Wilford & Judy SCOTT's note: We
are reading in the Doctrine and Covenants: (section 124: verse 138. Zerah Pulsipher is given by Lord in revelation,
given through Joseph SMITH in 1841, to preside over the Quorum of the Seventies
in Nauvoo, Illinois). I (Judy) said, I know that name. I had recently been to
The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers building in Salt Lake City, Utah and had got
a bunch of histories on Willie’s side of the family. He is Willie's 3rd great grandfather.
Kirtland Elders' Quorum Record
1836-1841
Edited by Lyndon W. Cook and Milton V. Backman, Jr. Provo, Utah: Grandin
Book Co.,
1985
Source: Kirtland Elders'
Quorum Record, RLDS Archives
CONTENTS
John PULSIPHER. Possibly John
Pulsipher (1782-1840). Born at Rockingham, Windham, VT. Resident of Kirtland
1838. Ordained elder 22 Jul 1838. Signed Kirtland Camp Constitution 1838. Or
John Pulsipher (1827-?) born at Spafford, NY. Seventy endowed in Nauvoo Temple Jan
1846.
Zerah (also Zera) PULSIPHER
(1789-1872). Born at Rockingham, Windham, VT. Baptized 11 Jan 1832. Resident of
Kirtland 1835-1838. Received anointing (25 Jan), elder's license (2 Jul) and
ordained seventy 1836. Set apart as president of First Quorum of Seventy 6 Mar 1838.
A leader of Kirtland Camp 1838. Located in Daviess Co, MO 1838. Expelled.
Settled at Nauvoo by 1840. Seventy endowed in Nauvoo Temple Dec 1845. Captain
of pioneer company. Resided in Salt Lake City area until about 1861. Moved to
southern UT. Died at Hebron, Washington, UT.
Pulsipher, Zerah 1789-1872
Autobiography (c.
1803-1862)
Typescript, HBLL.
HISTORY OF ZERA
PULSIPHER
AS WRITTEN BY HIMSELF
I was born June 24, 1789. The name of
my parents were John and Elizabeth Pulsipher. My grandfather, whose name was
David Pulsipher, was supposed to be a descendant from Ireland. I have not much
knowledge of his ancestors. He brought up a family in Connecticut, New England.
In the year 1769 he came to a new state called Vermont, went up the Connecticut
River to Bellows Falls, went five miles back to a place afterwards called
Rockingham, an entire wilderness country, where seldom a blow and been struck
by a white man. There he selected and obtained 500 acres of land and prophesied
or predicted things that would take place in years to come, which was a site
for a meeting house, burying ground back of it and a town site where water
power was erected. He cleared some land, built a public house or tavern, helped
establish a settlement and converted the wilderness into a fruitful field. This
is where I was born.
But when the Revolutionary War
commenced, my father was very young, and being away from home one day he heard
that the British army had destroyed some military stores at Concord, New
Hampshire. Being fired with indignation, he sought for a recruiting officer and
enlisted for one campaign. When he returned home and informed his father of the
circumstances, the old gentleman told him that he was too young and that he
would enlist and go with him. Accordingly he did, and they both went to Boston,
Massachusetts. In the memorable battle of Bunker Hill, the 17th of June 1775,
there they stood side by side and fought with about 13 Americans against 3000
of the British for about two hours. When the enemy, after firing Charleston and
wending around under the smoke, had nearly surrounded that wing of their own
army, they saw but a small gap to retreat through, which was then continually
plowing ground with balls from the shipping. But while they were going out, my
grandfather saw one of our men wounded and crawling away on his hands and
knees. In the meantime a British soldier ran him through with a bayonet. Being
filled with indignation at such rank breach of the laws of all civilized
nations he immediately stopped, and amid scenes of death and carnage, loaded
his gun and shot that man down before he left the ground and then obtained a
safe retreat. I speak of this to let my posterity know that our ancestors were
clothed with that steady unshaken determination in time of the most imminent
dangers that are incident to human life.
In a few weeks after this my
grandfather died with cramp rheumatism (probably a heart attack) in his breast.
My father served his time out and returned home and attended to the cares of a family,
married Elizabeth Dutton and raised a family of seven sons and three daughters.
My oldest brother's name was Oliver, who raised large family in the state of
New York on Lake Ontario. The second was David, who raised a family, living
with my father in Vermont, where he died. John also married, but had no
children. Solomon married and died in the war of 1812 with England without
child. I am the next, have raised a large family. Elijah has raised a family. Arunah,
the seventh, has a family. My oldest sister, Elizabeth, married and raised a
family by a man named Lloyd E. Archer. Polly, my second sister, married a man
by the name of Dexter Newton, and raised a family in the state of New
Hampshire. My sister Sybbel, married a man by the name of Abram Newbury and
lives in the state of Iowa.
My father was absolute in his family
government, kind and affectionate to all his friends. His common practice was
to make a feast once in a year and invite some of the poorest people that were
in the town and seemed to take pleasure in their company. I lived with him
twenty-five years and never knew him to turn a beggar away empty. He lived to
the age of seventy-eight and my mother to eighty-six.
But to return to my own history --
when I was but a child I frequently had serious reflections but never prayed.
When I was a small boy my father was taken sick for some time I was not much concerned,
'till I heard some of the neighbors say that Mr. Pulsipher must die. This put me
to thinking that if my father should die that a large family of small children
would be left without a head to the open winter subject to many disasters that
were incident to human life. I could not bear the thought. An impression
immediately came to me that I must go to the barn and there pray for his
recovery. I turned and ran as fast as I could and when I got there I was about
to bow down when something informed me that if I did I should die there and
never return, which scared me so that I turned and ran back as fast as my legs
would carry me. But my Father in Heaven took the will for the deed and restored
my father to health.
Nothing of important nature happened
for a number of years till I think I was about fourteen or fifteen years of
age. When one evening as I was sitting by the fire-side in my father's kitchen alone,
a sudden influence, over-powered my mind to such an extent that I lost sight of
everything on earth for some time, I never knew how long. Suffice it to say,
that it was necessary that more preparation should be made before I should be
willing to pass the Vale of Death. Though I could not be reconciled to souls
left in Hell fire to all eternity as I had been taught by the sectarians, still
there were some things among the sects that appeared reasonable, I have often heard
my father say that the signs of Christ's second coming was often seen and that
he would come before many years should pass away. And if they did not live to
see it, likely his children would.
However, when I was about twenty-one
I married a very agreeable companion, lived with her about one year when she
died leaving one child which we named Harriett. After the death of my wife
(Polly or Mary Randell) I had some anxiety about her state and condition,
consequently in answer to my desires in a few weeks she came to me in vision
and appearing natural looked pleasant as she ever did and sat by my side and
assisted me in singing a hymn - beginning thus: "That glorious day is
drawing nigh when Zions Light Shall Shine." This she did with a seeming composure.
