I am now in Salt Lake City, on the Promised Land, to the house of Israel.

As I walked from the railroad depot, up to the Old Tithing Office, where Hotel Utah now stands, I looked to the left and saw the beautiful building under construction.

I did not know what kind of house it could be, all at once the Holy Spirit came over me, testifying to me that this is The Temple of your God. That was the first inspiration I received in America.

I am now alone. I have nobody to talk to, and have to learn to talk to learn another language, the American ways and customs. I had to begin as it were with A B C and learn everything. I now had to find me a job to work.

I drifted down to Emery County and got my first job with the D. & R. Grand Railroad on the section. I was lucky at last, I came to a Danish foreman, and everything went fine, I was working among Americans so now I had a chance to begin to learn to talk American. I stayed there the first part of the summer. It was a lonely thing for me, as I had been used to my good meetings all the time.

I only got $1.75 a day and I was thinking I would like to have more wages, and be in a place where I could go to meeting again.

So I told my good boss, “I think I’d better go to Salt Lake City and see if I can make a little more money.” Mr. Mikelsen did not want me to quit, he said “We are well pleased with you here, and my wife’s sister is here, you had better stay and take care of her.” This was a very nice invitation and it was a very fine family and a fine young girl.

But I did not feel to stay so I went to Salt Lake City. That was on the celebration of the 24 of July. I wet up on the mountain to what is called Ensign Peak. I also slept up there in the night. At the time I did not know that spot was set apart as an historical monument, an ensign to the world, by Brigham Young and the Pioneers.

The next job I got was south of Salt Lake City, in Murray, by Hank Adwood, on the Brick Yard. I worked there the rest of the summer, and he was well pleased with me, in so much that he asked me one day, “Have you got a girl, if not, I will give you one of my daughters.”

That was a fine Mormon family like the first place I refused to take the opportunity to get a good wife.

I must ask the Lord now and be sure to find out what is the best thing to do. I made a covenant with the Lord when I first got acquainted with the Holy Spirit, if He would give me that Spirit, I would be obedient to Him. On my Mission I was obedient to the Missionaries, not to make too much friendship with the girls while on my Mission, just be friendly and shake hands with them. No sparking was allowed. I was obedient, but I noticed a little cute girl had her eye on me but I said nothing.

I left the Old Country without being engaged to anyone. I am now in Utah and I ask sincerely to my God who will be the right one for me to take as a wife. “If you will let me know I will obey you.”

My parents now were on the look out to see if they could borrow the money, some where but time and again they told me “We are not able to get the money for you, do you think you will come to go?” I answered “Yes” every time they asked. They tried and tried and could not get the money. Again they asked me if I still believed I would come to go, and I answered yes.

My faith was put to the test to the very last day. We held a meeting before we started. They told me they had now given up all hope to get the money. And if I still believed I would come to go, and I answered yes.

When the meeting was let out, a member of the Church came and told my parents, that it was too bad their son will be held back when now he is ready to go. They wanted to emigrate too, but they were willing to let us have the money and them wait if we could pay it back by the next emigration. My parents promised to pay it back to that time as they could see their way to get it at that time.

I did not know where the money would come from, but I believe the Spirit, and I got the money and was not disappointed. I was now ready to say bye-bye to all my father’s family. Their names will be found on this page.

I now say good-bye to my Land of birth, where I spent my childhood days, and spent my twenty years of the beginning of my life.

I thank God of all my life for His kindness and many blessings I have received in Denmark. I say good-bye to all my good friends in the Mission field and good-bye to all my relatives and friends.

I now emigrate for the gospel’s sake. I now say good-bye to my father’s family:

Father: Hans Christian Jensen
Mother: Caroline Masine Andresen
And Children:
Anders Christian – dead
Jens Andreas
Johan Marinus
Karl Christian
Andrew Christian
Hans Peter
Johanna Kathrine
Christian
Otte Magnus – dead

Good-bye, all my beloved brothers and sisters. We will meet again in Zion, in Utah, in America. Good-bye, so long until we meet again.

I shall tell about my emigration from Denmark to America:

I left Copenhagen the first part of April, arrived at Liverpool and went on the steamship, Nevada, April 11th we sailed from Liverpool England with 352 Saints including 13 returned Missionaries under the direction of David McKay. The company arrived at New York, April 22, and at Salt Lake City, April 30.