Elder Jepsen - At the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah

From the left at the Copenhagen International Airport: Returned Missionary and oldest brother Paul, Elder Jepsen, Returned Missionary (Paul's wife) and now Elder Jepsen's sister, Brittany. 

It's only a few weeks ago that my US visa was approved and I left from the Copenhagen Airport for the Missionary Training Center (MTC). Although I officially already was a missionary and my journey from Copenhagen to Provo, Utah basically was a really long transfer, I still had the benefit of a send-off with good friends and family at the airport. My good brother Paul and his wonderful wife Brittany who I call my sister, not "Sister-in-law" as it somehow seems to me like less than a sister. Brittany treats me like a brother and I am blessed to have her as a sister. 


Paul and Brittany unselfishly gave me a place to stay for a portion of the time, when I had to work in Copenhagen to save up for my mission. After being called and set apart as a missionary but still waiting for my US visa to be completed, I managed to serve as a missionary in that same area where Paul and Brittany live and once again be in the same congregation that I had attended while staying with them. I count that little experience as a bonus blessing on top of all the other blessing I have already experienced on  my mission.


Arriving safely at the MTC and trying to learn as much as possible in as short a time as possible has made for some very hectic few weeks but paying attention now can seriously help me later. The MTC is an amazing and effectively run place, each Wednesday several hundred missionaries arrive and they're leaving just as fast, off to their missions. It all happens faster than one could imagine but never at a rate as to diminish the experience. I love it here but soon I must go on to what I have really been preparing for all along, the  mission I was called to do!


A mission only lasts a mere two years and it's my best chance for showing the Lord my appreciation for the many blessings He's allowed me through the gospel. By sharing the message of hope that has helped me in so many areas of life already, I'm taking my own understanding of that same gospel to a whole new level and while the primary focus of a mission is to serve God and our fellow beings, I continually seem to benefit more than anybody.


President Gordon B Hinckley stated that: 
"If you serve a mission faithfully and well, you will be a better husband, you will be a better father, you will be a better student, a better worker in your chosen vocation. Love is of the essence of this missionary work. Selflessness is of its very nature. Self-discipline is its requirement. Prayer opens its reservoir of power. 


It's overwhelming how my own efforts in serving the Lord has an effect similar to that of a boomerang but in a multiplied force. I get back more than I give but this is not to suggest that missionary work is effortless, that it's not hard work and that I don't get tired. To serve a mission  according to your own conscience is without a doubt hard work but well worth it.


Elder Russell M. Nelson said, referring to the Doctrine & Covenants, 63:33 :
"As the work expands at a rate that many have described as "unbelievable," we should recall a remarkable admonition given by the Lord through the Prophet Joseph Smith on 11 September 1831 to the elders of the Church assembled at the Morley Farm near Kirtland, Ohio. There the Master simply said: "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great." 


Because of my US visa delays I am already a few months into my mission, yet it's only just beginning as I'll soon be to heading for Washington.


Love you all,


Elder Jepsen

Elder Jepsen - Opening Our Hearts to the Spirit

This will probably be my last email before I leave for the US. Soon I'll be in the Provo Utah Missionary Training Center (MTC). Although I feel like I've learned a lot already I know I have a long way to go. I have a firm belief in God and I enjoy reading the scriptures but I have a lot to learn about being a missionary and I'm so very much looking forward to the next step in my experience. 

The single biggest thing I have learned is that ultimately I need to not get in the way of people experiencing the whisperings of the Spirit for themselves. I can tell them about it, I can share my experiences of learning from or through the Spirit or I can ask people to read about it but they all have to choose and open their hearts to the Spirit. Anyone who decides to humble themselves  before God by accepting Jesus the Christ as their mediator and Savior and seeking the directions of Holy Ghost in their lives are already well on their way to find the peace and balance in their lives that I try to teach through the gospel. It's not us the missionaries, who are teaching these people but rather the Spirit. I suppose our task is more to facilitate. 

