus Conference, and Peter Henry Hansen, who had labored in the Copenhagen Conference, returned home with this company.
On Aug. 18, 1892, a company of 49 emigrating Saints left Copenhagen in charge of Elders Harold F. Liljen quist and Nils Bbrgeson. Of the emigrating Saints 28 were from the Stockholm, 3 from the Skane, 14 from the Goteborg, 2 from the Copen. hagen and 2 from the Aalborg Con ference. On the 19th, 15 emigrating
Saints left Christiania, Norway, for Utah. They joined the Copenhagen company in England.
On Sept. 1, 1892, Elder Andrew G. Johnson, who had labored in the Stockholm and Goteborg conferences since September, 1890, Elder Anton E. Christensen and Peter Christensen who had labored in Norway since October, 1890, left Copenhagen, re turning to their homes in Utah, in charge of a company of 15 emigrat ing Saints, namely, 1 from the Stock
holm, 6 from the Aarhus, 2 from the Aalborg and 6 from the Goteborg Conference.
Elder Edward H. Anderson, who had presided over the Scandinavian Mission, Christian Meyer, who had labored in the Aarhus Conference, and Peter Mortensen, who had la bored in the Copenhagen Conference, left Copenhagen, homeward bound, Sept. 22nd, 1892, in charge of a company of 21 emigrating Saints from Scandinavia. Five emigrating Saints from Norway joined this com
pany in England. Elder Anderson had presided over the mission since Sept. 29, 1890, and his administra tion represented ability, energy and good leadership. He was succeeded in the presidency of the mission by Elder Joseph Christiansen, who for some time had presided over the Aarhus Conference.
A small company of emigrating Saints (28 souls) left Copenhagen, Oct. 27th, 1892, in charge of Elders Peter C. Christensen, Martinus Niel
sen and Andrew Olson, returning Utah Elders. Of the emigrants, 6 were from the Stockholm, 2 from the Goteborg, 8 from the Aalborg, and 12 from the Aarhus Conference.
Besides the Elders mentioned in connection with companies of emi grating Saints, the following breth ren from Zion who had labored as missionaries to Scandinavia, took their departure, returning home on
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 327
the following dates: Jens C. Hansen, Feb. 4th, Mads P. Sbrensen, Ole Jenson and John A. Hellstrbm, March
PP Ik
JOSEPH CHRISTIANSEN,
President of the Scandinavian Mission in 1892-1893, was born Aug. 17, 1854, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of Niels C. and Catherine Christiansen. He was baptized when eight years old at Ephraim, Sanpete County, and ordained an Elder in January, 1876. On Jan. 31, 1876, he married Hannah M. Peter sen and removed to Mayfield (Sanpete County), Utah, being one of the pioneer settlers of that place, and during the following years utilized his best energies and ability in the interest of the new settlement. He was manager of the Mayfield Co-op store from 1881 to 1890, and superintendent of the Mayfield Sabbath school from 1878 to 1891. In 1888 he was ordained a High Priest and acted as second counselor to Bishop Ole C. Olsen. In 1891-1893 he filled a mission to Scandinavia, presiding fifteen months over the Aarhus Conference, Den mark, and for nearly a year was president of the Scandinavian Mission. Elder Christiansen died at Mayfield, March 6, 1895.
31st, Joseph Reuben Olson, April 14th, Edward Berg, July 1st, Thor C. Nielsen and Michael Johnson, Aug. 18th, and John H. Forsgren, Jacob B. Anderson and Charles P. Oker
lund, Oct. 13th.
In 1892, 59 Elders from Zion, who had been called to labor as mission
aries in Scandinavia, arrived in Co penhagen, Denmark, as follows: Au gust Carlson of Ogden and Levi Pehr son of Peoa, Utah, arrived Feb. 19th; Rasmus Rasmussen of Mt. Pleasant, German Rasmussen of Ephraim, William Jacob Backman of Salt Lake City, Utah, John Andrew Larson,
AUGUST CARLSON
Was born April 4, 1861, in Ottum, Skara borgs Ian, Sweden, and baptized Dec. 28, •1878, by C. J. Janson. He was ordained a Teacher, April 5, 1879, and an Elder, Oct. 8,
1879. He labored as a missionary in Vesteras and Dalarne from 1879 to 1881 and received wonderful manifestations of the power of God. He emigrated to Utah in August, 1881, locat ing in Ogden In 1892-1894 he performed a mission to Sweden and labored six months as a writer for the "Nordstjernan," and about 21 months as president of the Stockholm Con ference. In 1905 he was again called on a mission to Sweden, laboring for three months in Orebro and the remaining time as president over Stockholm Conference. He was accom panied by his family. He had an audience with King Oscar of Sweden, and, as president of Stockholm Conference, introduced Pres. Heber J. Grant to the king. Bro. Carlson moved to Salt Lake City in 1908 and in 1916 was ordained a High Priest and set apart as a counselor in the bishopric of the Nineteenth Ward, which position he held until the Ward was divided in 1925, when he be came a member of the Capitol Hill Ward, where he still (1927) resides.
Peter Simon Jensen and Thomas Spongberg of Preston, Idaho, arrived
328 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Mar. 15th, and Martin Andersen of Richfield, Utah, on March 19th; Peter M. Jensen of Huntsville, Peter Mortensen of Salt Lake City, and Gustaf W. Carlson of Salem, Utah, arrived Apr. 29; Adolf Z. Fjellstrbm and George Wm. Lindquist of Logan, and George William Johnson of West Bountiful, Utah, April 30th; Michael 0 . Nash of Salem, Utah, May 11th; Gustaf A. Iverson of Ephraim, Carl A. Lundell of Ben
jamin, Gustaf Lindahl, Andrew J. Wahlquist and Gustaf Albert Ander son of Salt Lake City, Utah, and John Edward Mattson of Burton, Idaho, arrived May 27th. Nils Ben son of Spring City, Peter Nielsen, Johan A. Johnson (Johanson) and Andrew Larsen of Monroe, Charles Perry Okerlund of Loa, August Malmquist of Vermillion, Amel Bur
nett Jensen and John Jensen of Rich field, Louis Sbderberg of Elsinore, Hans Peter Jbrgensen of Fountain Green, John W. Dehlin of Mt. Pleas ant and Andreas Johansen of Hyrum, Utah, arrived June 6th; Adam L. Petersen, Peter C. Geertsen, jun., and Nephi H. Nielsen of Huntsville, James Andersen and John Johnson (Johansen) of Logan, Carl A. Carl
quist, Ludvig S. Hanson and John L. Johnson of Salt Lake City, Utah, ar rived June 20th; Charles John Wahl quist of Charleston, Utah, arrived Aug. 29th; Lars P. C. Nielsen of Mantua, and Peter Jenson of West Jordan, Utah, arrived Oct. 11th; Carl M. Levorsen of Draper, John J. Plowman and Peter Hansen of Smith
field, Nils Monson of Pleasant Grove, Utah, Frederik C. Olsen of Preston, Idaho, John W. Winterrose and Erick Erickson of Heber City, Utah, ar
rived Nov. 5th; Christian Wm. Sbren sen, Joseph Johansen and Anders C. Olsen of Mt. Pleasant, Anton Nielsen of Huntington, Christian Hansen of Ephraim, and Andrew G. Bolander of Ogden, Utah, arrived Nov. 12th,
and Charles Sbrensen of Hyrum, Utah, Dec. 13th, 1892.
Rasmus Rasmussen, Martin Ander sen, Peter M. Jensen, John Johnson
CHRISTIAN W. SORENSEN.
Son of Christian and Christine Sorensen, was born in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete County, Utah, Nov. 1, 1863; educated in the public schools and Brigham Young Academy; taught school in Mt. Pleasant for fourteen years and filled a mission in the Manti Temple in 1889-1890. He performed a mission to Scandinavia in 1892-1894, presiding over the Aarhus Confer ence, Denmark. When the North Sanpete Stake was organized in 1900, he was appointed a member of the High Council; later he acted as second counselor to Stake President C. N. Lund, and held this position until the Stake presidency was re-organized in 1914. Bro. So rensen has served as city recorder, assessor and Collector, councilman, member of the House of Representatives, member of the dis trict school board, and has followed the busi ness of banking and farming. In April, 1886, he [married Dina A. Hansen, who died Sept. 27, 1888; they had two children. On June 24, 1891, he married Eva Madsen, of Manti; they have three children. Bro. Sorensen still (1927) resides in Mt. Pleasant, Utah.
(Johansen), John J. Plowman and Anton Nielsen were appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference. Ger. man Rasmussen was also appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference and also in Schleswig, as he spoke the German language. Peter Christian Geertsen, jun., was appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference and later in the Aalborg Conference. Chris
tian Wm. Sbrensen was appointed to
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
labor in the Aarhus Conference, part of the time as conference president. Nephi H. Nielsen, Carl M. Levor sen, Frederik Chr. Olsen and Chris
CHARLES SORENSEN
(Original name, Carl B. Larsen),
Missionary to Scandinavia in 1892-1894, was born March 25, 1860, in Odense, Denmark, emi grated with his widowed mother to Utah in 1866, crossing the Atlantic in the ship "Kenil worth," and after residing one year in Brig ham City, the family located permanently in Hyrum, Cache County, where Bro. Sorensen was baptized, educated in part, grew to man hood and was ordained successively a Teacher, Priest, and Elder. He married Alice Unsworth in 1882, who bore him eight children. In 1892-1894 he filled a mission to Scandinavia, where he labored in the Copenhagen Confer ence, Denmark, and later as president of the Skane Conerence, Sweden. At home he has acted as a M. I. A. officer and assistant superintendent of a Ward Sunday school, and filled two home missions in the Hyrum Stake. In a civil capacity he has served in the Hyrum city council. As occupations, he has followed railroad contracting, farming, stock raising, and real estate business.
tian Hansen were appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference. Michael 0 . Nash was also appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference and later in the Christiania Conference, Nor
way.
Peter Mortensen, Lars P. C. Niel sen, Peter Hansen and Anders Chr. Olsen were appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference. Peter Niel sen was appointed to labor in the
Copenhagen Conference, and later in the Christiania Conference. Hans P. Jbrgensen, James Andersen and Joseph Johansen were appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference and later in the Aarhus Conference. Adam L. Petersen was appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference; later he was called to act as con
ference president. Charles Sbrensen was appointed to labor in the Copen hagen Conference and later in the Skane Conference. John A. Larson, Thomas Spongberg, Gustaf W. Carl son, Adolph Z. Fjellstrbm, Carl A. Lundell, Gustaf Lindahl, August
Malmquist, Amel B. Jensen, Louis jt Sbderberg and Erick Erickson were appointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference. August Carlson was also appointed to labor in the Stock holm Conference, and later as con ference president. George Wm. Lind quist was appointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference. John Jensen was appointed to labor in the Stock holm Conference, but was sent to the Skane Conference because of trouble and was finally released.
Levi Pehrson, George Wm. John son, Charles P. Okerlund, Ludvig S. Hanson, Peter Jenson and Nils Mon son were appointed to labor in the Skane Conference. John W. Dehlin was appointed to labor in the Skane and later in the Stockholm Confer ence. Anders G. Bolander was ap pointed to labor in the Skane Confer ence and later in the Goteborg Confer ence. Peter S. Jensen, Wm. J. Back, man, John E. Mattson, Nils Benson, Johan A. Johanson (Johnson) and John W. Winterrose were appointed to labor in the Goteborg Conference. Andrew J. Wahlquist was also ap pointed to labor in the Goteborg Con ference, part of the time as president of said conference. Carl A. Carlquist was appointed to labor in the Gote borg Conference; later he was chosen
330 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
as president of said conference and still later as president of the Scandi navian Mission. Gustaf A. Iverson,
7iPi
m B^p
f»J
m
Andrew Larsen, Andreas Johansen and John L. Johnson were appointed to labor in the Christiania Confer ence. Gustaf A. Anderson was ap pointed to labor in the office at Co penhagen and afterwards was sent to labor in the Goteborg Conference, but was released on account of trouble (June 7, 1893).
Charles J. Wahlquist was appoint ed to labor in the Stockholm Con ference and later as a translator and writer for "Nordstj ernan" at the mission office in Copenhagen.
CHAPTER 77 (1893)
.
>>
ADAM LIND PETERSEN.
