G. Parker Dykes Converted Hearers in Denmark through the Holy Ghost

Arriving in Aalborg, Denmark, on October 10, 1850, Elder G. Parker Dykes faced immediate challenges, living in poor and filthy conditions while beginning his ministry. As he preached the restoration of the Gospel, he faced intense opposition from Lutheran priests and local Baptists. A mob, incited by opposition to his work, once surrounded his lodging, breaking windows and damaging the roof, but Dykes remained unharmed. When summoned before the Mayor, Dykes successfully defended his rights according to the law; however, the Mayor forbade public meetings until the Danish government could be consulted. During this three-month forced hiatus from public gatherings, Dykes labored from house to house. His efforts drew significant attention and success, ultimately leading to the establishment of an Aalborg Branch with ninety-one baptized members, including one elder, three teachers, and one deacon. Despite persistent efforts by Baptist leaders like Mr. Kobner to use anti-Mormon literature and public debates to discredit him, Dykes consistently relied on the Spirit and scriptural proof to defend his message, often turning these encounters into opportunities for testimony. Following official intervention from the minister in Copenhagen, Dykes eventually regained the liberty to hold public meetings, continuing his service until he departed for Schleswig in May 1851.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

I arrived in Aalborg, Oct. 10, 1850, and found the people in a state of religious excitement, and the priests very busy in warning their flocks against the 'Mormons.' I took a room, and commenced preaching the gospel. The priests and Baptists soon began to rage, and the mob was incited to break my windows, and tear off the tiles of my roof, but the Lord protected me. I was summoned before the Mayor, and had to defend my rights, which I did by the laws of the land; but the Mayor forbade me to hold any more public meetings, until he could hear from the government at Copenhagen. I was thus shut out from public speaking for three months, during which time I labored from house to house, and the Lord blessed my labors, and I baptized ninety-one persons, and organized a branch of the Church, consisting of one Elder, three Teachers, and one Deacon. I was then permitted to hold public meetings again, and continued my labors until May, 1851, when I left for Schleswig.