This vision took away all the anxiety of my mind concerning her in as much as
she seemed to enjoy herself well. This hymn which she introduced and sang with
me applied to the great work of the last dispensation of the fullness of times.
This transpired about ten years before Joseph Smith had discovered the first
revelation of the work of the last days. My mind became calm as respecting her
condition in the spirit world.
In the year 1814 I hired a farm at
Bellows falls on the Connecticut River and being alone gave my brother John the
privilege to work it with me. In the fall of that season there were the most extraordinary
northern lights that I had ever saw, it was the cause of many speculative
notions among the people but my father said it was the signs of the last days
and of Christ's second coming. I regarded my father's remarks as specimens of
good sense.
I soon wound up my business in that
country and went to Pennsylvania, in Susquehanna County. A new country where
there were much good timber. I built a mill, cleared a farm and married a wife
by the name of Mary Brown. A very agreeable companion by whom I have a large
family of kind children. I stayed in that country about eight years and labored
very hard rafting on the Susquehanna River, and many times my life was much
exposed but I stayed in that country about eight years and removed to Onondaga
County in the state of New York. I then lost my only son by the fall of a tree
which caused much grief to me in that place.
I had many agreeable friends and good
society there. I bought a farm and built a mill. I also built a meeting house
for the Baptist Church which I was then associated with. In the summer of 1831
I heard a minister say than an ancient record or Golden Bible in Manchester
near Palmyra which remark struck me like a shock of electricity at the same
time thought it might be something that would give light to my mind upon
principles that I had been thinking of for years and many times I had remarked
that if the pure church with its gifts and graces was not on the earth, if so I
had not found it. But I should be happy enough to find it in my day.
I embraced it accordingly in the fall
of 1831 there was a Book of Mormon brought in to town I succeeded in getting it
I directly read it through twice gave it a thorough investigation and believed
it was true and the winter following Jerod [Jared] Carter came that was from a
mission to Vermont or Lake George. As soon as he came into town I, with two
Methodist Preachers went to see him after a reasonable introduction I
questioned him upon the principles of the ancient gospel with all its gifts
belonging to it. I asked him if he believed it, he answered in the affirmative.
I asked him if he had ever laid hands on the sick and they had recovered. Yes,
he said, he had in many instances.
He preached the following evening to
a crowded congregation, held up the Book of Mormon and declared it to be a
revelation from God. I could not gain-say anything he had said, he sat down and
gave liberty for remarks, the congregation seemed to be in a maze not knowing
what to think of what they had heard. I arose and said to the congregation that
we had been hearing strange things and if true they were of the utmost
importance to us. If not true it was one of the greatest impositions and as the
preacher had said that he had got his knowledge from heaven and was nothing but
a man and I the same, that I had just as good a right to obtain that blessing as
he, therefore I was determined to have that knowledge for myself which I
considered it my
privilege, from that time I made it a
matter of fervent prayer.
I think about the seventh day as I
was thrashing in my barn with doors shut, all at once there seemed to be a ray
of light from heaven which caused me to stop work for a short time, but soon
began it again. Then in a few minutes another light came over my head which
caused me to look up. I thought I saw the angels with the Book of Mormon in
their hands in the attitude of showing it to me and saying "this is the
great revelation of the last days in which all things spoken of by the prophets
must be fulfilled." The vision was so open and plain that I began to
rejoice exceedingly so that I walked the length of my barn crying "Glory
Hal-la-lu-ya to the God and the
Lamb forever."
For some time it seemed a little
difficult to keep my mind in a proper state of reasonable order, I was so
filled with the joys of heaven. But when my mind became calm I called the
church together, (Note: he was their minister) and informed them of what I had
seen. I told them of my determination to join the Church of Latter Day Saints,
which I did and a large body of my church went with me. I was ordained to the
office of an elder and went to preaching with considerable success at home and
abroad. I had the privilege of baptizing Wilford Woodruff on the 31st of
December, 1833, at Richland, New York.
At length there came one or two
elders there with enthusiastic spirits which led the church into diversion
which caused me a journey of 325 miles to get council to settle the difficulty.
I remained in that part preaching in regions around and had the privilege of
baptizing many into the kingdom till the spring of 1835, in which I gathered up
the remnants of that church and went to Kirtland. There I assisted in the
building of the temple; in the winter of 1836 I received my first endowment in
that house, with about 300 Elders.
I labored to support my family and in
the fall of 1837, I went to Canada on a mission, raised a branch of 29 members.
I returned January 29, 1838, to Kirtland. I was ordained to the Council of
First Presidency of Seventies. (Note: I took a mission south of Sesquahannah
and Delaware Rivers, preached considerable, established a branch with some persecution.
One day I stopped my carriage at the hitching post before a large house, where
I saw a number of women looking out the window. They were entire strangers too,
as I had never seen them before. One women met me at the door, called me
brother, and said she had a vision she saw a Mormon Elder drive
up to the yard, observe the horse and
carriage and person, and as soon as she saw me she knew I was the one. We
called a meeting and I preached there that night.)
The season following there arose a
great persecution [in Kirtland], the saints were able to escape in the best
manner they could. Joseph was carried away in a box nailed on an ox sled to save
his life. Old father Joseph was taken out of a window in the night and sent
away orseback. After the most of the
saints were gone to Missouri I remained in Kirtland with about four of the
First Presidents of Seventies. We continued to hold our meetings in the temple.
Accordingly while we were at a meeting one Sunday, we took a notion to put our
property together and remove in that way and when we had made that calculation
we felt a great flow of the spirit of God, notwithstanding the great
inconvenience we labored under for want of means. We lacked means to move
ourselves and many poor that were yet remaining that had neither clothing nor
teams to go with.
But when they heard that we were
going together and would help one another they wanted to join us and get out of
that hell of persecution. Therefore, we could not neglect them for all there was
against them was that they were poor and could not help themselves. We
continued to receive them till we got between five and six hundred on our
hands. According to our covenant [Kirtland Camp] we had got them to move or
stay there with them so we found we had got a job on our hands. We counseled
together from time to time on the subject and came to the conclusion that we
could not effect the purpose short of the marvelous power of God by the power
of the Priesthood. Therefore, we concluded to best go into the [Kirtland]
Temple in the attic story and pray that our Father would open the way and give
us means to gather with the saints in Missouri which was near a thousand miles
away. Accordingly, one day while we were
on our knees in prayer I saw a
messenger apparently like an old man with white hair down to his shoulders. He
was a very large man near seven feet high, dressed in a white robe down to his ankles.
