Former President of the Danish Mission

Former President of the Danish Mission ¶

This, my brethren and sisters, is the biggest thrill that I have ever experienced. To gaze over this vast audience is an inspiration and an opportunity of a lifetime. ¶

I bring you the love and greetings of the missionaries and saints in the Danish Mission. This mission is probably one of the smallest in the world, but I can assure you it is a live mission. It is the second oldest mission in Europe ; and in this small country of Denmark there have probably been more converts, according to the population, than in any other country in the world. Thousands have embraced the gospel, and there are still thousands that are waiting to accept it. ¶

I can assure you, my brethren and sisters, that the missionaries in that mission are performing an excellent work. They are not idling their time away, nor neglecting their calling. I can assure you that they are enjoying the spirit of their work. Many of these elders have spent as high as two hundred and ninety hours in a single month tracting from door to door — more than ten hours per day. They are all enjoying the best of health. The saints are active. We have auxiliary organizations in practically all the branches of that mission. They are all functioning and doing a splendid work. ¶

Through the kindness of the First Presidency we have disposed of our old mission property, Korsgade No. 11. This place, which has been owned by the Church for a great many years has outlived its usefulness. We have now secured, through the aid of President James E. Talmage, one of the most beautiful sites in the wonderful city of Copenhagen. Strenuous protests were made by the clergy, not only to the Bank of Copenhagen who sold us the property, but also to the city council, to thwart or to hinder the granting of a building permit, but in all cases these protests were turned down. At the time the protest was made to the city council in Copenhagen by the clergy, headed by the Bishop of Seeland, they informed the council that we were not Christians, that we were heathens, and had no right to own property or erect a church in that city. One of the councilmen arose and stated that he thought it would be a splendid idea to have these heathens come within the shadow of their church, so that they could be converted. Our building site is directly in front of one of the large Lutheran churches in that city. ¶

I would like to make an appeal to you parents of Scandinavian ancestry, to urge your sons to take missions or accept missions to Denmark. I can assure you that they will be kept busy, that they will enjoy their work, that they will get just as much, and possibly more experience than in any of the missions to the south of that country. ¶

I trust that you parents will also be very considerate as to the sending of money to your boys. Rather send them an extra letter than too much money. The more money you send, the less efficiency will take place. ¶

I bear you my testimony, my brethren and sisters, that I am proud of that country, proud of the work that has been performed in that land. I have a testimony of the gospel. I know that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. I know that Joseph Smith was divinely commissioned to again establish this work upon the earth. I pray that we may all strive to do our duty as members of this Church, and I do it in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. ¶