Two young Icelanders, Thorarinn Haflidson Thorason, who was learning the trade of a cabinet-maker, and Gudmund Gudmundsen, a jewler's apprentice, were converted and baptized in the early part of 1851. They were returning to their native island in the spring, and desired with all their hearts to carry the glad tidings of the Gospel to their neighbors and kindred. President Erastus Snow ordained Brother Thorason, the more tacitern and of more of a religious nature of the two to the office of a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood, and Brother Gudmundsen to the office of a Teacher. They sailed for home happily in April, with instructions from President Snow to proceed with missionary work in Iceland at their every opportunity. Several believed the testimony of the two young men, and Brother Thorason baptized Benedikt Hanson and his wife, but was unable to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost. Now, the Icelandic authorities moved in, and prevented these brethren from holding public assemblies. There was no violence, and they were permitted to preach the Gospel in private to their hearts' content. But Brother Thorason's wife hardened her heart against the work, and burned his books. Brother Thorason was accidentally drowned while out in a fishing boat in December 1851. Brother Gudmundsen reported the sad news to President Snow, stating that there were two baptized, but unconfirmed members in Iceland, and he, a Teacher, could not even administer baptism to the twenty-four person who had requested it. Preisdent Snow regretted that he had not ordained both men to the Melchizedek Priesthood. Elder Peter O. Hansen immediatley volunteered to go to Iceland. But in applying for his passport, the officials discovered his purpose for going to Iceland, and his request was denied. Nearly two years passed before the Scandinavian Mission could send an Elder to Iceland to join in the work that Teacher Gudmunsen had carried forward alone. (Information obtained from Albert L. Zobell, Jr., Under the Midnight Sun, page 22-23.)∼Guðmundur Guðmundsson was his Icelandic name but it was often Anglicized to Gudmund Gudmundson. He was one of the first Icelanders to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was among the first Mormon missionaries to preach in Iceland.
Born in Artun, Rangárvallasýsla, Iceland. He was christened a Lutheran.
In 1845, Guðmundsson moved to Denmark to study goldsmithing. In 1851, while living in Copenhagen, Guðmundsson heard LDS Church missionaries Peter O. Hansen and Erastus Snow preaching Mormonism. He was baptized into the LDS Church on Feb. 15,1851 by Hansen, and on Apr. 18,1851 he was given the Aaronic priesthood and ordained a teacher by Snow.
On May 21,1851, Guðmundsson travelled to Vestmannaeyjar to preach. Shortly thereafter, he went back to his hometown of Artun to preach, but found no one willing to listen to his message. Guðmundsson continued preaching in Iceland until July 1854. Eventually, he was given the Melchizedek priesthood by one of his missionary companion after which he baptized nine individuals into the LDS Church. On Jun. 19,1853, the first branch of the LDS Church in Iceland was established on Vestmannaeyjar, with Guðmundsson as branch president.
In Jul. 1854, Guðmundsson returned to Denmark to preach. He spent most of his time on Zealand and was imprisoned for preaching Mormonism in Kallundborg. He was released after seven weeks, but was immediately conscripted into the Danish army. After just over one year, Guðmundsson was released from military service due to ill health.
On Apr. 18,1857, Guðmundsson left Copenhagen on a ship bound for America. He arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in Utah Territory on Sep. 13,1857. While emigrating to Utah, Niels Garff, one of Guðmundsson's Danish converts, grew ill and died. Just prior to his death, Garff asked Guðmundsson if he would marry his wife after he had died. Guðmundsson agreed, and on Oct. 4,1857 Guðmundsson and Marie Garff were married in Salt Lake City. They had three sons together. After arriving in Utah, Guðmundsson began using Gudmund Gudmundson as an Anglicised form of his name.
In the early 1860s, Guðmundsson and his wife became involved with the Church of the Firstborn, a schismatic sect of Latter Day Saints led by Joseph Morris. They were excommunicated from the LDS Church, and Guðmundsson became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Morrisites. Guðmundsson was involved in the Morrisite War and was afterwards arrested and fined $100 for resisting arrest. He was later pardoned by territorial governor Stephen S. Harding.
Following the Morrisite War, the Guðmundssons ended their affiliation with the Morrisites and lived in Utah County, Utah and Sacramento, California. In 1869, they moved to Draper, Utah Territory and were rebaptized into the LDS Church. In 1871, they moved to Lehi, Utah Territory.
Guðmundsson died in Logan, Utah Territory while living there temporarily with one of his stepsons. He was buried in Draper.
Born in Artun, Rangárvallasýsla, Iceland. He was christened a Lutheran.
