"No mistake" Richard L. Jensen, Church News (date?) His arrival as a missionary from America was a jarring experience for 57yearold Christian Lybbert. When he stepped off the ship in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 1892, he found no one from the mission office there to meet him. Unable to communicate in Dutch, he was finally able to find a ride to mission headquarters by simply showing the driver the written address. In the following weeks Elder Lybbert became discouraged with his slowness in learning the language. When Joseph F. Smith, a counselor in the First Presidency, set him apart for his mission he had blessed him that he should "regain" his "mother tongue." That had seemed hopeful enough, although Danish was his native language. He would go wherever the Lord sent him. Now, however, in the face of these difficulties, he reasoned that sending him to Holland must have been a tragic mistake. How could he "regain" Dutch? Timothy Mets, mission president, seemed unconcerned, insisting that Elder Lybbert was making normal progress with the language. But under persistent prodding he agreed to bring the matter up with Brigham Young Jr., European Mission president, who was soon to visit the Netherlands. Pres. Young told the missionary, one of only five serving in the Netherlands, that he was needed there. There was an air of finality about that, and Lybbert worried himself no longer about the idea that his call had been bungled. Five months after his arrival in the Netherlands, Elder Lybbert was assigned to supervise missionary and member activities throughout a large section of Holland, with headquarters at Arnhem. A week after his arrival there he preached his first major sermon in Dutch, which lasted more than an hour. "The promise of President Joseph F. Smith's," he wrote, "had more than bin fulfilled." After completing his mission Elder Lybbert was given a bonus: a threemonth call to his native Denmark. But in retrospect the highlight was his service in the Netherlands. He wrote "The hapiest time of my life was my mission to Holland, after I had learned the language suficient so I could take part in missionary labor." (Another in a series on Church history produced by the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History. Drawing by Deseret News artist Reed McGregor.)
From missionary journal
Words from a Missionary Journal
This copy of a hand written Biographical document, written by C.F.B. Lybbert was found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Archives, by Debbie (Lybbert) Kerkes while doing research for a genealogy class offered by Brigham Young University. Thinking it was some of the other information that the family already had she postponed sending for it until this year. (fifteen years latter) A copy of this document will be available at our next family reunion.
In the process of reviewing this document we felt fortunate in obtaining it, for it clears up several misconceived family memoirs.
We have spent many hours going over this document (as you will) evaluating it’s contents, finding clues it may contain for future research.
We also felt inspired to leave the spelling of each word in their original form. His penmanship in the original document is profoundly great for an emigrant giving a closer insight to his personality and culture.
By C.F.B. Lybbert
Being solicited to give a short Biographical sketch of my history, life, and labors, primarilly since the time I joined the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I here with sumit the following.
I was born Novb 6th 1834 at Flade Horns Herred, Hjorring Amt, Aalborg Stift Danmark. Parents Names Joacim Frederik Lybbert - Margrethe Elsebethe Wilhelmine Evart, My Boyhood was a constant varation of pleasent and unpleasent experiences, owing to the facts, that my Father and Mother seperated a short time after I was born. I was the last and only one living of four children, my two Brothers and one Sister had died over fife years priviously. I recieved as fair an education as the common school in Danmark afforded. I had from childhood an religious inclination so as to prepare miself for the life hereafter. Bible reading was introduced in the schools in Danmark, and I reflected much upon the life and workings of Jesus and his apostels.
When finaly hearing about a people called Mormons, whoms doctrines & practices was much ridiculed, it made the impression upon me to sincerely praying to the Lord if it was his people, that I might become one of them whatsoever the consequences may be my prayer was answered when on the 28 day of March 1854 I was baptized by Jacob Julander in Limfjorden pr Norre Sundy [Sundby].
An insert (He served his mission in different places in the Aalborg conference for over two years, during which time he was arrested and imprisoned twice)
I continued my labors as blacksmith untill June 6th 1854 two months & 8 days later, when I was ordained a Teacher, and sent with Jens Gotfredsen as a missionary to Randers where a brance of the church had alredy bin organized. we labored in the around the town untill the 19th same month were Elder J. Gotfridsen concluded that on the account of buisey times amongst the farmers, but little at present could be acomplised, and hence took our departure and arrived in Aalborg on the 24 of June 1854. President J. Larsen at ones apointed me to acompany him to Nyakjobing, Mors . where a meeting had bin apointed. I labored a short time in that naborhood in acordance with the wish of Pre J. Larsen, and returned to Aalborg Aug. 5th.- the 6th of August was Conference. I was then again called to go to Ren Aalborg and arrived in Randers Aug 12th, we labored in and around Randers for considerable distant, visisted several towns, alayed considerable prejudices, distributed a number of tratcts and books, and baptized a number: I was kept laboring in that mission for 2 1/2 year had several partners, to wit: P. Poulsen, E. G. Eriksens, Jens Perersen, and finaly labored without partner. I was twice arrested for the gospels sake each time a few days, the first time in company with P. Poulsen, second time with E. G. Eriksen. The arest was made both times by the order of a District Judge at Hamel. In the course of time, I was ordained Priest and after that Elder on the 11th of Feb 1855 by Elder E. G. Ericksen. I had also successfully introduced the gospel to my mother whom was anisiated into the church July 1th 1854. I also hunted up my father whom we had not heard from for years, he was varry pleased to see me, and was inclined to receive the gospel, but accidently died without baptism while was ingaged as a missionary, I was also apointed Clerk of deferent department of the church, especially for pastor, P. C. Madsen, & President C. D Fjelsted when I finely had to suport my Mother. I was apointed to District teacher.