Elder Carl A. Carlquist succeeds Joseph Christiansen in the presidency of the mis sion—Elder Amel B. Jensen crossed the Tornea River from Sweden to Russia and dis tributed tracts—Death of Elder Pehr A. Bjork lund in Sweden—A branch of the Church
A prominent Elder and missionary, was born March 2, 1870, in Huntsville, Weber County, Utah, the son of Soren L. Petersen and Anna E. Nielsen. He was baptized in 1878' by Samuel S. Hammond, ordained a Seventy in 1892 by Abraham H. Cannon, and ordained a High Priest in 1907 by David O. McKay. He served as a member of the Stake Sunday School Board (Weber Stake) from 1887 to 1890, pre sided over the Y. M. M. I. A. of the Hunts ville Ward from 1888 to 1891, filled a mission to Scandinavia in 1892-1894, acting part of the time as president of the Copenhagen Con ference, Denmark; filled a special M. I. A. mission to the San Juan Stake of Zion in 1898, and filled a second mission to Scandi navia in 1902-1904, presiding over the Aarhus Conference, Denmark, at which time the Aar hus. L. D. S. Church property was purchased After his return from that mission he was chosen as a member of the Weber Stake Sun day School Board in 1906 and a member of the High Council in the Ogden Stake in Novem ber, 1907. [Afterwards he was appointed to preside over the Scandinavian meetings in the three Stakes in Weber County. Bro. Petersen has also served as justice of the peace in Huntsville precinct and city, and later in the Eden precinct. He served as chief clerk of the House of Representatives in 1917 and sec retary of the Senate of the Utah Legislature in 1919. In 1917 he filled a short mission to the Eastern States, being assigned especially to Washington, D. C., and for three months he served as reading clerk in Congress, a posi tion with which no other Utah man ever be fore was honored. Bro. Petersen moved with his family to Salt Lake City in 1919 and is now a resident of the Eleventh Ward. In 1888 (Nov. 8th) Bro. Petersen married Anna M. Petersen, the daughter of Christian Petersen and Emma Backman, in the Logan Temple. This marriage has been blessed with nine chil^ dren. Bro. Petersen is now (1927) manager of the Associated Newspapers.
organized in Esbjerg, Denmark—Visit of Anthon H. Lund, president of the European Mission—Arrival of 45 Elders from Zion.
Elder Joseph Christiansen, soon after he had succeeded Edward H. Anderson as president of the Scandi navian Mission, made a tour of most of the conferences in Denmark, Sweden and Norway, so as to ac quaint himself with the affairs of the mission. He speaks in his re port of two Elders who had been ap pointed to labor in Haderslev and other places in Schleswig. They worked there for awhile, but as their influence grew and fears were enter tained by the civil authorities that some of the citizens would join the Saints, the Elders were ordered to leave the country within 24 hours.
In Sweden, the work progressed. A new meeting hall had been hired in the Halmstad Branch, and a new branch was organized with head
quarters in Kalmar on the Baltic coast. The Elders were also extend ing their labors into new fields along the Bay of Bothnia.
Elder Joseph Christiansen, who had
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 331
presided over the Scandinavian Mis sion since Aug. 26, 1892, left Copen hagen for his home in Mayfield, Utah, May 11, 1893. He had been a successful mission president and had gained the love and respect of both Saints and strangers. His suc cessor, Elder Carl A. Carlquist of Salt Lake City, Utah, had acted as president of the Goteborg Confer ence for several months.
In the summer of 1893, Elder Amel B. Jensen and his missionary companion labored in the northern part of Sweden. When they arrived at Haparanda, Bro. Jensen and his companion separated, and dividing the towns between them, appointed a place to meet at a later date. Bro. Jensen, having finished his labors sooner than he expected, and seeing a town on the further side of the river Tornea, crossed a bridge and entered the town. His success was' phenomenal; he sold books in nearly every house into which he entered, where his language was understood, and was well received by the people. When he was ready to go back, he made the discovery that he had un knowingly entered the Czar's domin
ion. The wonder is that he was al lowed to cross the bridge which separates Sweden from Russian Fin land, as the officers were usually very alert, and had they met him, they undoubtedly would have con fiscated his books and tracts. He says that "he hit the right moment to go over and did it innocently, as he did not know that he was doing anything unlawful; he acknowledged the hand of the Lord in the incident."
On Monday, Aug. 28, 1893, Elder Pehr Anderson Bjorklund, who la bored as a missionary in the Skane Conference, Sweden, died at Helsing borg. He had suffered from rupture for several years, and according to the advice of doctors he underwent an operation on Aug. 27th, which seem
ingly resulted in his death. Bro. Bjorklund was born Jan. 30, 1833, in Onnestad parish, Christianstads Ian, Sweden, was baptized July 7, 1879,
CARL ARVID CARLQUIST
Was born near Venersborg, Sweden, Jan. 8f 1857. His mother accepted the gospel in Troll hiittan, Sweden, when he was a child, and Carl A. was baptized when eleven years of age. He was ordained a Priest when 17 years old and sent on a mission. At the age of 18 he was ordained an Elder and afterwards labored in the Goteborg Conference for three years. Emi grating to Utah, he arrived in Salt Lake City July 15, 1877, and on Sept. 3rd of the same year he married Hulda Augusta Nathalia Os tergren, with whom he had been acquainted in Sweden. He engaged in the furniture busi ness under the firm name of Sorensen & Carlquist, and continued this until the spring of 1892, when he was called on a mission to Scandinavia, during which he labored in the Goteborg Conference and later as president of the Scandinavian Mission. After his return home in the summer of 1894 he became a leading figure among the Scandinavians, both in business and social affairs. In 1910-1912 he filled a mission to Sweden, presiding first over the Goteborg and later over the Stock holm Conference; he also visited all the con ferences of the mission, answering anti-Mor mon agitatoi's who were traveling through Swe den at government expense. Together with two other Elders he obtained an audience with King Gustaf of Sweden. In 1912 he acted as a counselor in the bishopric of the Fifth Ward, Salt Lake City, and on Sept. 8, 1917, he suc ceeded Jesse R. Pettit as Bishop of said Ward, which position he still (1927) holds.
332 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
emigrated to Utah in 1880, and lo cated in Provo, where he resided un til called on his mission.
A new branch of the Church was organized at Esbjerg, Denmark, Nov. 15, 1893. Esbjerg is a new city located on the western coast of Den
mark, on the shores of the North Sea. From the fact that it has a mixed population which had come from nearly all the surrounding countries, and that the town from consisting of only a few houses lo
cated on sand-banks 25 years before, had, in that short time, sprung up to be a modern city with about 8000 inhabitants, it was nicknamed the "San Francisco of Denmark." The reasons for this phenomenal growth were that a harbor situated southwest of the little town, at the foot of the sand-hills, and the railroads that connect with the lines of steamers that ply the North Sea, principally between Denmark and England, had been finished. This harbor has the advantage over all the other harbors in Denmark that it never freezes, no matter how hard the winter. After the branch was organized in Esbjerg, a nice little hall was rented in the center of the town, where public meetings were held twice on Sundays and also on Thursday nights. A well-attended Sunday School was or ganized about the same time, and there is still a flourishing little branch of the Church in Esbjerg, which in 1893 had about 7,000 in habitants.
In the fall of 1893, the Elders rented a fine hall in Drammen, Nor way, in which two or three meetings were held every week. A good choir under the direction of Elder Anton Olson did much to make the meet ings interesting.
Elder Anthon H. Lund, president of the European Mission, arrived in Copenhagen, Sept. 25, 1893, on a visit from England. He visited'
Aarhus, Aalborg, Stockholm, Chris tiania and many other places, at tending conferences and a number of special meetings. Being able to
speak the Scandinavian languages Pres. Lund exercised great influence by addressing the many congregations of Saints and strangers throughout the mission. After finishing his tour of the mission, he left Copenhagen, Oct. 20, 1893, returning to England.
During the year 1893, a number of Saints emigrated to Zion in small companies, like the preceding years. Thus 11 emigrating Saints left Copen
hagen, April 27, in charge of Anders Jensen, a returning Elder. Another company consisting of 32 emigrating Saints left Copenhagen, May 4th, in charge of Andrew Pedersen, of Newton, Utah, who had labored as a missionary in the Copenhagen Conference, Denmark. A larger company of emigrating Saints (105 souls) left Copenhagen, June 8th, in charge of Lars Chr. Moller, Jens P. Andreasen, and Lars P. C. Nielsen, returning Elders who had labored in the Aarhus and Copenhagen Con ferences. Elder Hans C. Hansen of Mink Creek, Idaho, who had presided over the Aarhus Conference, left Copenhagen July 6, 1893, returning to his home. He also was accom
panied by a small company of emi grating Saints*, which on their ar rival in England was augmented by a few Saints from Norway, the whole company then numbering 35 souls. Besides Elder Hansen two other mis sionaries returned home with this company, namely, Joseph A. Folk man and Brynte Anderson, who had labored in Norway. Another com pany of emigrating Saints (71 souls) left Copenhagen, Aug. 10, 1893, in charge of the following returning Elders: Mouritz Mouritzen, Niels J. Henricksen, Peter Berthelsen Green, Ole Olsen, Soren C. Sorensen, John A. Cederlund, Gustaf A. Anderson
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 333
and August W. Carlson and wife (visitors). Elders Martin Nielsen, Christian Peter Larson, Ole Soren sen, jun., Wm. Backman, Hans A. Pedersen and Chr. Nephi Anderson left Copenhagen, Sept. 7, 1893, re turning to their homes in Zion. They were accompanied by 24 emigrating Saints. On Friday, Oct. 6th, Elders James Nielsen, jun., Christian Han sen and John Anderson left Copen hagen, returning to their homes in Utah, accompanied by 35 emigrating Saints. About the same time, Adolph M. Nielsen, John A. Anderson and Andrew M. Israelsen, who had la bored as missionaries in Norway, left Christiania for their homes in Utah. They joined the Copenhagen com pany in England.
A small company of emigrating Saints (21 souls) left Copenhagen, Nov. 16th, en route for Utah, ac companied by the following return ing Elders: Anthony Christensen, Christian Magnuson and Anders P. Stenblom. About the same time Herman Knudsen, who had labored in Norway, sailed from Christiania, Norway, homeward bound.
Besides the Elders mentioned in connection with companies of emi grants, the following brethren from Zion, who had labored as mission aries in Scandinavia, took their de parture, returning home on the fol lowing dates: Carl Nyman, Feb. 1st; Fred Lundberg, Jacob Jorgen sen, Anders Anderson, Theodor Gyllenskog, John Swenson and Adolph Madsen, Feb. 22nd; Joseph A. Anderson, Feb. 26th; Lars F. Johnson, March 9th; John Lawrence, James Erickson, Niels M. Nielsen, August Westerberg, Andrew Jepsen and Gustaf W. Soderberg, Mar. 30th; Joseph Christiansen, May 11th; Carl G. Anderson, Apr. 13th; and John Jensen, Dec. 14th.
In 1893, 45 Elders from Zion were called to labor as missionaries in
Scandinavia; they arrived in Copen hagen on the following dates: Anders P. Stenblom of Hunter, Utah, Feb. 2; Torkel Evan Torkelsen of Salt
PETER CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN Was born June 7, 1857, at Gronfeld, Randers amt, Denmark, was baptized April 9, 1S82, and emigrated to Utah in 1883, locating at Draper, Salt Lake County. Filling a mission to Scandinavia in 1893-1895, he labored eigh teen months in Norway and later a few months in Denmark. After his return home he was or dained a High Priest and acted as counselor in the bishopric of the Draper Ward. In 1910- 1912 he filled a second mission to Scandinavia, presiding over the Christiania Conference, Nor way, twenty months and later presiding over the Aarhus Conference, Denmark. Returning home, he circumnavigated the globe together with Elder Andrew Jenson. In September, 1914, he succeeded his brother, Soren Rasmus sen, as Bishop of the Draper Ward, which po sition he held until 1919, when he located at Midvale, where he is now (1927) carrying on an extensive mercantile business. His wife, Mette Marie Jensen, whom he married in Au gust, 1880, bore him eighteen children, seven of whom are alive and all faithful members of the Church.
