Kirtland
Temple dedication stories
Eliza R Snow
“A notice had
been circulated that children in arms would not be admitted at the dedication
of the temple. A sister who had come a long distance with her babe, six weeks
old, having, on her arrival, heard of the above requisition, went to the
patriarch Joseph Smith, Sr., in great distress, saying that she knew no one
with whom she could leave her infant; and to be deprived of the privilege of
attending the dedication seemed more than she could endure. The ever generous
and kind-hearted father volunteered to take the responsibility on himself, and
told her to take her child, at the same time giving the mother a promise that
her babe should make no disturbance; and the promise was verified. But when the congregation shouted hosanna,
that babe joined in the shout. As marvelous as that incident may appear to
many, it is not more so than other occurrences on that occasion.” (Edward W.
Tullidge, The Women of Mormondom (New
York: Tullidge & Crandall, 1877), 95.
Joseph Smith
“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, 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.” (Joseph Smith, History
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
2: 428.)
Oliver
Cowdrey
“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, for there were 316 present, while they
spake with other tongues and prophesied.” (Leonard J. Arrington, “Oliver
Cowdery’s Kirtland Ohio ‘Sketch Book,’” BYU Studies,
(Summer 1972).
Eliza R Snow
remembered:
“One striking
feature of the ceremonies, was the grand shout of hosanna, which was given by
the whole assembly, in standing position, with uplifted hands. The form of the
shout is as follows: ‘Hosanna—hosanna—hosanna—to God and the Lamb—amen—amen,
and amen.’ The foregoing was deliberately and emphatically pronounced, and
three times repeated, and with such power as seemed almost sufficient to raise
the roof from the building. 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. …(Edward W. Tullidge, The
Women of Mormondom. New York: Tullidge & Crandall, 1877), 95.
