Bodil Mortensen Memorial

This memorial, which also houses a Poke-gym, is located in the Parowan Heritage Park at 19 Old US Highway 91 in Parowan, Utah. The memorial consists of a bronze sculpture of Mormon Pioneers traveling with a handcart, and an etched plaque.

The plaque reads: 

"Tribute to Bodil Mortensen

Welcome home our dear and beloved Bodil. Not to the valley where your sister anxiously awaited your arrival, but to this small peaceful valley which is now your spiritual place of rest here on earth. The same valley wherein lie the bodies of parents and many family members. Bodil Malene Mortensen was born in Denmark on August 5, 1846 to Neils Otto Mortensen and Maren Kristine Hansen Mortensen. Not to parents of royalty, great privilege or wealth. Just people of ordinary Danish status whose intention it was to migrate to America and join other members of a newly found religion.

Bodil's pilgrimage to the new world was not without the usual problems encountered in oceanic and land travel, but the story of Bodil and her family is only one such story that could be told as there were hundreds of others that suffered through the same trials and tribulations as did they. Many completed their journey, but several like Bodil perished during their trek westward. A tribute to these people seems like a small acknowledgement for what they gave to us all. Their honor and influence did not stop at their graveside. For this we give eternal thanks and gratitude. Memorial presented by members of Bodil's Family."

Bodil's journey to Zion began when she was nine years old. Her older sister had made the journey the year before and was living in Salt Lake City. Bodil's parents decided to send her with some family friends, Jens and Elsie Nielson, along with their son Niels, and then they would make the journey the following year. During the long trek, which began in Denmark, Bodil was charged with helping Jens and  Elsie look after Niels who was 4 years younger than her. They had many experiences together, both good and bad. 

After arriving in America the group traveled by train to Iowa City where they joined up with the Willie Handcart Company. The winter storms had begun early, causing problems for the company. They traveled up Rocky Ridge, a particularly difficult 15 mile trek, in one such storm. Upon arriving at camp it appears that Bodil was sent to gather firewood, as they found the young girl frozen to death the next morning, still clutching some twigs in her hands. The rest of her family made their journey West the next year, and passed by Bodil's grave in Rock Creek, Wyoming without knowing of her death. They settled in Parowan, Utah, which is why this memorial was placed there by her family. Her mother was never the same after learning of Bodil's death, and eventually died of a nervous breakdown.