Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-07-29
CONTROVERSY IN NORWAY.

short time ago We noted the fact
that some Norwegian newspapers had
taken up a night against the Latter
| day Saints in that country, and that
Norwegians here in this city had pro-
tested against the ignorant misrepresen-
tatlons OF the papers in question OF
the conditions prevailing here. Among
those who took part in the meeting were
men like Judge G. NJ Nielsen, Prof
essor Anthem Petersen, former Pastor
Hansen and a number of ladies. The
meeting was very enthusiastic, ana
unanimous in adopting resolutions
though all kinds OF creeds and faiths
were represented.
We now find in Norway champion
Of Utah In the field against the mis-
representations Of the Norwegian pa
pors referred to, in the person OF Mr..
Ernng Bjornson a son Of the late
world famous poet and statesman,
Bjorstjerne Bjornson. Mr. Bjornson
has been in Utah and knows whereof
ne 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 tighter, and generally on
the side OF the right.
We take 1t for granted that our read
ors will be interested in what Mr.. Err
ling Bjornson has to say OF Utah. We
therefore reproduce the following, in
translation. from "Tidens Tegn," OF
June %. Nj. Bjornson writes:
TO the Edltor.-At this time per-
secution IL directed in one OF our prin-
cipal 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, | 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.
whore I looked for NOrwegians there
were hardly any surprising our coun-
trymen IN Utah What they, together
with their brethren in the faith had ac-
complished in culture as well as ma
terial respects made them the most
happy people | have ever met. They
had conquered the soil which at first
was penurious, dry and dormant, and
| was met by a fertility and beauty
that are rarely duplicated anywhere.
And all this work emanated from all
the excellent schools. or rather univer-
stiles which / visited and with the in
struction Of which became acquainted
And how happy and yet earnest were
these men and women IN their fine
homes' They were good American cit
liens and yet had love for the old
fathcrand. I also attended their re-
ligious services; and | can only wish
that SO beautiful and natural sermons
were preached in every church In all
the world, and as 10 the church music,
that told me more than everything else,
that indeed united this people who have
fought ana are stu fighting, for their
faith as no one else.
when people in Norway write about
them. they are generally represented
as yeritable monsters. lcharRed With
polyganly, and other nonsense. Every
one who knows anything at all ought
10 know that that Is not permitted by
the American law.
"tt Is but right 10 mention what their
religion exacts Of them That is. IN
tho FIRST place industry. and then. with
out exception. sobriety To this Is
added unity which makes them sac
rihce little Of their surplus for the
benefit ~ all
ITO me II looks like m insult 10
America to proceed 10 mako specific !
laws against n people ~ their Union
And tho moral life and doctrines OF
tho Mormons are perfectly on a level 4,
with our own"
"ERLING BJoRNsoN."
To this impartial and fearless de- /
fense OF truth IL can be added that /
some OF the Norwegian papers take