Lake City, Mar. 11 ; Nils Mattson of St. Charles, Idaho, March 17th; Christen Petersen of Ferron, Hans J. Zobell of Lake View, Hans A. Thomsen of Juarez, Mexico, David Holmgren of Bear River City, John F. Lundquist of Snowflake, Arizona,
334 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Theodor Peterson of Logan, Nils Sandberg of St. George, Carl P. Anderson of Clarkston, Andrew N. Kongstrup of Loa, John Hektor Peterson of Fremont, Christian G. Christensen of Richmond, Ole Ole
LARS PETER CHRISTIANSEN
Was born Dec. 25, 1857, at Gjerlev, Soro amt, Sjselland, Denmark, the son of Peter and Anna Christiansen. He was baptized March 15, 1863, by Niels C. Edlefsen, and emigrated with his parents to Utah in 1863. The family located in Hyrum, where young Lars Peter became a Church worker in his early youth. As a Seventy, he filled a mission to Scandi navia in 1893-1895, laboring in the Copenhagen Conference, Denmark. He acted as Bishop of Mount Sterling Ward, Cache County, Utah, from 1903 to 1906.
sen of Mantua, and Carl Johan Gustafson of Providence, May 7th; Hans Peter Hansen of Hyrum, Peter C. Rasmussen of Draper, Abraham Jorgen Hansen of Spanish Fork, Lars P. Christiansen of Hyrum, Chr. P. Hald of Ephraim, Jacob Larsen of Paradise, Martin M. Hansen of Bluff Dale, and John Anderson of Salt Lake City, Utah, May 22nd; August J. Hoglund of Salt Lake City and Hans J. Christiansen of Logan, May 31st; Charles J. Christensen and James C. Frost, jun., of Ephraim, June 9th; Hanmer Magleby of Mon roe, Utah, and Frantz M. Winters
of Montpelier, Idaho, July 19th; James A. Hansen of Newton, Utah, Sept. 18th; William Sorensen and Peter Chr. Petersen of Glenwood, Charles F. Rytting of Grantsville, James Christensen of Brigham, and Lorenz Ockander of Santaquin, Oct. 13th; Niels A. Nielsen of Nephi, Utah, Oct. 6th; Lars Severin Chris
tenson of Lyman, Idaho, Nov. 13th; Nils M. Jenson of Union and Gustaf Johanson of South Cottonwood, Nov. 26th; John A. Olson of Salem, Hans
MaiM
CHARLES JOHN CHRISTENSEN, The eldest son of Carl C. A. Christensen and Eliza Rosella Haarby, was born at Fairview, Sanpete County, Utah, March 21, 1861. He says his "humble pioneer birthplace was a cel lar, eight by ten feet, roof and floor of the mother eartli." When he was only ten days old his parents moved to Mt. Pleasant on ac count of Indian trouble at Fairview. For a number of years he taught school, and then engaged in farming and stock-raising. While filling a mission in Scandinavia, in 1883-1885, he labored in Norway. In 1886 he married Maria Elizabeth Frost. When on a second mission to Scandinavia in 1893-1895 he pre sided over the Copenhagen Conference more than a year. In 1910 he went on a short mis sion to Southern Utah; in 1916 his son Sey mour was called to take a mission to England. In 1918 Bro. Christensen moved to Salt Lake City, became a member of the Capitol Hill Ward and received a call to labor as a mis sionary, which he gladly accepted.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 335
Andersen of Levan, Chr. F. B. Lyb bert of Vernal, Utah, Charles H. Hogensen and Ole Swenson of Mont pelier, Idaho, Dec. 27th.
Anders P. Stenblom, David Holm gren, John F. Lundquist, Carl J. Gustafson, John Anderson, Lorenz Ockander and Gustaf Johanson were appointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference, Sweden. Nils Mattson, Nils Sandberg and Nils M. Jenson were appointed to labor in the Skane Conference, Sweden. Torkel E. Torkelsen, Abraham J. Hansen, Han mer Magleby, James A. Hansen, James Christensen, Charles H. Hogensen and Ole Swenson were ap pointed to labor in the Christiania Conference. Peter Chr. Rasmussen was appointed to labor in the Chris
HANMER MAGLEBY,
Who filled a good mission to Scandinavia in 1893-1895, was born Feb. 24, 1867, at Milton, Morgan iCounty, Utah, the son of Hans Olsen Magleby and Gertrud Marie Christensen; re ceived a good education, which he finished with four years' studies at the Brigham Young Academy at Provo, Utah. Soon after return ing home from his1 mission, however, he died, Jan. 3, 1896, at Monroe, Utah County, Utah. He was a good and exemplary young man.
tiania Conference, but finished his mission in the Aarhus Conference. Hans J. Christiansen (third mission) was appointed to preside over the Christiania Conference, Norway. Charles J. Christensen (second mis
sion) was appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference and later pre sided over the Copenhagen Confer ence. James C. Frost, jun., was ap pointed to labor in the Christiania Conference and later in the Aalborg Conference. Chr. Petersen, Hans J. Zobell, Chr. G. Christensen, Ole Ole sen and Lars P. Christiansen were ap pointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference. Hans A. Thomsen, Andrew N. Kongstrup, Jacob Larsen, William Sorensen and Hans Andersen were appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference. Hans Peter Hansen was appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference and later as president of the Aalborg Conference. Niels An drew Nielsen was appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference, having previously spent some months as a missionary in England.
Theodor Peterson, Christian P. Hald, Martin M. Hansen and Frantz Martin Winters were appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference. Peter Chr. Petersen was appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference, part of the time as president of said conference. Chr. F. B. Lybbert was appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference, having previously la
bored in Holland. Carl P. Anderson, John H. Peterson, Charles F. Rytting and Lars S. Christenson were ap pointed to labor in the Goteborg Con ference, Sweden. August J. Hog lund was appointed to labor in the Goteborg Conference, part of the time as conference president. John A. Olson was appointed to labor in the mission office in Copenhagen as a writer and translator. He also led the Copenhagen Branch choir.
336 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
During the year 664 persons were added to the Church by baptism in the Scandinavian Mission.
CHAPTER 78 (1894)
Elder Peter Sundwall becomes president of the mission—More small companies of Saints leave for Utah—Swedish newspapers comment on "Mormonism"—Sixty-four Elders arrive from America.
Elder Carl A. Carlquist, who had presided over the Scandinavian Mis sion since May, 1893, left Copen hagen, Denmark, April 11, 1894, for his home in Salt Lake City, Utah, accompanied by other returning Eld ers. Elder Carlquist, who was suc ceeded in the presidency of the mis sion by Elder Peter Sundwall, had been a zealous and successful mis sion president. Being a good speaker and a splendid reasoner, and possess ing a pronounced personality, his influence was felt wherever he traveled and associated with the people.
During the year 1894 a number of Saints emigrated to Zion in small companies. Thus 13 emigrating Saints bound for Utah sailed from Copenhagen April 5, 1894, accom
panied by the following Elders from Zion, who had labored as mission aries in the Scandinavian Mission: Erik P. Lindquist and Gustaf Lin dahl of Salt Lake City, Rasmus Ras mussen of Mt. Pleasant, German Rasmussen of Ephraim, Martin Andersen of Richfield, Gustaf W. Carlson and Michael 0 . Nash of Salem, Geo. Wm. Johnson of West Bountiful, Geo. Wm. Lindquist of Logan, Johan A. Johnson of Monroe and Nephi H. Nielsen of Hunts ville, Utah. This company of mis sionaries and emigrants traveled by steamer to Hull, thence by railroad to Liverpool, England, thence across the Atlantic in the steamship "Ari zona," together with a few returning missionaries and emigrating Saints
from the British and Swiss and Ger man missions. After a pleasant voyage, the "Arizona" arrived in New York April 23rd, and thence the emigrants traveled by rail to Salt Lake City, where they arrived April 28th, 1894.
Another company of emigrating
PETER SUNDWALL
Wa3 born June 11, 1848, at Aspas, Jemtlands Ian, Sweden, embraced the gospel and was bap tized Feb. 27, 1866. After being ordained to the Priesthood he performed missionary labors in different branches of the Stockholm Confer ence, commencing in the fall of 1867, when he was sent to Gotland; afterwards he labored in Sundsvall, Ostersund, Eskilstuua and Stock holm. He emigrated to Utah in 1872 and made his home in Fairview, Sanpete County. While filling a mission to Scandinavia in 1881-1883, he labored in the mission office in Copenha gen as business manager. He filled a second mission to Scandinavia in 1894-1896, presiding over the Scandinavian Mission. In 1908-1910 he filled a third mission to Scandinavia, this time presiding over the Swedish Mission. At home, Bro. Sundwall always took an active part in any calling assigned to him in a Church capacity, being always faithful at his post of duty. He also occupied many positions of prominence in the community and filled offices under the government, the county and the city, being a successful business man. For several years he was mayor of Fairview and also served as a member of the High Council of the North Sanpete Stake. He died at Holliday, Utah, July 17, 1925. Among the many Eld ers that the Scandinavian Mission has* pro duced, Elder Sundwall ranks among the most able and faithful workers in the Lord's vine yard.
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 337
Saints (24 souls) sailed from Copen hagen May 3, 1894, accompanied by the following Elders from Zion, who had performed successful mission ary labors in the Scandinavian Mis sion: August Carlson of Ogden, Utah, who had presided over the Stockholm Conference, John A. Lar son and Peter S. Jensen of Preston, Idaho, Peter M. Jensen and Peter C. Geertsen, jun., of Huntsville, Utah, Andrew J. Wahlquist of Salt Lake City, who had presided over the Goteborg Conference, Nils Benson of Spring City and Adam L. Petersen of Huntsville, who had presided over the Copenhagen Conference.
Another company of emigrating Saints, consisting of 53 souls, left Copenhagen for Utah June 7, 1894, accompanied by the following re
turning Elders: Thomas Spongberg of Preston, Idaho, Adolf Z. Fjell strom of Logan, Utah, Carl A. Lun dell of Benjamin, Utah, John Edward Mattson of Burton, Idaho, Peter Nielson, sen., of Monroe, Utah, and
^. Louis Soderberg of Elsinore, Utah. Another company of emigrating Saints (44 souls) left Copenhagen,
Denmark, July 19, 1894, accom panied by the following Elders, who had performed missionary labors in Scandinavia: Amel Burnett Jensen of Richfield, Hans Peter Jorgensen of Fountain Green, John W. Dehlin of Mt. Pleasant, James Andersen and John Johnson of Logan, and Ludvig S. Hansen of Salt Lake City.
Elders Gustaf A. Iverson, Andreas Johansen and Carl M. Levorsen, having been honorably released from their missions in Scandinavia, sailed from Christiania, Norway, July 20, per steamer "Scotland" en route for their homes in Zion, accompanied by 6 emigrating Saints.
Accompaning 15 emigrating Saints, Elders John W. Winterrose and Erick Erickson of Heber, Utah, left Copen hagen, for Utah, Aug. 16th, 1894. 22
Peter Jenson of West Jordan left about the same time.
A company of 31 emigrating Saints left Copenhagen Sept. 20, 1894, in charge of Elder Charles J. Wahlquist. In this company were also Elders Nils Monson, Peter Han
sen, Fred C. Olsen and Torkel Evan Torkelsen, who had performed faith, ful missionary labors in Scandinavia. The little company traveled by steam
er to Leith, Scotland, thence by rail to Glasgow, and crossed the Atlantic in the ship "City of Rome" together with Elders and emigrating Saints from England, Elder Wahlquist being in charge of the company to Utah.
Elders John J. Plowman of Smith field, Anton Nielsen of Huntington, and Andrew C. Olsen of Mt. Pleasant, Utah, left Copenhagen, Oct. 25, 1894, to return to their respective homes, after filling honorable missions in Scandinavia. They were accom
panied by 23 emigrating Saints bound for Zion.
Elder Andrew J. Bolander of Logan, Charles Sorensen of Hyrum (who had presided over the Skane Conference, Sweden), and Rasmus M. Larsen of Basalt, Idaho, left Copen
hagen Nov 8, 1894, to return to their homes in Zion, accompanied by a company of 8 emigrating Saints. They traveled via Glasgow, Scotland, and crossed the Atlantic in the steam
ship "Furnesia."
Besides the Elders mentioned in connection with companies of emi grating Saints, the following breth ren from Zion, who had labored as missionaries in Scandinavia, took their departure, returning home on the following dates: Charles L. Olsen and Peter T. Rundquist, Jan. 4th; John Christensen and Levi Pearson (Pehrson), Feb. 22nd; Christian F. B. Lybbert, April 17th; John L. Johnson, Andrew Larsen and Peter Nielsen, sen., June 1st; Hans J. Zo-
338 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
bell, June 13th; Chr. Wm. Sorensen and Joseph Johansen, Oct. 16th. An influential newspaper (Handels och Sjofarts-Tidning), published in Goteborg, Sweden, devoted a column of closely printed matter to the "Mormons" in Sweden. It gave a detailed statement of the statistical condition of the mission, and then added: "It would be unjust to judge the labors and influence of the 'Mormons' in Scandinavia, and especially in Sweden, by the number of those only who have been bap tized into that Church and who are members of that organization. One must also take into consideration that the Mormon Elders are show ing much zeal and energy as dis tributors of tracts, though they sel dom appear as speakers before large congregations. Notwithstanding that during the winter they find it diffi cult to hire halls, Elder August J. Hoglund succeeded in securing the opportunity of preaching the Christ mas sermon last year (1893) in the large and commodious hall of the Good Templars in Norrkoping be fore an audience of about 350; also in the Good Templars hall in Motala this man preached March 4th to 500 people. A similar attempt on the hall of that order in Kalmar mis carried, but even the Good Templars hall in Sundsvall, the Labor Union Hall in Vesteras and the E. and V.'s hall in Eskilstuna have been opened to the Mormon Elders. During the summer the worry as to a hall in which to preach disappears, because then it is possible to hold meetings in the open air, sometimes to as many as 700 and 800 listeners, as, for in stance, at the factory of Sandviken."
