The Gospel in Denmark—
A journey across the American continent and the ocean at that time was an undertaking of the magnitude of which the present generation, with its ocean grey hounds and fast express trains, hardly can have a true conception. The conference was held on the 6th and 7th of October and it was already late in the season for a trip across the mountains. But the missionaries had been called and set apart, for a work of vast importance and they did not hesitate. They made such preparations as time and their limited means would permit and on the 19th of October they were gathered at the mouth of Emigration canyon, where they were organized into a traveling party, by President Brigham Young. There were thirty-five men in the party, with twelve wagons and forty-two horses and mules. Shadrach Roundy was appointed captain. And now the start was made. The hand of the Lord was over the little party. According to the testimony of Elder John Taylor, the season was inclement, but the persevering hand of the Almighty was clearly seen. "The snows had fallen," says Elder Taylor, "on our right and left, but with a slight fall on the Sweetwater and another on the day of our arrival at Old Fort Kearney, we have escaped unharmed."
The party arrived at Fort Kearney on the Missouri River on the 7th December 1849 and a few days later at Kanesville, where they were received by the Saints with many tokens of love and joy. From Kanesville the missionaries took different routes to the coast and across the Atlantic. Peter O Hansen landed in Liverpool on the 8th of April 1850; Erastus Snow came there on the 16th and John E. Forsgren on the 19th. At the time there were about 30,000 Saints in Great Britain and those set apart for the European mission were aided financially by them. Elder P. O. Hansen proceeded to Scotland, where he was liberally provided for by the Saints and from there he went to his native land, Denmark, arriving in Copenhagen on the 11th May 1850. One of is first efforts was the publication of a little pamphlet entitled "En Advarsel til Folket" (A Warning to the Nation). Elder Erastus Snow, the Apostle, spent several weeks in England and Scotland among the Saints, but finally he was prepared to start for the goal of his long journey. He left London on the 8th of June, accompanied by Elder George P. Dykes, who had performed missionary work among the Norwegians in La Salle county, Illinois in 1842 and who consequently had some knowledge of the Danish-Norwegian tongue. In Hull the two Elders were joined by Elder John E. Forsgren. The three embarked in the steamer Victoria on the 11th of June and arrived in Copenhagen on Friday, the 14th of the same month, at ten o'clock in the morning. They were met at the landing by Elder P. O. Hansen, who conducted them to a hotel and here, in their room, one of their first acts was to offer up thanksgivings to the Almighty for His preserving care over them and to dedicate themselves to His service in this to them foreign land, imploring His protection and blessings upon their labors.
— Mormon Elder Preaching the Gospel in Denmark —
On the following day, the little party, after earnest prayers, set out to find a family with whom to stop. Their quest was not in vain. The Lord guided them to No. 196, Bredgade, where one Mr. Laurtiz B. Malling lived, of whom they rented a large and commodious upper room, boarding with the family. They were treated with the utmost courtesy. Malling and his wife, later, joined the Church, though they did not remain long with its folds.
The kingdom of heaven has been likened to a mustard seed, which, though small, grows to a large tree. From a small beginning it develops into large proportions. It was so in Denmark. On Sunday, June 16th the missionaries commenced their work by attending a meeting conducted by Rev. Peter C. Mønster, a Baptist minister who had suffered much persecution, at the instigation of the Lutheran clergy. Mr. Mønster received the strangers cordially. In the afternoon they had a pleasant conversation with Captain Simonsen, a gentleman who gave them much valuable information of the country and the people.
On Monday they received a call from Rev. Mønster, the Baptist minister. He told the brethren the quite interesting story of his religious labors and his sufferings, at the hands of mobs as well as of officers of the law. The Elders, in turn, told him of the work of the Lord in America and explained to him the nature of their message. They assured him that they had not come to undo what the Lord had done through him, but to aid him and his people to still greater perfection. The interview was a pleasant one.
On Tuesday, June 18th, Elders Erastus Snow and George P. Dykes paid a visit to Walter Forard, the U. S. minister in Copenhagen. He welcomed them cordially and made many inquiries about the "Mormons" and their religion. He denounced the spirit of persecution that had been rampant in the United States and promised the missionaries every assistance he could render.
On the 19th Elders Dykes and Hansen visited Rev. P. C. Mønster and imparted to him much instruction. They also visited other families and bore their testimony wherever they found an opportunity to do so. The result was that they very soon found themselves surrounded by a circle of friends, some of whom were earnestly investigating the Gospel. On the 21st of July the first public meeting was held at the house of Peter Bäckström, Store Kongens Gade. Quite a number of Baptists were present and a spirit of investigation was manifest. The Lord was opening the way for a great and marvelous work.
