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Journal
BY CHRISTOPHER OLSEN FOLKMANN
10 April 1866 to 15 February 1867
Translated by Tove Johnson April 1999
3017 Martinez Way, Riverton, Utah 84605
Christopher Olsen Folkmann was faithful about writing at least a line in his journal nearly every day. I have chosen to only extract the more interesting entries for inclusion in this book.—JEK
Born 8th of February, 1827, in Aaker, Bornholm, Denmark.
Joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized
29th November, 1851 by J. Jorgensen (a Priest), confirmed a member
30th November, 1851 by Elder Nielsen on Bornholm. Ordained an Elder.
Emigrated to Utah in the year 1858. Married Elia Mechella Funch 18th March,
- Elia died 4th December, 1860.
Married Caroline Ugland 15th March, 1862 and received my endowment and
sealing in the House of the Lord in Zion 15th March, 1862. Ordained a
Seventy and received a calling to go on a mission to Scandinavia 1st May,
1865.
Left my home in Plain City, Weber County, Utah 20th May, 1865. Arrived in
Copenhagen, Denmark, 2nd August, 1865. Called to serve a mission to
Norway 3rd August and arrived in Norway 4th September, 1865, where I
was assigned to serve in Trondheim (a seaport in central Norway), and
arrived there 30th September, 1865.
11 Apr. Taught English class in the afternoon, and held prayer meeting in the evening.
13 Apr. Read and wrote letters. Taught English class in the evening. Received letter
from Br. Poulsen in Namsos, our District meets there.
25 Apr. Received letter from Br. O. Henningsen in Norlandet. Took leave of Br. Jensen
and the Saints in Trondheim to travel on a steam ship to Namsos. We had good
weather that night, but we did not get very far, because the steamship had to tow
a sailing ship with passengers, bound for America, out of the Fiord.
27 Apr. Friday was a Holiday. The members and investigators came, and I preached and
bore Testimony to them. Sacrament meeting in the evening with the members.
28 Apr. A woman came to talk with me. She was very well versed in the bible and had
long awaited the doctrine we taught. She believed it and wanted to be baptized.
We baptized her in the ocean and confirmed her a member of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her name is Pouline Pedersdatter, born 15
Sept., 1834, Wordalan, Norway. Baptized 28 April, 1866 in Namsos by C. O.
Folkmann, confirmed a member same time and place.
3 May Wrote a letter to my brother, Peter, and his wife in Zion. Witnessed to
investigators. Visited Mikaal. He believes our teachings. Oh, Lord, give
him the faith he needs to commit to baptism.
8 May Mikaal and his wife, Marie, came and were baptized in a brook about one
English mile from Namsos. Mikaal Ingo Eriksen, born 28 March, 1831,
Norway, baptized 8 May, 1866 in Namsos, confirmed same day by C. O.
Folkmann. Marie Johnsdatter, born 25 September, Naroe, Norway,
baptized 8 May, 1866 in Namsos. Confirmed by C. O. Folkmann.
10 May Thursday all work stopped in Norway in remembrance of the Ascension of
Christ into Heaven after the Resurrection. Did not hold meeting, but several
people came and wanted to talk with me. I read to them and had prayer with
them.—Later I went to the post office to get a letter. On the way I met an
unfriendly man, I. Johansen, who threatened me with bodily harm. Lord,
reward him according to his misdeeds, if he doesn't change his ways.—
Received a letter from Pres. C.C.A. Christensen in Oslo. He wants me to
start on a mission to Norlandet.
13 May Sunday. Held meeting at Br. Salin's home. I witnessed to the Saints, and Br.
Poulsen and I blessed and passed the sacrament, and I ordained Br. Poulsen to
the office of Elder. A few investigators present became convinced of the
truthfulness of the Gospel.—Received letters from Br. B. Jensen and Br. Myhne
in Aalesund. In the evening Br. H. Eriksen came and talked with me. When he
left, he put some money into my hand. May the Lord bless him for his kindness.
14 May Wrote to Br. B. Jensen and to Br. Myhne in Aalesund. Several members came,
also two investigators, who requested baptism. We sang and had prayer, and
everyone was happy.
