Chapter 16 (1881)

CHAPTER 16 (1881)

New Edition of the Book of Mormon—Sickness and Death of President Niels Wilhelmsen— Special Council Meeting in Copenhagen—My Release and Return Home. With a prayer for my own success and for the welfare of my little family far away, I commenced the year 1881, exchanging the compliments of the season with the Elders from Zion and local saints. In the evening the members of the Copenhagen Branch choir and other invited guests (about 40 people) gathered at the mission office to celebrate the ushering in of the new year. We enjoyed ourselves hugely until 2:00 o’clock in the morning, indulging in games, singing and other pastimes. During the month of January several sheets of the Book of Mormon were printed. Bro. Hugo D. E. Peterson, who had been appointed to succeed Gustaf Peterson as writer for “Nordstjarnan,” our Church periodical in the Swedish language, arrived from Sweden Feb. 7, 1881. Elder Gustaf Peterson had been sick for some time and finally died April 13, 1881. He was a humble, lovable man, highly respected and beloved by his co-laborers at the mission office and the Copenhagen saints generally. He had labored as translator and writer for “Nordstjarnan” since September, 1878. I attended a conference at Malmö, Sweden, on April 30th and May 1st, and on May 7th and 8th we had a most enjoyable conference in Copenhagen. For some time I was engaged in making an index to the Book of Mormon, the last sheet of which was published in the latter part of May, and on June 4th we received the first bound copies of the new edition of the book from the book-binders. Without boasting, this edition of the Book of Mormon was the prettiest and finest book ever published by the saints in Scandinavia. It was printed in large type and contained 48 sheets of 16 pages each, large octavo size. Each of these sheets cost 70 kroner for printing; hence the expense of printing the whole work amounted to 3,360 kroner. The issue consisted of 2,000 copies and sold for four and five kroner per copy, according to binding. At this time it became apparent that Bro. Hans Jørgenson, who had been sent to Denmark to release me as writer for the Church periodical in the Danish language, was not capable of doing the work. Hence, Pres. Wilhelmsen wrote on June 4th to Pres. Albert Carrington in England, asking to have another man sent from Utah to Scandinavia to work in the publishing department. In the meantime Elder Peter O. Hansen who had arrived in Scandinavia on his third mission was appointed to assist me in translating for “Skandinaviens Stjerne” and Bro. Jørgenson was appointed to labor as a missionary on the island of Fyn. CHAPTER 16 115

On July 16th I completed a list of the missionaries from Zion who had filled missions in Scandinavia. Three hundred and five such Elders had labored as missionaries in the lands of the north, including 33 visitors, among whom were nine Apostles. Some of these had labored in the mission several times, including Peter O. Hansen, who was filling his third mission, and Olaf N. Liljenquist, Canute Petersen, Jesse N. Smith, John Van Cott, Wm. W. Cluff, Jens Hansen, Carl C. Asmussen and myself who had filled two missions each. On July 21st, Pres. Niels Wilhelmsen, who for some time had suffered with gall stones, decided to go to the hospital to submit to medical treatment, thinking that perhaps it would be necessary for him to undergo an operation. This unexpected turn of affairs cast a gloom over us all. We truly felt sorry for our beloved president. I accompanied him to the hospital, and on the road home I felt so depressed in my feelings that I burst into tears and could not regain my equilibrium for some time. I feared that something terrible was going to happen. After my return to my office I wrote to Pres. Albert Carrington in England, informing him of what had taken place. After that I visited President Wilhelm- sen every day. While on one of these visits on Sunday, July 24th, I arrived at the hospital at the very moment when Pres. Wilhelmsen was carried into the operating room for treatment. An awful feeling took possession of me in witnessing what took place. Later in the day I visited the hospital again, Bro. Wilhelmsen had gone through a dangerous ordeal, the stones in the bladder had been crushed and the fragments extracted, while he was under the influence of anesthetics. When I visited him he was suffering intense pain and could scarcely speak. On Sunday, July 31st, on one of my visits to the hospital, I found him suffering with a high fever, and pain which had caused him serious reflections, and he spoke to me confidentially about his affairs in case anything serious should happen to him. He remarked: “I am not afraid to die, but would like to see my family first. If I die, it is the will of the Lord.” He gave me instructions concerning himself, his family and the mission affairs in general, and furthermore advised me regarding his funeral, if he should pass away. With a heavy heart I left him, and yet the thought never occurred to me that he would die. Late in the afternoon when I again visited the hospital I only conversed with him a little in a low tone of voice as he was too weak to speak louder. This was the last time I saw him alive. In the evening, when I retired to rest, I could not sleep and had most peculiar feelings in regard to him, but even then I could not conceive that there was any great danger of his passing away. Involuntarily I was led to exclaim at times: O Lord, spare his life. On Monday, August 1st, at 9:00 o’clock a. m., I made my way as usual to the hospital, and on my arrival there I received the heartrending intelligence that Pres. Wilhelmsen had died about three hours before, or at 6:00 o’clock a. m. Never before in my life had a mes- sage made so painful an impression upon me. It seemed impossible that