“Voices of the Restoration: Spiritual Manifestations and the Kirtland Temple,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Spiritual Manifestations and the Kirtland Temple,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
Voices of the Restoration
Spiritual Manifestations and the Kirtland Temple
Below are the words of Latter-day Saints who were in the Kirtland Temple during its dedication and in other meetings that followed. Many compared their experiences to what the ancient Saints experienced when they were “endued with power from on high” on the day of Pentecost (Luke 24:49; see also Acts 2:1–4; Doctrine and Covenants 109:36–37).
Eliza R. Snow
“The ceremonies of that dedication may be rehearsed, but no mortal language can describe the heavenly manifestations of that memorable day. Angels appeared to some, while a sense of divine presence was realized by all present, and each heart was filled with ‘joy inexpressible and full of glory.’”1
Sylvia Cutler Webb
“One of my earliest recollections was the dedication of the Temple. My father took us up on his lap and told us why we were going and what it meant to dedicate a house to God. And although so very young at the time, I clearly remember the occasion. I can look back through the lapse of years and see as I saw then Joseph the Prophet, standing with his hands raised towards heaven, his face ashy pale, the tears running down his cheeks as he spoke on that memorable day. Almost all seemed to be in tears. The house was so crowded the children were mostly sitting on older people’s laps; my sister sat on father’s, I on my mother’s lap. I can even remember the dresses we wore. My mind was too young at that time to grasp the full significance of it all, but as time passed it dawned more and more upon me, and I am very grateful that I was privileged to be there.”2
Oliver Cowdery
“In the evening I met with the officers of the church in the Lord’s house. The Spirit was poured out—I saw the glory of God, like a great cloud, come down and rest upon the house, and fill the same like a mighty rushing wind. I also saw cloven tongues, like as of fire rest upon many, … while they spake with other tongues and prophesied.”3
Benjamin Brown
“Many visions [were] seen. One saw a pillow or cloud rest down upon the house, bright as when the sun shines on a cloud like as gold. Two others saw three personages hovering in the room with bright keys in their hands, and also a bright chain in their hands.”4
Orson Pratt
“God was there, his angels were there, the Holy Ghost was in the midst of the people … and they were filled from the crown of their heads to the soles of their feet with the power and inspiration of the Holy Ghost.”5
Nancy Naomi Alexander Tracy
“[When] the Temple was finished and dedicated … they were two of the happiest days of my life. The fitting hymn that was composed for the occasion was ‘The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning.’ It was verily true that the Heavenly Influence rested down upon that house. … I felt that it was heaven on earth.”6