Michelle Graabek-Wallace (PhD, European University Institute) is a historian at the Church History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She serves as the Chair of the Global Mormon Studies Network and the Global Outreach Chair for the Mormon History Association. Her academic research focuses on global history, gender, migration, and transnational religious history, with a particular emphasis on Scandinavian cultural identity within Latter-day Saint history.

I wanted to speak with Michelle to discuss her extensive research into global Church history and the fascinating, unique story of Danish Latter-day Saint converts during the 19th and 20th centuries. We explore the massive social, political, and religious shifts that opened the doors to the first missionaries in Denmark, the incredible logistics of the Scandinavian pioneer trek to Utah, and the complex journey of preserving cultural identity while embracing a global faith.

Some highlights from this episode include:
Denmark's Religious Freedom Awakening: Michelle explains how the political transition to a constitutional monarchy in 1849 paved the way for religious freedom, and how early friction with a local Baptist congregation inadvertently opened the doors for the first Latter-day Saint missionaries in 1850.

The Translators of the Book of Mormon: A look behind the scenes at the surprisingly rapid 1851 translation of the Book of Mormon into Danish—the very first foreign language publication of the book. Michelle highlights the collaborative but occasionally tense relationship between sailor Peter O. Hansen and language teacher Miss Mathisen.

Social Equality and Persecution: A deep dive into the demographics of early Danish converts, who were predominantly working-class craftspeople and rural farmers drawn to the gospel's message of social equality. Michelle shares a poignant, extreme historical account of the heavy social ostracization, job loss, and legal battles faced by early converts.

The "Brain Drain" and the Swedish Rebellion: A discussion on how the massive wave of emigration to Utah created a leadership "brain drain" back in Denmark, and a humorous look at the "Swedish Rebellion" in Salt Lake City, sparked by Swedish Saints who grew tired of being lumped into a generalized "Scandinavian" identity dominated by Danish culture.

World War II Isolation: A look at how the evacuation of American missionaries in 1939 forced the Danish Saints to become completely self-sufficient and financially independent for the very first time during the Nazi occupation.

You can find more of Michelle’s body of work at the following links:

• Our Inspired Constitutions
  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2023/10/united-states-and-canada-section/04-our-inspired-constitutions?lang=eng
• Michelle Graabek-Wallace ORCID Academic Profile
  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6008-1154
• Global Mormon Studies Steering Committee
  https://gms.spencergreenhalgh.com/about-gms/steering-committee/
• Mormon History Association Board Members
  https://mormonhistoryassociation.org/about-us/mha-board-members/

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For All The Saints podcast was established in 2023 by Ben Hancock to express his passion and desire for more dialogue around faith, religious belief, and believers' perspectives on the topics of our day. Tune into For All The Saints every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.

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