brought by steamer to the city of Hammerfest, where sentence was
pronounced on me; and from there, in another steamer to Tromso where I
spent ten days in prison on a diet of bread and water. I learned many
things from these seasons of imprisonment. I was a young man, healthy
and strong, accustomed to moving quickly in my work, and I found that
this diet of bread and water did not agree with me; especially as I
was given a tiny piece of sour, heavy, dry, coarse bread, about the
size of half of my hand, every twenty-four hours. As the days went by
in prison, I must confess that I became very hungry and that it caused
sleeplessness. I was able to sleep about two hours each night, and
would awake weak and tired. I dreamed usually that I was feasting on
an abundance of things to eat and drink and then would suddenly awake
hungry and weak, dizziness and headache overmastering me. I lay on my
hard bed hoping for the arrival of day because I could then divert
my thoughts a little better. These seasons of imprisonment tired me
severely. None can fully understand it unless he has experienced it
himself. It brought to my mind the words of the Prophet Isaiah, "It
shall even be as when a hungry man dreameth, and behold, he eateth; but
he waketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth,
and behold, he drinketh, but he waketh, and, behold, he is faint, and
his soul has appetite: So shall the multitude of the nations be that
fight against Mount Zion." I thought to myself that he who spoke those
words had undoubtedly had experience in it.
During the month of July, in 1865, the third summer of my labors in
Nordland, I received my release from this mission, from Elder George
M. Brown, who then presided over the Norway conference. I wrote to
all the Saints in Nordland's branch to meet in the historical place
Bjarkoe at a stated time. All of the Saints came to the meeting, as
also strangers. My sister in the flesh, Amelia, came there, also, and
was baptized. We partook of the sacrament together, and for three or
four days we had a most enjoyable time. At last, then, I bade farewell
to my brethren, sisters and friends, and to Nordland with its many
islands, fjords and great and beautiful mountains, forming a landscape
so brilliantly equipped that it does not stand second to any that I
have seen. The impressions which became stamped upon my mind during
my mission up among the people of northern Norway, in the days of my
youth, will never, I believe, leave me, for one might learn more up
there than can be learned in a university.
Before I leave this extensive and valuable mission field, I will add my
modest judgment of this great and beautiful country, with fjords and
sounds, islands and high mountains covered with leafy trees, reaching
down to the shore, with the background of high cliffs and barren
mountains, covered with patches of trees and moss, where the Laps watch
their great herds grazing in the small mountain valleys. All about,
are every kind of feathered life, representing the birds of the ocean,
among which the eider duck is a prominent feature. It seems as if
Nature has here made attempt after attempt to invite wealth and beauty
to the children of men. Three months throughout the year the midnight
sun shines; the great ocean teems with measureless wealth of food for
man. Wherever one turns there is something attractive to behold. Not
only is the eye pleased, but the spiritual intelligence is touched
as well. To me it was as if, in this rugged nature, a new world of
inspiration and introspection came from God, who from the beginning had
organized the whole land. No wonder that thousands visit summer after
summer this land of the midnight sun, this wonderland.
I took passage homeward in a steamer under Capt. J. S. Green, a friend
of mine, and a member of the Church. I was very grateful to the Lord
for his fatherly care and protection over me during my honest labors
both on land and sea; and though I felt myself a very humble and
imperfect messenger of the great and noble work, I also felt that the
Lord was satisfied with my work, and that the honor belonged to him. At
last I reached Trondhjem and had the joy to greet my dear mother again,
together with my brethren, sisters and friends. I remained a few days
with the missionaries, who still roomed in my mother's house, and held
several meetings. Then I bade my mother farewell again, and began my
long walk to Christiania, and again had the opportunity of walking over
the Dovre mountain alone. I reached Christiania in due season, about
two and a half years after I set out on my mission.
[Image captioned "LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MISSION HOUSE, CHRISTIANA,
NORWAY."]