It's been an unusual situation to serve as a missionary here in Aalborg where years ago my sister served a mini-mission that turned into so much more than a mini-mission before she was done. I hope she's not drowning in books and studies these days and has enough time to still take a little time out for herself with her birthday coming up. Back then we didn't know many people anywhere in Denmark having all just arrived to the country. I now know many of the other youths in the church here and it's a strange feeling suddenly being a missionary with all my friends around. It actually seems that I have an unusually large concentration of friends here in Aalborg.

It has been very strange to whitewash yet another area (we call it a whitewash when two missionaries are moved into an area at the same time). Like all the other missionaries in this mission, Elder Harms has been to the MTC, I haven't but we've both been in the field for the same time and somehow that raises the expectations to me a little. I now have to carry my share of responsibilities, occasionally take the lead and there is a great deal to be learned from that experience. I am however, enjoying it very much. 

We are not the only Elders in Aalborg and that makes everything a little easier, as we sometimes split off and work with other Elders here. They know their way around town a little more and that's a lot of help as neither Elder Harms or I know much about the area.

Being all new in the area, we don't have anyone to teach yet but that should soon change. We have met with many good people and there is lots of good potential for teaching.

Being on a mission and teaching the gospel is a great experience and I am grateful to be here. If you had not made the choices to open your hearts to Spirit in your lives and given me a direction and an example to follow, my situation might have been quite different at this point and I might have been without this experience. Instead, I have the example of you and my sister and brothers to follow. Thank you. 

Love you,

Elder Jepsen

The Denmark Copenhagen Mission

President Jens H Andersen and Sister Susanne D C Andersen  

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, missionary work naturally becomes a significant factor as the members want others to share in what has brought about changes in their own lives, for the better. According to 2010 statistics the church had 14,131,467 members around the world and included in that number was 52,483 missionaries distributed in 340 missions around the world. A great portion of those numbers can be attributed to missionaries serving on missions.


The Denmark Copenhagen Mission traces its humble beginning back to when Denmark in 1849 was allowed religious freedom. Missionary work officially began on June 14 1850, when Erastus Snow arrived and began serving as Denmark's first missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.


Less than two months after the arrival of Erastus Snow the first 15 people were baptized on August 12 in Oresund (the strait separating Denmark and Sweden). The first congregation was established September 15 that same year with approximately 50 members.


Peter O. Hansen had already begun translating the Book of Mormon in Nauvoo before departing for Denmark, allowing the completion and publishing already in 1851. Known as "Mormons Bog," this was the first translation from English to a foreign language of the Book of Mormon .


As missionary work spread through Denmark, persecution increased. The church was not understood or appreciated by all, in Aalborg a mob vandalized a hall where the members were meeting in 1851. Soon members began to emigrate, the first left January 31, 1852. Of the 26.000 people who were converted during this period, 13.984 converts immigrated to the United States by 1930. 


Today the Denmark Copenhagen Mission serves the areas of Denmark, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Most of the currently 72 (Dec 2011) missionaries are in the ares of Denmark and Iceland. Occasionally missionaries get to visit or are stationed on Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

The Denmark Copenhagen Mission President Jens Hjarup Andersen and Sister Susanne Duus Christensen Andersen, of the Allerod Ward, Copenhagen Denmark Stake, began their mission back in 2010 and will be serving until 2013. Their family includes five children.

President Andersen was born in Helleruplund, Denmark, to Poul Borge and Kirsten Hjarup Andersen. He has in the past served as a Stake President, Stake Young Men President, Bishop and Counselor, Stake Mission President, Ward Mission Leader, missionary in the England Bristol Mission and as Coordinator in the Church Educational System.


Sister Andersen was born in in Helleruplund, Denmark  to Karl Johan Duus and Elisabeth Conradsen Christensen. She has in the past served as a Relief Society President's Counselor, Young Women President and Counselor, Primary president's Counselor and Young Women's  President's counsellor.