In the spring of 1859, I was called out to serve my country as a Soldier, and remained and served in that capacity in Kobenhagen for four years in which time I also was ingaged in the church as Clerk of Conference and Branch, and also senior teacher of a district as well as member of the [choir]. I suffered quite a little persecution from officer and men alike about 6 months, after which I injoyed the greates of fredom and respect from all. I preached the gospel unreservingly at any giving uppertunity and have later seen frught [fruit] from my labor, as atleast [at least] one family an old comrate have met me in Utah . While in Kobenhagen I married Marry Anderson from Kynby on the 15th of June1862, We started with the Emigration for Utah and left Kobenhagen May 4th 1865 arrive at New York June 15th 1865, went with oxteam across the plains, had an incounter with the Indians wherein several was wounded, and one sister Gruntvig to away from us; We arrived in Salt Lake City on the 8th day of Novb. 65, we had our indowments Marc 10th 1866, and I received a second wife Antonette M. Olsen, I was inrolled in the Nauvo Legion was on gard with the Lion House, went to North Ogden on the 13th of Sept 1866, got established there as blacksmith, and not withstanding vary imperfect in the english launguage, I was soon apointed by Elder Henry Hornes as one of his ward teachers;
I Union Paccific R.R. when the road was compledted I went with family to Springcity Sanpite Co, ingaged blacksmithing, and in the Church labored as teacher.
In the fall of 1870, I moved with my family to Levan Juab Co. where I continued blacksmithing, was apointed a ward teacher and in due time apointed Ward Clerk, I was also apointed to labor in the sunday school as teacher of the theological class, was apointed first Ass. Spt. and upon the supretendent moved away, I acted Supt. of the school for some time, I was twice elected constible of the pricinct and ones Justice of the Peace, but for the later I did not qualify, Iwas also installed watermaster for one year. In the fall of 1882 we moved to Ashley Valley the following spring located in what is now Merrel Ward, at the first organisation of the Ward, I was apointed ward Clerk, have also labored exstensibly as a ward teacher and at on time as Prd. of the Quorm, my labor was also conected with the Merrell Ward sunday school, and for some years was its Spt., I was such when I in the later part of Sepb. 1892 recieved a letter form Box B. notifying me I was wanted for a mission to Europe, I left home Apr 14th 1892 arrived in Springville on the 19th . visited my wifes reletives in Utah Co. etc. arrived in salt Lake City May 2nd put up at Sister H. A. Hardys place 330 N, Third, West Str., May 5 I was set apart for my mission to Netherland, by Prd Jos.F. Smith, May 7th I boarded the train made a quaintance with a number of brothern assined missions in diferent parts of Euruope, we arrived in New York May 11th, we put up as pr prior arrangements by Br. Spence at the Cosmepolitan hotel, we visited a number of places of note the following day, May 13th we went on board the Steamship Arizona, 6:30 on the morning of may 14th, our voyage across the great Alantic, comensed 19 missionaries onboard.
We arrived in Quinstown May 22, at Liverpool May 23rd. 1892. I started for Rotherdam Holland. May 24th was [misscaried] to Grimsby by mistake of the officers incharge, following day arrived at March, went back to second station (Spalding) where I boarded the steamer for Holland 10 O'clock we and arived May 26th, 92. I procured a guide whom tock me to the Latter Day Saints missions headquaters N. 120 Isaac Hubert Strait, where I was kindly received by Prd. F. Metz and A. L. Farrell, I had however no more joy than I needed for miself when I landed in Rotterdam non of the Brethern met to recieve me, I was truly a stranger in a staranger land, amoungst strange people, I did not know what to do, or where to go they did not understand me, niether could I understand them, I toke the address which I had procured at Liverpool, out of my pocket read it alowed to some of them nearest to me, but they did not understand my way of pronouncation, put when I showed the writing that settled it, and several offered me there servis, I selected my man and on we went baggeds and all, I remained in the office at Rotterdam to study the language, I felt descureged I told Prd.F. Metz I thought it was inconsistent to keep me there doing nothing and that I never could learn the lanuage, He said that I was doing fine, bether than the others whom had to learn the language. I did not think so, I remembered the promishes of Prd. Jos. F. Smith that I should regain my mother tounge, but regain? I never know the Hollands lanuage, it was shurely a mistake to send me to Holland, I insisted and pleaded with Prd. F. Metz til finely he promished to lay my case before Prd. B. Young whom he expected to Holland in two or three months, after a months stay in Rotterdam, I was send to Amsterdam as a companion to J. W. Hyde. We were then all told five missionaries in Holland, I continued my studies in due time apostel Brig. Young came but Prd.F.Metz did not lay my case before him, before I reminded him, then Prd. B. Young insted of asking me, he asked Prd. F. Metz how I was getting along, Prd. F. Metz said I was doing fine, then Prd. B. Young turned to me saying, well Brd. Lybbert, I can not see who we can spare you from the Hollands mission, that was the final dissision, and I was at least set at rest, and in the first part Oct = 92 Prd. F. Metz toke his departure for home, had bin released, and A. L. Farrell became Prdt. of the mission, two brethren E. Nyteboom and B. Jansen and boeth native of Holland had arrived, E. Nyateboom was retained at the office at Rotterdam, and B. Jansen apointed to take my plase, while I was apointed as traveling Elder to visit all the schatered brances out side of Amsterdam & Rotterdam with headquarters at [Ainhem], my apointment came Oct 9th 92 harly 5 months after my arrival in Holland, I was to start for my new field Oct 22; While in Amsterdam I had made a number of friends had made several atempt to speak in the Hollands lanuage intrested miself in the sunday school, made a few chages, Br. J. W. Hyde and meself, had also the plasure of assisting a number by baptism into the fold of Christ.