IX. I LABOR IN AALESUND.
I was retained as a missionary, but was now at liberty to go wherever
I wanted. I said goodbye, and journeyed on to Guldbrands valley where
I thought there would be a good field for work, as the whole valley is
thickly populated. From there I went to Roms valley and at last reached
Aalesund. In this city I found a sister whom I had baptized in Nordland
and who was now married to Mr. Myre, a bookkeeper. As I was the first
elder who had visited this town, I was greatly persecuted by the
minister, Mr. Buck, and by the police who were on my track every day.
Nevertheless, I won friends there and after a time baptized Mr. Myre.
Just at this time Elder Christian Folkman, and the Saints who were in
Trondhjem, invited me to spend the Christmas season there, and sent me
traveling money so that I could buy my steamship ticket. I was in my
native city by Christmas and had a most interesting time.
Early in January, I returned by steamer to Aalesund, to continue my
work. When I arrived I had only twelve cents, which was just enough
to pay the man who rowed me from the steamship and placed me on land
in the city. I secured lodgings in the house of a master shoemaker,
Nielsen, who owned a large three-story house. The police chief soon
came and ordered me to leave the city, but when I told him I was paying
for my support, and that I knew something about the Norwegian law and
his authority, and that it did not extend so far as to drive me out
of the city, he left me alone, but commanded his force to keep a very
close watch over me.
[Image captioned "INTERIOR OF THE ASSEMBLY HALL, LATTER-DAY SAINTS'
MISSION HOUSE, CHRISTIANIA, NORWAY."]
Then came the priest of the city, the Mr. Buck formerly mentioned, in
company with one of the local merchants, and gave me considerable more
such information, that if I conducted any meetings, the doors of the
prison were ready to close behind me. A few days afterward I went to
call on the priest, but he saw me come and instructed his housekeeper
to tell me that he was not at home. When I asked if the pastor was at
home, she said, "No, he is away." As I knew that he was at home at
that time, I warned the lady she should not tell an untruth to one of
the Lord's servants. She took my words to heart and told her folks
what had happened. It so happened that this lady was of very prominent
parents, and they immediately took their daughter home. Two days later,
one of the merchants greeted me, and told me that this story of the
pastor's untruthfulness had spread over the city to the shame of the
pastor himself. Sometime after I had left Aalesund, I heard that this
minister, Mr. Buck, had hung himself, for what reason I did not learn.
Then came the superior priest of the district and pressed upon my
landlord that he must drive me out of the house, and not give home or
habitation to false prophets. Mr. Nielsen, who had learned something
of the gospel, bore testimony in my behalf, and then everything went
wrong. I was not present, but the two must have had a serious time
together.
In a few days came a letter from the superior priest to Mr. Nielsen
insisting that as Nielsen was a respected man in the community, in
order to maintain his good name he must not any longer give me lodging.
Mr. Nielsen was now in a tight place, and he presented the matter to
me. He did not want to turn me out, yet he desired to favor the chief
priest of the district. In fact, so overcome was he that he cried. An
evening or two later he received another letter from the pastor which
was even more insistent.
The morning after the receipt of the second letter, I placed the whole
matter before the Lord, and received my inspiration that if I would
call on the priest he would acknowledge the correctness of every
principle that I might present to him. Filled with joy, I walked to
his home some two miles beyond the edge of the city. I was courteously
invited into the office of the great man. We had first a conversation
concerning the Bible: then, concerning the relation of "Mormonism" to
Biblical doctrines. Questions were directed to me, and I replied in the
spirit of truth that was present; and he acknowledged the correctness
of every principle that I advocated. For two hours we were together in
friendly conversation. The battle was won; and from that time on he
was especially kind and helpful to our missionaries who followed me.
The same day Mr. Nielsen was informed by letter from the priest that
he could give me lodging as long as he liked, and the priest further
stated that he had had a conversation with Mr. Skanchy which convinced
him that he had been mistaken in his opposition, but excused himself
by saying that it was the duty of his profession to oppose those who
believed in any other religion than that supported by the state.
Even after this, I had a pretty hard time in Aalesund; but after
several members had been brought into the Church the work became
somewhat easier. Among others who were baptized at this time was Mrs.
