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Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in national events in Norway to honor the 200th anniversary of the historic 1825 voyage of the sloop 'Restauration.' This event marks a significant milestone for both Norway and the Church, as many early Norwegian emigrants played crucial roles in its history.
The celebrations included local genealogical events sponsored by Church members and participation in national festivities. The 'Crossings 200' initiative pays tribute to the departure of the sloop 'Restauration' from Stavanger, Norway, on July 4, 1825.
A series of year-long commemorative events culminated in a national celebration in Stavanger on July 4, 2025. Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja attended the event, bidding farewell to a replica of the sloop 'Restauration,' which is retracing its original journey to New York with an expected arrival in October.
Several passengers from the original voyage eventually settled in Fox River, Illinois. In 1842, they helped establish the first non-English-speaking congregation in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' history. This small Norwegian-speaking branch marked the beginning of a legacy among Norwegian immigrants. Many Latter-day Saints today trace their ancestry back to these pioneers who left Norway to help establish the Church in North America during the mid-19th century.
On July 3, Church members hosted a gathering at their local meetinghouse with FamilySearch. This event brought together local members and descendants from the United States to honor early pioneers' resilience. Vidar Top, chairing the Church’s committee for this anniversary, stated: “Gathering with descendants of those early emigrants was really special. Hearing their stories and knowing how much faith and courage it took to leave everything behind reminded me why family history is so important."
Joanna Bjerga represented the Church at a service attended by Their Majesties at Stavanger Cathedral on July 4. She expressed: “It was an honour to represent the Church at the cathedral service with the King and Queen... This anniversary means a lot to us; it’s a chance to remember our ancestors' bravery and faith."
The Church also participated in exhibitions at Stavanger Concert Hall sharing historical connections through displays and personal stories. James Perry commented: “The voyage of 'Restauration' marks a defining moment... It’s a pleasure marking this anniversary and remembering this remarkable heritage.”
Currently, there are over 4,500 members of The Church in Norway. Plans for building a new temple were announced by President Russell M. Nelson in April 2021.
FamilySearch launched an interactive website as part of Crossings 200 inviting exploration into lives connected with original emigrants known as "Sloopers." The platform provides access to Norwegian records enabling people worldwide to connect with their heritage.