15 May Arose at 3:30 a.m. and went to a brook in a forest and baptized Johan Arnt
Pettersen and confirmed him. Johan Arnt Pettersen, born 2 August, 1845 in
Aafiord, Norway, baptized 15 May, 1866 in Namsos, confirmed same time by
C.O. Folkmann; Inge Tine Gherhardine Moller, born 6 March, 1836, Trondheim,
Norway, baptized 15 May, 1866 by C.O. Folkmann, confirmed by O. Poulsen
same time.
17 May Prepared to travel to Norlandet. Br. Eriksen gave me a travel bag, which I very
much appreciated, since I had nothing to pack my clothes in.—Sister Andrea
gave me some money, and Br. Eriksen also gave me some money. I joined in
prayer with the Saints, who had come to say good by to me. This touched me
deeply. It brought tears to my eyes, and to the Saints' as well. I rowed out to
the ship. As soon as I got there, they shot the ship's cannon, which immediately
was answered by a salvo from land.—The weather was fine. Most of the
passengers on board were drunk. It was a Freedom celebration. They had an
orchestra on board. They played good music.
19 May Weather fine again today. Some of the passengers passed the time by telling
jokes about the Mormons. I listened, but said nothing.
20 May Arrived in Svolvaet at one o'clock in the morning.
21 May Bore testimony to a woman, and she believed the doctrine. We went to the
water, and she was baptized. Ingeborg Marie Pedersdatter, born 17 February,
1830, Hasselo, Norway, baptized 21 May, 1866, in Svolvaet by C.O. Folkmann.
25 May Arose feeling good. Hiked up into the mountains to pray. I asked the Lord, if
he would bless me with knowledge, so that I would be able to answer questions
of those who were struggling with the Divinity of God. Received testimony
through the Holy Ghost thusly: "What more do you want to know about me?
Have you not prayed to God the Eternal Father in Jesus' name, and have I not
heard your prayers? That should be enough for you." By this answer my heart
was uplifted with unspeakable joy.
26 May Read and spoke with Br. Green. An investigator arrived and spoke to Br. Green
about the gospel. It sounded like he believed. – At almost 3 o'clock in the
afternoon, the Steamship "Nordstjernen" (North Star) arrived, and I took
leave of Br. Green and Sister Ingeborg. They each gave me some travel money,
and Sister Ingeborg also gave me a pair of socks. The Lord bless them for their
generosity. I found a place on deck and paid my fare. Spent the whole night on
deck and arrived in Harstad Sunday morning at 10 o'clock.
27 May Met Br. Lars Jensen from the Trondheim branch, who was there with his father.
Continued my travel over land (A good deal of snow had fallen). Walked two
Miles to Quaefiord, where I found Sister hviding. (Her husband and Br. Niels
Hartvigsen were away fishing). She lent me some bed clothes and gave me
lodging.
28 May Was fully rested after my travels. There were several who were unfriendly
toward us on the farm, but they brought milk and butter to feed me. Sent a
message to Dahle to see if a letter had come addressed to me and found that
there had come 3 letters. One was from my wife in Zion, another from Oslo
from Pres. Christensen and one from Br. Schanke. Good news from my wife,
she and the children are all in good health.
3 Jun Sunday, said good bye to Sister Hviding and walked two miles back to Harstad,
where I boarded a ship bound for Bjenheim and arrived at Br. Peder Hansen's,
who welcomed me and gave me lodgings.
4 Jun Arose happy. Some visitors came and talked with me about America. I had the
opportunity to teach them something of the gospel.
5 Jun Visited Sister Henningsen. Spoke with her at length, but she was completely
wrong. She complained continually about her husband without reason and
proved she was close to apostasy.
12 Jun Visited people and had dinner with Sister Rakel. Council meeting in the
evening. Talked with Br. Henningsen and his wife. The misunderstanding
between them caused an unloving division between them. They were both
willing to listen to my advice. They both promised to forgive each other for
what had passed between them and renew the covenant they made to each other
and to God the day they were married.
13 Jun Continued the trip over a sound to another island, where we rented a boat and
sailed to Cestfjord, walked from there 2 miles to Quaefjord and visited Br.
Hartvigsen, who was President of the Norland Branch. He found lodgings for
- In talking with him, I found there was a misunderstanding between him
and another brother.
14 Jun Did the book keeping, etc. during the day, and in the evening we held a special
meeting at Br. Christian Hviding's home. I opened the meeting with prayer and
settled the misunderstanding between Br. Hartvigsen and Br. Hviding. After
that, we partook of the Sacrament and ended with a closing prayer.
