Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Fifty-Six

 The Restoration of Temple Worship Began in the Kirtland Temple

The first temple in this dispensation was built in Kirtland – Less than a year after The Church was organized, the Lord commanded the Prophet “to go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high” (D&C 38:32).

The saints lead by Joseph moved to Kirtland and prepared to build a temple.  Eliza Snow described the sacrifice for the Kirtland Temple as, “brain, bone and sinew” and “all living as abstemiously as possible” so that “every cent might be appropriated to the grand object.”

Just as the exact patterns of the Tabernacle of Moses and Solomon’s temple had been revealed so were the design, measurements, and functions of the Kirtland Temple.  (See D&C 95:13-17)

Washings and anointings were restored in the Kirtland Temple – Ritual washings and anointings were an important part of temple worship anciently, and so they are today.  Joseph explained that the saints were to build the Kirtland Temple “to prepare them for the ordinances and endowments, washings, and anointings” (TPJS p. 308).  The ordinance of symbolically washing with water, and the ordinance of anointing with oil were first administered in the Kirtland temple on January 21, 1836.  W. W. Phelps wrote his wife, Sally explaining the reason for these ordinances:

“Our meetings will grow more and more solemn, and will continue till the great solemn assembly when the house is finished!  We are preparing to make ourselves clean, by first cleansing our hearts, forsaking our sins, forgiving everybody; putting on clean decent clothes, by anointing our heads and by keeping all the commandments.  As we come nearer to God we see our imperfections and nothingness plainer and plainer.”

At the dedication of the Kirtland Temple priesthood keys were restored, and a vision of the Lord was received, and great manifestations of the Spirit were given – The saints were able to enjoy these great blessings because they were righteous, humble and willing to sacrifice.

A most remarkable manifestation of the Spirit involved a two-month-old child who was brought to the dedication services.  The mother and child were not admitted at first, but an elder, seeing the disappointment of the mother, allowed them to enter.  The account continues:  “The child did not cry from 8 am to 4 pm.  When the saints all shouted Hosanna the child was nursing but let go and shouted also when the saints paused it paused when they shouted it shouted for three times when the shouted amen it shouted also for three times then it resumed its nursing without any alarm.”

I especially appreciate this account because of the experiences I have had when I have sealed families with small children.  Often these children, even when they have been crying for some time, have become very intent and quiet when the sealing ordinance begins.  This testifies of the reality and importance of sealing families which these children being adult spirits are very aware of.

Testimony – In the summer of 2008 our daughter Michelle and her four girls, and our daughter Sarah and her two boys met us in Kirtland.  Karl Anderson, Kirtland’s best-known historian, spent the day with us as we visited all the sites.  The highlight of this trip was when we were in the Kirtland Temple where Moses, Elias, and Elijah restored priesthood keys.  This enables Israel to be gathered, on both sides of the veil, into eternal families.

Prior to the appearance of Moses, Elias, and Elijah, the Lord appeared and accepted the Kirtland Temple as His house, and He promised:  “I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house” (D&C 110:7).  We testify that He does manifest himself to his people in mercy in all temples world-wide.  He has done so in our lives on many occasions as we have worshiped in the temple.