The same paper continues its com ments as follows:
"As a sample of the perseverance and power of the Mormon Elders to gain access to those of different beliefs may be cited the following as related by one of ihe
Elders who, with his companion, recently returned from a trip through Harjedalen. When the Elders on Saturday had arrived at Ofver-Hogdals parish, they commenced to sell books and tracts. The following Sunday they sought to find a member of the school-board, but he had gone to a place where the people of that vicinity were in the habit of congregating for the purpose of hearing a sermon read to them out of a "Postilla," or a selection of sermons. The Mormon Apostles went to the same place. The leader at the meeting was just in the act of reading an explana tion of the prophecy of Isaiah about an ensign that was to be raised up among the heathen. The contents of the sermon seemed familiar to the Elders: they opened their ears and soon found to their pleasant surprise that it was a tract very familiar to the 'Mormons,' the title of which is the Voice of Warning, which they had sold the day before."
In 1894, 64 Elders from Zion, called to labor as missionaries in Scandinavia, arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark, on the following dates: Jonathan F. Petersen and Andrew Eskildsen of Mantua, and James Lar
sen of Logan, Utah, Jan. 7th; Ezra E. Nielsen and Hans B. Nielsen of Hy rum, Utah, Jan. 8th; Asmus Jorgen sen of Glendale, Utah, on Jan. 13th; Rasmus Rasmussen and Martin Olson of Millville, and Peter C. Jensen of Bear River City, Utah, Jan. 30th; William Buckholt of Nephi, James Larsen of Mapleton, and Christian P. Thomsen of Levan, Utah, Feb. 3rd; Nils R. Lindahl of Union, Al
fred G. Soderberg of West Jordan, Charles Lindell of Sandy, Carl A. Sundstrom of Union and Soren Peter, sen of Spanish Fork, Utah, Feb. 18th; Herman H. Sundstrom of Sandy, Hyrum Petersen of Spring City, Niels P. Nielsen and Joseph P. Anderson of Ephraim, Joseph Berge
sen of Lewiston, Wm. Isaac Soren sen of Mendon and Christian P. Lar sen of Gunnison, Utah, March 23rd; Peter Sundwall of Fairview, Utah, March 30th; Peter Nelson of Harris ville and Peter Swenson of Sugar
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 339
House, Utah, Mar. 31st; Heber C. Christensen of Richfield and Louis C. Larsen of Fairview, Utah, April 2nd; Soren C. Sorensen and Lars (Louis) Madsen of Manti, Henry Hans Daniel
sen and James J. Larsen of Rich mond, Anders P. Fillerup of Lake View, Carl Johan Wiberg of Sandy, John A. Carlson of Logan, Michael Sorensen of Salt Lake City, Erick Gillen of South Cottonwood and Erik Christensen of Ephraim, Utah,
HERMAN H. SUNDSTROM
Was born Feb. 15, 1860, in Stockholm, Swe den, and baptized in Copenhagen, Denmark, Feb. 15, 1880, by Elder Andrew Jenson; was ordained a Deacon, April 14, 1880, by Niels Wilhelmsen and sent on a mission in the Stockholm Conference; labored in the Orebro Branch till Oct. 8, 1881, and then in Upsala; was arrested April 21, 1882, and sent in chains to the prison, where he was incarcerated nine teen days and then tried on various charges, but was set free. His accuser died after wards in an insane asylum. The sheriff died a miserable death, tormented by his own con science. On May 14, 1882, Bro. Sundstrom was sent to Gotland, where he labored till Oct. 14, 1883, when he was sent to Eskilstuna; May 28, 1884, he was released to emigrate. He had baptized 55 persons, sold books to the value of 642 kronor, and traveled on foot about ten thousand miles. Arriving in Salt Lake City June 29, 18S4, he engaged In Church activities and was ordained a Seventy Aug. 31, 1890. In 1894-1896 he filled a mis sion to Sweden, labored in Upsala, Orebro, Vestmaniand, Uppland and Ekilstuna; bap tized twenty-seven converts, traveled on foot 4,500 miles, sold many books, etc., during a period of two and one-half years. Arrived home in Salt Lake City May 8, 1896, where he still resides.
May 6th; Nils Anthon Pehrson of Logan, Rasmus M. Larsen of Basalt, Idaho, John A. Jenson of Cedar City, Carl Hansen of Spring City, Carl A. Johnson (Johanson) of Huntsville,
HYRUM PETERSEN
Was born May 14, 1859, in Little Cottonwood, Salt Lake County, Utah, the son of Jens Pe tersen and Christine Johnson, who emigrated to Utah in 18S6 or 1857. Bro. Hyrum was baptized when eight years old. In 1882 (March 23rd) he married Emma Scofield, who was born July 16, 1860, at Lehi, Utah. In 1884- 1886 he filled a mission to Scandinavia, labor ing eighteen months in Hjorring and six months in Thisted, Aalborg Conference, Denmark. He has been a resident of Spring City for many years and is a devoted member of the Church.
and Carl A. Lundgren of Mayfield, Utah. May 11th; Nils Forsberg of Salt Lake City, June 30th; Bengt M. Ravsten of Clarkston and Niels A. Morck of Salt Lake City, Aug. 6th; Peter Jensen of Mantua, Carl E. Cederstrom and Hans S. Rasmussen of Salt Lake City, and Christopher Iverson of Ephraim, Oct. 1st; Math. Anderson of Sterling, Gustaf John son of Gunnison, Anders Chr. Jen
sen of Hyrum, Michael Schow of Mantua, Peter August Nordquist of Ogden and Peter 0 . Hansen, jun., of Paradise, Nov. 4th; Louis J. Hol
ther, jun., of Ogden, and Nephi Anderson of Gunnison, Utah, Nov.
340 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
24th; George S. Backman of Salt Lake City, Dec. 8th; Jens P. Jensen of Draper, Utah, William Georgesen
ANDERS PETER FILLERUP,
Born May 30, 1831, at Pannerup, Aarhus amt, Denmark, the son of Peter Jakob Fillerup and Karen Rasmussen, was baptized about 1861 by Soren Petersen; arrived in Utah in October, 1867, with ox teams; settled in Provo, and took up farming. In 1867 he married Caroline Ras mussen of Salt Lake City, daughter of Ras mus and Jensine Rasmussen of Wibye, Den mark, who bore him nine children, namely, Caroline Rasmine, Amalia Petronelle, Andrew Peter, Carl Richard, Erastus Kruse, Zenos Kimberly, Albert Frederick, Loftus, Alexander, and Rosena Eleanora Andrea. The family home is at Vineyard, Utah County, Utah. Elder Fillerup performed a mission to Denmark in 1894-1896, and died July 12, 1912, as a High Priest.
of Weston, Idaho, and Bengt Peter son of Heber, Utah, Dec. 17th. Jonathan F. Petersen, Rasmus Rasmussen, James Larsen, Niels P. Nielsen, James J. Larsen, Erik Chris tensen and William Georgesen were appointed to labor in the Copen hagen Conference. Peter Jensen was also appointed to labor in the Copen hagen Conference, part of the time as president of said Conference. An drew Eskildsen, Peter C. Jensen, William I. Sorensen, Louis Chr. Larsen, Lars (Louis) Madsen, Anders P. Fillerup, Michael Sorensen, Ras
mus M. Larsen and Hans S. Rasmus sen were appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference. William Buck holt was also appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference, part of the
time as conference president. Chr. P. Thomsen, Hyrum Petersen, Chr. P. Larsen, Soren Chr. Sorensen and Jens P. Jensen were appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference. Soren Petersen and Anders Chr. Jen
JOHN AUGUST CARLSON
Was born June 28, 1859, at Lahnaskede socken, Jonkopings Ian, Sweden; and was baptized June 8, 1885, at Jonkoping, by Elder A. G. Anderson; he emigrated to Utah the same year. He returned to his native land to perform a mission in the year 1894, laboring in Goteborg and Vingaker, and received an honorable re lease to return home in 1897. Bro. Carlson married Anna Lundstrom in 1886; both parents and the ten children born to them are all liv ing and are active in Church work. The fam ily home is in Logan, Utah.
sen were also appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference, part of the time as conference presidents. Hans B. Nielsen, Asmus Jorgensen, Alfred G. Soderberg, Carl A. Sundstrom, Herman H. Sundstrom, Carl J. Wiberg, Nils A. Pehrson, Carl August Johanson (Johnson), Math. Anderson and Peter A. Nordquist were ap-
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION oOfi.
pointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference. Erick Gillen was also
ANTHON PEHRSON
Was born in Wra, Kronobergs Ian, Sweden, Jan. 17, 1869, the son of Johan Salomon Pehr son and Kristine Nilsson, and was baptized in Halmstad, Sweden, in November, 1886, by Elder Aug. Westerberg. He emigrated to Utah in 1888, was ordained a Seventy by Pres. B. H. Roberts in 1894, and performed home missionary labors in Salt Lake and Logan Stakes. In 1896 he married Johanna Hakan son, from Stockholm. ' Bro. Pehrson filled a mission to Sweden in 1894-1896 (27 months) and baptized 42 converts; left for a second mission to Sweden in October, 1907, when he presided over the Sundsvall Conference for nine months; returned home in March, 1910, and has been a member of the Scandinavian presi dency for nine years. In 1923 he was called to take a third mission to Sweden and pre sided over the Stockholm Conference; he baptized seventeen converts on this mission. Bro. Pehrson still resides at Logan, Utah.
appointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference, part of the time as con ference president. Nils R. Lindahl was appointed to preside over the Stockholm Conference; this was his second mission to Scandinavia. James Larsen, Martin Olson, Peter Nilson, Carl August Lundgren and Bengt Peterson were appointed to labor in the Skane Conference. Bengt M. Ravsten (second mission) was ap
pointed to preside over the Skane Conference.
Ezra E. Nielsen, Peter Swenson, John A. Carlson, John A. Jenson,
Carl E. Cederstrom, Gustaf Johnson and George S, Backman were ap pointed to labor in the Goteborg Con. ference. Charles Lindell was also ap1 - pointed to labor in the Goteborg Con ference and later in the Skane Confer ence. Joseph Bergesen, Heber Chr. Christensen, Henry H. Danielsen, Carl Hansen, Christopher Iverson, Peter O. Hansen, jun., Louis J. Holther (sec ond mission) and Nephi Anderson were appointed to labor in the Chris tiania Conference. Michael Schow was appointed to labor in the Chris tiania Conference and afterwards in the Aalborg Conference. Niels A. Morck was appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference, and later in
HANS SEVERIN RASMUSSEN
Was born at Aalsrode, Randers amt, Den mark, March 26, 1S64, the son of Hans P. Rasmussen and Christine Marie Sorensen, and was baptized April 15, 1883, by Elder Jens M. Christensen. He emigrated to Utah and arrived in Salt Lake City July 7, 1885; moved to Pleasant Grove, where he married Ellen Svenson, Dec. 9, 1885, and moved to Salt Lake City a year later. In 1894-1896 he filled a mission to Denmark, where he presided over the Grenaa Branch for a time and then labored as traveling Elder in the Aarhus Con ference. For years he engaged in business in Salt Lake, Draper and Pleasant Grove, and at present (1927) is proprietor and manager of the American Fork Bottling Works. He has been active in civic affairs as city councilman, president and director of the Chamber of Com merce, and is very much respected in the com munity.
342 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
the Copenhagen Conference. Joseph P. Anderson was appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference and later in the Aarhus Conference. Peter Sundwall (second mission) was appointed to preside over the Scandi
navian Mission. Nils Forsberg was appointed to labor as a writer and translator in the mission office in Copenhagen, Denmark.