He looked on me then turned his eyes on the others and then to me again and
spoke and said, "Be one and you shall have enough". This gave us
great joy; we immediately advised the brethren to scatter and work for anything
that they could get that would be useful in moving to a new country. Some went
to making staves to sell on the lake shore, among which I was one.
I think it was in the month of March
that I was at work in the woods about nine o'clock in the morning there
appeared to me a mighty rattling of wagons at the south. I suppose it must be
as much as a dozen wagons rattling on peddle stones, it continued to draw
nearer till I discovered it to be in the air and as it drew near I heard the
sound of a steamboat puff; it passed immediately over our heads and went on
about one mile to Kirtland Temple, there it appeared in the form of a steamboat
loaded with passengers. Old Elder [Alvah] Beamen who was the president of the elders,
had anointed them a few months before but had been dead a short time, he was in
the
bow of the boat. He was singing and
swinging his hat till it came in front of the Temple. It then divided in two
parts, the one was black the other white; the white went west and the black
went north.
The explanation of the phenomenon we
saw with much clearness. When with in a few months from that time there was a
division of the authorities of the church. A number of the Twelve and First
Presidents of Seventies descended and led many after them but the pure in heart
went west. But we observe while we were attending to our prayers in the
[Kirtland] temple from time to time there was curious circumstance transpired.
A Methodist meeting house stood a few
rods from the [Kirtland] Temple which took fire one night there was a brand of
fire thrown into the Temple at a window but went out. Most of the people being
very hostile, the mob laid the charge of burning the house to the Council of Seventies.
There was no doubt but they fired it themselves hoping by that means to get a
pretext for our destruction but we knew we were innocent and trusted in God.
We continued our course steadily
along and paid no attention to them. There was a universal determination that
we should never leave that place in a company and they knew as well as we that
the poor could not go out alone; therefore, they had a deep plot laid for our
destruction.
But we knew where our hope was
grounded and kept our steady course preparing to go out in a company well
organized. But as I related to the burning of that house, they raged to a great
extent because most of them supposed that we had actually done it. But as the
Lord dictated to the great leader of that mob who had once been a Mormon and
well calculated to carry out his devilish designs - was held by the power of
God so that he had a vision and saw those that fired the house and seemed to be
greatly astonished for a while and then met with the mob and informed them that
it was not the Council that burned the house and he knew who it was but dared
not tell on account of the law because he could prove only by vision, which
they would not believe and still swore vengeance on us. But he swore by all the
gods that lived that he would have revenge on them if they lost a hair of our
heads. He had a large store of goods and could swear and get drunk. He had some
influence with them so that we were preserved by the hand of God.
We obtained money and clothing for
the company and the 4th day of July this man that had led the mob invited me to
take all our teams and company and camp in a clover field which was about one
foot high. I thanked him and embraced the officer.
[Kirtland Camp] The next day we all
went out all in order as we said we would in the beginning with about 65 teams
and seventy cows. Nothing transpired for some weeks until we got to Dayton and
got out of money. The people would take nothing of us but money for our
expenses and at a high price too. We went into council and prayed to God for
money and provisions. Accordingly the Lord sent a turn-pike jober after us to
get us to do a job for him. We therefore agreed with him for a job of twelve
hundred dollars which we did in good order with his acceptance.
He then wanted us to do another job,
it was then very dry and the wells so low that it was difficult to get water
for our animals in the dry part of the country if we should go on. But we inquired
of the Lord for what was best and we were impressed to go on, not knowing what
we should do for drink but the day following there fell such a flood of water
that the low places in the country were full and we got along very well. When
we got into Illinois a few of our company stopped and further on in Illinois,
Joseph Young with other stopped. The remainder of us went on continually
hearing reports that there was war in Missouri and if we went on we should be
killed by the mob. But we went in good order, keeping guards all the time.
When we arrived within five miles of
Far West, which was the Metropolis of the Church in Missouri, there Joseph and
Hyrum met us, greatly pleased that we had arrived with so large a company. They
conducted us on to Far West and we camped around the temple cellar as they had
it dug.
In the morning, the first of October,
1838, Joseph came to me and said he wished me to take company and go to Diahmon
[Adam-ondi-Ahman], Daviess County, about 25 miles North which would take us two
days and advised us to guard our wagons during the night. I informed him that
his advice was good but we had not been without a guard since we left Kirtland.
However, we went on to the place appointed and found a few brethren there
surrounded by numerous mobs. Being greatly rejoiced to see us come and we were
as glad to get through for we had been on the road with a large company from
the 5th of July to the 3rd of October.
We suffered the perils of a hard
journey for near one thousand miles among a hostile people, but the Lord had
brought to try us to see what our faith was made of. We expected we had got home
where we could locate our families and prepare to build up Zion, therefore we
sold our loose property for improvements, subject to free nation rights.
The people being much opposed to our
faith decided to drive us out of the country and obtain their farms back again
that we had paid for. To carry this out they began to burn their houses and then
go to the governor and swear that we had drove them out of their settlements
and burned their buildings. Daviess County was a beautiful place situated on
Grand River. First rate land and plenty of good timber where we supposed there
had been an ancient city of the Nephites, as the hewn stone were already there
in piles also the mound or alter built by Father Adam, where he went to offer
sacrifices when he was old. Leaning upon his staff, prophesying the most noted
thing that should take place down to the latest generation therefore it was
called Adam-ondi-Ahman.
There we stayed about a month, being
continually annoyed by mobs and thieves stealing everything that they could lay
their hands upon that belonged to people of our church. In the time I was there
I was assisted to build sixteen houses and the longest that I lived in one was
four days. I had a large family with an aged mother; I think I never slept many
nights while I was there without having my sword and pistols by my bed and
frequently called by the sound of the bugle to defend the people from mobs, yet
all the while we expected to stay there and by faith and works retained our
places.
Then one day there came two
messengers from Far West and informed us that Joseph, with others of the authorities
of the church at Far West were delivered into the hands of the mob and that
they (the mob) had three thousand men and the word from Joseph to us was that
they would be likely to come here soon and advised us to lay away our arms, go
to work and submit to anything that they should say. This struck us with a
great depression of spirit, not knowing how to comprehend the ways of God. We
had expected to stay there, locate our families and preach the gospel, but we
were disappointed and right afront us we knew not and were left in a perfect
state of suspense. But we knew nothing than to abide by the word of the
Prophet. But in
this conflict of feeling I walked
away from the company where I had received the above
information toward the grove and said
in the anguish of my soul, "Lord what does all these things mean?"
The answer to me was instantaneous, though in-expressed "Be still and know
that I am God." In a moment I was at rest and happy in my condition.
