One year in Scandinavia

by Erastus Fairbanks Snow

I hope before long to have many of them scattered over the country, preaching the word. If the Lord permit, I shall endeavor to get the Book of Mormon published in the course of the fall and winter. I have not much means towards it as yet, but have the promise of backers in England, so that I trust the way will open for publishing by the time it can be properly revised, and I can know that it appears in Danish in its own native simplicity and truth. The literature of the great university of Copenhagen has long taken the lead in this north country, so that works published in Danish may be read and understood by a large portion of the Swedes; and as for Norway, although they have their rustic dialects, yet the Danish is the public language of the State.

I should like to know your minds about the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, whether, if the Lord should raise up much people in this country, and the way should be opened before us, it would be advisable to attempt to translate and publish it entire, or publish from time to time, such portions of it as circumstances shall seem to require. What little I have seen and learned, convinces me of this fact, that it is no easy matter to translate them with all the force and spirit with which those revelations are written in English. The English is much the richest language, and the IDIOM of the two are ENTIRELY DIFFERENT.

As far as my experience and observation extend, the Danes are a kind and hospitable people, especially the middle and lower classes; and a higher tone of morality pervading them, than exists in the corresponding classes in England and America; and if I mistake not my feelings, the Lord has many people among them.

Brother John Forssgren accompanied us to this place and stopped a few days with us, and then we blessed him and sent him on his way. The Lord is with him, he is full of faith and the Holy Ghost. From here to the home of his childhood where his relatives are, is about six hundred miles in a north east direction up the Baltic.

All that we have heard from the Valley since we left, was your General Epistle of April 12, which was brought from the Valley to the Bluffs by Mr. Livingston, and from there to Liverpool by Elder Pratt, a proof sheet of which was forwarded to me in a letter, which I received July 27, and after perusing it, forwarded it to brother Forssgren. It was a precious morsel to us all.

As to the signs of the times and the aspect of affairs among the nations of Europe, dark forebodings of the future seem to pervade all hearts, and the heads of the nations seem to be conscious that they are steering the ship of State in DANGEROUS SEAS. Denmark is at present the point of the greatest interest. The Dukedoms of Holstein and Sleswick, which are mostly German, have been in a state of REVOLT ever since the death of the old king. The new government has been unable to compel their submission. Several severe battles have been fought, and both parties still seem to be more and more desperate. On the 23rd and 24th July, a battle was fought in Sleswick, in which out of about 30,000 engaged on EACH SIDE, they sustained a loss of about 4000 EACH, according to their acknowledgments; but as the official reports have been kept from the public, it is generally believed that the loss was much greater. Over 3000 wounded were brought to this city, and all the hospitals had the appearance of slaughter-houses and the surgeons, butchers.

Considered by itself alone, this domestic war might not disturb the peace of Europe; but there is a secret at the bottom, which interests the great powers. By a glance at the map, you will see that Denmark's stronghold at Elsinore holds the key to the Baltic, and taxes all nations who traffic upon her waters. This is an outlet for the Russian fleet, and for the commerce of Prussia and other German States, as well as Sweden. The German States, including Prussia, are aiming to establish a FEDERAL UNION, and to build a fleet, that they may be able to compete with the great powers of Europe. Sleswick and Holstein are essential to that union on account of their harbors upon the North Sea for their fleets. They being Germans, are like minded, and wish to throw off the Danish yoke; in doing which they have the support of all Germany. * * * *

Since I commenced writing this letter, the postman has brought me one from brother J. Forssgren, dated Stockholm, Aug. 13th, of which I will give you a summary. He says he baptized his brother and sister, and one or two others at Geffle; and by request translated brother O. Pratt's pamphlet on the rise and doctrine of the Church; but the printers refused to publish it.

He next heard of a ship load of farmers about to sail for New York, and went to them, and while they were waiting for the vessel, he preached the gospel to them, and found them a humble people, who were looking for the redemption of Israel, and were going to seek for Zion in America.

He baptized some sixteen or seventeen of the farmers, and many more were believing. He ordained two elders and some teachers, &c., gave them instructions how to watch over and teach the company, and baptize others that should desire it. This he finished on the 7th inst., and preached the same evening at 5 o'clock p.m., in the woods just out of town. Having preached there once before, it had been noised abroad, and the grove was full of priests and people; the former, however, together with the marshal, were secreted behind trees and rocks.