Pres. Wilhelmsen should die. No one of the many Elders from Zion who had labored in Scandinavia as missionaries up to that time had died in that mission field, except Willard Snow who passed away on the voyage between Denmark and England in 1853. But, alas, it was too true! There lay before me the dead body of President Wilhelmsen, pale and inanimate. I was led to reflect: Why should such a faithful servant of God pass away while absent from his family and friends in Zion, and just as he was about to be released from a most successful mission to return home? I loved Pres. Wilhelmsen sincerely. Never before had I labored with a man in the mission field, or elsewhere, with whom I had sustained such intimate and confidential relations as with him. I could not love my own father more than I loved this man. Filled with sadness and with tearful eyes I returned to the mission office and told the Elders what had happened. 116 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ANDREW JENSON

We all felt like bereaved children, but our grief was too intense to find relief in tears. I sent at once the following telegram to Pres. Albert Carrington at 42 Islington, Liverpool: “Pres. Wilhelmsen died this morning at 6:00 a. m. Come, if possible; otherwise please give instructions.” I also telegraphed to all the presidents of conferences in the mission. After doing so I wrote a letter to Pres. Carrington, giving further details. At 4:00 o’clock I received the following telegram from Pres. Carrington: “Can’t come. Have cablegraphed Taylor. Did he leave instructions?” I wrote to all the conference presidents in the mission and requested them to come to Copenhagen to attend the funeral of President Wilhelmsen the following Sunday. After that I again went to the hospital in company with Bro. Hans Funk and was told by the nurse who had been with Pres. Wilhelmsen in his last moments that he passed away peacefully without any apparent pain, and that until a few moments before his death he was able to converse quite freely and did not seem to have the least intimation of his departure from this life. We ordered a casket for his remains and made all arrangements to have them placed in the hospital chapel. After my return to the office I wrote a lengthy letter to Bro. Wilhelmsen’s family in St. Charles, Idaho, and enclosed the same in a letter addressed to Pres. William Budge in Paris, Idaho, whom I requested to convey the sad intelligence to the family. I finished my writing at midnight. The following morning (Aug. 2nd) I arose early and went to the hospital to obtain a death certificate, and then walked out to “Assisstents Kirkegaard,” where in a central place in the cemetery I bought a burial lot in which to inter the remains of Pres. Wilhelmsen. It cost 72 kroner and we obtained a deed, good for twenty years. In the afternoon I received the following telegram from Pres. Carrington at Liverpool: “Did Pres. Wilhelmsen leave instructions as to burial? if so, carry them out. Answer.” I answered immediately by simply telegraphing: “He did.” After that I wrote a lengthy letter to Pres. Carrington, giving particulars. Bro. Hans C. Christiansen arrived early in the day. Next day (Aug. 3rd) I visited Attorney Lassen in Skindergade No. 38 and consulted with him concerning the financial affairs of the mission, deposited with Martin Cohen, a banker, and in “Bikuben,” another bank, amounting to about 30,000 kroner. Bro. Wil- helmsen dying so suddenly did not have time to give me an ordinary power of attorney. The attitude of the attorney somewhat alarmed me at first, but I was afterwards satisfied that he acted fair and square in his position as a lawyer. Having finished my business with the attorney I went to the offices in charge of funer- als, and arranged everything for the funeral to be held the following Sunday afternoon at 1:00 o’clock. Soon after that I met Elders Hans Funk, Hans J. Christiansen, Peter O. Han- sen and Rasmus Olsen at the chapel in the hospital, where the remains of Pres. Wilhelmsen had temporarily been placed, and we dressed the body in the endowment clothes, which Bro. Wilhelmsen had brought with him from home. We finished our task about noon. From 3:00 to 7:00 o’clock p. m. the saints and friends were given the opportunity to view the remains. At council meeting held in the evening I gave the brethren a full account of Bro. Wilhelmsen’s sickness and last hours. The next day (Aug. 4th) the remains were removed from the hospital chapel to the cemetery chapel. On the 5th the brethren from the conferences commenced to arrive in Copenhagen. I received a letter from Pres. Carrington in Liverpool, dated Aug 3rd, containing instructions. In writing to him again I posted him in regard to the financial condition of the mission. Toward noon three gentlemen representing “Skifteretten” (Probate Court) called at the Mission Office to post themselves in regard to the situation. They were willing to draw a line between the means belonging to the mission and the property belonging to Pres. Wilhelmsen himself. Yet it was necessary, according to law, that the 19,850 kroner deposited in “Bikuben,” and the 11,512 kroner in Martin Cohen & Co.’s CHAPTER 16 117

