Spiritual Manifestations Before Kirtland's Solemn Assembly | Visions, Angels & the Spirit of God (LDS)

Send us Fan MailWhat spiritual manifestations prepared the early Saints for the Kirtland Temple dedication — and what do they teach us about preparing for our own solemn assemblies? In the weeks before the Kirtland Temple dedication on March 30, 1836, Joseph Smith and the early Church leaders experienced a series of extraordinary outpourings as they washed, anointed, organized, and sanctified themselves for the promised endowment of power. This episode walks through the firsthand accounts day by day, drawn from the Joseph Smith Papers, William Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, Heber C. Kimball, and Warren Parrish. On January 21, 1836 — a day of ceremonial washings and anointings lasting from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. — the heavens opened to many. Joseph Smith saw the celestial kingdom: the blazing throne of God, Father Adam and Abraham, and his brother Alvin, prompting the revelation that all who die without knowledge of the gospel who would have received it "shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God" (D&C 137). He saw the Twelve standing in a circle, fatigued and tattered, with Jesus in their midst weeping — and they did not behold Him. William Phelps recorded that speaking and singing in tongues and prophesying occurred "as on the day of Pentecost." Heber C. Kimball saw the Apostle John standing in the midst of the Twelve. Oliver Cowdery wrote: "The glorious scene is too great to be described... the heavens were opened to many." Warren Parrish saw "the armies of heaven." On January 28, Sylvester Smith saw a pillar of fire rest upon the heads of the quorum. Roger Orton saw "a mighty angel riding upon a horse of fire with a flaming sword in his hand, followed by five others, encircling the house and protecting the saints from the power of Satan." William Smith saw the heavens opened and the Lord's host protecting the anointed. Zebedee Coltrin 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." Joseph testified: "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." It was from these experiences that William W. Phelps was inspired to compose "The Spirit of God" — the hymn's references to visions, angels, armies of heaven, washings, anointings, and hosannas drawn directly from what he witnessed in those rooms."The heavens were opened upon us. Angels ministered unto us. The house was filled with the glory of God, and we shouted Hosanna to God and the Lamb." — Joseph Smith, January 21, 1836Q: What spiritual manifestations happened before the Kirtland Temple dedication?A: In January 1836, during preparatory washings and anointings, multiple Church leaders experienced visions, angelic ministry, speaking in tongues, and prophesying. Joseph Smith saw the celestial kingdom, including Alvin Smith, and received D&C 137. Heber C. Kimball saw the Apostle John. Roger Orton saw angels with flaming swords encircling the house. Joseph recorded: "Angels mingled their voices with ours... and unceasing praises swelled our bosoms for the space of half an hour."Q: How did the Saints prepare for the Kirtland endowment?A: Through weeks of instruction, organizing priesthood quorums, ceremonial washings and anointings with consecrated oil, fasting, prayer, and mutual testimony. Joseph Smith taught the brethren that the endowment would empower them to "perform all manner of miracles" and to "preach the gospel to all nations, kindreds and tongues, in their own languages." The preparation was both ordinance-based and character-based: sanctification preceded manifestation.Q: What is the origin of the hymn "The Spirit of God"?A: William W. Phelps composed "The Spirit of God" (also known as the Hosanna hymn) from the spiritual outpourings he personally witnessed in January 1836. The hymn's references to visions, angels, armies of heaven, washings, anointings, and shouts of hosanna are drawn directly from the firsthand experiences of those preparatory meetings — not from abstract inspiration, but from events Phelps participated in.Q: Did Joseph Smith see the celestial kingdom before the Kirtland Temple was dedicated?A: Yes — on January 21, 1836, during the preparatory washings and anointings, Joseph saw the celestial kingdom: the blazing throne of God, streets of gold, Father Adam, Abraham, his parents, and his deceased brother Alvin. Puzzled how Alvin could inherit the celestial kingdom without baptism, he received the revelation now canonized as D&C 137: all who die without the gospel who would have received it "shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God."📚 SOURCES REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODEJoseph Smith Papers, January 1836 journal entriesD&C 88 ("The Olive Leaf"); D&C 137 (Vision of the Celestial Kingdom)William W. Phelps, account of January 21, 1836Heber C. Kimball, account of January 21, 1836Oliver Cowdery, journal entry, January 22, 1836Warren Parrish, vision of the armies of heaven▶️ WATCH & LISTEN🎬 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thinningoftheveil🌐 Website: https://www.thinningoftheveil.com🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinning-of-the-veil/id1753511394🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6jWCfMHkZXwnSwy2b98J4M🎵 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a0a45561-d4c2-46d3-af8d-a1e967a21a25📖 BOOKPatterns of Revelation — Spiritual Foundations for Hearing God's Voice: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW36MG9B📱 CONNECTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinning.of.the.veilFacebook Group (Gathering of the Gatherers): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1429562078443774Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thinningoftheveil💛 SUPPORT THE SHOWVenmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/thinningoftheveilPayPal: https://paypal.me/thinningoftheveil✉️ Have you had a thinning of the veil experience? 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