I Saw The Angels

Description

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 Harriet. 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.

Zerah would later learn of the hymn’s greater meaning when he learned of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, but for the time, he said, “My mind became calm as respecting her condition in the spirit world.”

Zerah married again and moved to New York state. It was there in 1831 that he first heard mention of the Book of Mormon. Not long after he obtained a copy of the book and read it through twice. He heard Elder Jared Carter declare it to be “a revelation from God.” Hearing that, Zerah said,

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 filled with the joys of heaven.

Zerah Pulsipher was baptized and gathered with the Saints. He served multiple missions. One of those who heard him preach and was baptized was Wilford Woodruff. He emigrated to Utah and lived out his days in southern Utah and died January 1, 1872, at the age of 82. He was a serving as a patriarch when he passed away.

Sources: http://www.johnpratt.com/gen/8/z_pulsipher.html

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/K2HH-5XK/zerah-pulsipher-1789-1872

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/zera-pulsipher