15 Jun Visited friends, who declared they believed what I was teaching them. – Walked
2 miles to Harstad and witnessed to people along the way.
16 Jun Said good bye to Br. Ole Henningsen, who rowed me out to the steamship
"Jupiter." I boarded the ship and sailed to Trondheim. The weather was very
bad, but I did have some good conversations with respectable men on board.
24 Jun Sunday – Full house of members and investigators at our meeting. Br.
Jensen and I each bore a strong testimony.
30 Jun Johan Bak, born 5 July 1841, Trondheim, Norway, was baptized and
confirmed by C.O. Folkmann.
3 Jul Tuesday – Took leave of the Saints and left for the conference in Oslo. The
members were sad that we had to leave them for a time. The train left at 8
a.m. and we arrived in Storen (4 1/2 miles) at about 11 a.m. From there we
walked about 3 miles and found lodging in Bjaerke.
4 Jul Walked 4 miles. Bought milk for our lunch. Lodged in Rise.
8 Jul Sunday – continued down the road, bought food on the way. Stopped and went
to a Lutheran church meeting. After that, we walked about 2 1/2 miles and
found lodging in Listad. Ate lunch, but went to bed without dinner again.
11 Jul At 5:30 a.m. we set off for Oslo by steamship and train. We arrived in Oslo
about 4:00 p.m. and went directly to the mission office, but no one was home
except a maid. – Looked for a letter from my brother-in-law in Ogden, Utah,
dated 12 May. I learned from that letter, that my wife and family were well.
14 Jul Pres. Christensen took me to a haberdasher, where he bought me new clothes.
In the evening our conference commenced. The hall was decorated beautifully
with green branches and flowers. I was called to open with prayer, after which
I gave a report on my mission to Norland. 22 members had been baptized, and
the work keeps going forward.
16 Jul Received letter from my wife, dated Plain City, 15 April. She and every one at
home are all well – Conference in the evening. Many useful lessons were
given and I was called on to close the conference with prayer.
22 Jul Received sad news from home. A letter from my brother informed me that my
son, Elias, had died, as had my brother's daughter Ane, which brought
unspeakable sorrow to me. – Went to council meeting that evening.
28 Jul Sunday. – Meeting in the morning. I preached the whole meeting long.
30 Jul Tuesday. Said good bye to Br. Ekstrom, who had given me lodging while in
Oslo. He also gave me some money for travel and a piece of lambs skin. May
the Lord bless him for his kindness. – Left on the steamship "Foldin" for
Christianssand. On the way I met Pres. Christensen and Br. Wilhelmsen. They
went with me as far as Rusoen. This town was one my brother Jeppe had
labored in on his mission. All the members had emigrated to Zion, and the
missionary work had been interrupted for awhile, but was now building up
again. On the ship was a passenger, a man, who was obsessed with preaching.
He asked me why I did not preach to the other passengers. He told me not to be
ashamed. "I know you can do it better than I can," and he begged me to teach
him. I told him that this was not the right time or place. "I will tell you, that
you must confess your sins and live and obey the gospel, or else your sins will
come up against those you have led astray, and your preaching will be for
naught. He thanked me very much and wished me well.
2 Aug Went to O. Igleboch's. Aunt Ranny, who was happy to see me, was there.
Talked with her a great deal. – Followed a couple of people, who were going
to Ugland. We went over the hills, and I thought to myself, that Caroline had
walked here many times. Arrived at Ole Andersen's, where I was well received.
Had lunch with them and afterwards went out to look over his farm…Everything
looked very nice, and they had even wall papered the room I was to sleep in. I
shared the room with uncle, and we talked almost all night. The next day they
served me lunch with Coffee and Smorrebrod (Open faced sandwiches).
3 Aug Went to visit aunt J. She was not feeling good. I showed her the pictures of my
family and also a picture of the Temple, but she could not stand to look at them.
She said we were all going to Hell. She said she was glad that she had come back
under Christian grace. She lives in Jagt Gade (Hunt Street). Her husband has
gone away to sea. She is poor and sick and is just waiting to die.
5 Aug Sunday. Visited members and tried to cheer them up. – I read in "Norsk"
Folkeblad (newspaper), that in Europe one child out of 13 1/2 children was born
out of wedlock. In Bavaria it was 1 child of 3 children. Denmark 1 of 8 children,
Portugal 1 of 10 children, Sweden 1 of 10 children, Norway 1 of 11 1/2 children.
