author
Anthon L. (Anthon Lornsen) Skanchy
1839–1914
A Norwegian-born Latter-day Saint pioneer and missionary, he left behind a vivid firsthand account of faith, hardship, and travel in the 19th century. His memoir offers a personal window into missionary work in Scandinavia and early Mormon life in Utah.
1 Audiobook
Anthon L. Skanchy : a brief autobiographical sketch of the missionary labors of a valiant soldier for Christ
by Anthon L. (Anthon Lornsen) Skanchy
About the author
Born in Trondhjem, Norway, on September 17, 1839, Anthon Lornsen Skanchy wrote an autobiographical account centered on his religious life and missionary service. His book was published in 1915, shortly after his death in 1914, and was translated and edited by John A. Widtsoe.
Skanchy is closely associated with the missionary work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scandinavia. Records from the Church History Biographical Database identify him as Anthon Lorenzo Skanchy and connect him with the Scandinavian Mission, where he appears in both individual and group historical photographs.
What makes his writing especially interesting is its personal angle. Rather than giving a distant overview, he tells his own story—beginning with his childhood in Norway and continuing through conversion, travel, and service—so modern readers get both a life story and a firsthand glimpse of a religious movement spreading across countries in the 1800s.