Background
Bertrand was born near Marseilles, France.
Bertrand was born near Marseilles, France.
He early went into trade and traveled abroad. He was then sent into prison for three months. After the revolution Bertrand edited Le Populaire.
Bertrand was involved in the publication of the church periodical L"Etoile du Deseret.
In 1853, he was serving as a missionary in Jersey. While there he taught Victor Hugo, but in Bertrand"s assessment Hugo was "too full of revolution to think much about the gospel of Jesus Christ".
Despite earnest efforts, the work began to decline after 1855 under the pressure of continual political turmoil. Louis Bertrand wrote an appeal for tolerance to the emperor, but, as Bertrand reported later, “His majesty read my address, laughed at it and tore it to pieces.” Not many French were receptive to the gospel message, and the few converts there were mostly resident aliens.
In 1855 Bertrand emigrated to Utah Territory.
With his departure the mission was officially closed for forty-eight years.
In 1848, he was in Paris and a member of the Revolutionary Committee of 1848.