Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Back Door Service
I have been thinking a lot about Grandma Pulsipher lately. I was reminded of a story that our past Stake President (Alma Whipple) shared with me. He told me that when he was a young boy his father died suddenly. That evening, while neighbors, ward members and family were coming through the front door to console his mother, he and his brothers and sisters where sitting in the kitchen, lost in their grief. He said that suddenly the back door opened and there was "Lil." He said that she quickly got them all to work, helping her to get dinner on the table, washing up the dishes, sweeping the floor, just anything to get them busy. After they all sat down to eat, he said that she said her goodbyes and then left out the back door. He told me that that little experience taught him a great lesson. It's not about what people see, it's about what they don't. He told me that from that point on, he looked for opportunities to render "back door service." I have been thinking about that lately, and I have resolved this year to look for my own opportunities to help those around me in any way I can. I am so greatful for such a grand heritage, for Grandparents who were willing to give the shirts off their backs to help others in need. They truly are and were such incredible examples of the Pure Love of Christ. I hope to be able to make them proud, by following their examples. Happy New Year everyone!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Is this thing on?
Well, the Holiday season is upon us. From now until the end of the year life will become a whirlwind of activity. There will be parties and performances and service projects and shopping and wrapping and baking - and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Hopefully you will take a minute and update us on your families.
There have been a few comments and posts, but otherwise not much activity on this blog. I haven't posted as much as I would like to, but I was also hoping there were others out there that would contribute. If you would like to contribute, let me know and I'll add you as an author.
We have much to be thankful for and I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!
There have been a few comments and posts, but otherwise not much activity on this blog. I haven't posted as much as I would like to, but I was also hoping there were others out there that would contribute. If you would like to contribute, let me know and I'll add you as an author.
We have much to be thankful for and I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Flashback Friday
We descend from a grand heritage. Most of the Pulsiphers I meet know (and are related to) Zera Pulsipher. My parents gave me an interesting article once by Glen L. Rudd talking about the Angel Moroni, in which he mentions Zera Pulsipher. I thought I'd share it with you all...
First, a little background. This comes from a transcript of Zera Pulsipher's autobiography. The spelling and grammar are just as he wrote it. To see the entire transcript, click here.
"In the summer of 1831 I heard a Minister say than an ancient record of 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 time 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 shoud 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 into town I succeeded in getting it I directly read it through twice gave it a thorough investigation an believed it was true and he winter following Jerod Carter came that way from a mission to Vermont to 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 belinging to it. I asked him upon the principles of the ancient gospel with all its gifts belinging 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 congreation 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 exceedlingly 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 filled with the joys of heaven. But when my mind became calm I called the church together, (he being 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 Dec, 1833, at Richland, New York. "
Now, what did Elder Glen L. Rudd have to say? If you want to read the entire talk, click here.
"Now, I want to tell you the names of some of the people that saw Moroni. We all know he talked to Joseph Smith who saw him. We know that Oliver Cowdery saw him as did David Whitmer and Martin Harris...
"The ninth man to see Moroni was a man named Zera Pulsipher. He was a minister of another church. He had a vision in his barn. While he was out in the barn one day, a light descended upon him in the middle of this barn, and he looked up and saw Moroni. And Moroni blessed his life and showed him the plates. He became a Seventy in the Church. He became a high priest and became a patriarch. He’s the man who converted and baptized Wilford Woodruff into the Church in 1833."
Simply amazing.
First, a little background. This comes from a transcript of Zera Pulsipher's autobiography. The spelling and grammar are just as he wrote it. To see the entire transcript, click here.
"In the summer of 1831 I heard a Minister say than an ancient record of 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 time 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 shoud 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 into town I succeeded in getting it I directly read it through twice gave it a thorough investigation an believed it was true and he winter following Jerod Carter came that way from a mission to Vermont to 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 belinging to it. I asked him upon the principles of the ancient gospel with all its gifts belinging 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 congreation 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 exceedlingly 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 filled with the joys of heaven. But when my mind became calm I called the church together, (he being 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 Dec, 1833, at Richland, New York. "
Now, what did Elder Glen L. Rudd have to say? If you want to read the entire talk, click here.
"Now, I want to tell you the names of some of the people that saw Moroni. We all know he talked to Joseph Smith who saw him. We know that Oliver Cowdery saw him as did David Whitmer and Martin Harris...
"The ninth man to see Moroni was a man named Zera Pulsipher. He was a minister of another church. He had a vision in his barn. While he was out in the barn one day, a light descended upon him in the middle of this barn, and he looked up and saw Moroni. And Moroni blessed his life and showed him the plates. He became a Seventy in the Church. He became a high priest and became a patriarch. He’s the man who converted and baptized Wilford Woodruff into the Church in 1833."
Simply amazing.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Flashback Friday
I guess the little reunion with the brothers and sis went well this week. The play was fantastic and my mom said it was the first time she could understand all the words to the songs in Les Mis. We missed Uncle Cleo and Aunt Janet at the BIG reunion and plan on seeing them next time...
Today's flashback only flashes back a couple of months. We had a great time at the Ranch this year. A lot of loved ones came and a lot of fun activities were planned. The boat races were fun, the food was amazing, and the company was the best!
Sunday was one of those unforgettable days. The original offspring of Francis and Lillian presented some wonderful memories of Grandpa. They spoke of what he taught them and how he loved them. I've always felt that I will recognize Grandpa when I meet him, and these stories of his life only made him more familiar to me. I can picture little Aunt Jeannie making designs with her feet in the dirt as she rode in the back of Grandpa's tractor. I can picture Grandpa taking Uncle Vaughn along to go buy a car. I can see the sacrifices Grandpa made so his kids could get a good education. I can imagine Grandpa responding to questions about expanding his farm by saying, "I'm not in the business of raising crops, I'm in the business of raising sons and a daughter."
We descend from a truly great man and woman. I am proud of our legacy and I hope we can all make them proud of their posterity.
Today's flashback only flashes back a couple of months. We had a great time at the Ranch this year. A lot of loved ones came and a lot of fun activities were planned. The boat races were fun, the food was amazing, and the company was the best!
Sunday was one of those unforgettable days. The original offspring of Francis and Lillian presented some wonderful memories of Grandpa. They spoke of what he taught them and how he loved them. I've always felt that I will recognize Grandpa when I meet him, and these stories of his life only made him more familiar to me. I can picture little Aunt Jeannie making designs with her feet in the dirt as she rode in the back of Grandpa's tractor. I can picture Grandpa taking Uncle Vaughn along to go buy a car. I can see the sacrifices Grandpa made so his kids could get a good education. I can imagine Grandpa responding to questions about expanding his farm by saying, "I'm not in the business of raising crops, I'm in the business of raising sons and a daughter."
We descend from a truly great man and woman. I am proud of our legacy and I hope we can all make them proud of their posterity.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
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