Deseret Evening News

CONTROVERSY IN NORWAY.

A short time ago we noted the fact that some Norwegian newspapers had taken up a fight against the Latter-day Saints in that country, and that Norwegians here in this City had protested against the ignorant misrepresentations of the papers in question, of the conditions prevailing here. Among those who took part in the meeting were men like Judge C. M. Nielsen, Professor Anthon Pedersen, former Pastor Hansen, and a number of ladies. The meeting was very enthusiastic, and unanimous in adopting resolutions, though all kinds of creeds and faiths were represented.

We now find in Norway a champion of Utah in the field against the misrepresentations of the Norwegian papers referred to, in the person of Mr. Erling Bjornson, a son of the late world-famous poet and statesman, Bjornstjerne Bjornson. Mr. Bjornson has been in Utah and knows whereof he speaks, and he proves himself "a chip off the old block" by fearlessly telling his countrymen his opinions at this time. We fancy his distinguished father would have done the same. For he, too, was a fighter, and generally on the side of the right.

We take it for granted that our readers will be interested in what Mr. Erling Bjornson has to say of Utah. We therefore reproduce the following, in translation, from "Tidens Tegn," of June 25. Mr. Bjornson writes:

To the Editor,-At this time a persecution is directed in one of our principal newspapers against the so-called Mormons, and, without mixing in the conflict itself, which undoubtedly is conducted by onesided clergymen and others who know little or nothing of what they are writing about, I would ask you to permit me to tell something of my impressions of the Mormons in America.

'In all the states, from east to west, where I looked for Norwegians, there were hardly any surpassing our countrymen in Utah. What they, together with their brethren in the faith had accomplished in culture as well as material respects made them the most happy people I have ever met. They had conquered the soil which at first was penurious, dry and dormant, and I was met by a fertility and beauty that are rarely duplicated anywhere. And all this work emanated from all the excellent schools, or rather universities, which I visited and with the instruction of which I became acquainted. And how happy and yet earnest were these men and women in their fine homes! They were good American citizens and yet had love for the old fatherland. I also attended their religious services; and I can only wish that so beautiful and natural sermons were preached in every church in all the world, and as to the church music, that told me more than everything else, that indeed united this people who have fought, and are still fighting, for their faith, as no one else.

'When people in Norway write about them, they are generally represented as veritable monsters, [charged with] polygamy, and other nonsense. Everyone who knows anything at all ought to know that that is not permitted by the American law.

It is but right to mention what their religion exacts of them. That is, in the first place, industry, and then, without exception, sobriety. To this is added unity which makes them sacrifice a little of their surplus for the benefit of all!'

To me it looks like an insult to America to proceed to make specific laws against a people of their Union. And the moral life and doctrines of the Mormons are perfectly on a level with our own.

"ERLING BJORNSON."

To this impartial and fearless defense of truth it can be added that some of the Norwegian papers take the same ground as Bjornson. The "Ofoten Tidende," for instance, quoted in "Utah-Posten," says that "even if we are against the Latter-day Saints on the theological domain, it must be admitted by all who know anything about it that their teachings are Biblical if that is the only question-and." that paper adds, "it would be a shame for our liberal and on the whole somewhat loosely-tolerant community to start a persecution against this people, and besides, from a religious point of view, it would be indefensibly intolerant." This Norwegian paper does not deny the possibility of the occurrence of cases of transgressions of the law, but it adds:

"To assert that the missionaries of the Church have any connection with the notorious, low traffic, known as 'the white slave traffic,' appears to us to be too coarse altogether, and it cannot, for many reasons, be admitted. And as far as we are concerned we will, in the name of reasonable decency, stamp that charge as impudent slander, until indisputable proofs to the contrary are produced."

It is evident that the Church is being brought to the attention of the Norwegian people, through the agitation, and that the truth is ably defended when assailed. The outcome will be, as always, that many honest souls will investigate and learn the truth, for an honest investigation of the Gospel is sure to lead to its acceptance.