Biography

A former Episcopalian, and having grown up in Fairfax, Virginia, Brother Purse converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 36 years ago.  His interest was sparked by a visit to the Washington, D.C. Temple Visitor’s Center.  After his baptism in Northern Virginia, he transferred from VA Tech to BYU in Provo Utah, and then went on a Spanish-speaking mission to New York City.  He then returned to BYU where he met his wife, Martha Campbell, in the Sunday School class Brother Purse was teaching.  Sister Purse is from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and she also is a convert to the Church.  They have been married for nearly 31 years and they have 5 children; a son and four daughters. They also have a grandson.  Brother Purse has served in many Church callings including Sunday School Teacher, YM Advisor, Ward Mission Leader, Elder’s Quorum President, Branch President, Counselor in a Bishopric, Bishop, Stake High Councilor, and in his current assignment, as an Area Family History Advisor.  

Brother Purse has a B.A. and M.A. from BYU, and a Ph.D. from Ohio University.  During his 30-year teaching career he has taught Early Morning and Home Study Seminary, Institute on university campuses in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, and has been responsible for training hundreds of Seminary and Institute teachers in 4 states, 5 stakes, and 2 mission districts.  For the past 17 years, Bro. Purse has taught in the Religion Department at BYU-Idaho, teaching such courses as the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the New Testament, and World Religions. He also teaches Eastern Philosophy and a new Eastern Sacred Texts class.  In August 2000 he co-directed a Humanities tour to Europe, and he has been a director and assistant director of 4 BYUI Religious History Tours since then.  

Brother Purse enjoys most sports, hiking, reading, traveling, and spending time with his family.