100 years ago
Sweden's King Oskar II received a copy of the Book of Mormon on Sept. 22, 1897, according to the third volume of Andrew Jenson's Latter-Day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia. Janne Mattson Sjodahl made the presentation to the king.
Brother Sjodahl, a native of Sweden, was presiding over Scandavian Church meetings in Salt Lake City in 1897.
In Matthias F. Cowley's book Wilford Woodruff - His Life and Labors is reprinted a letter written by the First Presidency - President Wilford Woodruff, and his counselors, President George Q. Cannon and President Joseph F. Smith. The letter introduces Brother Sjodahl and states, in part: "Elder Sjodahl has been selected by his fellow-countrymen - natives of Sweden and Norway, a large body of whom reside in and are citizens of the State of Utah - to proceed to the court of their Majesties, King Oscar II and Queen Sophia, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of their ascension to the throne, for the purpose of presenting in their name and behalf, to their Majesties, a casket, made of Utah onyx, containing a copy of the Book of Mormon, as an expression of the high esteem, affection, and love which the Scandinavians of this inter-mountain region entertain for their Majesties, with the hope and earnest desire that their Majesties will live to witness many happy returns of this most auspicious event."
The gift was graciously received, according to Elder Cowley's book, because Brother Sjodahl "received a cordial invitation to the grand banquet in the palace, and later a copy de luxe of the proceedings of the jubilee."
Quote from the past
"We should not allow the cares or corruptions of the world to lead us to forget that the work in which we are engaged is the Lord's work." - From an address given by Elder Franklin D. Richards of the Quorum of the Twelve during the April 1882 general conference
