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Letter of Commendation

Andrew Jenson, Assistant Church Historian, was born in Torslev parish, Hjörring amt, Denmark, December 11, 1850, the son of Christian and Kirsten Andersen Jenson. When he was four years of age his parents joined the Church, being among the first converts from that country. In May, 1866, he left his native land for America, arriving in New York, July 17, of that same year. He crossed the plains in Captain Andrew H. Scott’s ox train arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in October 1866. After spending seven years in hard labor on farms, the railroads and in other occupations he was ordained a Seventy by President George Q. Cannon and went on a mission to his native land, where he labored for two years. Elder Jenson’s mind had a natural historical turn, and in 1876, he began the compilation of a Danish translation of the history of the Prophet Joseph Smith. In 1879–1881, he filled another mission to Denmark and there commenced a monthly paper which continued for eight years. Returning home he commenced the publication of a monthly periodical in Danish called “Morgenstjernen,” the name was later changed to “Historical Record” and the publication continued in the English language. His interest in the history of the Church led to his appointment in the Historian’s Office in April 1891, and in this capacity for four years he visited nearly every settlement of the Church gathering historical information. It was through his efforts that a copy of John Whitmer’s history, which had been stolen, was secured for the Church. In 1895–1897 he filled an important mission to all the missions of the Church and gathered many records and a vast amount of historical data, and later a similar mission in all parts of the world. One of his important works was the compilation of “Church Chronology,” the value of which has never been properly appreciated. The historical information gathered by Elder Jenson during his many years as an Historian in the service of the Church forms the foundation of this very valuable work the Encyclopedic History of the Church.

As associates of Elder Andrew Jenson, we heartily recommend this volume to the members of the Church and those who are interested in Church development and history.