CHAPTER 79 (1895)
A Lutheran priest opposes' "Mormonism"— Marvelous cases of healing—Elder August Joel Hoglund in Russia—Missionaries in the extreme northern part of Norway—Returning Elders lead small companies of Saints to Zion*— Arrival of 48 more Eiders from America.
In the later part of 1894, Elder Joseph P. Anderson and William Sorensen were appointed to open up a new field of labor on the west coast of Jutland, Denmark. A family of Saints had just moved into that locality, which gave the Elders an opportunity for preaching the gospel there. A well-attended meeting was held, after which the Elders remained conversing with inquirers until past midnight. The next evening the Elders again spoke to a packed house, and so many people became interested in the doctrines advocated by the Elders, that they remained to converse until a very late hour of the night. Six weeks later the Elders returned to the same neighborhood, and soon learned that the power of evil had been at work during their absence. A Lutheran priest had been sent to the place to warn the people against the "Mormons," trying to prove that they were false prophets, and he advised his hearers not to open their doors for the Elders. Yet the seed which had been sown by them did not all fall upon stony ground, but, on the request of many, the Elders returned and held meet ings again. The clergyman's efforts against them made the people all the more anxious to hear them, and
when the Elders arrived at the home of Brother Knudsen they were agree ably surprised to find many smiling faces awaiting them. Four success ful meetings were held and people came from afar to hear them. At the close of one of the meetings a man arose from the audience and said in substance: "I lift up my voice against the false 'Mormon' priests and their devilish doctrines. I can take the Bible and prove to you all that every word they have uttered here this evening is without foundation." The speaker then cited the first three verses of the Revela
tion of John, 14th chapter, to which Elder Anderson had alluded in his talk. The priest remarked that he belonged to the 144,000 that would stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb of God and called God to wit
ness that the "Mormon" Elders were liars and deceivers, and if they were not so, he asked the Almighty to in flict upon him all sorts of torture, as, for instance, cut him up in pieces, grind him into powder, run red hot irons into his flesh and burn him into ashes. At this point, he turned white as the new-fallen snow and, quivering and trembling, he fell to his seat. The Bible was immediately handed to him, but he refused to open it. After a few remarks in de
fense of the Elders, another gentle man stepped forward and said, "My friends, I belong to no sect, but can bear my testimony that what these Mormons have said is the truth and they have proved their doctrines from the Bible." Another said: "1 have learned more in hearing these Mormon Elders one night than I have learned all my life going to hear all my priests." The result of all this was, that many became in
vestigators of the gospel and soon some asked for baptism. The meet ings of the Elders, after that, were
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 343
well attended by both strangers and Saints.
Under date of Feb. 5, 1S95, Elder David Holmgren reported from Up sala, Sweden, that he had gathered the genealogy of faithful members of the Church who had died without the privilege of emigrating to Zion, in order that their names might be sent to headquarters, so that their work might be done for them in the Temples. This illustrious example was soon followed by other Elders in the Scandinavian Mission, and it finally resulted in a general move
ment throughout all the missions of the Church to gather the genealogies of faithful Saints for that purpose.
Marvelous cases of healing were frequently reported by the Elders in the Scandinavian Mission, in fulfil ment of the promise: "These signs shall follow them that believe." Thus President Peter Sundwall, under date of April 4th, reports that a certain child, who was suffering with pain and had for several days been un
able to walk, was brought to the hall (in which the Saints held meetings) by one of the sisters, who asked the Elders to administer to the child, saying that she had told its parents that the child would be healed if the Elders would anoint it with oil and pray for it. The Elders administered to the child, and it was taken home well, being able to walk and ask for something to eat. The parents at tended the meetings of the Saints afterwards and testified to the heal
ing of their child; later they em braced the gospel and felt happy in the knowledge which they had re ceived. The father of the child had for years been engaged as a preacher in a free church of Lutherans, but after his baptism into the true Church, he became very diligent in trying to show his old friends the principles of the gospel as they had heen revealed anew from heaven.
As a sample of diligent missionary labor, it may be stated here that Elder August J. Hbglund, president of the Goteborg Conference, early in 1895 made an extensive tour through his conference, during which
he visited Skofde, where a new branch of the Church had been organized in the fall of 1893, Kyrkofalla, where he held three meetings, Kinnekulle, where four meetings were held, Tida
holm, where three meetings were held in a large hired hall, Hjo, Vad stena, Motala, Orebro (where the Saints still occupied the same hall which they used twenty years before), Vingaker, Vestervik, Norrkoping, etc. During his visit, which covered a period of twelve weeks, Elder Hog lund held 66 meetings, assisted by other Elders.
In the summer of 1895, Elder August J. Hoglund visited St. Peters burg, Russia, where he was made welcome in the home of J. M. Linde lof, who was investigating the gospel. Mr. Lindelof and his wife, after lengthy gospel conversations, asked for baptism. Hence, on Tuesday, June 11, 1895, Mr. Lindelof hired a boat and traveled for several miles with his wife and Elder Hoglund to a somewhat secluded spot on the river Neva, where the Elder baptized Mr. Lindelof and his wife and con firmed them members of the Church. Mr. Lindelof was a goldsmith by pro fession and was born in Finland, but had resided in Russia 16 years. He spoke the Russian and Swedish languages, and was well acquainted with the Scandinavian population of St. Petersburg. Elder Hoglund spent a very pleasant time with the new converts in St. Petersburg, which city he left June 21st, after having ordained Brother Lindelof an Elder and instructed him in the duties of the Priesthood. Elder Hoglund blessed three children belonging to the Lindelof family, partook of the
344 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Sacrament, and separated from the family with feelings of love and happiness. Before returning to Sweden, Elder Hoglund also visited Helsingfors, Abo, Poja, Jakobstad and other places in Finland.
In 1895, Elder Heber C. Chris tensen and Nephi Anderson held a number of meetings at Tromsb, Nor way, where they hired the Good Templars Hall, and their meetings were well attended. They also visit ed Vadsb, one of the most northern cities of Norway, where they hired a hall and held a meeting. The an nouncement of this meeting caused considerable excitement in that little town, and more people gathered than could be accommodated in the little hall. The two Elders were gone on their northern trip eight weeks, dur ing which they held 10 meetings, visited 194 families, had 108 gospel conversations, and sold and dis tributed many books and pamphlets.
Elder John A. Olson, in writing from Copenhagen, June 10, 1895, praises the Danish climate in the following:
"We have here dreary, long winters, with lots of rough, cold weather, dampness, fog, etc., but when the long summer months begin to stretch out and nature is coming out in holiday attire, a person cannot help forgetting the hardships of winter to a certain extent.
"The northern summer is almost a par adise on earth, especially to one who lives with his eyes open to the beauties of nature so sublime and grand; with his ears open to the thrills of the skylark, the charming tones of the nightingale and other singing birds. If a person is ever so lost to all these pleasing impressions, he cannot help to inhale the invigorating summer breezes, and his olfactory organs cannot resist en
joying the sweet aroma that in reality flows from flora's fascinating bosom. I say in reality, for a good many of the earth's inhabitants must be contented with only reading about it, and imagine them
selves surrounded with such things. "The long, mild days, not too hot, makes a fellow that isn't used to it feel somewhat losr; for instance, we can read a news
paper by daylight after 10 o'clock in the night, while up to that late hour you will hear hundreds of happy children play ing in the streets, having their hours of recreation and romping. The parks and boulevards are filled with promenaders till after midnight, small groups of men and women are seen seated on the many com fortable benches in the parks; the large sound (Oresund) is in view, and hundreds of pleasure boats are seen crossing each other's wake in all directions and the huge steamers with half speed are gliding out and in on the busy sound."
Elder Anthon H. Lund, president of the European Mission, and George C. Naegle, president of the Swiss and German Mission, and wife arrived in Copenhagen, on a visit to Scandi
navia, Sept. 6, 1895. Pres. Naegle and wife only remained in Copen hagen four days, when he returned to his field of labor in Germany, while Pres. Lund visited Aarhus and Aalborg in Denmark, Christiania in Norway, Eskilstuna, Stockholm, Ving aker, Goteborg and other places in Sweden, attending meetings and con ferences and giving timely instruc tions to the Elders. Pres. Lund left
Copenhagen Oct. 8th for Holland. In Scandinavia, as well as in other missions, the Elders in their administrations frequently came in contact with evil spirits and were asked to administer to persons who were possessed of these. Elder Joseph P. Anderson relates an in stance of this kind which occurred in a village called Tylstrup, not far from Aarhus, Denmark. A young woman, who had been subject to fits ever since she was six years old was growing gradually worse, and as soon as she began to investigate the gospel, it seemed that the devil com menced his work, for she then not only had cramps but seemed to be possessed of evil spirits. From the 20th of November to the 14th of December, when the Elders arrived, she had spells every day and some days two or three times. Just as the
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Elders were approaching the house, they met the girl's father, who felt very much concerned about his daughter, who had just had a bad attack which so affected him that he fainted at the sight of it. The parents wanted the girl baptized the same night, but the Elders did not think it wise. Elder Anderson, how ever, talked with the father about the promises of the Lord through the administration of the ordinance of laying on of hands for healing the sick. The Elders united with the family in calling upon God to heal the girl from her terrible affliction. They administered to her, and from the 15th of December, 1895, to the date of writing (Feb. 1, 1896) she was entirely well without the slight est appearance of the disease. She was, at-the time of writing, happy and praised the Lord for her re
covery. The incident caused quite an excitement in that part of the country.
The emigration of Latter-day Saints to Utah in small companies from the Scandinavian countries was continued in 1895. Whenever Elders returned from their missions they were usually accompanied by a few emigrants, who wended their way to Zion. Thus it is recorded that on April 25th, 1895, a company of six emigrating Saints, accompanied by Elder Nils Mattson of St. Charles, Idaho, Andrew N. Kongstrup of Loa, John H. Peterson of Fremont, Chris tian G. Christensen of Richmond, and Jacob Larsen of Paradise, Utah, left Copenhagen, Denmark, for Zion.
A company of 21 emigrating Saints, accompanied by Elders Nils Sandberg of St. George, Christen Petersen of Ferron, Carl P. Ander
son of Clarkston, Ole Olesen of Man tua, Hans P. Hansen of Hyrum and Charles J. Christensen of Ephraim, Utah, left Copenhagen, May 2, 1895, for Utah.
A company of 45 emigrating Saints bound for Utah, accompanied by the following Elders who had filled missions in Scandinavia, left Copenhagen, May 30, 1895: Hans A. Thomsen of Juarez, Mexico, Peter C. Rasmussen of Draper, Abraham J. Hansen of Spanish Fork, Lars P. Christiansen of Hyrum, Christian P. Hald of Ephraim, Utah, Frantz M. Winters of Montpelier, Idaho, and Martin M. Hansen of Bluff Dale, Utah.
A company of 23 emigrants, six of whom were not members of the Church, left Copenhagen, July 25, 1895, accompanied by Elders David Holmgren of Bear River City, Utah. John F. Lundquist of Snowflake, Arizona , Theodor Peterson of Logan, Jens P. Jensen of Draper and Bengt Peterson of Heber, Utah, (the two latter released on account of sickness). This company sailed from Copenhagen as passengers on the little steamer "Thorsb," arrived at Leith, Scotland, on the 28th, and continued by rail to Glasgow on the 29th. Here they went on board the steamer "Furnesia," August 1st, to gether with 17 emigrating Saints from Norway, accompanied by Hans J. Christiansen, who had sailed from Christiania July 26th. Besides these Saints and returning Elders, 12 emi
grating Saints from Great Britain, and seven returning Elders and two visiting sisters sailed on the "Fur nesia." The whole company con sisting of 67 souls, under the leader ship of Elder Hans J. Christiansen, landed in New York August 11th, and arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah, August 17, 1895.
Another company of emigrating Saints (18 souls), bound for Utah, left Copenhagen, August 29th, ac companied by the following return ing Elders: August J. Hbglund of Salt Lake City, who had presided over the Goteborg Conference, James
346 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Andrew Hansen of Newton, William Sbrensen of Glenwood, Gustaf John son of Gunnison and Mrs. Anna K. Bartlett of Vernal, Utah, the latter having visited relatives and friends in Denmark.
A small company of Saints, (21 souls) emigrating to Utah, left Copenhagen, Oct. 3rd, accompanied by the following returning Elders: Charles Frederik Rytting, of Grants
ville, James Christensen of Brigham, Lorenz Ockander of Santaquin, Ras mus Rasmussen of Millville, and Peter Nilson of Harrisville, Utah.