I returned immediately back to the
company that I had left and said to them, "Have no fear for God will
provide a way for our escape." So we trusted in Him but if we had not have
received word from Joseph we should have been very likely to have sent hundred
of them to hell, cross lots, for there were about 130 of us well armed. There
was but one place where they would be likely to cross the river in a line
exactly in front of our cannons, well loaded with small slugs of iron. We had
not only our houses, lands, wives and children, but the House of God to fight
for. But the Lord's "Be still, and know that I am God" was with us.
Therefore, we were quiet, bearing the afflictions that were laid upon us. We
went to our labors, soon after this.
I, with other people, went across the
river three miles to gather corn, when 800 of the mob were seen coming upon us;
as they came up to the gate where we were at work they halted and sent a
messenger to inform us that we were then prisoners. I happened to be on a load
the nearest to the, they directed their attention to me and said we must go
with them. I observed to them that we were there gathering for our families and
cattle which they were in view of. They then said we might fill our wagons, get
some boys to drive them home and go with them.
Accordingly we did. They went about a
mile and halted. We were surrounded by a strong guard for some time and then
discharged and sent home to await their trip into town. We had not gone more
than 50 or 100 rods before we heard a volley of guns fired. I would think from
fifty to one hundred. The balls came there among us. We looked around and saw a
company supposed to be one hundred men paraded a little to the south of the
main camp. They also gave a second shot; we kept a sturdy walk as though
nothing had happened, for they hurt none of us. We went home the same day into
Diammon, took all arms from the people and then put strong guard around us.
In that time we were often insulted
by scoundrels in the shape of men which brought us near a fight, but the
commander stopped it however. He prowled around there for a number of days and
then gave us ten days to get out of that place or the mob would be set loose
upon us. This had been the case all the time but now we had nothing to defend
ourselves with. Besides there were many poor people that had no teams and many
widows that had nothing but small children.
I immediately got my horses shod and
took my family, a widow and family, another family all to one lead and moved to
Far West, then returned back after another family. This was among the last that
went out while the mob were prowling about stealing all they could find but
although I was alone the last night I lay down by the side of my horses and
saved them and went the next day and got the other family and carried them to
Far West. This was the last of November; we were all destitute for grain or
feed for our teams, our fields of corn were 20 miles off among the mobs as was
also what few cattle we had but the most of our corn was destroyed before we
could get it. We therefore, had hard
living through the winter. After I had obtained a little meal for my family I
went away up to the Platt Country with my team to get work for money to move out
of the State in the spring as the edict of the Governor [Boggs] was that we
should never raise any more crops in that state.
I obtained some money and returned to
my family, but while I was gone I was obliged to stay at a mob tavern one
night, alone, where they were very hostile. I did not like their appearances
but I was obliged to stay there or run the risk of freezing on the great cold
prairie, therefore, I had to watch as well as pray. But in the later part of
the night I heard people in the lower part of the house in much commotion. I
heard them saying they never saw such things before. They seemed to be much
astonished at what they saw in the heavens. I raised myself up in bed, and
looked out and saw a very bright circle around the moon with a very bright half
circle at the outside of that with a very bright spot at the side of that
nearly as big as the sun, then another apparent
such in the northwest with another in
the southwest, which gave a very extraordinary
appearance. This gave them such a
fright that they could pay no more attention to me, so I went on in peace.
I prepared to move to Illinois. I
took my horse and rode to Richmond to get my gun that they took from me at
Diahman [Adam-ondi-Ahman] in the war. I obtained it and prepared to move in
March. I buried my mother there on a divide near Plum Creek. We succeeded in
moving to Gurney [where] I found rents on houses so high that it would be hard
for a poor man with a large family as I had to obtain a living and get anything
ahead. Therefore, I took my horse up the river to Lyman and found a forest of
about eleven miles square and considerable game in it. I went into the timber
with Brother Burgess. I lost one horse moving from Missouri. My son-in-law lost
one too, and had to stop among strangers with my daughter who had given birth to
a child on the prairie.
I borrowed another horse and went to
Illinois with my family and then returned for the
remainder. We went into Bear Creek
timber, and with one horse and our hands, built three homes, cleared thirteen
acres of land and put it into crops, but we had nothing to live on until the crops
were ripe. Brother Burgess and boys were strong to work out, but I was not able
to do so on account of the exposure that I had past. Therefore, I could not do
a days work in a day. I knew not how to obtain food for my family. While
hesitating upon these things, I dreamed that I was going to make boxes and
measures, and also dreamed that my women and children were making baskets, and
that I went to sell them. In the morning I went and found some excellent timber
for that purpose and made the frame according to the pattern that I had seen
and also found some suitable timber for baskets.
The women went to work according to
their direction from me. We soon obtained a small load and went out into the
settlement and sold them directly for every kind of provisions that we wanted
to live upon and some money. In this way we got along until harvest.
This season one of our neighbors from
Nauvoo came for help in sickness, and informed us that there were not well ones
enough to take care of the sick. I sent my daughter and sister there to help
take care of the sick. I promised them that I would come to conference and see
them. Accordingly, when the time came, I took my carriage and went up. [I] went
first to the place where my daughter was, and found the house shut up [with]
window curtains drawn. I knocked at the door and a faint voice answered. I went
in and found a large family and every person laying prostrate. My daughter was
the last one that came down; and she had been down about one week. Having the
whole family to nurse night and day, she could not endure it. When I entered
the house she heard my voice, sprang up from the bed and said, "Father,
you have come. I want to go home." I told her to get ready and I would go
and look for my sister. I went
where she was and found her and the
family in the same situation. I put a bed into the carriage and went home the
same day and nursed them three months before I could heal them.
It was thought that my daughter would
die, but I did not give her up. I called to the bed one day to see her close
her eyes in death. I was seeing her apparently breathing her last. At that
instant the Spirit of God came upon me. I said, "Mariah, do you want to
live to raise a family, keep the commandments of God and do all you can to build
up Zion?" She opened her eyes and said she did. I said to her, "Then
you will live." That hour she sat up in bed and immediately got well, as did
also my sister.
I would like to tell another little
incident that happened. There was a man with a family come into the church, who
lived about fifteen miles from me, who had a brother-in-law that was possessed with
the devil, and was chained in a tight room. Numbers had been there to
administer to him, but to no effect. I went there to preach in the after part
of the day. The man got loose and was breaking down the ceiling. They had been
in the habit of getting a very strong man to help on such occasions, and were
about to send for him in a hurry. I desired them to let me see him before they
did. They were afraid he would come out and kill some of them. With much persuasion
I got them to unlock the door of his room. All the rough language and profane swearing,
and threatening anyone who came in sight I had never heard before. They said he
was dangerous to encounter with, but I entreated him to let me open the door. I
had full confidence
that I could handle him, with the
help that God would give me. I was satisfied that they did not understand my
intention.
