Revelation and the Kirtland Temple

From the Prophet Joseph Smith’s Own Account

Establish … a house of God (D&C 88:119).

Kirtland, January 14, 1833. … The Lord commanded us, in Kirtland, [Ohio,] to build a house of God, … this is the word of the Lord to us, and … the Lord helping us, we will obey. …

June 1st [1833] I received the following:

“Ye have sinned against me. …

“Yea, verily I say unto you, I gave unto you a commandment that you should build a house, in the which house I design to endow those whom I have chosen with power from on high. …

“Verily I say unto you, it is my will that you should build a house. If you keep my commandments you shall have power to build it.”

June 5 [1833].—George A. Smith hauled the first load of stone for the Temple, and Hyrum Smith and Reynolds Cahoon commenced digging the trench for the walls of the Lord’s house, and finished the same with their own hands.

On [July 23, 1833], … the corner stones of the Lord’s House were laid in Kirtland, after the order of the Holy Priesthood.

October 1–15 [1834].—Great exertions were made to [speed up] the work of the Lord’s house, and notwithstanding it was commenced almost with nothing, as to means, yet the way opened as we proceeded. …

Sunday, March 27 [1836].—The congregation began to assemble at the Temple, at about seven o’clock … to witness the dedication of the Lord’s House. …

Presidents Rigdon, Cowdery and myself seated the congregation as they came in. …

At nine o’clock a. m. President Sidney Rigdon commenced the services. … He admitted there were many houses … built for the worship of God, but not one except this … that was built by divine revelation. …

I then made a short address. …

[The dedicatory prayer was offered next—see D&C 109.]

The assembly dispersed a little past four o’clock. …

I met the quorums in the evening. …

Brother George A. Smith arose and began to prophesy, when a noise was heard like the sound of a rushing mighty wind, which filled the Temple, and all the congregation simultaneously arose, being moved upon by an invisible power; many began to speak in tongues and prophesy; others saw glorious visions; and I beheld the Temple was filled with angels. … The people of the neighborhood came running together (hearing an unusual sound within, and seeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the Temple), and were astonished at what was taking place. This continued until the meeting closed at eleven p. m.

(History of the Church, vol. 1, pages 316, 349–353, 400; vol. 2, pages 167, 410–417, 428.)

Illustrated by Paul Mann