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Marcus Joy (M.J.) Christensen (1899-1987) Entreprenuer, Politicial Figure, Missionary

Marcus Joy (M.J.) Christensen

Introduction

Marcus Joy Christensen, commonly known as "M.J." was the son of Anna Cathrine Jorgensen and Christen N. Christensen (photo), who were of Danish Descent. M.J. was born on February 1, 1899 in Brigham City, Utah, married in Salt Lake City, Utah November 30,1921 to Hazel Johnson, and Passed away on June 1, of 1987 in Las Vegas, Nevada. M.J. Lived in southern Nevada for most of his life, where he was the proprietor of a fine jewelry business, bearing the name "M.J. Christensen Jewelers."(photo). M.J. held public office in Nevada, at the state level, as an assembly person, then as a senator. M.J. was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his life, he spent several years away from his home, while serving church missions.

Religious Service

During the span of his life, M.J. served in a variety of capcities, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including; missionary in the Northern States Mission (photo, M.J. is second from left); missionary in the Eastern States Mission, where he also served as the president of the McMinnville Branch; Bishop; and, Patriarch.

Chronology

• 1 February 1899: Born Brigham City, Utah to Anna Cathrine Jorgensen and Christen N. Christensen

• 5 March 1899: Given a name and a blessing by C. N. Christensen

• 18 May 1903: Mother, Anna Cathrine Jorgensen, dies in Brigham City, Utah

• 28 February 1907: Baptized in Brigham City, Utah by Joseph N. Preece—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

• 3 March 1907: Confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Don C. Rushton

• 26 September 1910: Ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood, office of Deacon by C. N. Christensen

• 17 May 1914: Ordained Teacher by David P. Burt

• 5 November 1917: Ordained Priest by Hyrum W. Valentine

• 1918: Graduated from Box Elder High School, Brigham City, Utah; Spent two months in the Army, stationed at Fort Douglas

• 2 November 1919: Ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood, office of Elder by Frederick Tadje

• 19 November 1919: Received endowment in Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah

• 10 December 1919: Departed for Northern States Mission where he spent twenty-two months

• 29 August 1921: Grandmother Anna Britta Andersson dies in Brigham City, Utah

• 30 November 1921: Married for eternity to Hazel Johnson in Salt Lake Temple by George F. Richards

• 3 September 1922: Son Don J. Christensen born Salt Lake City, Utah

• 16 July 1924: Son Vern J. Christensen born Salt Lake City, Utah

• 24 October 1926: Daughter Anna Christensen born Salt Lake City, Utah

• 1927: Hired as a railroad watch inspector

• 11 October 1929: Son Carl J. Christensen born Salt Lake City, Utah

• 1929: Sold life insurance for five months but did not like it. Went back to working as a railroad watch inspector for Union Pacific Railroad

• 17 August 1930: Ordained High Priest by Apostle Rudger Clawson

• 15 March 1932: Started business in Milford, Utah

• 26 August 1932: Son Paul J. Christensen born Milford, Utah

• 7 August 1936: Daughter Adele Christensen born Milford, Utah

• 2 May 1937: Ordained Bishop by Apostle Melvin J. Ballard

• 18 April 1939: Started business in Las Vegas, Nevada in corner of drugstore on First and Fremont

• 15 February 1941: Bought store at 225 Fremont

• 15 December 1947: Bought store in Henderson, Nevada

• 4 November 1952: Elected to Nevada State Assembly; re-elected 1954, 1956, 1958

• 1954: Was president of Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce for a year

• 1956: Was president of Better Business Bureau (Image) of Southern Nevada for a year

• 1958: Started houses on Lacy Lane, M.J. and Hazel at 706, 4 sons on same street; Was president of Toastmasters Club for short time; Was president of Transwestern Life Insurance Company; Received patriarchal blessing from Martin Bunker

• 15 September 1960: Opened store in Vegas Village, Las Vegas, Nevada

• 1 October 1961: Opened store in Charleston Plaza, Las Vegas, Nevada

• 6 September 1962; Departed for mission to East Central States; Made president of McMinnville Branch by President Frank H. Brown

• 1 May 1963: Opened store on Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada

• 31 March 1965: Father Christen N. Christensen dies in Salt Lake City, Utah

• 24 October 1965: Ordained patriarch by Apostle Howard W. Hunter

• 1967: Was elected to Nevada State Senate

• 26 August 1968: Bought Hubbard Denn Store in Salt Lake City, Utah

• October 1968: Opened store in Vegas Village West, Las Vegas, Nevada

• 1970: Sold Hubbard Denn store; Became fine jewelry departments in ZCMI stores in Utah

• August 1978: Opened store in the Meadows shopping mall in Las Vegas, Nevada

• Summer 1981: Opened store in Fashion Show mall in Las Vegas, Nevada

• 2 August 1981: Daughter Anna C. Whitney dies in Provo, Utah

• 1 June 1987: Death of Marcus Joy Christensen at home in Las Vegas, Nevada

• 4 June 1987: Funeral LDS Ninth Ward Chapel 11:00 a.m. Las Vegas, Nevada. Burial Woodlawn Cemetery (Las Vegas, Nevada), Nevada

• 10 May 1990: Dedication of M.J. Christensen Elementary School, 9001 Mariner Cove Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada