Anthon Lund was born in Denmark in 1844. He joined the
Church in 1856 and emigrated in 1862. He married and had nine children; and
returned to his native Denmark to serve as mission president. In 1889 he was
ordained an apostle, then returned to Europe from 1893 to 1896 to preside over
the European mission. He died in 1921. This story was shared during a sermon at
his funeral:
"Brother Lund had on one occasion obtained permission to hold
a meeting in a town where it had hitherto been impossible to make an opening.
The meeting was appointed for the next Sunday; and in company with a couple of
Elders, Brother Lund went there. On entering the town they were warned not to
go to the meeting, as the mob would disturb the meeting, and they had given the
blacksmith, the bully of several parishes, all the liquor he would drink in
order to get him to pound the "Mormon" Elders. They thanked their
informant, but said they must honor their appointment.
They found the house full of people and great numbers
outside that could not get in. The meeting was opened, and in stalked the
blacksmith. Brother Lund said when he saw him, he thought he was a very Polyphemus
[the great Cyclops in Greek legend]. He had only one eye, a sinister look, and
fists like sledge hammers. They prayed earnestly that God would overrule the
plans of the wicked.
The advent of the blacksmith was the signal for disturbing
the meeting and some commenced calling the Elders liars, etc. The blacksmith
arose to his feet when he heard the interruptions, and slowly eyeing the
audience he said: "I want you all to understand that these are men of God,
and they speak his word pure and simple. If any one again interrupts them he
shall feel the weight of this," showing his large fist.
The crowd did not know what this meant; he had drunk their
liquor and promised to thrash the Elders; he must be joking. A loudmouthed
fellow commenced again calling the Elders opprobrious names, when the
blacksmith elbowed his way through the dense crowd, and taking hold of the
disturber he threw him out of the door.
This settled it. For two hours the Elders preached to the
congregation and the one-eyed giant stood guard as a policeman; but as soon as
the meeting was dismissed, he seemed to realize that he was on the wrong side,
and he commenced to be ugly and wanted to quarrel with the brethren, but they
got away as quickly as possible. Brother Lund was the last to leave, and he
heard those behind say to those in front of him, "Give him a diff!"
But Brother Lund nodded politely to the crowd as he passed through and got away
unhurt.
Some of those present have since come to Utah and have
informed Brother Lund that even the man who opened his house for the meeting
was in the conspiracy against the Elders. The Elders felt that their prayers
were heard in an almost miraculous manner."
(J. M. Sjodahl, "Memorial Address at Funeral Services
of Anthon H. Lund," pp. 12-13)
Compiled and written by David Kenison
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