Soneva Torgesen, the wife of a friendly ship captain. This woman was a
true daughter of Israel, and did much good. She had two small children
whom I blessed. The boy was instructed by his mother and is a faithful
elder in the Church today.
In the spring of 1867, at a conference held in Christiania, C. C. A.
Christensen, who had arrived from Utah, was assigned to preside in
Norway. I bade farewell to Aalesund and began my journey up the valley
of the Roms, over Dovre mountain again, and then down Guldbrands valley
until I reached the little town of Lillehammer, where we had a sister
in the gospel, Ellen Buckwald, who was employed in the household of
a Mr. Revers, a friend of our people. To this house the elders were
invited whenever they came to the city, and were treated there in the
very best manner. I had many conversations concerning the gospel with
this educated man. The family did not want to part with Ellen, for she
taught the children of the household "Mormonism," and used to pray,
even, for Brigham Young as a leader of Israel.
I finally again came to Christiania, and in the conference then held
was released from my second mission by the outgoing president.
X. I PRESIDE IN CHRISTIANIA.
Elder C. C. A. Christensen then took over the guidance of the Saints in
Norway. I was called to act as the president of the Christiania branch
which at that time had about 600 members. Upon the receipt of this
call I felt my unworthiness in a very great degree. There were many in
the congregation who had accepted the gospel long before I had, many
of them older and more intelligent men and women, but I prayed to my
God for wisdom and intelligence to be able to guide this great body
of people. These prayers were heard and the Lord blessed me mightily.
I gained the love and respect of the Saints and with the fatherly
guidance of our respected President, C. C. A. Christensen, I got along
very well. Many persons were converted and baptized into the Church
both in Christiania and throughout the branches in the country as a
result of the visits of President Christensen to the different branches
and the meetings he held everywhere with the people.
As the children of the Saints in Christiania were often persecuted in
school by the other children, because their parents were "Mormons," I
decided to try to stop this unnecessary and improper persecution. I
went to the chief of police, one of our friends, and counseled with
him as to what we would best do. He advised us to petition the school
board, the chairman of which was Bishop Arup, for the privilege of
establishing a school of our own, and he suggested further that we
secure a number of well known names to this petition and offered to be
the first to sign it. We delivered this petition to the bishop who was
a very courteous man. After a couple of weeks the petition was granted,
on the condition that an officer of the school board should inspect
the school once a year to make sure that we were giving the right
training and maintaining proper discipline. Moreover, in our school,
the children should not be obliged to study the state religion or the
history of the Bible. We thought this a very great concession.
I was then appointed to take charge of this school, with Sister
Christina Osterbeck as assistant. The children were each to pay a
little, as they could obtain the means, for the expense of books,
and other supplies. This was a fairly successful experiment. The
officers of the school board also seemed satisfied with our work. I
was permitted occasionally to make mission journeys into the district
surrounding Christiania. Some of these journeys, taken in the winter,
were very difficult.
In the summer of 1867, I was sent to visit the town of Kongsberg and
Numme valley, where I had been before. From the city of Drammen, the
road leads through a great forest, and then over a high mountain.
When I reached the top of the mountain the sun was setting in the
west behind me, and the shadow of the mountain was thrown miles and
miles over the forest below the mountain and covered the whole city of
Kongsberg. The magnificent beauty and vastness of this sunset from the
mountain top worked upon my feelings and I sought a place under a small
hill where, with enthusiasm in my heart, I kneeled before the Lord
and opened my heart to him. I prayed especially that he would lead my
footsteps, guide me on my way, and help me find a place to stay that
night, for I had only a few cents left. At the close of my prayers, it
seemed to me that I was surrounded by a holy influence.
I then began my descent of the mountain. It was already dark when I
crossed the bridge over the river that flows near the city. Where was I
to go? The houses of the city are built very near to each other. When
I reached the first block, I turned to the right and walked around
it. Then I crossed the street and began on the next block. At last,
I thought, "Here is the place where I would better go in and knock."
But the answer of the Spirit was immediately "No." I continued to
walk to the right around the blocks and after a while I thought, "Now
I will knock on the next door." But again the voice whispered, "No."