In 1845, Guðmundsson moved to Denmark to study goldsmithing. In 1851, while living in Copenhagen, Guðmundsson heard LDS Church missionaries Peter O. Hansen and Erastus Snow preaching Mormonism. He was baptized into the LDS Church on Feb. 15,1851 by Hansen, and on Apr. 18,1851 he was given the Aaronic priesthood and ordained a teacher by Snow.
On May 21,1851, Guðmundsson travelled to Vestmannaeyjar to preach. Shortly thereafter, he went back to his hometown of Artun to preach, but found no one willing to listen to his message. Guðmundsson continued preaching in Iceland until July 1854. Eventually, he was given the Melchizedek priesthood by one of his missionary companion after which he baptized nine individuals into the LDS Church. On Jun. 19,1853, the first branch of the LDS Church in Iceland was established on Vestmannaeyjar, with Guðmundsson as branch president.
In Jul. 1854, Guðmundsson returned to Denmark to preach. He spent most of his time on Zealand and was imprisoned for preaching Mormonism in Kallundborg. He was released after seven weeks, but was immediately conscripted into the Danish army. After just over one year, Guðmundsson was released from military service due to ill health.
On Apr. 18,1857, Guðmundsson left Copenhagen on a ship bound for America. He arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in Utah Territory on Sep. 13,1857. While emigrating to Utah, Niels Garff, one of Guðmundsson's Danish converts, grew ill and died. Just prior to his death, Garff asked Guðmundsson if he would marry his wife after he had died. Guðmundsson agreed, and on Oct. 4,1857 Guðmundsson and Marie Garff were married in Salt Lake City. They had three sons together. After arriving in Utah, Guðmundsson began using Gudmund Gudmundson as an Anglicised form of his name.
In the early 1860s, Guðmundsson and his wife became involved with the Church of the Firstborn, a schismatic sect of Latter Day Saints led by Joseph Morris. They were excommunicated from the LDS Church, and Guðmundsson became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Morrisites. Guðmundsson was involved in the Morrisite War and was afterwards arrested and fined $100 for resisting arrest. He was later pardoned by territorial governor Stephen S. Harding.
Following the Morrisite War, the Guðmundssons ended their affiliation with the Morrisites and lived in Utah County, Utah and Sacramento, California. In 1869, they moved to Draper, Utah Territory and were rebaptized into the LDS Church. In 1871, they moved to Lehi, Utah Territory.
Guðmundsson died in Logan, Utah Territory while living there temporarily with one of his stepsons. He was buried in Draper.
Two young Icelanders, Thorarinn Haflidson Thorason, who was learning the trade of a cabinet-maker, and Gudmund Gudmundsen, a jewler's apprentice, were converted and baptized in the early part of 1851. They were returning to their native island in the spring, and desired with all their hearts to carry the glad tidings of the Gospel to their neighbors and kindred. President Erastus Snow ordained Brother Thorason, the more tacitern and of more of a religious nature of the two to the office of a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood, and Brother Gudmundsen to the office of a Teacher. They sailed for home happily in April, with instructions from President Snow to proceed with missionary work in Iceland at their every opportunity. Several believed the testimony of the two young men, and Brother Thorason baptized Benedikt Hanson and his wife, but was unable to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost. Now, the Icelandic authorities moved in, and prevented these brethren from holding public assemblies. There was no violence, and they were permitted to preach the Gospel in private to their hearts' content. But Brother Thorason's wife hardened her heart against the work, and burned his books. Brother Thorason was accidentally drowned while out in a fishing boat in December 1851. Brother Gudmundsen reported the sad news to President Snow, stating that there were two baptized, but unconfirmed members in Iceland, and he, a Teacher, could not even administer baptism to the twenty-four person who had requested it. Preisdent Snow regretted that he had not ordained both men to the Melchizedek Priesthood. Elder Peter O. Hansen immediatley volunteered to go to Iceland. But in applying for his passport, the officials discovered his purpose for going to Iceland, and his request was denied. Nearly two years passed before the Scandinavian Mission could send an Elder to Iceland to join in the work that Teacher Gudmunsen had carried forward alone. (Information obtained from Albert L. Zobell, Jr., Under the Midnight Sun, page 22-23.)∼Guðmundur Guðmundsson was his Icelandic name but it was often Anglicized to Gudmund Gudmundson. He was one of the first Icelanders to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was among the first Mormon missionaries to preach in Iceland.
Born in Artun, Rangárvallasýsla, Iceland. He was christened a Lutheran.
In 1845, Guðmundsson moved to Denmark to study goldsmithing. In 1851, while living in Copenhagen, Guðmundsson heard LDS Church missionaries Peter O. Hansen and Erastus Snow preaching Mormonism. He was baptized into the LDS Church on Feb. 15,1851 by Hansen, and on Apr. 18,1851 he was given the Aaronic priesthood and ordained a teacher by Snow.