Sources:
Denmark Copenhagen Mission
Translation Division, Copenhagen Denmark
Deseret News Church Almanac
http://www.mormon.dk/
http://newsroom.lds.org/
http://lds.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missionary_(LDS_Church)

Copenhagen Denmark Temple

Copenhagen Denmark Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

The long awaited temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Copenhagen, Denmark was announced on March 17, 1999 to be a re-modelling of the Priorvej Chapel originally dedicated for use on June 14, 1931.

The Copenhagen Denmark Temple site was dedicated April 24, 1999, by Elder Spencer J. Condie of the Seventy and President of the Europe North Area.

Upon completion of the extensive re-modelling, the Copenhagen Denmark Temple was dedicated March 23, 2004 by President Gordon B. Hinckley and the temple district includes the following stakes and district:

Aarhus Stake, Denmark

Copenhagen Stake, Denmark

Goteborg Stake, Sweden

Malmo Stake, Sweden

Iceland District

The temple floor area is approximately 25,000 square feet contained in a dimension of  45 feet by 120 feet and is located on a site of less than one acre near the center of the older part of Copenhagen. 


The original Priorvej Chapel was the oldest, still standing chapel from the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ in Denmark. Upgrading such a landmark by re-modelling it to be  the first temple of the church in Denmark had to be done with great care. Upon completion, the end result only heightened its status further with the local members. The careful re-modelling kept the neo-classical style of the meetinghouse with its original brick and columns, thereby respecting the early history of the church in Denmark, the many memories and associations of the local members, from when the temple was still a chapel.

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 103: I Too Am Going On a Mission!

I was supposed to be in Provo, Utah, getting ready to enter the Missionary Training Center in preparation to serve my mission. That was the plan but these are the facts: I am not in the MTC, I am not in Provo, Utah and I am not even in the States. 


I am getting ready to go and get set apart to serve in the Copenhagen Denmark Mission, where I did much of my growing up. The processing of my visa was delayed, just like it happened to my brother Lee but I will be off for the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah at a later date. 


I look up to the many missionaries I have met through my youth. I have observed their unselfish service, they're great examples to me and I have a lot to live up to! I must admit that I am a little stressed about now going to be one myself but for now I am off to serve a mission and that's what matters to me. By the time you read this, I'll be a missionary serving somewhere in Denmark and I can use all the prayers I can get.


It may seem anticlimactic to some but what makes a mission great is not about new places and experiences, adventure and travel to distant countries and cultures. It's about service to God and service to your fellowman. The Book of Mormon has stated it much clearer than I can in Mosiah 2:17:


"When Ye Are in the Service
 of Your Fellow Beings Ye Are Only in the 
Service of Your God"


I am excited to go on a mission and regardless of where this might be in the world it's still a mission, because this is not about me. This is about helping others find strength and peace in God as I have. This is about making God accessible to others and God matters to everyone, everywhere. People everywhere can benefit from the peace in our hearts that come with the Lord's blessings. David A. Bednar, An apostle of the Lord stated God's gifts to include strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving kindnesses, support and spiritual gifts which we receive from, because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Here at the time of year when many thoughts and activities are focused on Christmas are those not gifts worth receiving?


I believe that God is the same today as he was yesterday or a thousand years ago. Ergo, it's important to me to be be a member of a church of the same organizational structure that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. I believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly and I also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.


My Mom and Dad both served full-time missions and Stake missions, my sister served a long mini-mission and both my brothers served full-time missions. I appreciate their examples as I look up to my family but I am not going on a mission just because they did. I chose to prepare for and go on a mission because I want to and because I believe it's my responsibility to share what I have been given. Yet I could not just go on a mission on my own accord. To be a missionary, preach the gospel  and administer the ordinances of the gospel I had to be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority.


I was called and next I will be set apart by those in authority to do so. I chose to accept this challenge and go on a mission because I believe in God, the Eternal Father, in His Son, Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost. I believe that we all are responsible for our choices in life, good and bad but that God's mercy allows us access to His peace, redemption and forgiveness. I believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.