In accordance with apointment I toke Boat for Devanter Oct 22 arrived 7: O'clock pm B. Jansen was there to receive me. I acompaned Br. B. Jansen on his visits amongst his relitives and former friends, held sev Devanter Oct 27, and arrived same afternoon, in Arnhim at 3:00 was received by Br. P. Pain at the Station.
Sunday Oct 30th 1892, I preached my first real discourse in that language and occopied a little over one hour, the promish of Prd Jos. F. Smiths had more than bin fulfilled..
I labored in that part of the Hollandike mission alone for about 7 months, traveled considerable at times, the mission extended about 130 miles and included a number of Saints located in 12 diferent towns.
Sunday Novb. 20th I organized the first sunday school of the church in Arnhim, ordained H. Pestorius priest and set him apart Supt of the school, I ordained Jos. Bart teacher and set him apart a help to the Spt., I also set apart Sister Bloom as a teacher in the suday school.
Prd. A. L. Farrell was relesed with prevelige of returning home and on July 14th 1893, I received an apointment from Edwin Bennion,( whom had bin apointed president of the mission) to go and preside over the brance at Amsterdam, and elder R. N. Hill whom had bin my companion about 2 months was to remain in Arnhim, and elder B. Jansen was apointed to Groningen and Seddeturin, after taking R.N. Hill around and introduced him in the district set apart for him. I toke my departure from the Saints in Arnham July 25th
In the time I had labored in that part of the mission there were 25 new members added to the church and at least 14 children blessed, and a number of friends gained and some varry meraculus healings toke place.
I arrived in Amsterdam the same evening and toke charge of my new appointed feild. I was given as a compaion Elder Hatfield we labored in and around Amsterdam, had varry good succes, a number of baptisms, and a number of friends was made to the church, some meraculus healings toke place, and thousens Evangelis van Christus inserted in de hielbode a paper with a circulation of 20,000 examplarer reshing all over Hollend.
I received the prevelige of making a trip to Danmark, before my return home, and was pratically relieved of the responsiblity of presedent over the branch at Amsterdam on Dec 24th 1893 and elder J. R. Judd apointed to take my place, I left Amsterdam on the 25th and in acompany with a number of missionaries destained for the Scandinavien mission, we arrived in Kobenhagen, Danmark Dec, 27th 1893.
I labored in the Kobenhagen Conference awhile, and at the same time hunted up my wifes relatives, and geneologies, and finely was duly apointed to labor in -Aalborg Conference, as to have an opportunity to visit amoungst my own relations.
Jan 22nd 1894 I left Kobenhagen, and arrived in Aalborg on the 23rd sumitted myself to Prd. Hans P Hansen, I toke part in anything required to be don, at the same time attended to my own business, and found a number of relitives, I traveled extensibly and made a number of friends.
April 4th 1894 I received letter from Prd. Carlguist & apostle A. H. Lund, notifiing me of my finenal relief as a missionary, with the prevelige of returning home, over Holland , ready to leave Liverpool Apr 28th. I finely rished home June 11th 1894 .
I have since that time bin ingaged as Ward Clerk occusionally as ward teacher, attinding to duties connected with the 97th Quorum of the Seventies, where I have held the possision as one of the Presidenc for a number of years, and of later years, as the sinior.
Respectfully yours,
C.F.B. Lybbert
P.S. Dear Brethren the hapiest time of my Life was my mission to Holland, after I had learned the Language suficient so I could take part in missionary labor, hines exchuse me for dwelling so lengty on that time. I have tried to cut every event of my life short but I am satisfied & have made a ------ even after the second atempt my highest ambition now is a second trip to Holland, as quick as my financial sircomstances will alow it, and not with standing my somewhat advansed age.
Please cut short the above to soot convinences.
Yours C. F. B. L.
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