An Interview with King Haakon

An Interview with King Haakon VII of Norway. BY JOHN HALVORSEN. [The average missionary of the Latter-day Saints has many ex- traordinary experiences during his missionary tour, but it seldom falls to the lot of any of them to stand in the palaces of kings. Our corre- spondent, however, has experienced this sensation, and his account of it, coming from his own pen, will prove of general interest. His Majesty the King of Norway, in showing the elders of the Latter-day Saints, and representatives of the people of Utah, such courtesy, has won the esteem and admiration of thousands of his countrymen in this land. Elder Halvorsen's account, under date of September 28, 1911, follows. — Editors.] Today is the beginning of the end of a most beautiful summer in this Northern country, dark and dreary the day, the rainy season having set in for good. But in rain the elders are sure of finding people at home, and make use of the time to con- tinue without interruption their house to house tracting and visiting. Our meetings are always well attended, four or five hundred every Wednesday and Sunday — half of whom are strangers. We are using all legitimate means at our com- mand to let the people know who we are, where we are, and what we teach. I have per- sonally been favored in the bringing of the plan of salva- tion, as taught by our great Teacher, Jesus Christ, to many people both in private and public life. Judge C. M. Neilsen, and John Halvorsen

INTERVIEW WITH KING HAAKON 147 In company with our friend Judge C. M. Neilsen, of Salt Lake City, who visited here, we had the opportunity, while enjoying the privilege of inspecting the penitentiaries of Christiania, tolay before the wardens many facts concerning the faith and practice of the Latter-day Saints. As vice-consul and acting consul for Norway, in Utah, we also sought and obtained an audience with King Haakon of Norway, at his palace (Akershus Slot), We presented ourselves at 10:30 a.m. being met in the most polite manner by the King's adjutant, Major Rye. Since his majesty was engaged when we entered, his adjutant soon had us conversing upon topics of the day. We waited about fifteen minutes, when my name was called, and the polite Major opened the door for me to enter. If my heart beat a little faster than usual, I was soon made to feel easier, for soon I was looking up into the smiling eyes of the king. He is a tall, athletic, hand- some man. What I appreciated most was the democracy of his manner. He made me feel at home at once. He led me over to a large table by which I was seated, after which the king also took a seat, facing me in an audience lasting for twenty-three minutes. The king at once began to question me in relation to American conditions, which reports said were not the very best. Asked about the importation of Norwegian goods into Utah, I took the opportunity of going into detail, not only relating to the grade of goods imported from Norway, but also about the conditions of the people of Utah. His interest naturally centered upon the Nor- wegians, and he expressed his pleasure on learning of their good social conditions, and told me twice to be sure to convey to them his greetings and good will. Judge Neilsen was later ushered into the royal office where he remained twenty minutes. The judge had the opportunity of dwelling on the religious side of the "Mormon" question. He spoke of the visits to Utah and the receptions accorded Erling Bjornson, Ronald Amundsen and Jansen-Fuhr, how the first two, through the press, had expressed their appreciation, and spoken of conditions as they found them; and, on the other hand, how Jansen-Fuhr for mercenary motives spoke falsely about a people in whose presence he had said nothing but praise. He explained to His Majesty, the impossibility of conditions there being as

148 IMPROVEMENT ERA unfavorable as this man Fuhr represented them to be. Utah is subject to the Constitution and laws of the United States. The federal officers there, as well as the local state prosecuting attorney, had sent letters which the judge had forwarded to the proper authorities in Norway, stating the facts as to the Latter-day Saints, as a people. These letters the King graciously admitted remembering. The Judge returned from the reception highly elated over the kindness accorded him, and then told me of an incident that happened while I was with the King, which I think is worth re- peating. A telephone inquiry from the press, asked who had audience with the king. The adjutant in waiting read the names in a loud voice of those who had been accorded interviews, and further stated that Vice-consul John Halvorsen, of Utah, was then with the king, and that Judge CM. Neilsen, of Utah, was next, etc. A couple of officers of high rank, anxiously waiting their turn, pricked up their ears, conversed quietly together, evidently marveling at the idea of letting General Blank and Admiral Ditto, wait forty- five minutes for the sake of two "Mormons." We left the palace with the feeling that the King of the Nor- wegians motto is "Justice and Liberty to All." If I am not asking for too much space, let me take this oppor- tunity to urge the Scandinavian parents in the Church to teach their children the language of their mother country. If they only knew what a great advantage it is to one sent on a mission to his mother country, to be able at once to converse with the people with whom he comes in contact, they would need no urging from any one to teach their children their mother tongue. Begin now, give your boys and girls the advantage which the knowledge of the language affords them in this the greatest of all schools, — a two- or three-year mission. Christiania, Norway.