Elder Peter Christian Petersen of Glenwood, Utah, James C. Frost of Ephraim and Niels A. Nielsen of Nephi, Utah, sailed from Copen hagen, Denmark, Oct. 17, 1895, re turning to their homes in Utah, after performing successful missionary labors in Scandinavia.
Another company of emigrating Saints (31 souls) sailed from Copen hagen, Nov. 14, 1895, accompanied by the following Elders who were returning to their homes in Zion, after performing good missions in Scandinavia: John A. Olson of Salem, Utah, Lars Severin Christenson of Lyman, Idaho, Hans Andersen of Levan, Andrew Eskildsen of Mantua, Hans Benjamin Nielsen of Hyrum, Carl August Sundstrom of Union, and Elias Jensen (a visitor) of Brigham City. Elder Charles H. Hogensen of Montpelier, Idaho, and Hanmer Magleby of Monroe, Utah, accompanied by three emigrating Saints, joined the Copenhagen Com
pany in England. They had left Christiania Nov. 15, 1895.
Niels M. Jenson of Union, Asmus Jbrgensen of Glendale, and James Larsen of Mapleton, Utah, who had labored as missionaries in Scandi
navia, left Copenhagen Dec. 12, 1895, returning to their homes in Utah. They were accompanied by three emigrating Saints.
Besides the Elders mentioned in connection with companies of emi grating Saints, the following breth ren from Zion who had labored as missionaries in Scandinavia, took their departure, returning home on the following dates: Peter O. Han sen, jun., March 8th, and Chr. P. Thomsen, July 4th.
In 1895, 48 Elders from Zion, called to labor as missionaries in Scandinavia, arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the following order: Peter Andersen, Hyrum Daniel Jen
sen and Carl Johan Rehnstrbm of Ogden, Theodore Tobiason of Salt Lake City, Canute Peter Hanson of Ephraim, Lorenzo 0 . Skanchy of Logan, Utah, and Abel Erickson of Albion, Idaho, arrived March 7th; Edward A. Olsen of Ogden, Utah, ar rived April 22nd; Lars Erik Daniel son and Erik Peter Erickson of Smith
field, Alonzo Blair Irvine of Logan, Utah, Peter Magnusson of Mesa, Ari zona, John Lorenz Hallbom of Heber. Nephi Anderson of Vernon, Utah, Julius Johnson of Preston, Idaho, and Andrew Chr. Fjeldsted of Gunnison, Utah, arrived May 5th; Anders Bjbrk man of Salt Lake City, and Ole An derson of Pleasant Grove, Utah, ar rived June 21st; Nephi Peter Ander son of Brigham City, Matthias Knud sen of Lehi and Lars Wilhelm Hen drikson of South Cottonwood, Utah, arrived July 21st; Peder A. Pedersen of Salem, Nils Frederik Alberg and Lars Gustaf Larson of Murray, Johan Fredrick Jonason and John Fred. Appelquist of Salt Lake City, and Joseph Y. Larsen of Holliday, Utah, arrived Sept. 22nd; Peder C. Chris tensen of Mayfield, Andrew Ander berg of Provo, Thomas Gundersen of Mill Creek, Edward Gundersen of Cottonwood, Carl Axel Ahlquist of Sugar House, Peter Ernstrbm of Ogden, Johan L. G. Johnson and Martin E. Christophersen of Salt Lake
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 347
City, Utah, arrived Nov. 4th; Morten C. Mortensen of Bear River City, Jens Jbrgensen of Draper, Utah, Andrew Johnson of Ovid, Idaho, Knud H. Fridal of Bear River City, Niels Chr. Sbrensen of Central, James
JOHN L. HALLBOM
Was born in Wamlingbo, Gotland, Sweden, Sept. 18, 1859; joined the Church in 1878, in Stockholm; emigrated to Utah in 1882, and lo cated in Heber City, where he was ordained to the various offices of the Priesthood. He filled a mission to Sweden in 1895-1897, la bored first in Stockholm and later in Norrland, with Sundsvall as headquarters; presided in that branch for a year; in 1896 he took a short mission to Gotland in the interest of Church history, then labored in Eskilstuna un til the spring of 1897, when he was honorably released. Bro. Hallbom also filled a three months' mission in Millard County, Utah, in the interests of the Mutual Improvement As sociation, and also became a member of the High Council of that Stake. He moved to Salt Lake City in the spring of 1906, where he still (1927) resides.
Chr. Jensen of Glenwood, Olof Erik Olson and Christian Johansen of Mt. Pleasant, Utah, arrived Nov. 17th; Jacob Fikstad of Manti, Utah, Dec. 2nd; Carl W. Erikson of Springville, Frederik J. C. Daniel sen of Fairview, John D. Amundsen of South Cottonwood and Emanuel F. Lennberg of Union, Utah, arrived Dec. 10, 1895.
Abel Erickson, Erik P. Erikson, Nephi Anderson, Lars W. Hendrik
son, Johan F. Jonason and John D. Amundsen, were appointed to labor in the Goteborg Conference. Olof Erik Olson was appointed to labor in the Goteborg and later in the Stockholm Conference. Theodore Tobiason was appointed to labor in the Goteborg Conference, most of the time as conference president. Carl J. Rehnslrbm, Lars Erik Daniel, son, John L. Hallbom. Anders Bjbrkman, Nils F. Ahlberg, John F. Appelquist, Lars G. Larson, Peter Ernstrbm, Carl W. Erikson and Emanuel F. Lennberg were appoint
ed to labor in the Stockholm Con
JOHN F. APPLEQUIST,
Second son of Johan Erik Applequist and Fre derikka Hammar, was born June 24, 1862, in Danmark Parish, Upsala Ian, Sweden, and reared as a Lutheran. Having heard the gos pel preached by the Latter-day Saints, he de cided to cast his lot with that people, and emigrated to Utah in 1886, where he was bap tized Feb. 1, 1887, and ordained an Elder - Aug. 8, 1887. He married Ottilia J. S. Hog lund, Aug. 12, 1887, but lost his wife by death Sept. 13, 1887. He labored as a teacher in the Thirteenth Ward, Salt Lake City, in 1893-1895; was ordained a Seventy by J. Gol den Kimball, Aug. 30, 1895, and filled a mis sion to Sweden in 1895-1897, laboring in the Stockholm Conference, principally in the Ore bro, Vesteras and Upsala branches. After his return to Utah he married Anna S. Krantz, Jan. 12, 1899; was ordained a High Priest by Sylvester Q. Cannon Feb. 4, 1906; labored as a teacher in the Sixth Ward about ten years, and in 1910 moved to the Second Ward of the Liberty Stake.
348 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
ference. Alonzo Blair Irvine was also appointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference, but later he presided over the Skane Conference. Carl A. Ahlquist was appointed to preside over the Stockholm Conference. Peter Magnusson and Andrew Ander
berg were appointed to labor in the Skane Conference. Canute P. Han son, Niels Chr. Sbrensen and Chris tian Johansen were appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference. Andrew Chr. Fjeldsted and James Chr. Jensen were also appointed to labor in the Aalborg Conference, part of the time as conference presi dents.
Ole Anderson, Jens Jbrgensen, and Frederik J. C. Danielsen were ap pointed to labor in the Aarhus Con ference. Morten Chr. Mortensen and Knud H. Fridal were appointed to labor in the Aarhus and Copen hagen conferences, Elder Mortensen most of the time as president of the Aarhus Conference. Hyrum D. Jen sen, Lorenzo 0 . Skanchy, Edward A. Olsen, Julius Johnson, Matthias Knudsen, Peder A. Pedersen, Thomas Gundersen, Edward Gundersen, Johan L. G. Johnson and Jacob Fikstad were appointed to labor in the Chris tiania Conference. Martin E. Chris tophersen was also appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference, part of the time as conference presi dent. Peter Andersen (2nd mission) was appointed to preside over the Christiania Conference.
Joseph Y. Larsen was appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Confer ence, but being banished, he fin ished his mission in the Skane Confer ence, Sweden. Peder Chr. Pedersen and Andrew Johnson were appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Confer ence, Denmark.
Nephi Peter Anderson (Niels Peter sen) was appointed to labor as writer and translator in the mission office in Copenhagen, Denmark.
CHAPTER 80 (1896)
Elder Peter Ernstrom in Sweden—Elder Chr. N. Lund succeeds Peter Sundwall as president of the Scandinavian Mission—Death of Elder Anders Bjorkman in Sweden—Elder Daniel K. Brown banished from Denmark— Elder Andrew Jenson visits Scandinavia in the interest of Church History—Emigration of Saints continues—Arrival of 68 Elders from Zion.
Early in 1896 Elder Peter Ern strbm, who labored as a missionary in Sweden, visited, among other places, the town of Borgvik, jn Varmland, where about three hundred laborers were employed in some large iron works. A liberal-minded workman furnished Elder Ernstrbm with lodg
ings. Elder Ernstrbm visited this man at his work, and his fellow-work ers were informed that he was a "Mormon priest" 'and,' said his friend, 'You should only hear him and you would soon acknowledge that he understands the plan of salva tion far better than the parish priest, and he carries a lot of tracts with him which he sells very cheap." At the request of the workmen, Elder Ernstrbm took some tracts with him to the works and distributed a large number of them. The men read these tracts during their lunch hour, and Elder Ernstrbm visited them when they had stopped work for dinner and spoke to them about the gospel. They desired that he should hold a meeting on the place, but this seemed impossible, as the superin
tendent himself was the local preach er, and seemed displeased with Elder Ernstrbm's efforts, and forbade the workmen to open their houses for holding meetings. This prohibition, however, seemed to sharpen the curiosity of the men still more, and they wished the Elder to address them, even if it had to be done on the highway. At last it was decided that he should lecture in the dining hall the following Sunday at 1 o'clock p. m. A great number of people assembled at that hour, but
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 349
just as Elder Ernstrbm was getting ready to go to the meeting, the parish priest and council arrived at the house where he was staying and the following conversation took place between the priest, the Elder and the man of the house:
Priest: "Does the Mormon pastor stay here?"
The man: "Yes, there he is." The priest, addressing Elder Ern strbm, then said: "I forbid you to preach here and lead the people astray with false doctrine."
Elder: "I don't preach anything but what you can find in this book, the Bible" (which Elder Ernstrbm held in his hand).
Priest: "Yes, the Mormon Bible." Elder: "Noj it is no Mormon Bible. Look at the title page: 'The Bible printed at Stockholm in 1894'." Priest: "Yes, you preach a little out of the Bible, in order to seduce young girls, then you take them to Utah and make them your concubines and slaves."
Elder: "What do you know about Utah? You have never been there." Priest: "I have read it in the papers. Have you ever been in Utah?"
Elder: "Yes, sir, I have been there 13 years."
Priest: " I forbid you to preach, as I do not know who you are. Let me see your papers."
Elder: "With pleasure. Here are my citizenship papers."
Priest: "Why, you haven't even got Swedish papers."
Elder: "They are not needed. American papers are sufficient for American citizens."
Priest: "If you sell and scatter your tracts here, I will send a con stable after you, and you will be taken away from here."
Elder: "All right, it will be pleas ant to go over the road in a wagon, for it was very hard to get here; I
had to travel 30 miles on foot, and I will be very thankful to have a team take me away."
Priest: "You needn't joke about it, you may find that I am in earnest, for the parish council has met and determined to send a constable after you."
Elder: " I am not afraid of the parish council, nor the priest. I have done nothing wrong, but it is now as in the days of the Savior, when the priests and scribes set themselves against Jesus and his Apostles. Those who preach for hire have always been the most bitter opposers of the truth."
Priest: "Do you not have a sal ary? "
Elder: "No, sir, and I have even paid my fare to this country and I expect to remain here for about two years, and will meet all expenses connected with my stay."
Priest: "Are you a Mormon or Latter-day Saint?"
Elder: " I am, sir, and what reason have you to hinder me from preach ing?"
Priest: "It is reason enough that a man is a Mormon and has come from Utah."
Elder: "If it is enough to condemn a man because he is from Utah, then it is now like it was in the days of Christ when the people said that no good could come from Nazareth, and so they rejected Jesus because he was a Nazarene. If you, Mr. Priest, will permit me, I will visit you tomorrow and I will make this agreement with you: I will abandon my faith in the Latter-day Saints doctrine, if you can prove to me that it is false; but, on the contrary, if I can prove that the doctrine you preach is composed of the commandments of men, then you will be just as willing to give up your faith in it."
Priest: "I will talk no more with you, and I will not permit you to
350 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
enter my house; and I again forbid you to tract and preach in this parish."
