Prairie Faith, Pioneering People  

A history of the Lutheran church in South Dakota, edited by Donald Sneen 1981.  In Chapter 1:  "Life in the New Land - 1859 - 1880:  The Scandinavian Experience", Doris Stensland wrote about the Norwegian Lutherans who first settled into the new Dakota Territory.

     A TRIBUTE TO THE PIONEERS

 

                                      Though they are gone, 

                                      these churches pointing 

                                      heavenward 

                                      speak on. 

                                      They testify of men 

                                      who had a love for God 

                                      and put Him first. 

                                      As Viking Abrahams 

                                      they came 

                                      across the prairie-land 

                                      with Sarahs by their sides. 

                                      They left the fjords 

                                      and mountain scenes behind. 

                                      Sodhouses sprouted on the plains 

                                      and from their meager stores 

                                      they sacrificed to build 

                                      a house 

                                       for Him. 

                                      Their dearest treasure 

                                      was His Word. 

                                      Though life was rough 

                                      and hardships fell, 

                                      they knelt and praised the Lord 

                                      they knew so well. 

                                      Today we still can hear their voice: 

                                                "We made our choice. 

                                                            For us and for our house, 

                                                            we served the Lord."  

                                      And then we stop and wonder..... 

                                      a hundred years yonder 

                                      will history say the same 

                                      for us? 

                                                                   Doris Stensland            

  

  

  

  

Moe Parish Pioneers

Compiled by a committee of the Moe Lutheran Parish, edited by Doris Stensland.  This booklet reflects a history of the Pioneers of the Lands, Romsdal and Trinity Lutheran Churches, rural Hudson, South Dakota.  Published in 1982.

 

  

Excerpt:    

DEDICATION

Pioneers, how can we forget you? 

We live in houses that you built 

We plow where you broke sod

We benefit from trees you planted long ago 

And we know Christ because you taught your children God. 

  

We lovingly dedicate this book to the pioneer people of Moe Parish who through their lives - with their dreams, their pains, their perseverance, their faith in God and their accomplishments - encourage and inspire us. 

  

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perserverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith."     Hebrews 12:1,2