Bank (total 31,362 kroner), should go into Probate Court, after which the amount could be drawn on a regular Power of Attorney. After this, I felt quite calm. I wrote another letter to Pres. Carrington, giving him all needed information concerning the financial affairs of the mission. On Sunday, Aug. 7th, a great number of floral offerings were brought to the office, among which were one from F. E. Bording, our printer, one from Mr. Hjordhøi, our book-binder, and one from Tailor Kohn. At 10:30 a. m. I rode to “Assisstents Kirkegaard,” together with several of the brethren from Zion. Here we found a number of the local brethren busily engaged in decorating the grave. I arranged with the officer in charge of the chapel to use the largest room in the building. About three hundred saints and strang- ers assembled in the chapel about 1:00 o’clock p. m. The sisters of the Relief Society had previously decorated the casket and the pedestal upon which it stood with a multitude of wreaths and flowers. Among the thirty floral offerings, one placed at the head of the casket was a large wreath of palms, decorated with flowers, and attached to the same was a silk ribbon on which the words “From sorrowing friends in Stockholm” were printed. Inside of this large wreath was another beautiful wreath of white flowers, attached to which was a card containing the following words: “Farewell from his assistants at the Office; those who knew you best, loved you most.” On one side of the casket silk draperies and a beautiful wreath were placed and also a motto, “Farewell from the young brethren,” and on the other side a similar wreath with a motto, “Farewell from the sisters.” At the foot of the coffin a third wreath with the motto “Last farewell from the choir” was placed. There was also a very pretty wreath from the Relief Society in Aarhus, in which was fastened a card containing an original verse of poetry. At the appointed hour, the services were commenced under my direction. The choir sang a pretty little song composed for the occasion, after which Elder Hans Funk offered prayer, followed by impressive remarks by Simon Christensen, L. M. Olson, Christen Jensen, Hans Funk and myself. The choir then sang the hymn “Den store hvide Flok vi se.” After I had made a few additional remarks, giving directions which were followed in detail, the procession moved from the chapel to the grave, a distance of seven hundred feet. The casket was carried by the six conference presidents, viz., L. M. Olson, Hans Funk, Chr. Jensen, Simon Christensen, Ola N. Stohl and Nils B. Ädler. Immediately after the casket followed Hugo D. E. Peterson and myself, assistants to Pres. Wilhelmsen at the mission office, and behind us walked the other Elders from Zion present, namely, Peter O. Hansen, Hans J. Christiansen, Martin Jacobsen, Carl P. Warnick, L. N. Larsen, James C. Olsen, Rasmus Christofferson, Jens Hansen and Rasmus Olsen. Next in the procession were the members of the Copenhagen branch choir, followed by the other local saints and friends, who walked in order four abreast. Among the latter Mr. F. E. Bording, the printer, A. Hjordhøi, the book-binder, Emigration Agent Wilhelm Hansen, and C. F. W. Kohn, merchant tailor. After our arrival at the grave, the choir, which was placed on the right of the grave, sang with much feeling the beautiful hymn “I Morgenlysets gyldne Glans.” Elder Hans J. Christiansen offered the dedicatory prayer at the grave, after which I thanked all present for their presence and sympathy they had exhibited in behalf of our departed friend and brother. All present then marched in single file past the grave to take the last look at the casket. Then the congregation dispersed. The best possible order pre- vailed throughout the services and no one disturbed us in any way. Accompanied by a number of the brethren I returned to the Mission Office and spent the time there in conversation until 7:00 o’clock p. m., when we attended meeting in the hall. The speakers on that occasion were Chr. Jensen, Ola N. Stohl, Jens Hansen, L. M. Olson, Peter O. Hansen, Hans Funk and myself. All the speakers referred to the sad 118 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ANDREW JENSON

experience of the day and good and timely instructions were given. Thus ended one of the most eventful days of my life. On Monday, Aug. 8, 1881, the Elders from Zion assembled in Copenhagen to hold a general council meeting of which the following is the official report: General Council meeting held at the Mission Office, August 8, 1881, at 10:30 a. m. There were present the following Elders from Zion: Lars M. Olson, president of the Stockholm Conference; Chr. Jensen, president of the Aarhus Confer- ence; Hans Funk, president of the Copenhagen Conference; Simon Christensen, president of the Aalborg Conference; Ola N. Stohl, president of the Göteborg Conference; Peter O. Hansen, Hans J. Christiansen, Jørgen Jørgensen, Rasmus Christoffersen, Jens Hansen, Rasmus Olsen, and James C. Olsen, missionaries in the Copenhagen Conference and Chas. P. Warnick, and Martin Jacobson from the Skåne Conference, and Elder Andrew Jenson of the Mission Office. The Council was opened by singing and prayer by Elder Jens Hansen. Elder Andrew Jenson arose to explain that, owing to the sad and trying circumstances which surrounded us on account of the demise of our beloved president, he deemed it necessary to call this special council of the brethren from Zion before they separated to return to their respective fields of labor, in order that we might become acquainted with each other’s feelings and continue our activities with the best understanding and harmony. Should he give way to his own feelings he would shrink from the great responsibility which, on account of the sad event, had now come to rest upon him, but he saw no escape at present, as Pres. Wilhelmsen, before his demise, had entrusted all the affairs of the Mission to his care and given him the most necessary instructions regarding the direction of its affairs in case he (the President) should pass away. He now desired that the brethren would express their feelings freely and without reserve in regard to this matter, and other things which might demand our immediate attention, so that we all might understand one another. Elder Peter O. Hansen said that in a certain sense there was no real sorrow in Pres. Wilhelmsen’s departure, for he had left the affairs of the mission in good condition. He did not believe that there was any one better