The priest then went away, after Elder Ernstrbm had informed him that he would preach the gospel when and where he had an oppor
tunity to do so without asking his permission. He then went to the meeting and found over two hundred people waiting for him. He apolo
gized for being late and explained the reason why he had not come at the time appointed. Then he delivered a comprehensive and spirited gospel sermon, and closed by advising the people to examine the doctrines he advocated for themselves, in order to prove or disprove their harmony with the doctrines of Christ and his Apostles. The people paid the strictest attention and bought nearly all Elder Ernstrbm's books and tracts. They invited him to come again, and said that if they had ever heard the truth spoken, then it was the testimony which they had heard him bear concerning the gospel of Christ.
Elder Anders Bjbrkman, who was laboring as a missionary in the Stock holm Conference, Sweden, died sud denly, August 19, 1896, while en gaged with some friends at manual labor in the harvest field. A burial lot was purchased in the pretty grave yard belonging to Gustafs Fbrsam ling, where the remains of Elder Bjbrkman, clothed in temple robes and placed in a beautiful casket, were interred Aug. 25, 1896, in the presence of four Elders from Zion, a number of local Saints and several friends.
Elder Anders Bjbrkman was born in Bjbrklinge, Upland, Sweden, Jan. 22, 1838; embraced the gospel May 18, 1864, in Upsala, Sweden, being the first man in that city to embrace the restored gospel. He emigrated to Utah in 1869 and located in Salt
Lake City. Having been called on a mission to Scandinavia, he arrived in Copenhagen June 29, 1895, and was appointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference. At the time of his demise, he acted as president of the Sblfvarbo Branch in Dalarne.
In August, 1896, Elder Alonzo B. Irvine, who labored in the Skane Conference, visited St. Petersburg, Russia, where he met Brother Lin
delof, the local brother who had been baptized by Elder Hbglund about a year before. He received a hearty welcome by this family of Saints, which constituted the whole member
ship of the Church in Russia at that time. After spending a week at St. Petersburg, Elder Irvine returned to Sweden by way of Helsingfors, Abo, Jacobstad and other places in Fin
land, visiting a few scattered Saints who were residents of that country. Elder Peter Sundwall, who had
presided over the Scandinavian Mis sion since April, 1894, left Copen hagen June 11, 1896, leaving the mis sion in charge of Elder Christian N.
Lund from Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Eld er Sundwall's administration had been a most successful one. Being a man of wisdom, sound judgment and exemplary in all his habits, he had great influence with Elders, local Saints and the people generally who came into his presence, and he left the mission in a prosperous condition.
Going home he was accompanied by the following Elders, who also re turned from missions in Scandinavia: Heber C. Christensen of Richfield, Johan Carl Wiberg of Sandy, and Nils Anthon Pehrson of Logan, Utah, and also by 20 emigrating Saints.
Elder Daniel K. Brown, who la bored in the Aalborg Conference, Denmark, as a successful missionary, held a well-attended meeting in the village of Nbrretranders in June, 1896. The people gave good atten-
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 351
tion, but just before the close of the meeting, Mr. Tbmmerup, the parish priest, put in an appearance, loaded with some literature. At the close
CHRISTIAN N. LUND
Was born Jan. 13, 1846, at Seest, Ribe amt, Denmark, the son of Lauritz Nielsen Lund and Fredrikka Jensen, and was baptized March 21, 1858, by Hans P. Iversen. He labored as a missionary in the Fredericia Conference from Nov. 7, 1865, to June 1, 1868, when he emi grated to Utah. He married Petra Antonia Marie Jensen, of Odense, Oct. 9, 1869, and settled in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete County. In 1879-1880 he filled a mission to the North western States. His first wife having died in 1882, he married Anna Nielsen, also of Odense, Denmark, in October, 1884. In 1889 and 1894, Elder Lund served in the Territorial Legisla ture, became a president of the sixty-sixth quorum of Seventy and later, being ordained a High Priest, he acted as counselor to Bishop William S. Seeley of Mount Pleasant, whom he succeeded as Bishop, Jan. 10, 1888. In 1896- 1898 he filled a mission to Europe, presiding over the Scandinavian Mission. When the North • Sanpete Stake was organized Dec. 9, 1900, he was chosen its president, which posi tion he held until Sept. 12, 1914. Elder Lund died at Mount Pleasant, May 7, 1921.
of the meeting he tried to prove to the people by quoting extracts from Orson Pratt's works that the "Mor mons" were heathens and wor shiped many gods. The Elders were prepared to answer him and the out come resulted in their favor. This made the priest so angry that he fair ly raved and bolted out of the hall,
swearing vengeance on the Elders. On the 15th of June, Daniel K. Brown was notified to appear at the police station in Aalborg to answer to the awful crime of having preached the gospel. He had a private hearing before the chief of police and another limb of the law and, like Paul before Agrippa, he plead ed his own case. The officials treat
ed Elder Brown courteously, and he was finally informed that he was at liberty to go. Later, however, he was arrested in Aalborg on account of his missionary activities and after a brief examination, during which he was denied the privilege of de
fending himself, he was banished from Denmark, Aug. 1, 1896. On the following day (August 2nd) he was taken by a police officer to the German boundary. In consequence of this trouble, Brother Brown's field of labor was changed from Denmark to Norway.
Elder Andrew Jenson, who was making a missionary tour of all the Latter-day Saint missions through out the world in the interests of Church history, arrived in Copen hagen, Sept 9, 1896, accompanied by his wife, Emma H. Jenson. The same evening he preached to a large congregation of Saints and strangers at the branch hall, Krystalgade 24, Copenhagen. The next day, Elder Rulon S. Wells, president of the European Mission, arrived in Copen hagen from Germany | to make a tour of the Scandinavian Mission. Later the same day Pres. Wells, Christian N. Lund (president of the Scandi navian Mission), Elder Andrew Jen son and wife, and Elder Enoch Jbr gensen sailed from Copenhagen for Christiania, Norway, where they at tended a conference, which was held on the 12th and 13th of September. On Friday, Sept. 18th, the party left Christiania for Stockholm, Sweden, where another conference was held
352 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
on Saturday and Sunday^ Sept. 19th and 20th. Leaving Elder Jenson in Stockholm to complete his historical labors, Presidents Wells and Lund left that city Sept. 23rd by train for Goteborg on their way to Copen
hagen. Elder Jenson spent several days in Stockholm culling historical data from the records, and on the 27th traveled about one hundred miles to Vingaker, where interest
ing and successful meetings were held. Next, Elder Jenson visited Goteborg, where he attended to his torical labors and then crossed the Cattegat, to Denmark, where he visit ed his birthplace and former mis sionary field of labor. He then re turned to Copenhagen and later at tended a conference in Goteborg. Still later, in company with Pres. Chr. N. Lund, he attended confer ences in Aalborg and Aarhus, and preached in many other places in Denmark, while he, at the same time, was gathering data for Church histo ry and collecting a number of old records whic h he subsequently shipped to the Historian's Office in Salt Lake City. After also visiting the Skane Conference, Sweden, he fin ished his historical labors in the Scandinavian Mission, and after cele brating the 46th anniversary of his birth on Dec. 11th, he left Copen hagen, Dec. 14, 18%, for the Swiss and German Mission.
A number of Elders, who had labored faithfully as missionaries in Scandinavia, returned to their homes in Zion during the year 1896, most of them being accompanied by emigrating Saints. Thus Elders Jonathan F. Petersen of Mantua, Peter C. Jensen of Bear River City, Hyrum Petersen of Spring City, Joseph P. Anderson of Ephraim and Andrew P. Fillerup of Lakeview, Utah, left Copenhagen, March 5th, 1896, returning to their mountain
homes, accompanied by only one emi grating Saint.
Ten emigrating Saints left Copen hagen for Utah, April 2, 1896, accom panied by the following Elders from Zion, who had labored with diligence in the Scandinavian Mission: James Larsen of Logan, Ezra E. Nielsen of Hyrum, Nils R. Lindahl of Union, Charles Lindell of Sandy, Niels Peter Nielsen of Ephraim and Christen P. Larsen of Gunnison, Utah.
Elder Herman H. Sundstrom of Sandy, James J. Larsen of Richmond, and Carl Hansen of Spring City, Utah, left Copenhagen May 14, 1896, to return to their homes in Zion after performing successful mission
ary labors in Scandinavia. They were accompanied by two emigrating Saints. About the same time, Elder H. H. Danielsen of Richmond, Utah, left Christiania, Norway, after being honorably released from his mis
sionary labors there, to return to his home in Zion. He was accom panied by a small company of emi grating Saints.
A company of 28 emigrating Saints left Copenhagen for Utah, May 28, 1896, accompanied by Elder Peter Swenson of Sugar House, and Carl August Johnson of Huntsville, Utah, both returning Elders.
Another company of 20 emigrating Saints left Copenhagen July 16, 1896, accompanied by Elders John A. Carlson of Logan, Math. Ander
son of Stirling, and Canute Peter Hansen of Ephraim, Utah, returning Elders. On the same day. Elder Louis J. Holther, sen., who had la
bored as a missionary in Norway, left Christiania, homeward bound. Another company of emigrating Saints (16 souls) left Copenhagen, emigrating to Utah, in charge of the following Elders who returned to their homes in Zion: Michael Sbren sen and Hans Severin Rasmussen of
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 353
Salt Lake City, Erick Gillen, of South Cottonwood, Bengt Mathias Ravsten of Clarkston and Peter Jensen of Mantua, Utah.
A company of Saints numbering 57 souls, including the following named returning Elders, left Copen hagen, Oct. 8, 1896, for Utah: An drew C. Jensen, leader of the com pany, William Georgesen, Michael Schow, Jorgen Jbrgensen, Carl J. Rehnstrbm, George S. Backman, Carl Edwin Cederstrbm and Peter August Nordquist. Emma H. Jenson, wife of Elder Andrew Jenson, left with the same company. Three other Elders (Julius Johnson, Niels A. Mbrck and Nephi Anderson) and six emigrating Saints from Norway joined the Copenhagen company in Scotland. The company sailed on the steamship "Thursa" for Scotland on their way to America.
On Nov. 28, 1896, Elder Chris toffer Iverson of Ephraim, Utah, left Christiania, Norway, accompanied by ten emigrating Saints on their way to Utah.
Besides the Elders mentioned in connection with companies of emi grating Saints, the following breth ren from Zion who had labored as missionaries in Scandinavia, took their departure, returning home on the following dates: Martin Olson, William Buckholt, Joseph Bergesen and Ole Swenson, Jan. 23rd; Alfred G. Sbderberg, Sbren Petersen, Louis C. Larsen, Sbren C. Sbrensen, Louis Madsen, Erik Christensen, Wm. Isaac Sbrensen, Carl August Lund gren, April 23rd, and Hyrum C. Christensen, Nov. 1st.
In 1896. 68 Elders from Utah, called to labor as missionaries in Scandinavia, arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark, as follows: Christian Mad
sen of Mt. Pleasant, and Nels Alma Nelson of Bear River City, Utah, arrived Feb. 17th; Jens. L. Nielsen of 23
Ephraim, Johan Chr. Christoffersen of Richmond, Jens Nielsen of Hunts ville, and Niels C. Chistiansen of West Weber, Utah, arrived Feb. 18th; Jens Jorgen Jensen of Provo and Peter Lars Petersen of Ogden, Utah, arrived March 23rd; Daniel K. Brown of Nephi, Sbren S. Chris tensen of Sandy, Ole Jensen of Manti, Utah, and Andrew A. Bjbrn of Mink Creek, Idaho, arrived April 14; Peter P. Siggard, of Brigham City, Anton P. N. Peterson of Scipio, and Thomas Halvorsen of
JOHN C. CHRISTOFFERSEN,
Born at Norre Tornby, Hjorring amt, Den mark, Sept. 2, 1854; joined the Church by baptism, April 1, 1880 (his wife being baptized the same day) ; emigrated to Utah in 1880 and settled in Richmond, Cache County; was or dained an Elder and appointed a Ward teacher soon after his arrival; ordained a Seventy in 1884. He filled a mission to Scandinavia in 1896-1897, laboring in the Randers and Es bjerg branches, Aarhus Conference. At home he also labored as a missionary. When filling another mission to Scandinavia in 1908-1909 he labored in the Aarhus Conference, over which he presided. A son of Brother Christoffersen, Christian, died in the mission field at Silke borg, Denmark, Aug. 23, 1901, and about the same time two of his children passed away in Utah. It was a hard trial, but Bro. Chris toffersen had learned to acknowledge the hand of the Lord in all things.
