May 26, 1920: For the benefit of my children I will write a short history of my life.

I was born on the 24th day of September, 1835, in the town of Vestbirk Skanderborg, Amt Denmark. My parents did make their living by farming; they were God fearing members of the Lutheran Church, in which I was educated and confirmed when I was fourteen and one half years old. My desire was to live a godly life. My father's name was Jeppe Iverson; my mother's name was Annie Agorstine Mortensen. My oldest brother was Andrew, the next Martin. I have three sisters, Elsa Marie, Carolina Christena, and Elisabeth Catherine.

For, a few years. I was hired out to farmers in our neighborhood herding stock etc. In March, 1854, we for the first time heard the restored gospel preached by missionaries of the (nick named) Mormon Church. We did embrace it, except my brother Andrew. I was baptized the 1st day of April, 1854, and the following November I was ordained a Teacher and with a partner sent out to perform missionary labor as Christ did send His disciples formerly. So were we without purse or script. We met a variety of people, held many meetings, and helped a few into the folds of Christ by baptism.

In March, 1857, we got arrested at Skjernbra, and held, there in prison for nine months. Finally, we did appeal to the Danish government and then got immediately released. In 1859, we were again imprisoned, but just for five days. The food we got was just. dark bread and water. While in prison we did study the English language.

In the spring of 1859 I was released from missionary labor that I might emigrate to Zion. I was advised to take a sister with me Annie D. Nisson, the last one I had baptized. Did agree with me. We were married the 17th day of April on the Atlantic Ocean, by Elder R. F. Neilson, captain of our company. Twelve more couples were married that same day. Our company was about 900 souls. We had a pleasant trip over the ocean on the sailing vessel by the name of Tapscot.

Over land we went with ox team. My father met us at Salt Lake City. We located at Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete County. I started farming and did build a small house. On the 30th day of October, 1860, my wife became mother of a baby girl. We gave her the name of Annie Kerstine Elizabeth.

In the fall of 1861, we, and many others, moved to Dixie in Southern Utah a warmer climate for to grow cotton for clothing directed by President Brigham Young. I did help to build the factory at Washington.

A song I enclose:

We had located at Washington, did grow cotton etc. The 12th of November, 1862, my wife became mother of one more girl. That birth influenced me with esteemed joy and I gave her a. corresponding name, Jubiltine.

On the 5th day of December, 1864, we were added with another girl and did name her Musser Cine, for to remember Bishop Musser his kindness in helping me with grain as was so scarce at that time in Dixie. On the 18th day of August, 1867, came the fourth girl in our family; did name her Fourth Tilda.

The climate about Washington was very pressing and hot on me, that it caused me to move up near the Pine Valley Mountain. I did buy a farm there of a widow, Mrs. Clark. A pleasant climate. I had two more children born, a son and a daughter. Did name them Hans P. His birthday was the 31 day of December, 1869. The girl's birthday was the 29th of November, 1872.

The Temple at St. George was starting .progress. I did help some with stone cutting and with other means.

In the fall of 1874, while in the field at work or in bed at night I felt prompted that I again should go to missionary labor. By letter I did inform President Brigham Young of my feeling and then I was at ease. On the 25th day of March, 1875 by Bishop T. J. John from President Brigham Young I got a telegram that I was selected to start on a Mission to Skandinavia soon after April Conference. I regulated my home affairs the best I could. My wife was in delicate circumstances, and with tears in her eyes, I bade her and our children goodbye.

On the 1st day of April, 1875, I did present myself to P. B. Young, and he directed me to Apostle Orson Pratt to be set apart for my Mission. He did ordain me a Seventy. Father Brown, an old man and a Patriarch, sitting in his chair. I told him I was on my way to do missionary work, and I did wish him to give me a blessing. He took me by the hand and said; "Brother Iverson, you. will be blessed on your Mission." I did appreciate the short blessing; but it was rich. In a few days did come together quite a number; some for England, for Ireland,, and Skandinavia, and we had a pleasant trip over land and sea. At the mission office in Copenhagen, Denmark, we were given timely advice by President C. G. Lansen to consider a noble duty in leaving f amily and home for to bring souls to our Redeemer, etc.

My appointed field for labor was the Aalberg Conference. Here I met the Conference President, P. 0. Hansen. I told him my humble desire, but felt my keen weakness and wished to renew my covenants. He said, "Truly the water and Priesthood is for your service, etc.

For a few days I had a partner with me till I got some acquainted with saints and investigators. I just had money to take me to my field of labor and from then on, at the Savior's word I went without purse or script. I did find noble souls longing for heavenly Truth. Oh, how sweet to feed the "Bread of Life!" That joy excels all joy to bring souls to the fold of Christ.

I got a letter from my wife that she had a son born on the 30th of June, 1875, and did name him Jeppe Andrew. Now her Patriarchal Blessing was filled that she would be mother to sons and daughters!

On my way to the City of Fredericia, at night, I had a dream. I stood by the side of a big, dirty, swollen river. On the opposite side I did see two white birds, so white as they had been cleansed from all earthly dirt. Soon one of them started out as intending to cross the river, but got about half way when it was overcome. It did sink and I did see it drowned. Then the other one started like the first did in the dirty water, but did return and got back to the land, but how miserable it did look. The following day I got to the city and did inquire how a man was who lived in the branch. Was getting along all right, was the answer, except two young sisters. They don't come to the meetings, but go the streets of nights with sailors, etc. I did my best to get to see them, but the one kept entirely hid from me. The other did acknowledge her mistake and really promised to do better, and she did. I did consider the interpretation to my dream. How white when complied with the Baptism of our Redeemer, and how dirty when turning to the world again as the pig to its wallow.

