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The Kirtland Temple
NOTE: For a current list of temples built and planned (as of May 20, 2001)
go to Temple List.
The Sacrifices
Brigham Young spoke of the great sacrifice made by the Saints: "
. . . a mere handful of men, living on air, and a little hominy and milk, and often salt
or no salt, when milk could not be had; the great Prophet Joseph, in the stone quarry,
quarrying rock with his own hands; and the few then in the Church, following his example
of obedience and diligence wherever most needed; with laborers on the walls, holding the
sword in one hand to protect themselves from the mob, while they placed the stone and
moved the trowel with the other, the Kirtland temple . . . was so far completed as to be
dedicated." (Discourses of Brigham Young, p415)
Heber C. Kimball records this in his journal about Sidney Rigdon and
his concern for the temple. He said "Elder Rigdon looking at the sufferings and
poverty of the church, frequently went upon the walls of the building, both night and day,
and wept, crying aloud to the Almighty to send means whereby we might accomplish the
building." (Life of H.C.K. P 68) The Prophet acted as foreman and went to the quarry
to assist in drawing stone.
The Manifestations
Orson Pratt: "God was there, his angels were there, the Holy Ghost
was in the midst of the people, the visions of the Almighty were opened to the minds of
the servants of the living God; the veil was taken from the minds of many; they saw the
heavens opened; they beheld the angels of God; they heard the voice of the Lord; 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 . . . . In that Temple, set apart by the servants of God,
and dedicated by a prayer that was written by inspiration, the people were blessed as they
never had been blessed for generations." (Journal of Discourses 18:131-132)
Eliza R. Snow wrote: "No mortal language can describe the sweet
spirit of love and union. No language can describe the heavenly manifestations of that
memorable day. A sense of divine presence was realized by all. Each heart was filled with
joy inexpressible." (Eliza R. Snow: An Immortal—Selected Writings of Eliza
R. Snow, p62)
The Prophet wrote: "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, which fact I declared to the congregation. 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." (HC,
2:428)
Joseph went on to state, "Many of the others saw glorious visions
also angels administered unto them as well as to myself, and the power of the Highest
rested upon us and the Temple was filled with the glory of God and we shouted Hosanna to
God and the Lamb. Some of them saw the face of the Savior and the spirit of prophecy and
revelation was poured out in mighty power. This all lasted until nearly 2:00 in the
morning." The next day instead of studying they spent the time rehearsing to each
other the glorious scenes that occurred there the night before, while attending to the
ordinance of holy anointing. That evening the twelve apostles met in the upper room to
receive their anointing along with the seven presidents of Seventies and the High Council
of Zion and Kirtland, Joseph said..."I laid my hands upon them and pronounced many
great and glorious things upon their heads, the heavens were opened, and angels
administered unto us...The Heavens were opened to Elder Sylvester Smith, and he leaped up
exclaiming "The horsemen of Israel and the Chariots thereof..." ... The gift of
tongues fell upon us in mighty power angels mingled their voices with ours, while their
presence was in our midst, and unceasing praises swelled our bosoms for the space of half
an hour.. We accordingly closed our interview and returned home about two o'clock in the
morning, and the spirit and visions of God attended me through the night." (DHC
V.ll p 379-382)
On January 28, a week later, the presidency met with the High Priests and
Elders Quorum to consecrate and anoint them. The Seventy and the Twelve Apostles were
meeting in another room adjoining. He called on the Seven Presidents and the Twelve to
call upon God with uplifted hands, to seal the blessing which had been promised them by
the holy anointing.
Of this meeting Joseph said, "President Sylvester Smith saw a pillar of fire rest
down on the heads of the quorum, as we stood in the midst of the twelve... Elder Roger
Orton saw a mighty angel riding upon a horse of fire, with flaming sword in hand, followed
.by five others, encircle the house, and protecting the Saints, even the Lords anointed
from the power of Satan and a host of Evil Spirits which were striving to disturb the
Saints. President William Smith, one of the Twelve, saw the heavens opened, and the Lord
protecting the Lords anointed. President Zebedee Coltrin, one of the seven presidents of
the seventy, saw the Savior extended before him, as upon the cross, and a little after,
crowned with glory upon his head above the brightness of the sun. (DHC V.ll P.