I continued circling the blocks until I reached the eighth block. As
I approached the middle of this block a voice whispered to me, "Here
you are to enter." I knocked on the door, and a hearty, "Come in" was
the answer. I stepped into the room and saw a man and his wife sitting
by a table, playing dominos. I noticed that they looked at each other
and smiled. "Can I obtain lodging here tonight?" I said. "Yes," said
the man and pointed to a door that led into a little bedroom, in which
were a table, a candlestick ready to be lighted, a bed, a wash bowl and
other furniture. The lady came in and lighted the candle and asked me
if I did not want something to eat. I was very hungry and could have
eaten a good hearty supper, but I told her, if she pleased, a little
bowl of bread and milk would be sufficient.
Next morning at six o'clock, I heard the man move about in the house.
As I learned later, he worked in the national rifle factory, and had
to be at work quite early in the morning. After he had gone, the lady
came into my room, placed a chair in front of the bed, and placed
upon it a tray with food. When she left, I got up and ate this light
breakfast with great appetite. At eight o'clock the man came back for
his breakfast, and I was called in and placed at the table. There was
a little pause. They looked at each other, and I asked if they would
permit me to bless the food. The man said, "That is what we are waiting
for." I blessed the food, and we began to eat. Then a very peculiar
conversation ensued. "You have not been here before?" "No." "Who
brought you here last night?" "No one." "Are you not a 'Mormon' elder?"
"Yes." "Did you notice anything when you came in here last night?"
"Yes." "What was it you noticed?" "I noticed that you looked at your
wife and smiled and she smiled back."
He then told me the story. Just before I knocked on the door, they
both heard distinctly a voice which said, "Here comes a servant of the
Lord, who desires lodging for the night. Take good care of him." He
continued, "The bed in which you slept last night has not been used
during the last six years. The last person before you who slept there
was a 'Mormon' elder to whom the room was rented out for a year. When
he left, most of the people he had baptized sold out and went to Utah.
No 'Mormon' has been here since."
I said to him, "I suppose then you know very well the teachings of
'Mormonism.'"
He said, "Yes; I believe that what is called 'Mormonism' is the message
from God above. I am not baptized, and if I should go with you alone
this evening to be baptized it would be known in the factory tomorrow,
for those in charge there call upon their god from morning till
evening, and he can reveal to those who pray to him just as our God
revealed to us who would knock on our door last night. Then I would
receive my 'walking papers' at once. Should I be baptized, and then
lose my position, my savings would possibly take me and my family to
Zion, but I have here at home an old father and mother who cannot help
themselves and I have not means enough to take them with me. Perhaps
my faith is not strong enough, or I should leave them in the hands of
the Lord, for he provides for us all, but I cannot bear the thought of
bidding them farewell and leaving them alone." These were his words.
I had a splendid mission journey through the Numme valley. I met many
good and honest people. As far as I know, no missionary has been there
since that day.
[Image captioned "MISSION HOUSE OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS, AT
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK."]
XI. THE LAND OF ZION.
In the spring of 1868, through the help of President C. C. A.
Christensen, I succeeded in borrowing enough means to emigrate to Zion.
I had then been in the Church a little more than seven years, the first
two of which had been devoted in part, and the last five wholly, to
missionary service. I married at this time, Anna Christina Krogero, an
assistant in the mission office, who was a widow with four children.
After bidding farewell to the many Saints in Christiania, we traveled
to Copenhagen and thence to Liverpool, where we boarded the sailship,
_John Bright_, which has carried many of our people across the ocean.
After a voyage of six weeks, mostly in the face of a strong headwind,
we reached New York on the 15th of July, 1868, during a spell of very
warm weather. There were over 700 immigrants in our company.
We spent a few days in New York and were then sent westward by railway.
The terminus of the railway was Laramie, which left about 600 miles to
Salt Lake City. At Laramie there was a company from Utah with horses
and mules to conduct the immigrants onward. We were organized into
companies, with Hector C. Haight as captain, and we began our journey
over the plains along the banks of the Sweetwater.