I looked through the crack of the
door. When he caught my eye he bawled out, "Old Pulsipher, I know you of
old." At that instant I burst the door open. He stood with a sharp stick
in his hand drawn back ready to stab me. Although he was a stout man and full
of violent passion, I closed in with him so quick that he did not know what was
up till he lay on his back, and I holding him while they bound him again. The
family seemed a little surprised. However, before I left the next morning, the
man, whose name was Samuel Newcomb, wished me to come and stay with him one
year. He would give me large wages for he said that I could handle the sick man
with ease, and he could leave his family and home with more safety. He was a
man of considerable
business and property to manage. I
asked him if he wished to gather up to Kirtland with the Church. He said he
would if he could sell his farm. He wanted $1,611 for all. We arranged for him
to go the next spring, and I took the whole care of the wild man.
I recollect at one time upon the
matter of his feeding, he flew into a rage all at once and broke loose. I was
at work in the barn and a messenger came running for me and said the man was killing
his mother. I rushed into the room, took him by the shoulders, shook him and
said, "Sam, what are you about?" He in a moment left his raging,
dropped his head and became docile till he was bound again. Later on we
counselled with old Father Smith and he advised us to get seven elders of good
report and fast and pray till he was delivered. We consulted the family, who
had not kept the word of wisdom, but they agreed to do it. We therefore took
the man, loosened his hands, administered to him in a room by ourselves, and I
do not remember of him having a
raving spell after that for six
months. Then the devil entered him again. We were called for the second time.
The family had promised to keep the covenants, but we found they had returned
to the old practice of breaking the word of wisdom. We therefore sent a message
to Father Smith, and he said if they would not keep the covenants we might go
about our business and let them all go to hell together.
I labored to support my family; and
in the fall of 1837 I went to Canada on a mission, raised a branch of
twenty-nine members, and returned January 29, 1838 to Kirtland. I was ordained
to the council of the First President of Seventies.
After we had lived in this place near
two years, Joseph requested the First Presidents of
Seventies to come to Nauvoo. I being
one of that number I immediately repaired to Nauvoo and located in its
vicinity, made a farm, lived comfortably and assisted in building the temple.
But Missouri mobs were continually
seeking the life of Brother Joseph. I think there had been some raisings
against him without success. These mobbers finally came to the conclusion that
the law could not reach him, but powder and ball could. Therefore, they
organized a mob of about 200 men, and put him in Carthage Jail with Dr.
Richards, Hyrum Smith and John Taylor. (This being done it gave us a hard shock
and caused much mourning) by shooting four balls into him. The fourth saved his
life, striking his watch which was in his vest pocket. After Joseph had fell dead
one of the ruffians made a move to take off his head, but a singular light
shone around him (Joseph) that struck the man with fear. They therefore flew in
every direction and disappeared. Our brethren went and brought them home and
buried the dead and restored the wounded.
At this time the mob expected we
would rise and give them battle. We thought best not to do it. We just kept
still and continued our work on the [Nauvoo] temple, finished it and got our endowments.
But at that time most of the Twelve
were absent on missions. Sidney Rigdon, who aspired for the presidency, came
and called the church together and presented his claim for the presidency. But
the Twelve soon came home and appeared on the stand at the day appointed for
choosing. Sidney made his plea. Brigham Young began to speak and at that time I
sat with my back towards the stand as did many others. When Brigham spoke he
spoke with the voice of Joseph and we turned around to see Brigham speaking in
Joseph's voice and beheld Joseph's mantle had fallen on him. The people
understood it in the same way. Brigham stood at the head of the twelve,
therefore the church turned to him.
Persecution continually waxed against
the church. They thought it best to go to a more secluded land. Accordingly in
January of 1846, I had notice to be ready at three days notice to leave on account
of so many attempts to destroy the Church.
At length I had the notice and
started with a good team the second day of February, crossed the Mississippi
River and went as far as Sugar Creek, until the cold weather broke. There were about
500 of the heads of the Church here. I went back once, gave my son orders to
sell what property he could and take the family and follow as soon as the
spring opened. We went on from Sugar Creek in the Spring but streams and
tempests opposed our march till late in the season.
I frequently went forward to pioneer
the way and organize places for the poor to stop that were not able to go any
further. In May I took my team and went back to meet my family and found them
in Lee County with two teams, a few cows and a few sheep. My sacrifice there
was about two thousand dollars. We went on and crossed the Missouri River that
season and established a place called Winter Quarters.
That fall and winter, which was 1846
and 1847, the church suffered exceedingly. When we got there we found so many
sick and dying from exposure that I took my team and what help I could raise
and drew timber four miles and built six houses. Then I was obliged to go down
to Missouri for provisions, was gone about six weeks in winter, camping out,
and exposed to all the storms that are common in that season of the year.
I brought home what I could. When I
got home I was so far exhausted from exposure that I could not walk one step
without two crutches. I then sent my boys again, while I took care of the
cattle which amounted to eighteen head. Many times I went on my crutches to get
on my horse, then rode all day to save my cattle from the Indians who were
continually killing them.
That winter was a sorrowful time for
the church. Five hundred of our young men were
demanded by the general government
through the influence of old Tom Benton, who was a noted mobber in the first
Missouri persecutions and was then in the Senate. This left the church with old
men, children and many poor women, while their husbands were fighting the
battles of the United States.
There were not well people enough to
take care of the sick and dying. My boys continued to team through the winter
till they both got sick. John was laid on the bed and was near the gate of death
for a long time, when I was called in to see him breath his last. He was taken
with pneumonia which many people think to be a certain sign of death. He looked
very much like it to be sure. When I came in the doctor and my family stood
around the bed. I called to him and he opened his eyes. I said, "John, you
are not going to die now. I cannot spare you now. You must get well to help us
move through the mountains." He immediately began to vomit a large
quantity of the most filthy matter I ever saw come from any person's stomach,
as black as ink. From that
hour he began to recover and soon was
able to drive a team.
In the spring the church leaders
organized a company of about fifty wagons and we started for Salt Lake. I was
advised to take ten wagons and go ahead and assist in making roads, but such storms
followed us as I never saw. The highest and driest land in the country was
soaked with water so that it was difficult to get along with a wagon. One
morning I got on my horse and rode back a few miles to see how the company was
getting along. I saw a man walking with a rubber coat on. I asked him how they
got along and he said, "First rate." He put his hands in his pockets
and they were full of water.