354 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
Spanish Fork, Utah, arrived April 21st; Henry Wing of Provo, George A. Sanders of Murray, Christian Johnson of Thurber, and Charles A. Thomsen of Oasis, Utah, arrived April 26th; Isak Carlson of Pleasant Grove, Utah, Hyrum C. Christensen of Manassa, Colorado, John E. Halvorson and John D. Hagman of Salt Lake City, Utah, arrived May 11th, and Christian Poulsen of Orangeville, Utah, May 18th. Peter Christensen of Emery and August Edward Rose of Richville, Utah, ar rived May 25th; Christian N. Lund, George Christensen and Christian Wm. Anderson of Mt. Pleasant, James F. Iversen and Andrew A. Peterson of Salt Lake City, Peter Olsen, Jorgen Jbrgensen and John Peterson of Ephraim, Niels Peter Nielsen of Elsinore, and Niels Chris tian Nielsen of Pleasant Grove, Utah, arrived June 1st, and Joseph H. Jenson of Union, and August Robert Lundin of Salt Lake City, Utah, June 16th; Christian Knudsen of Lehi, Albert F. Young and Eph raim Bjorklund of Salt Lake City, Utah, arrived June 29th; and Ole H. Peterson of Fairview, Charles Magnus Olson of Park Valley and Marius Mikkelsen of Spanish Fork, Utah, August 9th; Christian N. Lundsteen of Levan, Hans Christian Hansen of Salt Lake City, Geo. A. Christensen and James Chr. Brein holt of Redmond, and Jens N. Beck of Ephraim, Utah, arrived August 24th; Enoch Jbrgensen of Eph raim, Utah, August 31st, and Niels S. Christoffersen of Brigham City, Sept. 29th; Carl Johan Fargergren, Johan L. Cherling and William An derson of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Hyrum Nielson of Holliday, Utah, arrived Oct. 13th, and Severin Nor
man Lee of Brigham City, Utah, on Nov. 2nd; Kjeld Peter Jensen of Fountain Green, and Hans Peter Nielsen of Salt Lake City, Utah, ar
rived Nov. 10th; Peter Erickson of Salt Lake City, and Peter Gus taf Hanson of Payson, Utah, arrived Nov. 16th; George August Miller
CHRISTIAN KNUDSEN,
Son of Guldbrand Knudsen and Marie Ander sen, was born at Stubberud, Ringsaker, Hede marken, Norway, Sept. 24, 1856, graduated from the public schools at the age of 14, and emigrated to Utah with his* parents, one brother and one sister the next year; crossed the At lantic in Anthon H. Lund's company, which arrived in Salt Lake July 17, 1872. The family located at Lehi, where Christian was baptized Aug. 30, 1873, by Mons Anderson. On Nov. 14, 1879, he married Sarah L. Ot tensen (daughter of Hans Ottesen and Jo hanne Christensen) in St. George Temple; they had ten children. Bro. Knudsen filled a mis sion to Norway in 1896-1898, laboring in Sta vanger, Eidsvold and Tromso. He was or dained a High Priest March 28, 1909, by Ste phen L. Chipman; has been active in the Church as a Ward teacher, home missionary and member of building committees for the Utah Stake and the Lehi Tabernacles. Bro. and Sister Knudsen are still residents of Lehi, Utah.
berg of Union, Dykes Willard Sbren sen of Ephraim, John Alfred Ander son of East Jordan, Hans Tbrkild Petersen of Smithfield, and Andrew Dahlsrud of Salina, Utah, arrived Nov. 21st; Lars Jensen Hailing, jun., of Grover, Wyoming, Eskild Eskildsen of Mink Creek, Idaho, and Henry Martin Pearson (Pehrson) of
Sandy, Utah, on Dec. 27th, 1896. Christian Madsen, Jens Nielsen,
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 355
Sbren S. Christensen, Ole Jensen, George A. Christensen, Niels S. Christoffersen and Kjeld P. Jensen, were appointed to labor in the
ENOCH JORGENSEN,
High Counselor in the Jordan Stake, is the eldest son of Johan G. Jorgensen and Serine K. Staalesen, born in Ephraim, Utah, Feb. 26, 1867; shared the hardships of pioneer life, par ticularly in the settlement of Grass Valley; worked for eight years in the summertime in the Jorgensen dairy at Fish Lake; assisted the government surveyors around the lake; wrote letters to the "Deseret News" (signed "Wilder ness"), which created a sentiment for state fish and game laws; graduated from the Brig ham Young Academy, and served as principal of the Wasatch Stake Academy, Heber, Utah, for many years. In 1908, Bro. Jorgensen organ ized the Jordan High School at Sandy, and ten years afterwards he was appointed principal of the Jordan Latter-day Saints Seminary; in 1914 he graduated from the University of Utah with the degree of Bachelor of Sciences. In 1888 he married Anna M. Berg of Provo; of their twelve children, these are still living: E. Berg, Henry C, Ruth, and Juanita. Bro. Jorgensen was ordained a Seventy, June 17, 1896, by Jonathan G. Kimball, and set apart for mis sionary labors, first in Chicago, then in Den mark; presided over the^ Copenhagen Confer ence the last year of his mission, and con ducted a large company of emigrants to Utah.
Copenhagen Conference. Jens J. Jen sen was also appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference, but be ing banished, he finished his mission in the Skane Conference, Sweden. George Christensen was appointed to labor as president of the Copen
hagen Conference, Denmark, as writer and translator for "Skandinaviens Stjerne," in the mission office in Copenhagen, and finally succeeded Christian N. Lund as president of the Scandinavian Mission. Enoeh Jbrgensen was appointed to labor in the Copenhagen Conference, hav ing labored for some time in Chicago, 111., before arriving in Scandinavia. Later he presided over the Copen
hagen Conference.
Nels A. Nelson, Jens L. Nielsen, Christian Johnson, Peter Christensen, Jorgen Jbrgensen, Niels P. Nielsen, Christian N. Lundsteen (second mis sion) and Jens N. Beck were appoint
ed to labor in the Aalborg Confer ence. Hyrum Nielson was also ap
NIELS S. CHRISTOFFERSEN,
Born July 14, 1861, in Aaso, Glumso par ish, Praesto amt, Denmark, and baptized Aug. 18, 1872, by Elder J. J. Nielsen, and emi grated to Utah with his parents in 1873, ar riving in Brigham City July 24. In 1884 (April 24) he married Anna Sorensen; they had ten children, five of whom are still living. Bro. Christoffersen performed a mission to Den mark in 1896-1898, laboring in the Copenhagen conference. Returning home he was given charge of a company of forty emigrants and ten elders from Copenhagen to Utah. He is a fruit grower and has three sons in the same occupation, in Brigham City.
356 HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION
pointed to labor in the Aalborg and later in the Aarhus Conference. Daniel K. Brown (second mission)
ANDREW DAHLSRUD
Was born Feb. 20, 1858, in Sande, Jarlsberg amt, Norway, joined the Church at Dram men, May 7, 1881, and emigrated to Utah in 1883. He lived five years at Ephraim, San pete County, and then moved to Salina. He filled a mission to Norway in 1896-1898, labor ing in the Arendal, Aalesund and Christiania branches. In 1915 he was called a second time to labor in Norway. He left Salt Lake in company with Elder Edward Stromness, and labored this time in Christiania and Bergen. In the latter conference he presided twenty-two months. He is still a resident of Salina, Se vier County, Utah.
was appointed to labor in the Aal borg Conference, but being banished from there he finished his mission in the Christiania Conference, Norway.
Johan Chr. Christoffersen, Niels Chr. Christiansen (from the Turkish Mission), Peter Lars Petersen, Peter P. Siggard, Henry Wing, Hyrum C. Christensen, James Chr. Breinholt, Dykes W. Sbrensen and Hans T. Petersen were appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference. Andrew A. Bjbrn and Hans P. Nielsen were also appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference and later as conference
presidents. James F. Iversen was appointed to labor in the Aarhus, Aalborg and Copenhagen confer ences. Marius Mikkelsen (Morris Mickelson) was appointed to labor in the Aarhus Conference, Denmark, having previously labored in Chicago, Illinois. John E. Halvorson, Eph
raim Bjorklund, Carl J. Fagergren, Johan L. Cherling, George A. Miller berg and John A. Anderson were appointed to labor in the Stockholm Conference. Anton P. N. Peterson was appointed to labor in the Stock holm Conference, and later as a writer and translator for "Nord stjernan" in the mission office at Copenhagen, Denmark, and finished his labors as president of the Stock holm Conference. Albert F. Young was appointed to labor in the Stock, holm Conference, but he finished his nrssion in England.
Thomas Halvorsen, Isak Carlson, John D. Hagman, Chr. Wm. Ander son, Andrew A. Peterson and Peter Erickson were appointed to labor in the Skane Conference, Sweden. Peter G. Hanson (second mission) was called to preside over the Skane Con ference, Sweden. George A. San ders and Severin N. Lee were appoint, ed to labor in the Skane and later in the Stockholm Conference. August Ed. Rose, Joseph H. Jenson and William Anderson were appointed to labor in the Goteborg Conference, Sweden. August R. Lundin was also appointed to labor in the Goteborg and later in the Stockholm Confer ence. Charles M. Olson was appointed to labor in the Goteborg Conference and later in the Skane Conference. Henry M. Pearson (Pehrson) was appointed to labor in the Goteborg Conference, part of the time as con ference president. He had labored for six months previously in Chi cago, 111.
Charles A. Thomsen, Christian
HISTORY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION 357
Poulsen, Peter Olsen, John Peterson, Christian Knudsen, Ole H. Peterson, Hans Chr. Hansen, Andrew Dahlsrud, Lars J. Hailing, jun., and Eskild Eskildsen were appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference. Niels Chr. Nielsen was also appointed to labor in the Christiania Conference, Norway, but later in the Aalborg Conference, Denmark.
CHAPTER 81 (1897)
A lone family of Swedish Saints in St. Petersburg, Russia—Elder Janne M. Sjddahl presents the king of Sweden with a copy of the Book of Mormon—Saints emigrate to Utah in charge of returning Elders—President Rulon S. Wells again visits Scandinavia—Arrival of 94 Elders from America.
Elder George Christensen, in re porting conditions in Scandinavia under date of March 16, 1897, la ments the fact that Saints who had emigrated from their native lands to Utah were neglecting corresponding with their friends whom they had left in the old countries, and in doing this would often break solemn promises given to friends and relatives to the effect that after their arrival in Utah, they would write and explain condi tions as they found them existing among the Saints in the mountains. This neglect had caused a great deal of dissatisfaction and had led in many instances to unpleasant sur misings in regard to the fate of their friends who had gathered to Zion. Also returning missionaries were blamed for not keeping their prom ises in regard to writing to the friends they had made on their missions, and to the Saints, whose hospitality they had partaken of while laboring in the Lord's vineyard.
The work of the Lord made good progress in Norway in 1897. The Norwegian Mission at that time con sisted of ten branches each presided over by an Elder from Utah, who was assisted by one or more of the other Utah Elders. The branch head
quarters were at Christiania, Dram men, Bergen, Frederikstad, Trond hjem, Aalesund, Arendal, Frederiks hald, Eidsvold and Tromsb. By a
system adopted, every town, hamlet and fishing village along the coast and fjords, as well as inland cities, towns and "gaarde" could be reached. The president of the conference made it a rule to visit every branch of the Church between the semi annual conferences, thereby keeping in touch with the requirements ol each. In April, 1897, twenty ener getic Utah Elders "were preaching the doctrines of Christ and search
ing for the blood of Israel in old Norway." The headquarters of the Norwegian Mission, or Christiania Conference, was at Christiania, where the Church owned its own building, which, at that time, was the largest and most commodious building owned by the Latter-day Saints in Europe.
In July, 1897, Elders Carl A. Ahlquist and Norman Lee visited Russia, • Finland, and northern Sweden. First they went to St. Peters
burg in Russia, and visited with the Swedish family, Lindelof, who had joined the Church two years before and had been quite alone in that big city ever since. This lone family of Saints enjoyed the visit of the Elders very much, and after ad
ministering comfort and cheer to the family, the two Elders, after spend ing about six days in St. Petersburg, went to Helsingfors, Finland, and after visiting several other places in Finland and northern Sweden, they returned to Stockholm.
Elder Janne M. Sjbdahl, who had been appointed by the First Presi dency of the Church on a special mission to Sweden to present a copy de luxe of the Book of Mormon to King Oscar II, arrived in Stock holm Sept. 6, 1897. He had left Salt Lake City, Aug. 14, 1897. On