The Big Event

We are going to attempt to report on the wonderful event that took place on Sunday. We were all praying for good weather the night before. And as it rained on our 2 hour drive North from Oslo to Hamar we were a bit nervous. A few of us attended the branch in Hamar. They generally have about 20 people at their meetings. This Sunday they had 80 people attend. It was a wonderful service. They meet on the top floor of this building...


It was a very spiritual fast and testimony meeting. There were members and non-members alike at the meeting. Among the local leaders who attended were the mission president and the stake president with their wives. A couple of us attended the Lutheran church that is located at the emigrant museum.





After the church meetings we all met at the Emigration Museum. It started to rain quite hard there. But we were able to all fit inside - barely.




Knut, the museum director spoke a few times to the group re: the exhibit they have put together to explain the "story behind the statue" including the Mormons, the handcart pioneers, and the emigration of Norwegians.



As we prepared to go outside for the unveiling the sun came out and it turned out to be beautiful weather for the remainder of the day.

A very talented band from Oslo played, Allen and Knut both spoke, and the very talented Veslemoy sang. Hopefully in a couple of days we can add some of the video to this blog for you to experience.




It was indeed a memorable day. The locals and members were so kind to us and welcoming. We were able to have a nice luncheon afterwards. Veslemoy sang again to us, and this time the acoustics in the room were absolutely incredible.
The director, Knut spoke again to us. His director spoke, and the mayor of the county we were in also spoke to us. It was really special. I felt Grandpa Knaphus' spirit there as we gazed upon this meaningful statue in his land of origin, with all of these people representing the many others who will have a chance to see this work and ask questions about the emigration of Norwegians to be with other Latter-Day Saints in America.