fitted or entitled to take temporary charge of the affairs of the mission than Bro. Jenson, who had stood next to the president for a long time while he lived, and was in every way thoroughly acquainted with the situation. Elder Hans J. Christiansen agreed with what Bro. Hansen had said and was willing to sustain Bro. Jenson. Pres. L. M. Olson remarked that inasmuch as his field of labor was far away and as the feelings he himself entertained would undoubtedly spread to every part of his extensive conference, he considered it a matter of importance that the council should become acquainted with his sentiments. He felt that the sorrow over the president’s death was an individual sorrow as far as he was concerned. We had lost a good friend, but otherwise he looked upon the affairs of the mission as a matter of no anxiety, as he knew everything would prosper as before. None, he said, could be nearer or better qualified to direct the affairs of the mission, under the present circumstances, than Bro. Jenson, and he could give him his undivided confidence, and send in reports and accounts as readily to him, as he had formerly done to Pres. Wilhelmsen. CHAPTER 16 119

Pres. Hans Funk said that the mission was not without a president, as Bro. Carrington, in England, presided over all the missions in Europe. He echoed the sentiments of Bro. Olson and was willing to acknowledge Bro. Jenson as president pro tem. of the Scandinavian Mission, and send his reports to him, as if nothing had happened. Pres. Chr. Jensen believed that the calling of this special council was proper and necessary under the present circumstances. It was proper and right that the brethren should become acquainted with each other’s feelings. He was in perfect harmony with what the other brethren had said, and was willing to sustain Bro. Jenson as temporary president of the mission, and should with unreserved confidence send his reports, money and accounts to him, the same as he had previously done to Pres. Wilhelmsen. Pres. Simon Christensen said that he could not for one moment think of any other Elder than Bro. Jenson to take charge of the mission pro tem. Since the demise of Pres. Wilhelmsen became known, he had sustained Bro. Jenson in his prayers, as he considered he was the proper man, he having received instructions from Pres. Wilhelmsen, and that we had no right to appoint any other man, even if we desired to do so. His opinion was that Bro. Jenson had acted wisely in calling this special council in order to sit in conference with his brethren. He prayed that the Lord would sustain each and every one of us in the discharge of our duties, and we ought to remember each other in our prayers. Pres. Ola N. Stohl coincided with what the other brethren had said. Bro. Jen- son was, as the man who had stood next to Pres. Wilhelmsen when alive, the proper person to take charge of the mission, and should be acknowledged and sustained as such by all in the mission. He desired to sustain him as temporary president in his prayers. Elder Martin Jacobson, who represented the Skåne Conference (Pres. Ädler having returned to Sweden), sanctioned all that had been said by the brethren. Elder C. P. Warnick said that he had been acquainted with Bro. Jenson for fif- teen years, and could only speak of him as a faithful and reliable man in whom he placed as much confidence as any man he knew on earth. He rejoiced in the unity and good feelings manifested among the brethren, and invoked the blessings of the Lord upon Bro. Jenson and all of us. Elder Rasmus Christofferson felt happy in laboring for the progress of the work of the Lord and was absolutely in harmony with what the other brethren had said. Elder Jens Hansen spoke in a similar strain. Elder James C. Olsen was also united in his feelings with the brethren. He felt keenly the departure of Bro. Wilhelmsen, as he had known him since he was a mere youth. Elder Rasmus Olsen said that he had known Bro. Wilhelmsen before he joined the Church, and that Bro. Wilhelmsen had first heard the gospel declared in his (Olsen’s) house. If the brethren were united in the discharge of their duties, he believed that the Lord would abundantly bless us, and that the angel of death would not have power to take the life of any more of us, but that we should succeed in doing a good work as heretofore. He was in harmony with the general sentiment of the meeting. 120 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ANDREW JENSON

Elder J. Jørgensen expressed himself similarly to the other brethren and was perfectly willing to sustain and acknowledge Bro. Jenson as temporary president of the mission. Elder Andrew Jenson expressed himself as greatly pleased with the unity and good understanding which had characterized the meeting. He did not desire that any of the brethren should believe that he for a single moment expected that this council would appoint him president of the mission, as such an appointment would have to be made by the general authorities of the Church, but he was very glad and appreciative of the good feelings and confidence which the brethren had expressed in regard to him personally. He desired to do the best he could under the circumstances and hoped that he, assisted by the faith and prayers of the brethren, might be given the necessary wisdom and intelligence to direct the affairs of the mission until the actual successor of Pres. Wilhelmsen arrived. He said that the financial affairs of the mission were satisfactory, the only trouble being that some of the mission money, deposited in banks, could not be drawn until a power-of-attorney could be sent over from home, but the accounts and everything of a financial nature was in the best order, and Pres. Wilhelmsen had left everything in such a manner that all could be understood and the work carried on as before. President Wilhelmsen