If the brethren had entertained the hope that Rev. Mønster's would be among those who received the Gospel, they were doomed to disappointment. As soon as he realized that the work of the missionaries of necessity would result in the establishment of a church separate from the Baptist denomination, he retreated and warned his flock from having friendly associations with the Elders. It costs much self-abnegation for a man in Mr. Mønster's position, to embrace the truth. He had left the Lutheran church, undoubtedly after a long mental struggle and identified himself with a people, despised and persecuted. Was he to take another step and incur still greater persecutions? He concluded not to do this. But some of his flock and already accepted the Gospel and decided to ask for baptism at the hands of the elders. Elder Snow rather held them back, urging them to investigate fully the principles taught. At last, however, we was shown in a dream, that it would be acceptable to the Lord, to grant baptism to those who had applied for the ordinance and he concluded not to postpone the matter any longer.
On Monday the 12th of August 1850, the holy ordinance was performed in the waters of Øresund, by Elder Erastus snow. He had learnt some Danish by this time and uttered the impressive words: "Ole Ulrich Christian Mønster, Med Fuldmagt fra Jesum Christum døber jeg dig i Faderens, Sønnens og den Helligaands Navn, Amen." O.U.C. Møonster (not the previously mentioned Rev. Mønster) was the first one baptized in this dispensation in Denmark. There were fourteen others baptized at the same time. They were: Marie Mønster, the wife of O. U. C. Mønster, Hans Larsen and wife, Eline Dorthea; Andreas C. S. Hansen and wife, Anna; Johan B. Førster and wife, Henriette; Andreaas Aagren, Anna Bäckström, Johanne Andersen; Marie Nielson, Jacobsen, Langstorff and a man whose name is not on the records. It was a beautiful Danish summer evening, when the holy rite was performed. Anna Bäckström, the first woman baptized, afterwards became the wife of Elder Erastus Snow. She is still living and residing in Salt Lake City. On the following Wednesday, the 14th of August, the ordinance of the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost was attended to in the house of Peter Bäckström and those who had been baptized were confirmed members of the Church.
The corner stone had been laid for a grand and magnificent structure. The seed sown with many a prayer and supplication had started to grow. The Lord had stretched out His hands to gather His people from the northern lands. Four days after the first baptism, eleven more converts were added to the Church. Among these were Kund H. Bruun and Christen Christiansen. Brother Brunn was the first member of the Danish Lutheran church to embrace the Gospel. Elder Dykes performed the baptism. On Sunday, the 18th of August 1850, the converts were confirmed members of the Church in the house of Hans Larsen. Three children were also blessed on this occasion. Four more persons were baptized on that day and among these were Peter Bäckström. On Sunday, the 25th of August, the Sacrament was administered for the first time in Denmark, in the house of Hans Larsen. Brother Bruun was ordained a Priest and another brother was ordained a Teacher.
During the month of September the brethren appealed to the Kultus minister, or secretary of ecclesiastical affairs, for permission to preach in Denmark and their request was granted, but his Excellency informed them, that they might have trouble with the police, owing to the evil reports circulated about the "Mormons"— a prediction that proved but too true. On the 15th of September 1850, the first branch of the Church was organized in a rented room in Vingaardstædet, with a membership of about 50 and Elder George P. Dykes as president. John B. Førster was appointed clerk and Lauritz B. Malling, Ole Swendsen and Andreas Aagren a finance committee. A suitable hall was now rented and the work proceeded. Baptisms were performed and the power of God was manifest in spiritual gifts. About this time Elder Snow issued his well-known pamphlet "En Sandheds Røst" and later a translation of the Book of Mormon. Elder Forsgren, who had been banished from Sweden, was appointed to labor in Copenhagen and vicinity and Elder Dykes went to Aalborg, Jylland.
While the brethren were laboring faithfully and successfully, the adversary mustered his forces, too. The newly baptized converts were the objects of hatred and persecution. One of the most active persecutors was stricken by the hand of the Lord and became a raving maniac, literally possessed by an evil spirit, but this did not deter others from raging against the Saints. On account of the disturbances by mobs, the public meetings had to be discontinued for a time and the Saints gathered quietly in their homes, where they engaged in prayer and worship. They also sent a deputation to the king, Frederik VII, presenting him with a copy of the Book of Mormon and Elder Snow's "En Sandheds Røst." It is said the king sent the books to the queen dowager and that they made such an impression on her, that she became sick for several days.
At the close of the year 1850, there were about 130 members of the Church in Denmark. The foundation had been laid for the Scandinavian mission, which has been and is, so important a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.(1)
- Anthon H. Lund, Andrew Jenson, J. M. Sjodahl & C. A. F. Orlob, Compilers, Scandinavian Jubilee Album 1850-1900, Salt Lake City, 6 June 1900, page 5-12.
