How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Section.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Now he saw what the dream had meant that he had had the other night; he had seen both Joseph and Benjamin playing just beyond the house; and with them had been a tiny little fellow, who wasn't mentioned in the Bible story! (1.5.3.9)
Store-Hans is so schooled in the Bible that he often dreams about it. In this instance, the Bible dream predicts something he didn't realize—that he's going to have a new baby brother.
Quote #2
He had opened the book where it told about the choosing of the twelve disciples, and now he tried to read; but that wasn't the stuff for him just now! (1.5.6.42)
Ole isn't a big fan of reading the Bible, especially when he could be outside having adventures. In the dead of winter, though, there's no going outside, so Ole has nothing to do but read.
Quote #3
On top of the Bible lay the hymn book, in which she had read a little every Sunday since their arrival here. (1.5.7.10)
Early in the book, Beret has a fairly casual relationship with her religion. The only reason she reads from her hymn book so often is that she has nothing else to do all day. But as the book progresses, she gets so deep into religion that it's all she can think about.
Quote #4
Here's the book… Just read it out as well as you can, and we'll do whatever the book says. (1.6.12.43)
Without a minister, it's up to the Norwegian settlers to perform their own christenings and religious ceremonies. All they really know how to do is read the holy books they've brought with them, so they just choose the best reader and plunge onward.
Quote #5
God Almighty might have waited awhile longer, until they had seen how their luck would go out here and what sort of a boy Permand would turn out to be. (2.1.6.19)
When we gets trapped in a snowstorm, Per Hansa gets annoyed with God for killing him before he has a chance to see what kind of boy his baby son will grow up to be. He doesn't think for a second that this could all be his fault, since it was his choice to go on a crazy mission for firewood in the middle of winter.
Quote #6
Ah, well, God Almighty had spared her again; He must have some reason for it… Now she could repent of her sins before He took her… He had been merciful enough to give her time for that… But sitting here in this mood, she found it impossible to repent. (2.1.9.31)
When Beret survives a difficult childbirth, she figures that God has some special reason for sparing her life. From this point on, Beret will become way more religious than she used to be. But that also means she'll constantly worry about how much she's sinned and whether she's going to hell.
Quote #7
And the Lord said unto Satan, whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down it. (2.2.2.7)
Whenever something goes wrong on his farm, Per Hansa becomes convinced that God is working against him. He doesn't even think about the fact that he has had way more luck than his neighbors when it comes to working his land.
Quote #8
Had he no sense whatever of decency and propriety, no feeling of shame and sin?... That's only one more proof, she thought, that the devil has us in his clutches. (2.2.7.19)
The longer this book goes on, the more aware Beret becomes of Per Hansa's pride. She is certain that Satan has taken control of Per and is using him for evil ends.
Quote #9
He thanked Him for the day that now was past, nevermore to return, entreating Him to cast into the ocean of grace all sins committed on this day. (2.3.1.35)
When the minister first arrives in the Norwegian settlement, he is quick to sit down and say a prayer for all of the good fortune the settlers have had. He can tell by Tönseten's language that these people have gotten a little rough around the edges from living in the wilderness, but he hopes to make up for it by giving them a good dose of prayer.
Quote #10
He began by reminding his hearers of the dangers which the Children of Israel had been obliged to pass through, and of the struggles and tribulations which they had been forced to endure. (2.3.3.10)
One of the ways in which religion is a balm on the prairie is the comparison between the settlers and the Jews forced to wander in the desert. Both, after all, are stuck in the middle of a flat expanse with very few trees.