was absolutely honest and reliable in every particular. Elder Peter O. Hansen moved that “we in our faith and prayers acknowledge and sustain Elder Andrew Jenson as temporary president of the Scandina- vian Mission until another man is sent here from home, or until our superiors in the Priesthood should desire otherwise.” The vote in favor of this proposition was unanimous. Pres. Simon Christensen suggested to the council that it perhaps would be in order to take steps toward the erection of a monument on the grave of Pres. Wilhelmsen, and to give the saints in Scandinavia the privilege of contributing of their means for that purpose. Pres. L. M. Olson explained that, inasmuch as there were about five thousand saints in the Scandinavian countries, a sufficient sum for the erection of a monument could be raised by giving each member the opportunity to contribute 25 øre each. If we erect a monument, it should be one that would be an honor to us. Elders Chr. Jensen, Hans Funk, Ola N. Stohl, Martin Jacobson and James C. Olsen expressed themselves in a somewhat similar manner. Elder Andrew Jenson was in perfect harmony with the brethren in regard to the monument suggested. We ought to build one which would be an honor to us as a people and serve as a token of that love and respect we entertained for our deceased president. His opinion was that if we let the saints contribute according to their ability, small sums varying from five øre to one krone each, then all would have an opportunity to contribute their mite according to their circumstances, but it should not in any way or manner be placed upon the saints as a burden or duty, but simply as a privilege. However, we were hardly authorized to take any active steps in regard to erecting a monument until we had obtained Pres. Car- rington’s opinion in the matter. Pres. L. M. Olson thought that a monument suitable for the occasion could be erected for about one thousand kroner. Presidents Simon Christensen and Ola N. Stohl made similar remarks. CHAPTER 16 121

Elder Andrew Jenson moved that a letter be written to Pres. Albert Carrington concerning the matter, and that in it (said letter) the feelings and opinions of this council be expressed to the president that we favor the erection of a monument over the grave of Pres. Wilhelmsen, but that we take no further action until his answer and opinion were obtained. Bro. Jenson also asked the brethren to express themselves briefly in regard to passing resolutions expressive of the feelings of this council and their deep sympathy in behalf of Pres. Wilhelmsen’s family. A number of the brethren having expressed themselves in favor of this proposition, the council appointed elders Andrew Jenson, Hans Funk and Simon Christensen to draft such a resolution, which they did soon after the council had adjourned. A number of questions were asked and answered. Elder Andrew Jenson considered it unnecessary to continue the council any longer. He hoped that the same good feeling which, according to his knowledge, had existed among the brethren in the mission during the past two years, might continue in the future. He also explained that the best of feelings had always existed between Pres. Wilhelmsen and his assistants at the mission office, and his assistants at the mission office, and he hoped that we now would separate with good feelings, and that we would continue our labors as missionaries with unabated zeal and the same diligence and confidence as heretofore. He then pro- posed to close the council, which proposition was sustained unanimously. Elder Andrew Jenson offered the benediction. Hugo D. E. Peterson, Clerk of Council. The following communication was drafted by the three brethren appointed by the council for that purpose: RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT WHEREAS, it has pleased an Allseeing Providence to call from this stage of action to another and higher sphere our beloved and much esteemed brother, President Niels Wilhelmsen, and WHEREAS, his family thereby has lost a true and affectionate husband and a kind and loving father, the Scandinavian Mission a wise and faithful leader, and the whole Church one of its great and noble men, we the undersigned, his brethren and fellow-laborers in council assembled, do hereby unanimously adopt the following: RESOLVED, that we extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolence to this family in their great bereavement and also to his relatives and numerous friends for their great loss, and we earnestly pray God, the Eternal Father, to bless and comfort them in this their hour of affliction and sorrow. RESOLVED, also that a copy of this be sent to the family, the “Deseret News” and the “Bear Lake Democrat.” Andrew Jenson Hans Funk O. N. Stohl Simon Christensen Martin Jacobson Peter O. Hansen Chr. Jensen R. Christoffersen Jens Hansen H. J. Christiansen Jørgen Jørgensen James C. Olsen C. P. Warnick L. M. Olson Rasmus Olsen Copenhagen, Aug. 8, 1881. 122 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ANDREW JENSON