We can find forgiveness, strength, peace and redemption in God. The terms, principles and ordinances of His gospel are not at all difficult: First, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost and that's what I'll be teaching on my mission.

Flag of Denmark "Dannebrog" and the Danish Coat of Arms

Flag of Denmark "Dannebrog" by Per Palmkvist Knudsen

The legend states the origin of the flag to the Battle of Lyndanisse, also known as the Battle of Valdemar (Danish: "Volmerslaget"), near Lyndanisse (Tallinn) in Estonia, on June 15, 1219.


The battle was going badly, and defeat seemed imminent. But then, right when the Danes were about to give up, the flag fell from heaven. Grasping the flag before it could ever touch the ground, the king took it in his hand, and proudly waved it in front of his discouraged troops, giving them hope, and leading them to victory.


The myth is clear. The flag, Dannebrog, was given to the Danes from God himself, and from that day forward, it was the flag of Denmark, and the Danish kings.

Dannebrog falling from the sky during the Battle of Lyndanisse, June 15, 1219. Painted by Christian August Lorentzen in 1809. Original located at Statens Museum for Kunst, Denmark

No historical record supports this legend. The first record of the legend dates from more than 300 years after the campaign, and the first record connects the legend to a much smaller battle, though still in Estonia; the battle of Fellin (Viljandi) in 1208. Though no historical support exists for the flag story in the Fellin battle either, it is not difficult to understand how a small and unknown place is replaced with the much grander battle of Reval from the Estonia campaign of King Valdemar II.


This story originates from two written sources from the early 16th century:

The first is found in Christiern Pedersen's "Danske Krønike", which is a sequel to Saxo’s Gesta Danorum, written 1520 – 23. It is not mentioned in connection to the campaign of King Valdemar II in Estonia, but in connection with a campaign in Russia. He also mentions that this flag, falling from the sky during the Russian campaign of King Valdemar II, is the very same flag that King Eric of Pomerania took with him when he left the country in 1440 after being deposed as King.


The second source is the writing of the Franciscan monk Petrus Olai (Peder Olsen) of Roskilde, from 1527. This record describes a battle in 1208 near a place called "Felin" during the Estonia campaign of King Valdemar II. The Danes were all but defeated when a lamb-skin banner depicting a white cross falls from the sky and miraculously leads to a Danish victory. In another record by Petrus Olai called "Danmarks Tolv Herligheder" (Twelve Splendours of Denmark), in splendour number nine, the same story is re-told almost to the word; however, a paragraph has been inserted correcting the year to 1219.


Whether or not these records describe a truly old oral story in existence at that time, or a 16th century invented story, is not currently determined.


Some historians believe that the story by Petrus Olai refers to a source from the first half of the 15th century, making this the oldest reference to the falling flag.


It is believed that the name of the capital of Estonia, Tallinn, came into existence after the battle. It is derived from "Taani linn", meaning "Danish town" in Estonian. (According to Wikipedia)

The Danish Coat of Arms - First documented in the 1190s, modified 1819

Minnesota Minneapolis Mission Update

May 13, 2009 (while serving in the Copenhagen Denmark Mission)
The Mission Dept. in Frankfurt dealing with visa processing just received two approvals for cases that were submitted by SLC in early March. They expect an approval for Elder Jepsen (Lee) to come through by the end of this month since his latest and revised application was submitted early in April. In their estimation he should be able to make the new MTC entry date of June 16, 2009. They are pretty sure of this and will have the package sent to the Mission office directly in due time with revised instructions.




Blog reader's comment:

August 27, 2010

I wanted to let you know that Elder Jepsen is one of my most favorite companions. It was a huge blessing being able to serve with him, and I'm very glad he was my companion at the end of my mission. Elder Jepsen's patience, love, and kindness were greatly appreciated. He is a diligent, positive, and hard working missionary. Thank you for raising him and preparing  him to go on his mission. I could tell he loved you guys.

