I will continue Zerah's story with his own words:
"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, give it a thorough investigation and believed it was true. (His wife, Mary Ann also read the book and believed it to be true.)
The winter following, Jared Carter came that was from a mission to Vermont or Lake George (Lake George, New York, where the Burgess family was living and heard the gospel at the same time from Elder Simeon Carter, Jared's brother. Quite a coincidence considering the connection that was soon to develop between these two families.) 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 recoveredd." "Yes," he said, "I have 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 Hallelujah to 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 and informed them of what I had seen. I told them of my determination to join the Church of Jesus Christ 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."
Isn't it wonderful that Zerah had a knowledge and understanding of the Bible so that he understood he had not yet found a church with the fullness of the gospel until he read the Book of Mormon. How impressive that he read the book through, twice within a few days. How many of us can make a similar claim? Zerah also wanted a knowledge of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon for himself and "made it a matter of fervent prayer." Each of us can gain a sure testimony in exactly the same way. I will say this many times, but I am so very grateful for the heritage of these faithful, committed pioneer ancestors. We owe them so much for the incredible legacy they have given us.
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