Swen and Thilda Swenson

My great-great Grandfather, Swen Swenson, was born in Kristianstad Sweden in 1850. My great-great Grandmother Bothilda Pehrsson Swenson was born in Kristianstad, Sweden in 1848. They were married in 1873 (the picture above is them on their wedding day).

Swen became a schoolteacher, and my great-grandfather, Helge Vincent Swenson, was born while the family was living in the schoolhouse where Swen worked. Swen lost his teaching position after fifteen years, and the family was forced to find another home. They found a small cottage owned by a widow, who they later found to be a Mormon convert. It was through her that they met the missionaries.

When Mormon elders came to the Swenson's, they found them able to comprehend the glorious principles of the Gospel. The family treated the missionaries well whenever they came to their home. Here is an account written by Helge about the conversion of his mother:

"I still remember when the Mormon missionaries came to our home. Father seemed a little interested in their teaching, but mother was hesitant until one time when they came back to talk to father she went outside, and kneeling behind a lilac bush, she prayed that she might now if their message was from God. After that she never faltered but remained faithful and true to the gospel all her life."

In June of 1892, Swen and Thilda were baptized in a small lake near their home. The next evening three others were baptized, including my great-grandfather, Helge Swenson. Here is a brief record written by Helge of his own conversion:

"Father and Mother and my oldest sister had been baptized at the same place the night before. This night my brothers Orson and Dan and my sister Ada were going to be baptized, Father thought I was too young to understand the importance of such an sacred ordinance. As they were ready to leave, I said to one of the missionaries, 'If one is 8 years old and has faith, is one then not old enough to be baptized?' Brother Olof Monson the senior missionary said, 'You certainly are both old enough and ready for baptism', so mother had to go back into the house to find some clothes for me. (Swenson, 84-85)

Over the next two-and-a-half years, each member of the family (except for Swen, who went on a mission for the church), traveled to Utah and settled in Pleasant Grove. They made great sacrifices to earn money for the trip, including selling furniture, borrowing money, and selling Thilda's gold watch and earrings. (My Life and Loves, by Calvin Helge Swenson, pg. 5-8)