Went to O. Iglebock, who went with me to aunt Ranny, who received us and gave
us refreshments. I spoke with her about the Gospel, and she had nothing against
hearing it. I gave her two pamphlets and asked her to study them. – Said good by
to her and walked to Th. Tonnesen's, where I, to my great surprise, found Pres.
Christensen and Br. Wilhelmsen waiting for me. It was good to see them again.
8 Aug We were welcomed by P. Christensen, who took us to a cozy place to lodge (in
Bergen). We rested for awhile, then went to town to do some sightseeing. We
admired the majestic Fjelde (mountains), and the peculiar aspect of the town,
where almost 25,000 citizens live in houses crammed together in streets so
narrow you could not even drive a wagon through…I looked up Br. Simonsen,
and when I found him, I tried to encourage him and his family to serve the Lord.
Regrettably, they had begun back-sliding.
14 Aug Walked up on the mountain, which towered over the city (Aalesund),
accompanied by the sisters (Br. Myhne was ill), and looked over the city and the
fiord. The view was fantastic. – In the evening, we held Prayer meeting and
partook of the sacrament. Br. Olsen and Br. Christensen were in attendance.
We administered to Br. Myhne for his illness.
15 Aug Br. Myhne was well and went to work. I received a letter from Br. Schanke,
also a letter from my wife, dated 28 June. She wrote of her grief over the
death of our son. The Indians and the soldiers are making it a very
troublesome time for them.
16 Aug Wrote letter to my wife to comfort her and cheer her up. I also described to
her my visit to Christianssand.
22 Aug Arose happy and well and continued my travel to Br. Rasmus Larsen's. Was
ferried 1/4 mile over a sound. Found the Larsen home. The wife was home, and
she sent for her husband, who arrived home shortly. We conversed, and he
uttered his disappointment over the fact that he had not been able to go to Zion
yet. He thought it was our obligation to help him and his family to get there. I
tried to make him understand that he had to be converted first. While I was with
the Larsens, a neighbor woman came to talk with me. She had read the Book of
Mormon and believed it to be true. She brought me food and wished I could
stay there longer.
23 Aug Spoke at length with the neighbor lady, who brought me food, and I witnessed
to her. Her father, who is 88 years old, believed and wished to obey the truth.
25 Aug Wrote letter to my father-in-law, G.A. Ugland. – Said good bye to Br. Rasmus
and to the members, some of whom gave me money for my traveling. May the
Lord bless them for that. They ferried me over the fiord. I hiked over the
mountains and arrived in Molde at 5 p.m.
31 Aug Wrote to my father-in-law in Utah.
16 Sep Sunday. Had a good meeting. Br. Christian Olsen and I bore testimony, and
we felt the Lord's spirit with us. Three investigators attended the meeting.
They are ready for baptism.
17 Sep Arose healthy and well. Went to town. Received letter from my wife, dated 5
April. She finds herself better and is looking forward to my return home next
year.
24 Sep Did not feel well – had a bad head cold. Continued the trip on foot 3 miles to
Trondheim, arrived there at 9 p.m., very tired and hungry. Went to bed without
eating anything.
25 Sep Received letter from Pres. Christensen with a request for 50 kroner to help pay
the debt owed by the Conference. – Had a good meeting in the evening with the
members. Br. Olsen and Br. Halversen were present. I tried to unveil some
feelings the members had against each other.
26 Sep Boarded the steamship "Nordstjernen" at 4 a.m. for Namsos. Br. Olsen gave me
2 kroner for my travel. – Heard on board that I would be greeted in Namsos by the
mob. – Arrived in Namsos at 7 p.m., went ashore and was met by the mob. They
followed me, yelling and whistling all the way to my lodging. The brethren,
- and O. Poulsen, were happy to see me, the sisters were also happy to see me.
The mob kept up the rioting outside the house, and they threatened me that I
would be arrested in the morning.
27 Sep Morning came and I was not arrested, but the threats of the mob kept me inside
all day. In the evening, after dark, Svend Knudsen came and asked me to go for
a walk. Without anyone knowing, I slipped out of the house and went with him.
