Andrew Jenson, Assistant Church Historian, was one of the most prolific writers of LDS Church History. Born in Damgren, Denmark, he immigrated to Utah when he was fifteen years old. Because of his lack of training, his early life was spent in various manual labor occupations. None of these was satisfying to him; he longed for something better. He began compiling and writing Church history. In this he found much joy and happiness. His labors were soon recognized by the General Authorities of the LDS church, and he was permanently engaged as a historian in the Church historian's office. He was immediately sent on missions to all of the stakes, missions, and settlements of the Latter-day Saints throughout the world. From these world wide travels he was able to obtain and preserve valuable historical records for the Church. From this material he began to compile a history of all the wards, stakes, branches and missions of the church as well as a "Journal History" of the entire Church. At the time of his death, these manuscript histories totaled 850 large volumes.