Brother John Forssgren, (whose persecution and expulsion from Sweden I mentioned in my letter in the Star), has fared but little better in Denmark. He and a Danish brother was mobbed, and variously maltreated lately in Roskilde, the old capital of Denmark; and after two days complete uproar in the town, they were expelled by the chief authorities of the town, against all law. Notwithstanding all these things, we rejoice continually in the Lord our God, who blesses our labors and pours out the Holy Ghost upon us and the Saints, with its gifts and blessings, visions and dreams, prophecy and healing, casting out devils, &c. We have baptized about one hundred and fifteen in this city, and have a good prospect. We are but miserable tools in the Danish language, at the best, but the Lord makes weak things become strong unto them who believe.
Pray for us continually, that we may do a good work.
I am now very busily engaged with brother Hanson, in translating and publishing the Book of Mormon; it is a very laborious and tedious work to get it issued clean and pure, according to the simplicity of the original; and requires the closest attention. I am publishing three thousand copies—have only one hundred and sixty-eight pages finished, it will take me till May or June. I circulate two hundred by the sheet, weekly.
Yours, &c.
E. SNOW.
[LETTER TO PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.]
15, Wilton Street, Liverpool, July 10th, 1851.
Beloved President,—As I intimated in my letter of last August, I have made an exertion, and through the blessing of God after eight months faithful and unceasing application, have succeeded in the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon, in the Danish language; a copy of which I hope to have the opportunity of sending you soon.
I have issued an edition of three thousand copies; I should have had it stereotyped, and issued a smaller edition first, if I could have found a stereotype foundry in the kingdom, but Denmark is a little behind the age in this as in most other improvements. They are now being thrown into circulation by the brethren, and a bookdealer of Copenhagen.
In the work of translation, I employed such help, as the Lord furnished to my hand, feeling that it was better so to do, than to confide it to learned professors who were not imbued with the spirit of the work. I sought the acquaintance of several, but could not feel satisfied in spirit to confide the work to either of them. After brother Hanson became improved in his language, by a few months' practice, I set him to re-writing and revising his old translation, and soon a Danish lady, a teacher of French, German, and English, embraced the faith, whom I employed to assist in the work; but I did not allow it to go to press until I had become sufficiently acquainted with the language, as I believed to detect any error in sentiment, and given it a thorough review with them a third time.