We walked to the beach, and I baptized him and confirmed him a member of the
Church right there by the water's edge. We went back happy and unmolested.
Shortly after, the mob came and made a lot of noise outside the house. The mob
also went to the houses of all the Saints, and made noise there as well. Some
visitors came to talk with me, and we sang songs and were happy.
28 Sep Arose happy that we had cheated the Devil of one more soul. – A man by the
name of Shoemaker Guldbrand Olsen from Oslo, who worked here in Namsos,
had come to our meetings a few times and feigned an interest in becoming a
member, came to Br. A. Poulsen and asked to be baptized today after dark, even
though Br. Poulsen had advised him to be baptized during the day. Br. Poulsen
became suspicious, because the man, Olsen, suggested they meet on the road by
the Cemetery and go from there to the beach, where he wanted to be baptized.
The spirit told Br. Poulsen that the man was a hypocrite, that it was a plot for the
mob to get at him, so Br. Poulsen stayed home. – Mr. Olsen walked with his shirt
under his arm, expecting to meet Br. Poulsen after dark to be "baptized" by him.
Meanwhile the mob was busy setting look-outs everywhere. Our whole street
was full of them. They were angry that no Mormon "priest" came out of the
house. Mr. Olsen finally got tired of walking around and came to ask Br. Poulsen
what was wrong, why had he not come? Br. Olsen answered him that he, Mr.
Olsen, was a hypocrite, that he really did not want to be baptized, he just wanted
the mob to get him. The mob was raging outside and they got mad at Guldbrand
Olsen because he had failed in getting Br. Poulsen out of the house. The mob
then offered another man money if he could lure the Mormon Priest out, but this
man was careful and went to the police instead and asked them for help, but this
was denied.
At almost 11 p.m., headmaster Larsen went out and asked the mob to go home.
He told them the Mormon was not a monster, only a man, who had been in our
town before, and he bothers no one. The mob then left, little by little and went
home, ashamed they had been such fools to have chased after nothing. – Through
all this noise and commotion, we sat quietly at Br. Poulsen's full of relief and
thanksgiving to the Lord for His protection. Br. A. Poulsen and I slept that night
at Br. O. Poulsen's.
29 Sep All quiet in town. Our landlord, Mr. Christiansen, went with Br. A. Poulsen and
me to go sightseeing in Namsos. May the Lord reward him for that.
30 Sep Sunday – Held meeting at 10 a.m. Opened with prayer by Br. A. Poulsen. I
presided and suggested Br. O. Poulsen become secretary. I made some comments
about the necessity of organizing a branch in Namsos. They already had sixteen
members and good prospects for more to come. Suggested that the Saints in
Namsos be organized to become a branch called Namsos branch, and that Elder
- Poulsen be called to be the branch president. – It was also unanimously agreed
that Br. Johan A. Pedersen be ordained to the office of Teacher. – I gave a few
teachings of the necessity of paying tithing. Br. A. Poulsen and Br. O. Poulsen
expressed their feelings. The meeting closed with prayer by me. – In the evening
some of the Saints came to talk with us. – Blessed a child of one of the sisters.
1 Oct Waited for the steamship. Blessed Br. O. Poulsen's son, Poul Hartvik Olsen. At
11 a.m. the steamship "Nord Elven" arrived. I said good bye to the Saints.
Shoemaker Ole rowed me out to the ship. The mob yelled something I did not
quite hear, except for Madame Hammer, who yelled: "Now the Mormon is
leaving, now no one else wants to be baptized." – Got safely on board the ship,
and it sailed off immediately. There were so many passengers on board, that it
was difficult to even move about. The weather turned bad, a gale was blowing,
and we did not arrive in Trondheim until after noon the next day. It was so foggy
that we could not see anything, so we had to stay outside the harbor all afternoon.
It was almost evening before we could be towed into dock. I grabbed my suitcase
and went ashore. The members were completely surprised to see me.
6 Oct Wrote a letter to my wife and sent her a picture of Pres. Christensen. – I told her of
the persecution in Namsos. I also sent her a petal from a red rose, with the
following poem:
A petal of a rose I send to you,
Picked on the morn of a mountain dew.
It reminds me of the red cheeks you had
When you were young, and we were glad.
My best advise that you must know
Is that grief and sorrow must not grow.
Chase your grief and sorrow away,
And remember these words that I say,
For faith, and hope, and love
Are the very best that I know of.
