Hans Henry Petersen

Who was Hans Henry Petersen?

Hans Henry Petersen was a Latter-day Saint hymnwriter. His most notable work is the hymn "Secret Prayer".

Petersen was born near the town of Slagelse in Denmark. He was raised as a Lutheran. His early years were spent working on a farm, as an apprentice weaver and then in a grist mill. In June 1853, Petersen and his father were baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 1857, Petersen was asked to be an LDS Church missionary in Denmark. He was branch president at Svenstrup and later district president in Copenhagen. In 1862, Petersen emigrated to the United States along with his parents and five siblings. He married Julia Maria Larsen on the ship on 19 April 1862. The marriage was performed by O. N. Liljenquist. Julia was from Helsingor and had joined the LDS Church and had been disowned by her parents for doing so.

They sailed to New York and then took the trains to Florence, Nebraska. Petersen and family joined one of the "down and back companies" of wagons sent out from Utah Territory. He was placed in command of a group of about 400 for the journey to Utah.

Petersen first settled in Manti, Utah but later moved to Salt Lake City.