1. Denmark To America

Hans Jasperson was born Hans Jesper Jensen on August 5, 1843 to Jens Mickarl and Ane Marie Hansen Jespersen in Sellerup, Gaverslund, Vejle, Denmark. He was the third of six children born to the family, and would soon become the oldest surviving son.

Jens was a blacksmith and farmer by trade. As a child, Hans recalls sitting in his father's shop and pulling a string attached to the bellows in an attempt to help his father. He would later learn to make horseshoe nails and bricks.

Their life was undoubtedly very simple and included hard work, church worship (probably in a Protestant faith) and learning the trade and traditions of their father. They also met with heartache when the oldest son, Mads, died in 1849.

Just before Christmas in 1852, Jens met some Mormon missionaries and invited them to teach his family. Ane was skeptical at first, having heard of this religion, and being comfortable in her own church she records she never felt she would ever "hear anything about Mormonism". The Spirit of God soon worked on both parents and they decided to be baptized in early 1853.

Their baptism did not only mean a change of religious worship, but also a change of residence. Converts in those days were usually asked to sell their homes and come to Utah to join with the saints and contribute to the cause of Zion. Jens and Ane soon sold their farm and shop, and made all the necessary preparations to immigrate to Utah. On December 11, 1853 they left their home and made the "tiresome journey" to Copenhagen, then Liverpool, England in order to board the ship Benjamin Adams and sail to America. Their company was led by Hans Peter Olsen.

While waiting in England, the youngest son, Hans Madsen, died. Hans recalls that Liverpool was "a very dark smokey place." Relief did not come as they boarded the ship on January 26th. Ane was sick almost the whole way, as were many others in the large company of immigrants. Tragedy struck again as the next youngest son, Mads (there were two sons named Mads), died and was buried at sea.

The ship finally arrived at New Orleans, Louisiana on March 22d. They must now travel up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, Missouri where they will begin the overland journey. It is in St. Louis that the final tragedy strikes. Many in the immigrant company contract cholera and there are several deaths, one of them is Jens. After suffering for 3 days with excruciating stomach pains, Jens died and is buried without a coffin on the banks of the Missouri River. Ane herself becomes sick. The severity of her illness, along with her heartbreak makes the other immigrants believe that she will die. Mette, the oldest daughter, cannot bear the thought of becoming an orphan so she climbs into bed with her mother expecting to become sick and die as well. Hans is left alone to care for his younger brother Yern. They too become sick, though to a lesser degree. Miraculously all four of them survive to continue their journey.

Ane remarks, "“It was very trying times for me and the children that was left, but the Lord gave me the strength to go through everything for his names sake with patience. I recognize the Lords hand in everything and I know that everything will go good for everyone that loves the Lord. The trip across the desert was tiresome, we were a family of seven when we left Denmark and now we were four.”

Before leaving Denmark, Jens had arranged to pay the way for another young man to immigrate. His name is not known, but he became a great help to the family by driving one of their wagons. Hans also drove the wagon occasionally, though he was only 11 years old. Although their funds were low, Ane was known for her financial generosity to the other immigrants, even though she lost many cattle and suffered loss or damage of property on the way.

They finally arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah in October, 1854. Hans remembers seeing a man with a load of pumpkins. He did not know any English, but he pointed to a pumpkin so the man gave it to him. The company is sent to live in Sanpete County at Fort Ephraim. On the way, one of the oxen died so they divided it among the company and cooked the meat along with the pumpkin. It was one of the best meals they had since leaving Denmark. Arriving in Fort Ephraim, they lived with another family in a home built along the fort walls. The home was only 14'x12'.

Their journey shows the dedication of many LDS converts who were willing to travel to a strange land, suffer hardships that included loss of family members, and end up living in poverty, all for the good of Zion and the conviction of their religious beliefs. I can only imagine how much they must have felt the Holy Spirit bearing witness of the truth in order to make such great sacrifices with no guarantee or earthly wealth or comfort. They looked forward to a heavenly reward, and while on earth were borne up by the fellowship of the saints and the light of truth. No matter what religion you follow, you cannot help but admire the pioneer's example.