- O. Folkmann
7 Oct Fast Sunday. – Held meeting and had the sacrament. I preached and felt good
about it. – Visited Saints later in the day.
8 Oct Was rainy and cold. Felt sickly. Wrote in my journal.
17 Oct Prayer meeting. Br. Svendsen baptized his wife. I visited a woman in town, who
believed in our Doctrine. She served me refreshments and said she wished to be
baptized.
18 Oct Received the Deseret News. Took the train going to Borseskogen. Found
lodging. A woman wanted to be baptized that evening, but her husband was
against it.
22 Oct Walked to Sivert Krogstad's, where the wife treated me to the best food she had in
the house and gave me money to help with my travel. May the Lord bless her for
that. – Walked to Kvastro's. Was not received very well. Ate clabbered milk and
potatoes. Did not sleep well.
25 Oct Thursday. Walked to town and received six letters. One of them was from my
wife. She said that all was well at home. She felt much better. She had been to
assembly in Ogden, where Brigham had told the Saints, the time was near, that
the Saviour would come, and peace be taken away from the world and will not
return, but every one who will not lift a sword against his neighbor will flee to
Zion.
30 Oct Br. Poulsen arrived from Namsos. He related that he had baptized two Sisters.
They intended to hold meeting in their rented hall, but were prevented from doing
so by the landlord. The mob had followed him to his lodging. They would have
roughed him up, but an unseen power had made that impossible. When he came
to his rented room, the owner of the house asked him to leave. So he decided to
leave Namsos for the time being.
4 Nov A crowd of strangers attended our meeting. – In the evening had prayer meeting
with the Saints. We had the sacrament, and I taught the members about tithing,
etc. In the meeting with us were two school teachers. I bore a powerful
testimony.
18 Nov Sunday. – Many attended the meeting, among them a Lutheran Priest by the
name of Wexelsen, and two school teachers. I was greatly blessed by the Spirit of
the Lord, and witnessed with power to the truth that has been revealed in these
last days. The Priest could not stand it and made a disturbance in the meeting,
interrupting me while I was speaking. I asked him to sit back down and be quiet,
until I had finished. I asked the members if they had found forgiveness for their
sins, and peace of mind in the different religions they used to belong to, with the
sermons their Priests had preached, and with their sacrament in their former faith?
They answered "No." Then I asked them, have you been of a different opinion
since I have taught the Gospel in this Church? The answer was a resounding
"Yes." Have you received the testimony by the Holy Ghost, I then asked, that
was conferred upon you, when you were confirmed a member of this Church, that
this Doctrine is of God? Again they answered "Yes." - Next I bore a powerful
testimony of Joseph Smith's divine mission, and that Brigham Young was his
lawful successor, and that I knew him and his councilors, the twelve Apostles,
that they were all men of God. They not only taught the Bible, but lived by it,
and they did not ask to be paid for every word they uttered, but taught the same
way Christ's apostles did.
The Priest stood up and said, that what I had said were lies, and some truth. He
explained what the truth was, but not what the lies were. He asked the assembled
if they had not found the peace, that was talked about, when they were baptized as
infants. No one answered him, not even the school teachers. – He then began to
rage against Brigham Young and said Brigham Young had 100 wives, yelled that
we were false prophets etc. He said he would see to it that I would be punished
because I had baptized. After that he turned around and started to leave when a
woman from his own congregation stopped him and said, if he was the Lord's
servant, he ought to stay and talk with us, and she told him that she had heard
nothing but good of the Saints. She also said she felt that I had the Spirit of the
Saviour. – While the Priest was inside, the mob was raging outside. Br. Schanke
asked school teacher Gram to keep control of the children. Some of the bigger
ones started to act up, so Br. Schanke grabbed a shovel and threw snow on them,
but it did not help, so he turned a water hose on them, then we had peace. – We
then sang a song, Br. Poulsen gave a talk, and we all felt very good.
22 Nov Did book keeping for Namsos branch. Received letter from my wife, where she
tells me she is completely satisfied in her situation. It is hard work, but the Lord
has blest her with much fruit. She had received 110 bushels of wheat and a great
deal of corn from her father, and 26 gallons of Molasses, Oats for the sheep, etc.
She misses me and looks forward to me coming home. Her letter was dated 7
October.
