Family Facts

This plaque is attached to the outside of the Gävle Branch church building in Gävle, Sweden.  It tells the story of the church's beginnings in Sweden.  In June 1850, John E. Forsgren from Utah came to Sweden as the 1st missionary.  He came to his birthplace, Gävle, Sweden, and baptized his brother, Peter A. Forsgren on July 26, 1850, the 1st convert in Scandinavia to the restored church.  The Gävle Branch was organized with 21 members on August 7, 1850.  During the years 1850 - 1930, there were 19,147 people baptized in Sweden.  Of that number, 8,545 immigrated to Utah.