Facts and Statistics

Missionaries arrived in Copenhagen in June 1850, and baptized the first convert in August. Within two months the missionaries baptized 15 people and established both a congregation and mission headquarters in Copenhagen. Other congregations were established throughout Denmark. Despite Church growth, heavy persecution raged against members, and in 1851, a mob vandalized the meeting hall in Aalborg where Church members met.

The first converts to emigrate to the United States left in January 1852. Of about 26,000 people who were converted during this early period, some 14,000 converts immigrated to the United States by 1930. In April 1920, the Danish Mission was organized. Many members served missions and attended the Swiss Temple after it was dedicated in 1955. In 1973, a religious education program was organized in Denmark to educate youth on religious subjects and to prepare them for future leadership positions. The first stake (diocese) in Denmark was organized in Copenhagen in 1974.

The statue titled “Kristina” was presented to the city of Copenhagen by Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve on 6 July 2000. The statue represented the early members who emigrated from Denmark to America. The Copenhagen Denmark Temple open house began on 27 April 2004 and continued through 15 May 2004.

Church President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Copenhagen Denmark Temple on Sunday, 23 May 2004. On 30 April 2005, L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve and local Church leaders joined with Danish government and civic leaders in Copenhagen for an evening designed to renew ties between Denmark and the Church.

The first Church-sponsored walk-a-thon and health fair was held in Copenhagen 1 September 2007. All proceeds collected were donated to the Danish Red Cross. On 6 September 2014 a special priesthood meeting with Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was held in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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Lars Paulsen

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