Parley P. and Orson Pratt and myself
went forward to look for a location for the poor, and such as could not go on.
We found a grove of timber and called it Garden Grove, a convenient place for a
settlement. I then unloaded my wagon and delivered my load of flour and bacon
and went back to look after my family. I met them not far from the Mississippi
River in the year 1847. One boy got his leg broken and one man broke his arm in
my company, but I set them and they soon got well.
We arrived in the valley about the
23rd of September, 1847, with all our stock except the sheep. Those we lost at
Winter Quarters. We immediately prepared to build. I found grain scarce and
hard to get. John Kneff was building a mill, the only one in the valley. I sold
three cows to pay his workmen that I might get grain after he got his mill to
running. I went to him for twenty dollars in grain, but he said he could not
let anyone have more than half that sum, and that was not half what I had paid
for. This made me feel very disagreeable because I had a large family and three
other families of my friends that had no way of helping themselves and money would
not buy it.
I thought on it one night and then
came to the conclusion that I would build a mill and take a part of the toll of
the grain that was in the valley. Accordingly, I rallied my help, went onto the
mill site, dug a hole in the bank to live in through the winter about the first
of December; and we commenced getting timber, without feed for our cattle and
but little for ourselves. We continued our labor with about half rations upon
all the different branches of the work till the first of March. By that time we
got the first grist mill started and timber out for a sawmill. When done I
ground for one-sixteenth, while others ground for one-twelfth. From that time
we had bread to eat with all our families. I have seen the hand of God in
preserving ourselves and cattle while the snow was three feet deep in the
canyon where we got the timber and some of the time more than one foot in the
valley. And we had not as much fodder as could be carried in one load. When I looked
upon the circumstance I could not comprehend it in any other way but the
marvelous power of God in sustaining them.
1850. This was a hard season for
many. After we got our mill running we had enough, but lived prudent on account
of so many that had none. Indian meal would command five dollars a bushel, but
so many poor had none that I sold all that I had to spare at one dollar a
bushel, though I was offered five dollars by those that were going to
California. But their gold would not buy it of me when so many poor were
starving. There were some informed me that they had not any bread in their
houses for six weeks and came to me to buy bran, but I sold none. I gave them
that. This scarce time caused people to scratch for life to raise grain, but
the crickets were very troublesome and destroyed many crops in 1851. But in
1852 the gulls came and destroyed them
according to the word of the prophet.
We built a house 34 by 30 feet on the
corner of block 82 on Jordan Street. The next season we built a large barn and
made a farm over Jordan about two miles off which gave us a good chance to keep
cattle. There was nothing then of a very extraordinary nature with exception of
Brother Brigham preaching continually to bring the church to obedience, but
they were growing rich and careless till about the time of the October
conference in 1856 when I understood Brother Brigham to say that the Lord would
wait no longer. I think he did not define what chastisement testimony that some
uncommon event was near at hand, but I was not aware that I had become so dull
and careless relative to my duty till Brother Kimball called on me in public to
awake to my duty. I began to call more fervently on the Lord. I soon saw that
Brother Kimball was right and that I was holding a high and responsible station
in the church as asleep with many others.
Brother Grant, who was one of
Brigham's counselors, was authorized to preach repentance to the people and to
a good effect. I with the associates of my council went before Brother Brigham
and informed him that if he knew of any others that would take our places
better, magnify it for the interest of the kingdom than we could, he was
perfectly at liberty to do so, but he told us to go and magnify our calling
ourselves. There was much confessing among the people of their faults.
Brother Brigham gave some strong
prophetic language relative to the United States of America. I think not far
from this the president and congress became very hostile to us and seemed to have
designs to brand us like themselves or destroy us. Therefore, they sent an army
to bring us to or destroy us, but we thought it not best to bring them in among
us because we did not like their hostile spirit nor their habits. Therefore, we
sent a few of our young men to meet them, which brought them to a stand for
further consideration.
In the spring following, all the
north part of the territory moved south till the army passed through to their
quarters at Camp Floyd.
But previous to this the president
and congress saw their mistake in sending the army here. Notwithstanding, they
had charged us with treason and many other offenses. They sent commissioners
here, forgave all our sins against them and wished peace and tranquility. Accordingly
we all moved back to our possessions peaceably.
In the meantime, we were rather
destitute of clothing, but speculators followed the army and brought more goods
to the valley than was ever brought before so that the people were decently clothed.
All this we considered direct from the hand of God to supply our wants. But
evils have followed the army. Such a herd of abominable characters have come in
their wake, that lying, gambling, robbing, stealing, and murdering till it
seemed as though they were determined to break up all law and order in the
territory. They brought with them much liquor which still furthered them in
their abomination, and many of our people who were weak joined with them in their
wickedness, especially the rising generation who imitated their habits. This
gave us some trouble to keep the Church in order. Brother Brigham preached
continually to bring the Church to obedience, but they were now careless.
We had some trouble with the Indians,
but nothing in consequence of our being driven out from the United States. I
think all the wars we have had with the Indians have not as yet made us so much
trouble as the armies sent from the United States.
I still continued my labors in town
and on my farm--what time I could get. I had much labor too among the
Seventies, remaining [a] counselor. I was frequently out four or five evenings
a week besides day meetings.
In March of 1857 I married Martha
Hughes, daughter of James and Ann Picton Hughes. She bore me five children.
I discovered that with the age that I
had approached that it began to wear upon my constitution. I was advised by
some to give up my presiding and let a younger man take it that invoked upon it.
I therefore gave it up, with the privilege of remaining in the body of the
Seventies or join the High Priest Quorum. I, therefore, have yet remained in
the body of Seventies. Considering they were both embraced in the Melchizedek
Priesthood it was a matter of indifference to me.
However, the southern mission that
had been in action for some time had some influence with me, partly on account
of its necessity and partly on account of some of my boys that were called there.
Therefore, I said I did not know but that I would go there if the presidency
thought it best. No sooner than they heard of it they sent me an order to go
with my family. I, therefore, put myself in the way of selling my property. My
boys heard of it and came to help me move to Dixie. Accordingly in the fall of
1862 I removed to Shoal Creek, where my boys were keeping a herd for the
southern people. I found it to be a very healthy section, and I enjoyed myself
very well, considering the obscurity of the place. We were a great distance
from the abode of the white men in the very midst of the roving red men.
I will now reflect back to the time
our family meetings convened. The first was in February, 1855. I called my
children together at my home in Salt Lake at this meeting and said, "I
want to instruct you a little and give such advice which I hope you will
remember. First get the Spirit of the Lord and keep it. The most of you have
the priesthood and you will be likely to use it to govern your families and
bring up your children.
