Zera Pulsipher

Zera Pulsipher (also Zerah) (June 24, 1789 – January 1, 1872) was an American religious leader who was an early convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was one of the seven presidents to oversee the group known as the Seventy between 1838 and 1862. In that capacity, he provided leadership to the early Mormon community, most notably in the exodus of the Kirtland Camp. He was also an active missionary who baptized Wilford Woodruff into the church. While historical records use both spellings of his first name, Pulsipher most frequently used "Zerah" in his own handwritten documents, reflecting the most common spelling in the King James Version.

Ancestry and youth Pulsipher was born in Rockingham, Vermont, to John and Elizabeth Pulsipher. He came from a heritage of New England settlers and patriots, including a father and grandfather who fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill. He spent much of his childhood working on his parents’ farm. During his early twenties, Pulsipher attempted to study medicine, but returned to farming. He married Mary Randall in 1810, and they had a daughter together. Mary died after a year of being married. Pulsipher married Mary Brown in 1815, and they raised a large family together. For the next two years, Pulsipher presided over his local branch and served missions, notably baptizing future church president Wilford Woodruff.