As for me and what I'm up to now that I'm home... I'm planning on going to BYU-Idaho next month. I've dated a little bit (but no one serious), dried apricots from the tree in our yard, played with my little brothers and my nice and nephew, counted people in sacrament meeting (I'm the singles ward statistical clerk), gone to family reunions, got a Utah Learners Permit, still bike everywhere (including Provo Canyon for fun and exercise) and love going to Institute.

Tell Elder Jepsen Hi for me.

Love,
Caleb Noffsinger

January 14, 2011

I just returned from my mission in Minneapolis. I was in the MTC with Elder Jepsen, I think I met him his first day there. I only served near him once in the field though, the transfer he trained an Elder from Finland. He is an extraordinary missionary, and is well respected and loved by his fellow missionaries and by the people of Minnesota. Thanks so much for sending him on a mission, he was a great example to me.

-Martha Harper

NEWS UPDATE - Jan 15, 2011 (while serving in the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission)
Elder Jepsen (scheduled to return home on March 30, 2011) transferred to a new area and his new mailing address is:

Elder Jepsen

18 Walnut St. #205

Farmington, MN, 55024 
USA

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 019 - Last Week in the Copenhagen Denmark Mission

I don't have much to tell this time around. Life is all goood in good old Fredericia, but there is not a lot of time to get the last bit of work done. Time does fly and I had hoped to accomplish so much more.

I hope you all are well at home. I love you all! Soon I'll be the one to fly, I'm going to the MTC! Woooooohoooooo!

I happened to see the blog, great! Thank you for all the work you do on that blog, it could seem that an unexpected record of my mission is developing from my correspondance. That is so cool, kudos to you Dad! I should send more pictures ;)

Our mission president has allowed Paul and Jen to come say goodbye at the Copenhagen Airport.

Take care! Love y'all!

Elder Jepsen

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 018

Oh, do I have exciting news for you. Well... guess where I just got my last transfer to???

I didn't see this coming or find it easy to comprehend. I sincerely thought that I would stay in Alleroed Ward until my departure for the MTC. Life (maybe especially mission transfers) just can't be predicted by mere mortals. My last two small weeks as a Danish missionary would be spent in... Fredericia. Surprise!

View Larger Map

For those that do not know this. We (my family and I) used to live in Fredericia. We would go for walks and sometimes bring our barbeque out on Trelde Klint (top right corner of map) and had a lot of walks in the Trelde Forest.

With my brother Eric visiting his old friend Rasmus (in our old home town, Fredericia) for the week-end, we were actually both in the same town and that's just a bit crazy...

After the shock settled and I began to come to my senses late Friday evening I began to see the sense in this transfer. Of all the places I could have gone if I didn't stay in Allerød, the Lord chose to send me to Fredericia. I think I have some purpose here yet unknown to me. But I have very little time and I have to move fast if I have to accomplish something, start something or stir a heart. I feel strongly that there is something here that is specifically my task, important for me to get done. I have some things in mind, but I need to submit myself to a lot of prayer to be led by the Spirit in this area. I already know that this is the place that I have to be. It feels right but I also feel that this is going to be a special experience.

The Lord has much in store for me, and I know he's preparing me for something. I just wish I knew what (I might have to ask Him more specifically). I guess that all I can do is have faith and prepare for when He is ready to tell me. I was told the other day that I had a huge amount of faith, by my companion. He said it in the context of that I know that the Lord has a plan with all of us, and that I trust in his wisdom in His plan with me.

Whatever I encounter, I know that the Lord is there, somewhere behind the stage, calling the cues and pulling the strings giving me a fair chance for making good choices. I have given this a lot of thought and I do believe this. I know that my Father in heaven loves me and that he has prepared this for me. I know that it will work out, because He is walking beside me all the way, and if He can be bothered with little me then I can walk the extra mile as long as He is by my side.