"When a man has a number of good
children he loves all of them. If the destroyer comes to take one of them,
which will he give? Most likely the one he cannot keep, of course. Which child can't
you keep by the prayer of faith and the authority of the priesthood? Pray
mighty to God, let your thoughts be raised in prayer day and night, that you
may have the Spirit of the Lord to be with you.
"Never speak till you know what
you are going to say. Never whip a child in anger. Be sure that the Spirit of
the Lord dictates to you when you groom your children. Never let your girls go
with men that you do not know for some men have the fever of seducing,
therefore, beware who they go with. Some women think if their husbands get
another wife they cannot love them anymore, but they are under a great mistake,
for he can love one hundred as well as the sun can shine upon each of them in a
clear day--if God requires, you get them. Such idle thoughts should be banished
from their minds forever. Why is it so? Because it is God's order. A man may
love his wives just in proportion to their acts of kindness to him. I beg of
you mothers to take care of
your children while they are with
you. I now will give way for you to speak."
Then each child would bear their
testimonies. These meetings were held regularly once a year and recorded.
[Zerah Pulsipher was instrumental in
building the town of Hebron. There he died January 1, 1872.]
From a family group sheet in the
Joseph Smith Building in Salt Lake City,
Utah: Sources of information:
From book The Early Pulsipher Family
History, in possession of patron: Mrs.
Eliza Chaffin, 5255 Wardlow Road,
Long Beach, California 90808.
History of Glouster, Massachussetts.
Vital records of Ipswich,
Massachussetts.
Soilders and Sailors in the war of
the revolution, Vol. 12.
L.D.S. temple records.
Pulsipher history by LUND, Mr. &
Mrs. Terry Lund, Paraonah, Utah.
Pulispher, Mary Brown, 1799-1886
Autobiography
(1799-1880)
Typescript, HBLL
This autobiography has been published in Kenneth Glyn Hales, Windows: A
Mormon Family (Tucson, Arizona: Skyline
Printing, 1985). Grammar has been standarized according to that publication.
Pagination is based on typescript at BYU.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARY BROWN
PULSIPHER
My Grandfather and Grandmother Brown
I knew but little about; they died when my father was quite young. They had
three sons: Joseph, John and Jonathan. My Grandfather and Grandmother Fairchild
I well remember. Grandmother died when I was four years old, in Connecticut.
Grandfather then went to Pennsylvania and died there. I think they had five
sons and two girls. The names that I can remember are: Samuel, Sherman,
Stephen, Eunice and Sarah. Grandfather's name was Stephen, and grandmother's
name was Eunice.
My Father, John Brown, was born
February 27, 1770. My mother, Sarah Fairchild was born March 6, 1771. Their
children were: Juda Brown, born November 2, 1793. John Brown, born August 24,
1795. Eunice Brown, born August 4, 1794. Mary Brown, born March 2, 1799. Thirsa
Brown, born July Il, 1802. Sally Brown, born February 27, 1805. Catherine
Brown, born August 13, 1808. Loring G. Brown, born April 17, 1811.
They were all born in Connecticut,
but Catherine and Loring. They were born in Pennsylvania. My father moved from
Connecticut to Pennsylvania when I was six years old. My father's home was a
home for the Methodist preachers and all other preachers when they came. I
joined the Methodist Church when I was 13 years old. I lived in Pennsylvania
until I was married in 1815 to Zerah Pulsipher.
My oldest child was born May 30,
1816. Mary Ann Pulsipher, born May 30, 1816. Died July 14, 1816. Almira
Pulsipher, born September 8, 1817. Married Horace Burgess. Died March 8, 1868.
Nelson Pulsipher, born March 28, 1820. Died May 7, 1824. Mariah Pulsipher, born
June 15, 1822. Married William Burgess. Died 1893. Sarah Pulsipher, born
November 2, 1824. Married John Alger. Died January, 1909. John Pulsipher, born
July 17, 1827. First marriage: Rosella Huffaker. Second marriage: Ester Barnum.
Died August 9, 1891. Charles Pulsipher, born April 20, 1830. Mary Ann
Pulsipher, born November 20, 1833. Married Thomas S. Terry. Died September 17,
1913. William Pulsipher, born January 21, 1838. Married Esther Chidester. Died
March 12, 1880. Eliza Jane Pulsipher, born July 26, 1840. Married Thomas S.
Terry. Died May 6, 1919. Fidelia Pulsipher, born October 13, 1842. Died January
8, 1846.
We lived in Pennsylvania seven years.
Did a great deal of hard work there, then left and moved to New York State, in
Onondaga County. There we heard the gospel preached for the first time by the
Latter-day Saints. We went forth and were baptized in the year 1832 by Jared
Carter. He baptized about twenty in that place. Then ordained my husband, Zerah
Pulsipher, and left him to preside over the church. He baptized more there. We
stayed there about two years, then moved twenty miles to Fabius; lived with a
Doctor Newcome one-and-a-half years. Then we all moved to Kirtland, Ohio,
together. Stayed there four years. Zerah was ordained there one of the first
seven presidents by the hands of Joseph Smith, the Prophet.
He helped build the [Kirtland]
temple. Got his endowments in it, then we were driven from that place with the
rest of the Saints. We started in July (the 15th) with a large [Kirtland] camp
for Missouri. We all got there in the fall and went to Daviess County. My
husband was one of the council that led the camp. We stayed in that place for
one month; then we were driven from there by the mob. Then we went to Far West
and stayed there through the winter. Then we had to go again. We started in
March for Illinois. We stopped twenty-five miles from Nauvoo, in Bear Creek
Woods.
The winter we were in Far West,
Missouri, we had to part with our good old mother Pulsipher. She was sick one
week, and then died. The day before she died, she lay looking up. I said, "Mother,
what do you see?" She said, "Oh, don't you see that light?" I
looked, but could not see any. The next day she saw it again over her bed. She
said, "That is a light to light me through the dark folly of death."
Then she fell asleep without a struggle or groan. I think she was eighty-five years
old.
We stayed in Bear Creek Woods mostly
two years. Then the First Presidency had gotten out of prison and out of
Missouri. The saints had begun to settle Nauvoo. They sent for us to move there.
We went there and stayed, I think, five years. My youngest child, Fidelia, was
born there. She was a very smart, promising child, but we could not keep her
only four years and three months. We buried her there. We helped build the
[Nauvoo] temple there, got our endowments in it--then we started with the rest
of the church west to find some place where we could live in peace. We were two
years, not forty, in going to Salt Lake. We lived there fourteen years and enjoyed
great blessings there. We helped cultivate the barren desert and made it
"blossom like the rose." My husband was one of the city council most
of the time we were there.