23 Nov Arose early and took the train at 8 a.m. Arrived in Smedepladsen at 5 p.m. Had
a cup of coffee, and went to Baaster's. The wife was ill. She asked me to pray for
her and was immediately better. Had lodging with them that night.
24 Nov Walked to Krogstad – Tried to teach the gospel along the way, but no one wanted
to hear it. Arrived at Anders Krogstad's. I did not feel well. Went to see Jens
and Otto. Returned to sleep at Anders Krogstad's.
25 Nov Sunday. Spoke with strangers in the morning. In the afternoon we held meeting
where many of the strangers attended. Spoke a great deal about the resurrection.
In the evening ate a delicious dinner with the Saints.
23 Dec Sunday. Meeting in Lademoen. I spoke to the congregation. The mob was
raging outside. Someone tossed a sled at the door in the middle of the meeting,
but it rebounded off the door.
27 Dec Received the Deseret News and the Millenial Star from which I learned that no
wagons would be sent out this year for emigration.
28 Dec Went to Borseskogen. Slept at A. Pedersen's home. Did some proselytizing
along the way. I can not understand why the people like to drink so much alcohol
and get drunk during Christmas.
30 Dec Meeting. – A great deal of non-members present.
31 Dec Walked back to Trondheim. It was a cold 23 degree day, but I arrived safely, and
was well fed by the members. – Goodbye 1866.
1 Jan Received letter from my wife, dated Plain City 11 November, 1866, in which she
told me she was fine, she also included a couple of lines from Laurs Svensen, and
from my brother's wives, Anne and Karen. – Meeting in the hall with the Saints. I
preached to them and cheered them on to live their religion in the new year.
4 Jan Wrote letter to A. Poulsen in Namsos, and N. Wilhelmsen in Copenhagen.
Received letter from a new Brother in Namsos, dated 3 January, 1867, to
Mr. President C.O. Folkmann.
Dear Brother!
Being in the possession of your address, I take the opportunity to send you a
few lines to prove to you that the Gospel of Christ has not been preached in vain.
After having lived in Namsos almost two months, I was told that some of the
despised Mormons lived here in Namsos. – I prepared myself to defend the only
Faith I had known since childhood, by proving how deluded the Latter-day Saints
had been by their Doctrine. – For this purpose I bought a copy of the "Voice of
Warning" to study so I could point out the flaws in your Doctrine.
After I read it, I began to have respect for the same Doctrine, and lost the
loathing I before had for it. May the Lord be praised that the Truth reached me,
and that I became acquainted with the way to Salvation.
I feel happy, that I have overcome the first step, and I hope the Lord, who,
until this day, has kept me from falling into the many pitfalls the Devil and evil
people seek to set before us. I also hope the Lord will give me the strength to
succeed in overcoming what I have been in the past, so that my body may become a dwelling place for the Spirit of truth.
I would also like to inform you that on Christmas Day in the evening council
meeting, I was ordained to the office of Teacher. – I feel my own imperfection
for this task, but the Lord has called me, so I hope he will bless me to become a
tool in His hand, that His truths may be established all over the world.
The Saints here are all doing well, both spiritually, as well as in the temporal.
We always thank the Lord, because he, in spite of the World and Satan united in
destroying the Work, still has good and faithful servants here on earth, who will
continue to bring His gospel to all people, and will not be deterred.
Now I must close this letter, wishing you a Happy New Year, in the hope you
will receive me as a brother in the Gospel's new and everlasting Covenant. I
hope I can learn from you to take the message to those who are still in darkness.
Remember me, that I may have the joy of receiving a letter from you, with
teachings by your hand.
Your Brother in the Covenant,
Andreas Bjerken
Address: P. Johansen, Namsos
9 Jan Wrote to Pres. C.C.A. Christensen, and sent him the letter I received from
Br. Bjerken. – Prayer meeting in the evening. The Spirit of God was with us in
abundance.
10 Jan Wrote to Br. Bjerken and sent him some Doctrine.
14 Jan Visited a Sister by the name Gorine, who told me that while I preached on the
6 January, she had seen a star above my head. It twinkled more clear than any she
had seen before. – Taught English class in the evening.
20 Jan Meeting in Lademoen. Extra ordinary hard frost. People say they can not
remember this hard a winter.
21 Jan Exceptional hard frost. It seems almost worse than yesterday. The poor people
really suffer, and many are sick, almost half the population.