Time flies, when I get to the MTC I will have been a missionary for four months already, going on five. When I finally get to Minnesota I will be celebrating my six month mark just a month after I arrive. Woohoo! Haha, life is great!

I have to head off. We have stuff to do and people to see. I love you all!

Next week will be my last email before I enter the MTC! (I'll have that letter off to the Bishop within the next couple days. With the days just whipping by it's hard to find time, even to write ín my journal) I know it's important, and I should work harder on getting in done. If you see the Bishop, would please just update him and confirm if all is in running order? There isn't much I can say or do otherwise. If there anything else that my other mission sends me just forward it or show it to the Bishop. I can't do much from where I am. Thanks for all that you've done so far.

Love you all!

Ældste Jepsen

Elder Jepsen - Real Missionary Food (NOT)

Look Mom, we don't just eat "Kraft Dinner" we eat healthy food. . .

Ooops. . .

Well, we will try to be healthy tomorrow.

Elder Jepsen - Seriously Silly Seriousness

I am terribly aware that I in my photos only have been depicting the moments of silly, goofy fun and intend to do my best to correct the matter.

When we actively pursue the good cause of missionary work there is no time or place for pictures and that is as it should be. In the remaining time we try to fit in as much fun as possible between cleaning the apartment, doing the laundry and cleaning behind our ears. Such an intense focus on documenting our silly moments could give cause to the misconception that silly, goofy fun is all we do. This is not so and I will seriously make an attempt at rectifying the matter of imbalance.

The following should give evidence that we not only can be very much serious even in the best of company (that is one of Denmark's past kings behind us, even he removed his hat and that is serious). My companion has for the purpose of illustrating the point transmogrified into a cast lion symbolising our serious, noble and unwavering dedication).

To further show that we indeed do serious missionary work and in a most unbiased fashion try to share our message with all, we have included one of our more quiet and less responsive teaching moments.

It doesn't look like much but she was the only one of our teaching moments that had no objections to being photographed in a teaching situation (well truth be told, she is the only one we asked if she would mind have her picture taken).

PS: On a more serious note, Edmund Burke once said that "All that is essential for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

So let's stop this silliness and all seriously do something and do our best at doing so, even with all the odds against us.

Elder Jepsen - Tivoli

Here we are for our district activity at the main entrance of Tivoli for a great day of good fun.

View Larger Map

Elder Jepsen - Elders behind the wheel

Missionary work (or is that just when an Elder is behind the wheel) can also be scary at times!

I am the one in the picture with my mouth open.

Elder Jepsen Mission News - Visa Issues are RESOLVED!

YES! YES! YES!

My visa IS in order. I WILL be leaving Denmark July 27th (in the morning) to attend the MTC for three weeks (I will finally have a chance at learning how to behave on a mission), after which I am off to Minnesota Minneapolis Mission. Please pass this on to Paul as rumours tell me that he currently isn't much in the know.

Love y'all

Elder Jepsen

If God wants it so, nothing is impossible.

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 017 - Off to Tivoli

I don't have much time to write today. We're heading off to our district activity of having FUN in Tivoli (FYI for the non-Danes: except for "Dyrehavsbakken" or "Bakken" (1583), Tivoli (1843) is the oldest amusement park in the world) as district activity and for our prep-day really soon. GREAT FUN!

I actually knew about Eric's encounter with the Giant Hogweed before I heard through your email. Sorry to hear about his case of photodermatitis, what a mess! I was at the American Embassy taking care of some business (visa) where I met Astrid Frederiksen right outside, she was sporting a nicely "painted" face and a fancy blue umbrella having to avoid the sun at all costs (I hope you're doing the same Eric?). She was apparently at the same event where they had this service project of removing Giant Hogweed (without sufficient protection and proper instruction for all the participants). Astrid told me that you had a good laugh over it and that sounds like you. Her description of your experience made me laugh too (sorry for any discomfort cause by the experience).

Love you all! The Church Is true!

Elder Jepsen