Most of the brethren left Copenhagen on the 8th, after the Council meeting, returning to their respective fields of labor. I wrote a letter to Pres. Carrington giving details of the funeral. On Aug. 9th I received the following letter: 42 Islington, Liverpool, Aug. 6, 1881. Elder Andrew Jenson, Copenhagen, Denmark. Dear Brother: Your letter dated the 2nd inst. is received and noted. Thanks for the biograph- ical information concerning Pres. Wilhelmsen. I am pleased with the manner in which you are conducting matters, and with regard to instructions I have only to say at present: Go on as well as you can according to the instructions of Pres. Wilhelmsen, and as circumstances require, until a successor to Pres. Wilhelmsen arrives from Zion. I am very pleased to hear that the hospital authorities have manifested such kindness to him as they have, and I approve of your proceedings as to securing a lot for his remains to occupy. I am glad the brethren have been on hand to aid you, and suggest that you get what assistance you may require during emigration, etc., by calling in any of the Elders you deem best. In these matters I trust you will be guided by the unerring council of God’s Holy Spirit. We have just received word from Guion and Co. as follows: “We have arranged for your people to leave Copenhagen on Monday morning early the 29th inst. Please write or telegraph for them to have all and everything ready to sail on the 26th. Yours truly, GUION & CO. per Ramsden.” You will see by the foregoing what is required, and I trust all will work well with you in shipping the company. I and the brethren are well and send kindest regards to yourself, Elders Funk, Peter O. Hansen, Christiansen, Johnson and Bro. Peterson. Your Bro. in the Gospel, ALBERT CARRINGTON I wrote an article for “Skandinaviens Stjerne” concerning Pres. Wilhelmsen’s demise and the last of the brethren who had attended the funeral left for their fields of labor. On Aug. 11th I wrote a short article to the saints in the mission for the “Stjerne.” On the 17th I received a letter and power of attorney from Pres. Carrington at Liverpool, and on the 18th I visited Martin Cohn and Company together with Attorney Lasson and secured the amount of 11,647 kroner which was deposited there in Pres. Wilhelmsen’s name, transferred to me. I wrote letters of release to the following conference-presidents: Hans Funk of the Copenhagen, Ola N. Stohl of the Göteborg, Nils B. Ädler of the Skåne and Christen Jensen of the Aarhus conference. After that I again visited “Skifteretten,” and called on Martin Cohn & Company and deposited some money. I also wrapped up some of the late Pres. Wilhelmsen’s effects, ready to send home. Tuesday, Aug. 23rd was a very busy day for me. I made some inquiries in regard to the price of American money and found that I could purchase it at the rate of kro. 3.80 for an American dollar. I also promised our chief soprano singer, Christine Nielsen, money to emigrate to Zion, Pres. Carrington having given me permission to use the surplus of the property tithing for the emigration of worthy poor. Thus, an amount of 2000 kroner was placed at my disposal, which I divided as equally as I could between the respective conferences. During the day I was very busy with emigration affairs and received a number of letters and telegrams which I answered. CHAPTER 16 123

On the 24th I purchased $12,000 at the rate of Kr. 3.80 for $1.00 of Martin Cohn and Co., bankers, to be used for emigration business. On the 25th I received a letter from Pres. Carrington, and in answering him I sent him ₤419-12-9 in a draft to apply on the emigration account. The emigrants began to arrive in Copenhagen on the 27th. Sunday, Aug. 29th, although it was the Sabbath, I worked all day making up emigration accounts and settling with the different conference presidents. I also attended part of the meeting on Sunday afternoon at Rømersgade 22, and preached about 20 minutes. In the evening I called a council of the brethren from Zion at the office. With the unanimous approval of the other brethren I appointed L. M. Olson to take charge of the company of emigrants which was about to leave for Utah, with Hans Funk and Chr. Jensen as counselors. I arose early on the morning of August 29th and attended to business at the bank. Then I walked to Tolboden, where the shipping of the emigrants took place. Going on board the steamship “Pacific,” which was anchored in the inner harbor, I conversed with the captain about the comforts of the emigrants. Soon after I had left the vessel (together with the shipping agent and some of the brethren and local saints who had been on board) the steamer “Pacific” sailed for England with 279 souls of our people on board, including eight returning Elders, namely, L. M. Olson, Hans Funk, Chr. Jensen, Ola N. Stohl, Nils P. Ädler, Anthon L. Skanchy, John Dahle and Jørgen Jørgensen. The leave-taking with the returning Elders and emigrating saints was affectionate and impressive. How lonesome I felt at being left behind on that occasion, and I wondered when I should be permitted to return home. We (the Elders and local saints) remained standing on the wharf signal- ing with hats and handkerchiefs until the ship had passed beyond our vision toward the north. I returned to the office, together with the other brethren, sent the emigration list to Liverpool, conversed with friends and in the evening took a walk to rest my mind and overcome my loneliness. On August 30th I purchased ₤2,217 of Martin Coohn and Company and sent that amount together with other drafts to England the following day. The whole emigration this time cost ₤3,256-8-10½. On Thursday, Sept. 1st, about 11:00 o’clock a. m. the following brethren arrived in Copenhagen from Zion: Christian D. Fjeldsted, who had been called to preside over the Scandinavian Mission, Peter Sundwall, Søren C. Pedersen, Salomon Petersen, Hans O. Magleby, Niels Heilesen, James Yorgason, Andrew Eliasen, Christian Christensen, Nils H. Børresen and Anders Larsen. I was much disappointed in not finding any among the brethren called to work on the “Stjerne,” but after considerable conversation with Bro. Fjeldsted, Elder Peter O. Hansen was appointed to labor as an assistant and translator for the “Stjerne” for the time being. Peter Sundwall was appointed business manager pro tem. until a man could be sent from home to succeed me in my dual position. I decided to start for home just as soon as I could get the financial affairs balanced and everything ready to deliver the affairs of the mission to Bro. Fjeldsted. The following few days were devoted to balancing all accounts pertaining to the mission. There was a surplus of 2,161 kroner, which, with the exception of 338 kroner which were left standing at the office at Copenhagen, I took with me and gave to President John Taylor on my arrival in Salt Lake City. Half of this amount was given to the family of Pres. Wilhelmsen and the balance was applied on the Church debt on the Christiania property. Sunday, Sept. 4, 1881, was the last Sabbath I spent in Copenhagen. I attended a meeting in the hall, occupying most of the time in the afternoon, and in the evening I delivered my farewell sermon, being followed by Pres. Christian D. Fjeldsted, Hans O. Magleby and Hans J. Christiansen. Bro. Christiansen, in particular, made some very complimentary remarks concerning me personally. I prayed that the Lord would bless my brethren and 124 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ANDREW JENSON