22 Jan Received letter from my wife, dated Plain City 7 December, 1866. She is well,
no other news in her letter, but another letter was included with hers, from G.
Andersen, in which he promised to send money for the release of his sister in
Oslo.
23 Jan Did not feel well. Extremely hard frost. Did not go to prayer meeting.
2 Feb Mailed the reports with 15 kroner to Pres. C.C.A. Christensen in Oslo.
Baptized one person, and excommunicated four members.
3 Feb Sunday. – Meeting at 2 p.m. Fast day and Sacrament. Some non-members in
the congregation. At the end of the meeting, we sold some pamphlets to them.
An item was published in the local Newspaper, accusing me of a horrible crime,
that of having taught that little children have no sin!!
8 Feb My birthday today. I am 40 years old. My prayer to Heavenly Father is that He
will bless me with strength to fight against old sin for the rest of the time I have
left here on Earth, that I may earn a place among the Saints in the life to come.
May I live a long time on Earth, that I may do good to further God's Kingdom and
see that Kingdom tower over all other Kingdoms. May the Lord bless me to this
end is my prayer. – Amen.
9 Feb Was summoned by two policemen to meet at the police station on 11 February.
10 Feb Sunday. Meeting, where nine young University students attended. They tried to
confirm infant baptism, but I spoke with them, and they were slightly humiliated.
- A school teacher, Gvarm, asked if he could ask me a question, and said, "Do you
know, you were born?" My answer to him was that I would not answer such an
absurd question. Then I offered them pamphlets to buy, to which they answered,
"We Christians do not buy on the Sabbath." I answered, "You do what is worse
on the Sabbath than buy Godly pamphlets." When they asked for proof, I said to
them, that they bought cigars and smoked them on the Sabbath.
When we left, we met a large group of people who were going to attend our
meeting to try and catch us in false teachings, but they were too late.
11 Feb Went to the Police station at 9:30 a.m. Police chief Sommer called me into his
office to question me, without telling me why. He asked me how old I was,
where I was born, where I lived, and when had I arrived in Norway, and how
long had I been in Trondheim, and what had I been doing, had I been baptizing
here, and had I been giving the Sacrament, and how our Worship services were
performed, how large a membership did we have in Trondheim. Did we teach
polygamy, and did we permit our male members to have several wives. I
answered, that those who transgress the Laws of the Land of Norway and
marry several wives, will be excommunicated from the Church, and those who
are caught in adultery will be excommunicated from the Church, etc.
I said I had preached the Gospel in Denmark for well over five years and had
never been charged in a Court for doing my duty as a Missionary. To his
questions as to the circumstances in Utah, if they had several wives there, I told
him if he wanted to question the people in Utah, he would have to go there and
do it, but right now you are questioning me. "That is right," he said. I showed
him my Citizenship letter, and my Missionary calling from President Brigham
Young, and from President C.C.A. Christensen and was let go.
Afternoon. – By invitation of School teacher Gvarm, I met with the priest,
Wexelsen. I asked the Pastor what he wanted. He said he wanted to know if
Tea Sjorli had been baptized in our church. I told him that I had not baptized her.
He then asked me, if she had partaken of the Sacrament in our Sacrament
meetings on Wednesdays, to which I answered that we had no Sacrament on
Wednesdays, and it was not true, what the Newspaper had printed regarding it.
We talked a lot about several things, after which he got angry and showed me
the door. He told me that the foundation for his faith was in infant baptism, and
those who did not believe in it listened to false teachers, and I was one of those,
and should be treated as a Heretic.
12 Feb Stayed home. Wrote and studied. Great storm and rain. – The Priest Wexelsen,
wrote a letter against the person who had written a letter to the editor of the
Newspaper. This person had accused the priest of not doing his duty to work
against the Mormons, by not interrupting the Mormon meeting held in Lademoen
to which the Priest assured the writer he had done all in his power to do just that,
etc. Today I bought me a new journal, since I am almost finished with this one.
15 Feb Received letter from O. Poulsen in Namsos. – A plan had been laid to try and
root out the Saints in Namsos. A criminal law had been agreed on, that any one
who accommodated a Mormon would be fined 10 kroner. – In the evening I
received a summons to appear in Court on 18 February, 1867, to be judged for
having held public Worship services, by order of Mantoi.