386)
President Frederick G. Williams arose and testified that while President
Rigdon was making his first prayer, an angel entered the window and took his seat between
Father Smith and himself and remained there during the prayer... President David Whitmer
also saw angels in the house. President Hyrum Smith made some appropriate remarks
congratulating those who had endured so many toils and privations to build the house.
President Oliver Cowdery testified of the truth of the Book of Mormon, and of the work of
the Lord in these last days. The Lord's Supper was then administered; President Don Carlos
Smith blessed the bread and the wine, which was distributed by several Elders to the
church; after which I bore record of my mission, and of the ministration of
angels...President Brigham Young gave a short address in tongues, David Patten
interpreted, and gave a short exhortation in tongues himself...The assembly dispersed a
little past four o'clock " (DHC Vol.II P 427-428)
Heber C. Kimball says of this meeting "During the ceremonies of
dedications an angel appeared and sat near President Joseph Smith, Sr., and Frederick G.
Williams, so that they had fair view of his person. He was a very tall personage, black
eyes, white hair, and stooped shouldered; his garment was whole, extending near his
ankles; on his feet he had sandals. He was sent as a messenger to accept the dedication
" (Life of Heber C. Kimball P 91) Brigham reports that "Several brethren, upon
invitation, bore testimony of the truth and stated they had seen angels present in the
temple." (S. Dilworth Young, Here is Brigham , p 149)
The next Wednesday-about three hundred official members of the priesthood met for the
Solemn Assembly of the priesthood. Among other things Joseph says of this
meeting..."The presidency proceeded to wash the feet of the twelve, pronouncing many
prophecies and blessings upon them in the name of the Lord Jesus; and then the twelve
proceeded to wash the feet of the Presidents of the several quorums The brethren began to
prophesy upon each others heads....It was expedient for the brethren to tarry all night
and worship before the Lord in his house." The brethren continued exhorting,
prophesying, and speaking in tongues until five o'clock in the morning. The Savior made
his appearance to some while angels ministered to others, and it was a Pentecost and an
endowment indeed, long to be remembered, for the sound shall go forth from this place into
all the world, and the occurrence of this day shall be handed down upon the pages of
sacred history, to all generations; as the day of Pentecost, so shall this day be
remembered and celebrated as a year of jubilee, and a time of rejoicing to the Saints of
the Most High God." (DHC Vol. ll p.432-433)
Heber C. Kimlball remarks about this Solemn Assembly; "The
meeting continued on through the night; the spirit of prophecy was poured out upon the
assembly, and cloven tongues of fire sat upon them; for they were seen by many of the
congregation. Also angels administered to many, for they were seen by many....During this
time many great and marvelous visions were seen." (Life of Heber C. Kimball P.93)
Heber C. Kimball mentions about this assembly of priesthood members that,
"While these things were being attended to, the beloved disciple, John, was seen in
our midst by the Prophet Joseph, Oliver Cowdery and others.. " (Life of Heber C.
Kimball P. 92)
Prescinda Huntington relates some of these marvelous experiences,
"In Kirtland, we enjoyed many great blessings, and often saw the power of God
manifest. On one occasion I saw angels clothed in white walking upon the Temple. It was
during one of our monthly fast meetings, when the Saints were in the Temple worshiping. A
little girl came to my door and in wonder called me out, exclaiming: 'The meeting is on
top of the meeting house." I went to the door, and there saw the temple angels
clothed in white covering the roof from end to end. They seemed to be walking to and fro;
they appeared and disappeared before I realized they were not mortal men. Each time in a
moment they vanished, and their reappearance was the same. This was in broad daylight, in
the afternoon. A number of children in Kirtland saw the same. When the brethren and
sisters came home in the evening, they told on the power of God manifested in the temple
that day, and of the prophesying and speaking in tongues. It was also said in the
interpretation of tongues that 'The angels were resting down upon the house.'
At another fast meeting I was in the Temple...While the congregation was praying we heard,
from one corner of the room above our heads, a choir of angels singing most beautifully,
They were invisible to us, but myriads of angelic voices seemed to unite in singing some
song of Zion, and their sweet harmony filled the Temple of God."
