Digital Only: Connect
Jared R.
17, Moss, Norway
Photographs by Ashlee Larsen
It’s difficult being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints here in Norway because there are so few members. Many people aren’t religious at all. Some have the perception that if you have money, you don’t need faith. I have a lot of friends who started drinking or doing drugs at a young age. That, of course, makes me feel different from others. But God’s Son came to earth to help us and show us a path to follow.
Jesus Christ is an example for us, and we’re supposed to be the reflection of Him, doing things that He would do. I try to help people as much as I can. I always try to make people feel welcome, especially in the Church. I try to include everyone. And I see that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have always blessed me.
Oliver J.
17, Moss, Norway
I work on a farm. I mow the lawn, help with the cows, build fences, drive tractors, weed, and help with the harvest. In the spring, we prune trees and plant seeds. In the winter, we chop wood for firewood.
When I’m doing something new, I don’t want to mess it up. The first time I got in a tractor, I was kind of scared to drive it because so many things could go wrong. I was driving over the potatoes, putting soil on the potato plant so the potatoes don’t get green and sick. But driving over the potatoes is also an easy way to kill them—like if you drive on the potatoes or plow them up. Before I started, I said a silent prayer, and it went well.
The first year I worked on the farm, I was still getting to know everyone. We always eat lunch with my boss’s mother and father. She makes all the food and everyone comes and eats, and they also serve coffee. They asked me, “Do you want coffee?” I said, “No,” and they asked, “Why not?” I said, “Well, because, in my Church, we don’t drink coffee.” And then they started kind of digging and asking me about it. They hadn’t heard about the Church. So then I had the opportunity to tell them about what I believe. It was kind of a scary moment! But they respected me more, I think, after that.