I will relate a pleasant healing. I and Elder K. M. Brown did visit an old sister, Mattie Marie Peterson. She had helped herself on two crutches for more than three years. She did ask us to administer to her that she might be free from the crutches. She said that she had fasted and prayed that God would help her. We complied with her request, and she did walk without the crutches in her future days. She did ask me to hold meetings in her house and let her show the people. It made such an impression that in a few months' time thirty-three souls did join the Church by baptism.

I did get a letter from Hans in Stole, whom I did baptize in 1858 wanting me to make a visit. The distance was more than 200 miles, and for me, a hard trip. But one day in my missionary travels a miller said to me, "If any would go into Germany, I could give a free ticket, for I ship fat hogs there." I did take his offer with thankfulness.

While at Brother Hans' a heavenly voice said to me that his granddaughter, Dora Evers, shall be my wife. I asked God to overrule for the outcome.

I was soon at my labor and did help scores into the Fold of Christ by baptism. Did bless many little children, did marry three couples, held many meetings and had sweet joy in my labor. But sorrow I also felt. A letter from my wife at home told me that three of our children had passed away by a sickness that prevailed among children. Yet I did hold it patiently, as God giveth and taketh at His own good will.

In the spring of 1877 I was released to return home. At our last meeting about three hundred people were in the hall, and as I stood and talked to the congregation for the last time in the land of my birth, a penetrating voice from on high said to me, "Take her home with you to be your wife" and my mind was directed to the one it meant.

As soon as I took my seat my meditation was, "How can I comply with that command?" But the prompting said, "Don't hesitate." Then I did ask her to go home with me and she did agree. She then went and told her parents, and they got soon rejoiced and said, "Why did you not tell us about that when we met at Sunday Meeting?" She answered, "Because I did not know it then." They asked, "And who will take you with?"

She replied, "Brother Iverson." Her father said, "Get ready and we will go with you to the ship tomorrow."

On we went, about 800 emigrants; we had a pleasant journey over sea and land. I will add that I was asked to take some money for Brother Neilson with me home and use it on the trip if I needed to. Thereby a way did open up so I could pay the fare for my intended wife. I also took a boy, Peter Swenson Graco and a girl, Mina Jensen with me. But how I did hesitate on the whole journey, for I had not mentioned to Dora Evers that I was told by a heavenly voice that she should be my wife. But just an hour before coming to Salt Lake City, I did ask her to go with me home, and she consented. But yet more on the trip I felt heavy laden and my prayer was to high heaven for help, that my wife at home might consent, as I had, to the principle of plural marriage.

And oh, how sweet, when ease come from above about two miles from Washington and the heavenly voice said to me in these very words, "All will be well with your home. Amen." Did follow my inner heart. On the 10th day of August, 1877 I and my wife and Juliana J. D. Christensen went to the St. George Temple and Juliana was married and sealed to me, and Sister of my wife who is dead was also sealed to me. On the 10th day of January, 1878. I again went to the Temple and Sister Dora Evers was sealed and married to me.

I feel to relate the promise made to me by Orson Pratt, Apostle, and Patriarch Brown, that I would be blessed on my Mission and return satisfied. Indeed, I enjoyed the fulfillment thereof. I did feed many hungry souls the bread of life, which to me sweeter than any other labor. I led through the watery grave into the fold of Christ, seventy eight souls. I did bless many children and did marry three couples that had lived without marriage before they did comply with the Gospel of Christ. Necessary means came into my hands when needed, and the addition in my family circle for everlasting.

But a contrast did also follow. I went off into exile trying to escape imprisonment. Our Government did pass a law against plural marriage. I did go to San Louie Valley in Colorado where I did farm, etc. for about one and one-half years. But after my return, I had to go to prison for six months, and while there, I did herd cows, did some whitewashing, etc.

On the 31st of January, 1889 I had a dream. I did see a pretty valley with springs and grain fields, etc., but I could not locate where it was. About eleven months after, at a Conference in St. George as Bishop Bunker was asked to report his ward, it came to me as a flash of lightning that I should go and see that place. And to my satisfaction it was the second vision of my dream.

I did move there with my wife Juliana, as I did see her with me there in my dream. And a while after did there move also with Dora Evers my wife. There I employed myself with farming, mason work, etc. My wives bore to me each seven children.

I sometimes wonder why I did come to Littlefield, and I get the answer that my children would not have got acquainted with their pleasant partners if I had not have complied with my dream.

I will enclose a song:

I am healthy and well for my age, do a little work in the garden, etc. The wife of my youth is more feeble. She is with our daughter Cenia Hall, who has no children. She is well cared for. My children are located quite far from me except my son, Wallace, who I let have my farm, and I and his mother, Dora, here get our living. My wife, Johannah, like best to be with her children who are located at Mt. Trumbull, Arizona. My children is all married except for one son, Levi. My children, grandchildren and great grandchildren now number about one hundred souls.

Ruins of Hans Peter's house in Littlefield

I will enclose some losses by the Virgin River by floods. In January, 1910, a house, costing about $1,020.00, a granary with a about 100 bushels of wheat, land, about $100.00 worth of furniture. Two wagons, two lots with fruit trees and grape vines. Land and all lots went with the stream, etc. About $300.00 loss for this. One house was left about eight feet from the river, so I had to pull it down as soon as the floods passed.

I started to build across the river on the farm. In but one and one-half years we were again comfortably located. But we feel the loss of fruit and the inconvenience to cross the river to the post office, school, etc. My sons and daughters is mostly married and left home, and I get more feeble. Some past eighty years old. I did give each of my wives a house and lot at Washington. If I do pass away first. My son Wallace I left my farm and he lets me have all my needs in my last days, and my wife Dora, his mother, do all needed waiting for me, etc.

End