| Description |
Hand-written diary of James Miller Christensen (name changed from Jens Moller Christensen). Document contains memoirs from 1846 to 1904 and diary entries from 1904 to 1914. Christensen provides information about his childhood in Denmark, conversion to Mormonism, mission service, emigration to the United States, and overland migration to Utah with the Leonard G. Rice Company in 1867. Later memoirs contain information about his experience with plural marriage and advice he received from Brigham Young regarding the practice of the United Order in Moroni, Utah, and handling business affairs. Throughout the account, he provides information detailing his farming and ranching enterprises. In 1904, Christensen records his travel east to preside over the Scandinavian Mission, and, while en-route, he describes his stops at the Louisiana Fair Exposition and Nauvoo, Illiniois. Thereafter, the bulk of the diary contains information pertaining to the day-to-day affairs of presiding over the Scandinavian Mission. |
| Biographical/Historical Note |
James Miller Christensen was born in Denmark, converted to Mormonism, and migrated to Utah with the Leonard G. Rice Company in 1867. He settled in Moroni, Utah, where he farmed, ranched, practiced polygamy, and participated in a failed attempt at the United Order. By 1893, Christensen and both of his wives had moved to Salt Lake City. He served three missions to Scandinavia and, during the final, presided over the Scandinavian Mission. |
| OCR Text |
Show 5, 1859, called before priest, Learning & Trade, babtized Ordered to apear before the superior Priest for reprimand, I asked him to show me in the Bible, any authority for the babtism of children, he never atempted it, but said he had a little book, treating on it, but could not find it, so with some Kind remarks, he dismissed the case, and I went home feeling triumphant. The Pastors name was Larke Jorgensen, an old man. I never went back to School, as I did not want to get that promised trashing, but the teachers son who had before been my frind, met me one day and gave it to me any how. Father & Mother consented to my not going to school. I was not then as was customary confirmed in the Lutheran church. In Nov. 1859 I was aprentced to one Ole Jensen in Veile in the shoe trade. I lived a strictly moral live, attended Church with the different denominations, read the Bible, prayed often, I finely came in contact with the Latterday Saints, read their Literature, attended meetings, and after 2 years investigation I was babtized on the 31st of May 1863 by immersion by Elder Jens Hansen, President of Veile Branch, and was Confirmed on June 7th by Elder J.C. Olsen 6, 1864, Ordained a Teacher, Start on Mission, Ord. Elder, Preside in Conf., Labor in Randers, Deaths in Family, Emigrate Conference President. On August was ordained a Teacher by President Olsen. I attended meetings faithfull, studied scriptures, paid tithing, and having finished my aprintiship December 31-1863, and having priviously being called, I at once started on a Mission on Jan 1st 1864 (before I was 18 years) under the guidence of Elder Niels L. Lund who later married my sister Katrine. On the 6th of April 1864 I was ordained an Elder by President Gustan Peyan. At that time War had broke out between Denmark & Germany, And in consequence, all the Missionaries in the Conf. either Emigrated, or left for other parts, so I alone had charge of both branch & Conference affairs in what was there Fredericia Conf. I continued my labors in said Conf. until in the fall of 1866 I was called to go to Aarhus Conf. where I was apointed to preside over Randers Branch. In the year 1865, there was 6 deaths in the Family hit us April and Oukel Henrik, in June, or July Aunt Abeline, during the Summer, my Brother Peters Wife’s abt. 1 year old child in Sept. my Sister Marie & close to Xmas my Mother, only 48 years and some months old. I labored in Aarhus Conf. to June 1867 when after an honorable release I Emigrated, leaving |