the saints for the good feelings and love which they manifested toward me. At the close of the meeting I passed through the pleasant ordeal of shaking hands with almost everybody present. Many were the good wishes and kind words spoken to me on this auspicious occasion, and I felt glad that I had won the love and confidence of my associates while on this mission. Perhaps I deserved it! On Sept. 5th Pres. Fjeldsted and Elders Sundwall and Peterson assisted me in taking stock and making an inventory of the mission effects. We found that there were at the time books and pamphlets in the mission office (valued at first cost) amounting to 12,946 kroner. The seven conference presidents were indebted to the office in the sum of 18,111 kroner. On the 6th I revised Peter O. Hansen’s translations for the “Stjerne” and attended to matters of business until evening, when I made hurried farewell visits to some of the families of saints, packed my baggage and made ready for the homeward journey on the morrow. Some of the sisters gave me a silk umbrella and a number of presents to take home with me. On Wednesday, Sept. 7th, I arose early and rode in a drosche to the railroad station, accompanied by Bro. Fjeldsted. At the station we found many of the saints assembled to witness my departure. I purchased my ticket reading via Hamburg, Bremen, Cologne and Brussels, to London. I chose this shorter route in order to reach England in time to sail on the steamer “Arizona” the following Saturday. After shaking hands with the saints and friends and receiving many tokens and presents from them, I stepped into a fine railroad car and left Copenhagen homeward bound. Taking leave of the Elders and local saints both at the office and at the railroad station was so impressive at times, that, notwith- standing my best efforts, I was unable to hold back tears. Bros. Fjeldsted and Christiansen accompanied me to Korsør, where I immediately boarded the steamship “Adler” and sailed about 10:00 a. m. To part with these, my two last brethren in Denmark, and to leave my native land again, made me feel for a short time despondent and sad. But I took with me many sweet memories from the land of my birth, where I had experienced both joyful and sad hours during the two years and four months I had sojourned in Scandinavia on this mission, and when I took a retrospective glance at it all, I thanked my heavenly Father for the blessings I had enjoyed. I left with the best of feelings to all and with malice to none. Some things which had been trying on me turned out later as blessings in disguise and as had been promised me I was returning with the knowledge that my mission had been a successful one. After having walked to and fro on the deck of the good ship “Adler” and taken a last look at the Danish shore which was fast disappearing in the distance, I retired to my comfortable berth and enjoyed a good sleep which I needed much, having slept but little during my last two nights in Copenhagen. Landing at Kiel at 4:30 p. m. I journeyed an hour later to Hamburg where I arrived at 9:00 o’clock p. m. At 11:00 o’clock p. m. I left Hamburg, crossing the river Elbe on a giant bridge and continued my journey through Germany. On Thursday, Sept. 8th at 8:00 o’clock a. m. I arrived at Cologne, and traveled thence via Herbestal, Verviers and Brussels to Ostend, where I boarded a steamer and sailed for England. After a pleasant voyage I arrived at Dover, 66 miles from Ostend, at 1:30 a. m. on the 9th, and thence traveled 70 miles to London, arriving at Cannon St. Station at 4:00 o’clock a. m. Here I hired a cab to take me to Euston Station, where I immediately purchased a ticket for Liverpool, arriving there at 10:30 a. m. I proceeded immediately to the mission office at 42 Islington where I met Pres. Albert Carrington and other Elders. On Saturday, Sept. 10th, in the morning, I called on Mr. Ramsden, agent for the Guion Line, who promised to secure me a good berth on the ship “Arizona,” which he did. I CHAPTER 16 125 boarded the ship at 1:30 p. m. and commenced my long voyage which, although the only “Mormon” Elder on board, I enjoyed. On Sept. 19th we reached New York. Here I soon met Bro. James H. Hart who was acting as Church emigration agent in New York and ate supper with him at the Grand Central Hotel, also taking in some of the sights of the city. At 8:30 p. m., after crossing the Hudson River, I left Jersey City by rail on my way to Utah. Traveling via Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Council Bluffs, and Omaha, I arrived in Ogden in the evening of Sept. 24th. The next day (Sept. 25th) I left Ogden for Salt Lake City, but as my letter notifying my family of my expected arrival did not reach its destination until two days after I reached home, there was nobody at the station to meet me—the steamship “Arizona” being the fastest steamer plying between Liverpool and New York at that time. I had crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 7 days, 8 hours and 34 