Love Our Missionaries: 150 Days in Denmark

Written by Elder Kolby Madsen, currently serving in the Denmark Copenhagen Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Danish.

Hey Mom,

Well, thank you for the updates. Yeah, those poor missionaries can’t even stay and talk because they are so busy and have appointments ever hour (he's referring to the missionaries who came over for a cook-out on Labor Day). I remember those days in California. I honestly don’t miss it too bad because I didn't feel like I got to connect with the members (of our congregation) as much as I do here. But you have struggles in every mission. They are all different.

This week we had a pretty good week. We got another less active member to come to church. She had to leave right after Sacrament Meeting because she had a knee surgery last week, and I completely understand how that goes. We found her a ride to church and home right after Sacrament, so that was a way good thing.

We also had some really good appointments with Camilla. She came with us to a baptism, which was way good. That leads me to what happened this week.

So, the Sister missionaries got a referral my first week in the land from this family in Idaho. The referral told them that there was a girl named Emilie who lived with them for a year on a foreign exchange program. So while Emilie was in the States for her senior year of high school, and living with the wonderful family, part of the program was the student had to go to the church of the host family to pick up on the culture. The family was LDS (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sometimes abbreviated "LDS" for Latter-day Saints).

So Emilie was going to church every week and really living the life of a Mormon. Now, with the foreign exchange program, they are not allowed to convert or get baptized. So she had to wait until she went home.

Emilie came home to Denmark and started meeting with the Sisters. She knew everything already, having been reading in the scriptures every day for a year. So the Sisters were working with her, really trying to get her to the next step, and they found out that she was having a difficult time talking with her parents about the church. Although she is 18 years old, she still wanted her parents to be on board. But she was way nervous, so she asked Elder Hansen and I to give her a blessing. We did give her a blessing and she was told many great things. She was told to do those things that she needs to do, that she knows are true.

Four days later she talked to her parents, and set a baptismal date for September 6, three weeks in the future. As time went on, she was really preparing to be baptized, and she got her family to come to the service. It was way fun. One of the best baptismal services I have seen. Very well done. Elder Hansen and I were able to attend, and she asked Elder Hansen to confirm her a member of the church. He did a great job. It was a great week. Her family has invited, not only the Sisters, but us to eat at their house next week. We are kind of nervous, but know the Lord will help us in all things, and really help us know what to say.

I know this church is true, just like the family in Idaho being missionaries and really helping others. That family did their duty as members of the church by telling those around them about their church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They shared what they have, and this is what comes from it. Another daughter into the fold, and set up for her family to follow her example. The church is true, through and through. I know that, and this is just another witness of it.

I love you and want you to know that missionary work is for the WHOLE CHURCH, not just us missionaries. It’s a church wide calling.

Med Kærlig Hilsen

Ældste Madsen

Bomb Dinner and Danish Roots (September 2, 2013)

Menace to Society?! Nah... :) (September 16, 2013)