This is a review of an article offered for free. These were incredible times in the church. This is more a summary than anything else. It lets us know what experiences are possible in the church through faith.
Kirtland
Construction on the temple commenced in June 1833 and the dedication took place three years later march 27, 1836. “The members started with little more than hope. But by using every available resource, including donations of fine china, which was crushed and missed with mortar to give sparkle to the buildings outside walls, the Saints accomplished the near back-breaking commitment.”
The doors were scheduled to open at 8 a.m. Long before this time hundreds had lined up to share in this special day. The hall was crowded to capacity. Between nine hundred and a thousand people attended the service. Singing, scripture reading and supplication for Divine grace were followed by brief addresses.
Sidney Rigdon spoke. After his two and a half hour presentation he presented the Prophet. The Prophet read a dedicatory prayer which had been given to him by revelation. Following the dedication the choir sand, “The Spirit of God Like a Fire.” Then the hosanna shout was shouted in unison. Heavenly manifestations followed. Many recorded seeing angels. A divine presence was felt by all. Hearts were filled with joy and full of glory. Speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues were also common.
The Lord’s supper was administered. “Many of the elders bore solemn testimony to the divinity of the Gospel as restored.”
That evening over 400 priesthood bearer met in the temple for instruction. The prophet prayed; “Let it be fulfilled upon them, as upon those on the days of Pentecost’ let the gift of tongues be poured out upon they people, even cloven tongues as of fire, and the interpretation thereof. And let they house be filled, as with a rushing might wind, with thy glory” (D&C 109-36-37)George A. Smith stood to prophecy. “Immediately the room was filled with the sound of a violent motion of wind. William draper affirmed, “The outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord was so immense ‘that my pen is inadequate to write it in full or my tongue to express it.’”
After this noise “many began to speak in tongues and prophesy; other saw glorious visions; and I beheld the Temple filled with angels, which fact I declared to the congregation.” The people of the neighborhood came running together to see what had caused the noise.
April 3 was Easter Sunday. This was a special day at the temple. While the Jews left the doors open waiting for the return of Elijah, (there is a standing tradition that Elijah will return on the Passover.) he returned and visited Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith in Kirtland. Elijah was not the only visitor; but also Jesus, Moses and Elisha also visited, restoring vital keys for this dispensation. (See D&C section 110)
April 6 was a day similar to the dedication of the temple. There was the sound of rushing wind, and many spoke in tongues or had visions. On an occasion a girl saw angels on the roof of the temple. This was in broad daylight, in the afternoon.
The temple ceremony had not yet been received. The Kirtland Temple was not designed for performances of ordinances. Those blessing would become available with the completion of the Nauvoo Temple. But what great times, must have been those days of Pentecost.
No comments:
Post a Comment