Zerah Pulsipher
(June 24, 1788 [or 1789]-January 1, 1872)
Witnesses the transfiguration of Brigham Young.
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.
“Autobiography of Zerah Pulsipher,” typescript copy, BYU Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah, 20.
Another account of seeing transfiguration of Brigham Young.
At that time most of the twelve were away on missions. Sidney Rigdon who aspired to the presidency came and called the Church together and presented his claim to the presidency. But the Twelve arrived and appeared on the stand at the day appointed for choosing. Sidney Rigdon made his plea. Brigham Young began to speak. At that time I sat with my back towards the stand as did many others. When Brigham spoke it was with the voice of Joseph. We turned to see Brigham speaking with Joseph’s voice, and behold, Joseph’s mantle had fallen on Brigham. The congregation understood it the same way. Brigham stood at the head of the Twelve. Therefore the Church turned to him for guidance.
“Early Life and Ministry of Zerah Pulsipher,” in N. B. Lundwall, Faith Like the Ancients, 2 vols. (Manti, Utah: Mountain Valley Publishers, 1950), 2:191.