On May 21,1851, Guðmundsson travelled to Vestmannaeyjar to preach. Shortly thereafter, he went back to his hometown of Artun to preach, but found no one willing to listen to his message. Guðmundsson continued preaching in Iceland until July 1854. Eventually, he was given the Melchizedek priesthood by one of his missionary companion after which he baptized nine individuals into the LDS Church. On Jun. 19,1853, the first branch of the LDS Church in Iceland was established on Vestmannaeyjar, with Guðmundsson as branch president.
In Jul. 1854, Guðmundsson returned to Denmark to preach. He spent most of his time on Zealand and was imprisoned for preaching Mormonism in Kallundborg. He was released after seven weeks, but was immediately conscripted into the Danish army. After just over one year, Guðmundsson was released from military service due to ill health.
On Apr. 18,1857, Guðmundsson left Copenhagen on a ship bound for America. He arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in Utah Territory on Sep. 13,1857. While emigrating to Utah, Niels Garff, one of Guðmundsson's Danish converts, grew ill and died. Just prior to his death, Garff asked Guðmundsson if he would marry his wife after he had died. Guðmundsson agreed, and on Oct. 4,1857 Guðmundsson and Marie Garff were married in Salt Lake City. They had three sons together. After arriving in Utah, Guðmundsson began using Gudmund Gudmundson as an Anglicised form of his name.
In the early 1860s, Guðmundsson and his wife became involved with the Church of the Firstborn, a schismatic sect of Latter Day Saints led by Joseph Morris. They were excommunicated from the LDS Church, and Guðmundsson became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Morrisites. Guðmundsson was involved in the Morrisite War and was afterwards arrested and fined $100 for resisting arrest. He was later pardoned by territorial governor Stephen S. Harding.
Following the Morrisite War, the Guðmundssons ended their affiliation with the Morrisites and lived in Utah County, Utah and Sacramento, California. In 1869, they moved to Draper, Utah Territory and were rebaptized into the LDS Church. In 1871, they moved to Lehi, Utah Territory.
Guðmundsson died in Logan, Utah Territory while living there temporarily with one of his stepsons. He was buried in Draper.
Born in Artun, Rangárvallasýsla, Iceland. He was christened a Lutheran.
In 1845, Guðmundsson moved to Denmark to study goldsmithing. In 1851, while living in Copenhagen, Guðmundsson heard LDS Church missionaries Peter O. Hansen and Erastus Snow preaching Mormonism. He was baptized into the LDS Church on Feb. 15,1851 by Hansen, and on Apr. 18,1851 he was given the Aaronic priesthood and ordained a teacher by Snow.
On May 21,1851, Guðmundsson travelled to Vestmannaeyjar to preach. Shortly thereafter, he went back to his hometown of Artun to preach, but found no one willing to listen to his message. Guðmundsson continued preaching in Iceland until July 1854. Eventually, he was given the Melchizedek priesthood by one of his missionary companion after which he baptized nine individuals into the LDS Church. On Jun. 19,1853, the first branch of the LDS Church in Iceland was established on Vestmannaeyjar, with Guðmundsson as branch president.
In Jul. 1854, Guðmundsson returned to Denmark to preach. He spent most of his time on Zealand and was imprisoned for preaching Mormonism in Kallundborg. He was released after seven weeks, but was immediately conscripted into the Danish army. After just over one year, Guðmundsson was released from military service due to ill health.
On Apr. 18,1857, Guðmundsson left Copenhagen on a ship bound for America. He arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in Utah Territory on Sep. 13,1857. While emigrating to Utah, Niels Garff, one of Guðmundsson's Danish converts, grew ill and died. Just prior to his death, Garff asked Guðmundsson if he would marry his wife after he had died. Guðmundsson agreed, and on Oct. 4,1857 Guðmundsson and Marie Garff were married in Salt Lake City. They had three sons together. After arriving in Utah, Guðmundsson began using Gudmund Gudmundson as an Anglicised form of his name.
In the early 1860s, Guðmundsson and his wife became involved with the Church of the Firstborn, a schismatic sect of Latter Day Saints led by Joseph Morris. They were excommunicated from the LDS Church, and Guðmundsson became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Morrisites. Guðmundsson was involved in the Morrisite War and was afterwards arrested and fined $100 for resisting arrest. He was later pardoned by territorial governor Stephen S. Harding.
Following the Morrisite War, the Guðmundssons ended their affiliation with the Morrisites and lived in Utah County, Utah and Sacramento, California. In 1869, they moved to Draper, Utah Territory and were rebaptized into the LDS Church. In 1871, they moved to Lehi, Utah Territory.
Guðmundsson died in Logan, Utah Territory while living there temporarily with one of his stepsons. He was buried in Draper.
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