At another time a cousin of ours came to visit us at Kirtland. She wanted to go to one of
the saints' fast meetings, to hear someone sing or speak in tongues, but she said she
expected to have a hearty laugh. Accordingly we went with our cousin to the meeting,
during which a Brother McCarter rose and sang a song of Zion in tongues I arose and sang
simultaneously with him the same tune and words, beginning and ending each verse in
perfect unison, without varying a word. It was just as though we had sung it together a
thousand times. After we came out of meeting our cousin observed, "Instead of
laughing, I never felt so solemn in my life " (Edward Tullidge, Women of
Mormondom, pp 207-209)
Purpose of Temples
Joseph Smith enlightened the early members of the Church, who were only beginning to
understand the breadth and scope of the restoration, that temples were are the very heart
of the Lord's work on the earth.
What was the object of gathering the Jews, or the people of God in any age of the world?
The main object was to build unto the Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto His people
the ordinances of His house and the glories of His kingdom, and teach the people the way
of salvation; for there are certain ordinances and principles that, when they are taught
and practiced, must be done in a place or house built for that purpose. It was the design
of the councils of heaven before the world was, that the principles and laws of the
priesthood should be predicated upon gathering of the people in every age of the world. It
is for the same purpose that God gathers together His people in the last days, to build
unto the Lord a house to prepare them for the ordinances and endowments, washings and
annointings, etc." (Joseph Smith, Jr., History of the Church 5:423-24;
emphasis added).
How to Build the Temples
Carpenter Rolph said, "Doctor [Williams], what do you think of the house"?
[Williams] answered, "It looks to me like the pattern precisely." He then
related the following: "Joseph [Smith] received the word of the Lord for him to take
his two counselors, Williams and Rigdon, and come before the Lord, and He would show them
the plan or model of the house to be built. We went upon our knees, called on the Lord,
and the building appeared within viewing distance, I being the first to discover it. Then
we all viewed it together. After we had taken a good look at the exterior, the building
seemed to come right over us, and the makeup of the Hall seemed to coincide with that I
there saw to a minutiae (reported by Truman O. Angell, "Journal", cited in Elwin
C. Robison's The First Mormon Temple: Design, Construction, and Historic Context of
the Kirtland Temple, Brigham Young University Press: Provo, UT, 1997, 8).
Years later, Elder Orson Pratt offered the following:
When the Lord commanded this people to build a house in the land of Kirtland, he gave them
the pattern by vision from heaven, and commanded them to build that house according to
that pattern and order; to have the architecture, not in accordance with architecture
devised by men, but to have every thing constructed in that house according to the
heavenly pattern that he by his voice had inspired to his servants (Journal of
Discourses, 14:273; cited in Robison, 24).
We may note, also, that the Salt Lake City Temple was also revealed to Brigham Young in
vision. Said he,
I scarcely ever say much about revelations, or visions, but suffice it to say, five years
ago last July I was here, and saw in the Spirit the Temple not ten feet from where we have
laid the Chief Corner Stone. I have not inquired what kind of Temple we should build. Why?
Because it was represented before me. I have never looked upon that ground, but the vision
of it was there. I see it as plainly as if it were in reality before me (Journal of
Discourses, 1:133).
When You Attend the Temple
President Ezra Taft Benson: "When you attend the temple and
perform the ordinances that pertain to the House of the Lord, certain blessings will come
to you:
"You will receive the spirit of Elijah, which will turn your hearts to your spouse,
to your children, and to your forebears.
"You will love your family with a deeper love than you have loved before.
"You will be endowed with power from on high as the Lord has promised. "You
will receive the key of the knowledge of God. (See D&C 84:19) You will learn how you
can be like Him. Even the power of godliness will be manifest to you. (See D&C 84:20)
"You will be doing a great service to those who have passed to the other side of
the veil in order that they might be 'judged according to men in the flesh, but live
according to God in the spirit.' (D&C 138:34)
Such are the blessings of the temple and the blessings of frequently attending the
temple." (Ensign, Aug 1985, p10)
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