minutes, the “Arizona” having traveled much faster than the vessel that carried the mail. On my arrival at the railroad station at Pleasant Grove I met, among others, Bro. James M. Ballinger who took me home in his buggy. Of course I surprised my family who had no idea of my arrival on that day. I found my wife and our two children and my parents-in-law and the old grandmother all well and otherwise in comfortable circumstances. I had been away from home on this mission two years, four months and six days, during which I had traveled about 17,000 miles. During my mission I baptized 39 indi- viduals, confirmed 41, ordained a number to the Priesthood, blessed about 25 children and administered to many sick. After spending Sept. 26th at home with the family, I went to Salt Lake City on the 27th and reported at the office of the First Presidency, where I had a lengthy conversation with Pres. John Taylor, Geo. Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith and Apostle Franklin D. Richards. I gave a somewhat detailed report of the Scandinavian Mission which seemed to give entire satisfaction to the brethren, who blessed me and seemed to be pleased with all I had done, and especially during the interim between the death of President Wilhelmsen and the arrival of Pres. Christian D. Fjeldsted. In the evening I met a number of the emigrants from Scandinavia who had arrived in Salt Lake City three days before my return. After stopping at a hotel for the night I returned to Pleasant Grove on the 28th. After a few days at home I went to Salt Lake City to attend the October Conference. On my arrival home I found that my former partner Bro. Johan H. Bruun had left Utah without finishing the business pertaining to “Joseph Smith’s Levnetsløb,” and it fell to my lot to face a debt of $330 to the Deseret News for printing. But as we had several amounts due us for books I made a trip endeavoring to collect money in Utah, Sanpete and Sevier counties. In the meantime I wrote to Pres. Erastus Snow in regard to publishing a historical magazine in the Danish language to contain, among other things, a condensed history of the Scandinavian Mission from its beginning, and chapters of general Church history, I having gathered considerable material already for such histories. At first I found him somewhat reluctant to grant me the privilege, as Pres. John Taylor did not understand the object of it. In time I received the following letter from Erastus Snow, dated, St. George, Dec. 11, 1881. Touching your contemplated publication I know no reason why you should not proceed and have the prayers and blessing of your brethren. In reply to your telegram I referred it to President Taylor who was then with you, for further talk, for when I read your first letter to him in regard to publishing, he seemed not to interpose direct objections, but left it to my decision, yet he took occasion to 126 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ANDREW JENSON

refer to this conversation with you in Salt Lake City, and of your disposition to criticize “Bikuben,” which he thought was struggling to keep afloat and deserving of success, and I thought it beneficial to you to have the impression left on his mind removed. I appreciate all you say about it and that you can go on with your labors without detracting from Bro. Winberg, and each seek to build up each other rather than pull down. I go to Salt Lake City in January next. On December 16th and following days I balanced a number of accounts of the “Levnetsløb” and wrote several letters, and as I had been appointed a home missionary in Utah Stake, I went to Provo to fill my first missionary appointment as such, but, strange enough, I was not called to the stand at all, the presiding officers seeming to know nothing of my appointment, and as I soon afterwards removed to Salt Lake City, I did not fill any appointment as a home missionary in Utah Stake, except one, when I preached in Pleasant Grove on Sunday Dec. 25 (Christmas Day). As soon as I had received the letter from Erastus Snow I began to compile material for my new periodical which I called “Morgenstjernen.” The first article which I prepared contained a statistical summary of the Scandinavian Mission from 1850 to 1880, which, together with a beginning of my chief article entitled “Erindringer fra Missionen i Skan- dinavien” (Memoirs from the Mission in Scandinavia), a biography of Erastus Snow and other articles constituted the first number of “Morgenstjernen.” I spent Christmas Eve in my Pleasant Grove home in company with my wife and two children (Andrew and Parley), my wife’s parents and grandmother. We spent the evening engaged in reading and singing. On Dec. 26th Bro. James M. Ballinger took me and my wife and two children to the Utah Lake in a buggy. We spent part of the afternoon skating on the beautiful blue ice. Unfortunately, while skating with good speed, I ran into an open space where there is a spring on the bottom of the lake and where the water was about four feet deep. Not noticing the place in time to stop, or change my course, I slid right into the water, but succeeded in a few moments to reach the surface soaked to the skin all over. If the water had not been shallow my life would have been in danger, as I happened to be alone on the ice at the time, the rest of our little company having gone to the house of a Bro. Hooper which stood on the bank of the lake. After my involuntary bath, I went to the same house, changed clothing, had dinner with the family and felt none the worse for my experience. Toward evening my whole household visited my brother Jens who lived northwest of the town and spent an enjoyable evening. The whole family including Mother and the rest of the household were present. During Christmas week we attended several family parties in Pleasant Grove and American Fork.