In October 1849, the first Mormon missionaries headed to Scandinavia and northern Germany. The group of missionaries settled in Denmark, with others branching out to their home countries, like Sweden. The general Swedish population did not like the missionaries and they were driven out of the country. Because of this, those who were converted, fled to Utah. Around 8,500 converts traveled to Utah in the latter half of the 19th century.
In Denmark, the missionaries were having great success in converting. Denmark was experiencing years of political and social unrest which encouraged denizens to seek homes and lives elsewhere. In 1862 and 1863 alone, 2,000 Danes immigrated to Utah. In 1890, 10% of the Utah population had either been born in Denmark or had a parent born in Denmark. By the turn of the century, 12,000 Danish Mormons had arrived in Utah.
In 1851, the Scandinavian Missionaries extended to Norway and recruited 3,300 converts to move to Utah.
Between 1850 and 1905, 23,000 Mormon Scandinavians immigrated to the Utah area.
These photos are from my own collection of antiques and do not represent any specific affiliation, but do visually demonstrate the eras of which are written about.
In Denmark, the missionaries were having great success in converting. Denmark was experiencing years of political and social unrest which encouraged denizens to seek homes and lives elsewhere. In 1862 and 1863 alone, 2,000 Danes immigrated to Utah. In 1890, 10% of the Utah population had either been born in Denmark or had a parent born in Denmark. By the turn of the century, 12,000 Danish Mormons had arrived in Utah.
In 1851, the Scandinavian Missionaries extended to Norway and recruited 3,300 converts to move to Utah.
Between 1850 and 1905, 23,000 Mormon Scandinavians immigrated to the Utah area.
These photos are from my own collection of antiques and do not represent any specific affiliation, but do visually demonstrate the eras of which are written about.