Autobiography
Harold R “Hal” and Mary Kay Southwick Bunderson
And Biographical Profiles of Our Parents, Siblings and Grandparents
The family history part of our genealogical research
WEBSITE PURPOSE
This website is a working draft of the Harold R “Hal” and Mary Kay Southwick Bunderson family history; a book of stories that profiles our lives and that of our parents, siblings and ancestors; and the underlying principles and beliefs that motivate our choices. Because Mary Kay was diligent in keeping journals, her involvement has continued since her passing in 2013. A prolific reader of books, Mary Kay said of me, “You are a business-writer; you research the facts then briefly tell the full story as objectively as possible.” What Mary Kay said is true, however, some “Commentary” and narratives include my opinion. Our son Brian created this website for me to achieve three purposes:
1. Home-page – It is a storage location for each section, chapter and appendix that is at the preliminary-draft stage; subject to change based on input from family and friends. When I bring all of the sections to the pre-final stage; likely in 2021, this “Home Page” will constitute the manuscript I will submit to the editor and publisher I will employ.
2. Communication – To encourage edit, critique and suggestions from family and friends.
My Paternal lines are: Bunderson-Norr (Andersen). My maternal lines: Roe-Harris.
Mary Kay’s Paternal lines are: Southwick-Shupe. Her maternal lines: Dickerson-Bassett.
3. Example – How to begin writing personal family histories – Those who find writing their family history daunting, this approach may be a helpful example: Create a family file on your computer. Write one story; give it a headline and write a commentary when warranted. When you think of another story, repeat the process. Eventually you will have recorded your family history. Many of your posterity will be grateful you took the time.
Examples - two topics in the book:
Stories from Chapter 1
How we met – Mary Kay and I each experienced complex series of events that preceded our meeting and falling in love. It is highly improbable that we could have ever meet, except for one profound fact: “Our Father in Heaven is involved in the detail of his children’s lives.”
Stories from chapter 11
My professional career - What are the odds that a poor farm boy from Stone, Idaho; six years older than most peers and no business experience could get a job and become a partner with Arthur Andersen & Co., a premier international public accounting, auditing, tax and consulting firm? The odds of it being a coincidence or luck are enormous. It happened because of one profound fact: “God is involved in the detail of each person’s life,” to the extent we allow it.
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With God’s Help all things are possible
Autobiography
Harold R “Hal” and Mary Kay Southwick Bunderson
And Biographical Profiles of Our Parents, Siblings and Grandparents
The family history part of our genealogical research
Mary Kay (telling a story) and Hal – newlyweds living in Los Angeles, December 1964
Copyright disclosures to come
Reference code
The scriptural quotations and references to historical events cited herein can generally be found by typing the scriptural citation, names or events into your Internet search engine. However, discretion is advised. The Internet can be a source of both facts and falsehoods. Some written histories are nothing more than legends and traditions promoted as fact; history written by the “winners.”
It is best to follow Jesus Christ’s Apostle Paul’s advice; “Prove all things; hold fast to that that is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). As a retired professional auditor, that is what I endeavor to do.
Mary Kay and I are disciples of Jesus Christ and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Church). The views on eternal matters stated herein are our own. Albeit, we believe they comport with the teachings of the Church. Where appropriate to document a point, I have quoted from secular and Church leaders, as well as recognized (independent-minded) historians. I have also quoted from one or more of the four books of scripture used by the Church. The following are the scriptural reference codes I used for each book of scripture:
- The Holy Bible - Authorized King James Version – (Individual books cited)
- The Book of Mormon – Another Testament for Jesus Christ (BM)
- The Doctrine and Covenants (D&C)
- The Pearl of Great Price (PGP)
The Book of Mormon, another Witness for Jesus Christ, is the translation of an ancient record telling the stories of two oversea migrations of ancient inhabitants of the American continents. The principal and latter migration occurred circa B.C. 600, just before the fall of Jerusalem. It gives the account of Jesus Christ appearing to them following his crucifixion and resurrection circa A.D. 34. He called them some His “other sheep.” (John 10:16 and BM, 3 Nephi 15: 21-24 and 16: 1-3). The BM was published in the state of New York, March 1830 coincident with the Church’s beginnings.
The Doctrine and Covenants are revelations from the Lord Jesus Christ to his “latter-day” prophets relative to restoring his Church; including organization, doctrines and covenants.
The Peral of Great Price contains revelations foundational to Church doctrine and ancient history, including the restoration of the lost parts of Genesis written by God’s ancient prophet Moses; writings of the prophet Abraham translated from ancient Egyptian scrolls; and the account of our Father-in-Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ appearing to Joseph Smith in 1820; the man they foreordained in the premortal world to be their Prophet through which they would restore their pristine Church and Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth for the last time.