Conversion of Anders (Andrew) and Bodella Paulson

They were newlyweds living in Denmark. They worked at a dairy where he made 9¢ a day and she made 6¢ a day. It was then that they were converted to the LDS Church. Having heard that the Mormon Elders speak of the streets, telling of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, quoting James. “If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him, but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering, for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed.” Next day Grandmother Poulson tried to find the scripture referred to but could not remember where it was found in the Bible, but recalled what it said, that if you prayed humbly you would receive the wisdom desired. She prayed as instructed. When she again opened her bible it was at Jas. Ch. 1 and directly over the verses 5-6 was a small bright light that moved over the lines as she read them. She was so happy that she wept with joy and closed the bible without remembering the chapter. When grandfather came home she told him of her experience. He was much disappointed that she could not tell him where it was found and finally said- “Mother let us pray again and perhaps we can find it.” With all the faith humble people could have, they did so. This same experience was repeated again to both of them. They never again forgot the chapter and verse. With study and prayer this experience converted them to the gospel as taught by the Latter Day Saints. (this event was told by Grandfather Poulson to his daughter Karenstens, who in turn related it to her son Dan, from whom it came to the writer direct.) Joy and happiness were theirs in full measure, but when it became known that they had been converted to another church their minister demanded their bible, but they refused to give it up. They were discharged from their jobs in the dairy and found it difficult to procure employment of any kind but finally did so at three cents per day. They studied the scriptures, attended all meetings possible and made preparation in due time to immigrate to Zion (Utah) as soon as possible.

Alvah J. Alexander and the Prophet Joseph Smith

(From Young Woman's Journal 17 (1906), p.541) - Found at the Lands and Records Office in Nauvoo Sept 2014 "I came to Nauvoo in the fall of 1842. At this time I met the Prophet Joseph Smith, and knew him from then till the time of his death. I was only a boy of eleven when I first knew him, but I always loved him, and no amusements or games were as interesting to me as to hear him talk. I remember one day I was at his home playing with his children, when he came home and brought two men. These men had been arrested for abusing Joseph. He brought them in and treated them as he would one who had never done him a wrong; gave them dinner before he would allow them to depart. Just before they sat down to dinner he brought his children up and introduced them. Pointing to me he said: 'This is a neighbor's little boy'. When the officers were taking Joseph to Carthage, at the time of his assassination, my father and I met them. We stepped to one side of the road to allow them to pass. Captain Dunem, who was with Joseph, stopped and told my father that Joseph said he never expected to return. And he never did, for he was foully assassinated at the Carthage Jail. When they returned with the body, I was among those who went to meet them. I saw him lying in state at the Mansion House. I was deeply affected, as my love for the Prophet was great. As a boy, my testimony that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet was as strong as it is now as a man; and I verily testify that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of the living God."

Nauvoo!

We went to Nauvoo again this past weekend and it meant more than ever. We found the names of our relatives who died along the way to Salt Lake on the walls of the Pioneer Memorial. We learned how Philander Colton made bricks at the kiln. We saw the grave of Joel Scovil and one of the original sunstones carved by Charles Lambert.

We went to the Land and Records Office and stayed until they kicked us out saving names onto a cd along with maps of where they lived in Nauvoo and it was so fun to see how close to one another members of my side were with Jaymee's family. Some even shared lots! We went through a couple generations on Sienna's fan on my side and I was shocked to see that only about 4 couples out of maybe 30 or so didn't live in Nauvoo. I had no idea so many lived there!! What new meaning that town has for me.

Pictures and new info to come!!