Then we were called to go south 300
miles and help cultivate another barren desert. We have lived ten years in this
place, Hebron. We have enjoyed great blessings, lived in peace, none to molest
or make afraid, although we have had to part with some of our dear friends
here. Almira, my daughter, died in March, 1868, and John's wife, Rosella, and
little boy, William Lewis, died. We lived here, enjoyed ourselves well with our
children and grandchildren all around us until my husband was called away by
death, in January 1, 1872. He lived to a good age, and then went down to the
grave like a shock of corn, fully ripe. I am spared yet I hope to do a little
good before I die.
I used to say when my children were
small that if I could live to see my children grow up to be honorable men and
women it would be all I could ask for. I have lived to see them all settled with
good families, all trying to do what good they can to build up the kingdom of
God. I feel very thankful and much pleased with my children. I hope they will
live and do much good, be agreed, united, and try to help each other and carry
out the counsel their father and mother has given them. I write this after I am
seventy-two years old for my children to look at. It is written very poorly.
Perhaps you cannot read it.
By request I write a little more history
and experience. Eight years have passed away since I wrote the little sketch. I
am yet here. I will begin by writing my first experiences in the Methodist Church.
My parents taught me to be honest, industrious, and to kept the Sabbath Day.
They were very strict Methodists. When I was about thirteen years old I thought
I ought to join the Methodist Church. It was the only church I knew much about.
The preachers came every two weeks to preach at Father's house. I told him I
wanted to join the church and he said I could. I did not know but they would
call for me to relate a great experience when I was converted, but I could not
have told them. All they did was to put my name on the class paper for six
month's trial. When six months was out the preachers said, "Here is Sister
Mary. She is a good, faithful,
worthy sister. I motion that she be
taken in full fellowship." I was voted in.
Perhaps one year passed away and not
a word was said about baptism. I said to the preacher, "Do you believe
baptism to be a duty for us to obey?" He said baptism was not a saving ordinance,
just to answer a good conscience. I said, "I see by reading the New
Testament, I consider it a duty--a command." "Well," he said,
"it is your duty to be baptized. I said, "I want to be." He
said, "What way?" I said there was only one way that looked to be
right--to be immersed and buried in the water. He said, "The Savior set
the example and he was not immersed. He went out into the water and knelt down
and had some water poured on his head." He said he had seen it in history.
We went to the water. He sang and prayed, then took me by the hand and led me
to the water. He said, "Step in and kneel." I did. He dipped a little
water, said over the ceremony, and poured it on my head, while he stood on the
bank. He did not wet his feet. I thought if baptism was to answer a good
conscience, I was not satisfied. It looked like mockery to me, but I had done
my duty.
I write this to let my children see
the darkness and ignorance the world was then in. Surely the prophet could say
darkness had covered the earth, and gross darkness, the people. I rejoice that
we live in a day that the true light and true gospel was shining.
I think I was in the Methodist Church
about twenty years before I heard the true gospel. We happened to see the Book
of Mormon. We borrowed it, read it, and believed it, but did not know anything
more about it. We were very anxious to know more about it. It was not long before
a Mormon preacher came. We had a great many questions to ask. He told us how
the book was found and translated. He knew it to be a true record. We went to
hear him preach. He said baptism by immersion was the only right way. It was
for the remission of sins. I thought that looked right. In a short time some were
ready to be baptized. I wanted to be at the first opportunity, but Satan
thought he would hinder it. The night before baptism I was taken very lame with
rheumatism or something else. I was so sick I could not get around much. As
they were fixing to go, Brother Carter said to me, "Sister Pulsipher, if
you will do your duty, you shall be healed." I took a cane and hauled to
the water and went in. It was a very cold day, but I came out well, left my
cane, and went away rejoicing.
I was very ignorant, I had not heard
anything about being confirmed, or receiving the Holy Ghost. The next evening I
went to meeting and the six that were baptized were there. When he put his
hands on my head, he said, "Sister Pulsipher, by the authority of the Holy
Priesthood and in the name of Jesus, I lay my hands on your head to bless you
and to confirm you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. I say unto you,
receive the Holy Ghost." He promised great blessings if I would be
faithful. The Spirit of the Lord was there. We sang, prayed, and praised God
together.
It was not long before the news went
all around that Brother and Sister Pulsipher were
Mormons. Some would not believe it
until they came to see us. We had plenty of visitors. Some came to try to
convince us that it was all delusion. They thought they could reclaim us, but
went away discouraged. Others came to inquire. They said if we had got
something better, they wanted to know it. They would be baptized and go home
rejoicing.
I will mention one that came to see me,
my brother-in-law, Joseph Chidester. He lived four miles from me. He was going
to move away, but could not go without seeing me. I had belonged to the same
church he did. He was a preacher. He said I was the last one he would have
thought of as being led away with such heresy and delusions, as he thought it
was. "Well," said I, "if this is what the world calls heresy, to
worship my God, . . . I know in whom I believe." He said, "I think in
about six months before you will see your error. I think Mormonism will be all
down flat in that time." I said, "Joseph, I have not the least idea
that it will. It will stand. But, if it does come down, I never could go to the
Methodist or another church that I know of. It would be going right into
darkness." He said, "I see I cannot convince you, but I have done my
duty." He
groaned and sighed and bid me
farewell. I said, "I thank you for the kind feelings you have for me. Do
not worry about me."
I never saw him after that. He moved
away, lived a few years and died very suddenly with heart disease. He had an
appointment to preach the day he was buried. His wife, my sister, died soon after.
I think they have heard the gospel preached before this time. Zerah and Joseph
were great friends. He had not read the Book of Mormon nor heard a sermon
preached. He judged before he heard, like too many others. If they would hear
and read without prejudice, there would not be half so many cry out heresy,
delusion and false prophets.
Well, I began to gather with the
church. I went to Kirtland. There I had my blessing from the first patriarch in
this church, Father Joseph Smith. He said I should have my friends with me in this
church, and that I would be the means of saving and redeeming them. I believed
every word, but did not understand how it would come to pass. I never heard nor
thought of being baptized for the dead. He said I had left all for the gospel,
I should have a hundred fold in this world and in the world to come, life
everlasting, with many more good blessings if I would be faithful.
I am now almost 81 years old, have
lived and enjoyed myself well with my children a long time. I expect the time
will soon come when I must leave them. I have watched over them, tried to comfort
them and instruct them right. I pray that they may live in peace, be united and
keep all the commandments of God. If riches increase, set not your hearts on
them, but lay up treasures in heaven. It is the only safe place that we can
treasure up riches. I would like to have my children live near together to help
and comfort one another. May God bless you all. Mary Brown Pulsipher; Hebron,
March, 1880.
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