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ephraim ut

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    JACOBSEN, Christian Jensen: Frontier Craftsman

    Another life altering experience occurred in 1854 when L.D.S. missionaries introduced the Jensens to a new religion. After a short investigation Christen and Kirsten were baptized on a cold day in December and became the first members of the church in their local area. Soon after, Christian was called to be a local missionary and also to preside over two branches of the church. In the fall of 1857 he was assigned to open a mission on LæsØ, an island located midway between Jutland and Sweden. As a missionary he received frosty receptions but soon encountered some inhabitants in need of his clock repairing skills. This led him to adjust his strategy and avoid the topic of religion until he had the family’s clock dismantled. Once the family knew him as a clock repairman, they were more prone to discuss religion with him. Using this strategy, and after visiting the island several times, Christian baptized a dozen or so members and organized the Byrum Branch there.
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      JENSEN, Jens and Dorthea: Nearly Pioneers

      Most pioneer stories involve building religious faith through hardships and challenges, but some early migrants to Utah don’t fit this mold. Some were disappointed by life in Utah and returned to their place of origin. Others moved on seeking greener pastures elsewhere. Still others remained in Utah but became disaffected with the dominant religion. Some became Jack Mormons, others became vocal critics of the LDS Church, and still others joined a different church. Jens Christen Jensen and his wife Dorthea were cases of the latter.
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