Facts and Statistics

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A Norwegian shipmaster, Svend Larsen, came to Ålborg, Denmark, in August 1851 to deliver timber. While there, Larsen met some of the first Danish converts, believed their message, and was baptized the next month. One of these early converts, Hans F. Petersen, accompanied Larsen as he began missionary efforts. The first baptism in Norway took place in November 1851, and the first two congregations were organized in July 1852. Many early missionaries were arrested and imprisoned for their preaching. By 1930, 8,555 baptisms had been performed in Norway, with about 3,500 converts emigrating to Utah where several other members had gathered.

In 1950, the first Norwegian translation of the Church's companion scripture to the Bible, the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Christ, was made available (members and missionaries had previously used the Danish translation). Other Church publications were translated within the next five years. In the 1980s, 30 local members were assigned as missionaries to assist the missionaries of the Norway Oslo Mission. In 1988, a Church Apostle, Elder Russell M. Nelson, presented Kjell Eliassen, Norwegian ambassador to the United States, with a book containing the ambassador's family history. Membership in 1990 was 3,700.

For Journalist Use Only:

Espen Lynne Amundsen, Oslo, Norway

Phone: (+47) 22 61 51 02 / 92 06 10 60

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Arnfinn Amundsen, Lillestrøm, Norway

Phone: (+47) 93 20 08 37

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