We reached Salt Lake City the first week in September, 1868, after a
six weeks' march from Laramie over the dry and warm plains, immersed
in a cloud of dust from morning until night. The children and the weak
mothers were allowed to ride in the wagons; while all the men were
obliged to walk the whole distance in dust by day, and keep watch
against the Indians at night. We were pretty well supplied with meat,
flour, fruit and other food for our journey over the plains. When we
camped in the evening, we cooked our food, and made our bread. All went
fairly well.
At last we came to Emigration canyon, and had our first glimpse of
Salt Lake City. We were glad and grateful to our heavenly Father for
his fatherly care of us during our journey. On arriving at the Tithing
yard, in Salt Lake City, our captain was released. I pitched our little
tent and remained there during eleven days awaiting an opportunity to
go to Cache Valley where I had some Norwegian friends of earlier days.
That fall, the grasshoppers visited Cache Valley, and all the crops
were destroyed, so that there was not enough food to supply the needs
of the people. As I was responsible for a family I took my blanket on
my shoulder and walked over the mountains to Salt Lake Valley in search
of work that would bring me a little money with which to buy bread
stuff,--the greatest need of my family at the time. There was just then
a call for "Mormon" boys to go out and do section work on the Union
Pacific Railway. I worked at this until the October Conference at Salt
Lake City, which I felt I must attend. I was given free fare to Salt
Lake City, upon my promise to return, as the railroad company wanted
the "Mormons" to continue the work on the road. When the railroad was
laid to Corinne, Box Elder Co., we were laid off, and I went home to
Logan the following night.
I rented a small log house, in the Logan Fifth ward, and began to work
at once in the canyon, cutting timber. In this work I continued for
five years. I took out logs for the house of Apostle Ezra T. Benson, in
exchange for which I obtained the city lot on which I later built my
residence. I filled a contract to deliver to the Utah Northern Railroad
two thousand ties. Then I contracted to deliver to Brother Micklesen
the timber for the grist mill in Logan, now known as the Central Mills.
For this last contract I received six hundred pounds of flour. I also
contracted with Alexander Allen of Newton and received as pay twenty
gallons of molasses. I was now well off. I could have bread, with
molasses, and this, indeed, was my steady diet while I worked in the
mountains. Nevertheless, this work was very hard. Between times, I
helped in the hay harvest, and thus earned some wheat and, in fact, I
took hold of whatever work offered itself.
In the fall of 1873, we began to build the Logan tabernacle. Brother
Charles O. Card was called to act as the superintendent and he called
me to assist him. It was my special work to keep accounts and to
collect donations with which to pay the workmen. I measured and weighed
rocks, sand, and other materials of construction, brought in for the
building, and paid the workers in beef, vegetables, and the variety of
things donated. Many beeves were brought in as donations, so we tanned
the hides, and began to manufacture shoes. Thus came the Tabernacle
Shoe Shop and Meat Shop in one building, which we called, Our Meat
Market and Our Shoe Shop. I labored nearly six years in this capacity.
In 1879, I was ordained a High Priest and set apart as a member of the
Cache stake High Council.
XII. MY THIRD MISSION.
In 1879, when the Logan tabernacle was completed, and we were at
work on the Logan temple, I was called, at the October conference,
to go on a mission to Scandinavia. I left Logan in November, 1879,
and reached Liverpool, December 12. We had a rough voyage across the
ocean. I was sent to Frederickstad, for a short time, then to my native
city, Trondhjem, in Norway. Elder Ellingsen, of Lehi, was there when
I arrived, but in a couple of months he was released to return to
his home. I then remained there alone to represent the gospel of the
everlasting covenant, but I harbored only gratitude to my heavenly
Father. I organized a choir, held meetings and preached the gospel with
all my might. Many were won to the truth. Those who did not enter the
Church, through baptism, are good friends to our people, and respect
"Mormonism" with its doctrines and principles of salvation. Among many
others, I had the honor to baptize, as a member of the Church, Anna
C. Widtsoe. Her son, John, I had the joy to baptize after the family
arrived in Utah. Our meeting place, at that time, was on what was known
as Mollenberg, in a house belonging to Johnson who later settled in
Logan.