determined opposition and relentless persecution.[1542] Be it understood
that to the Latter-day Saints a temple is more than chapel, church,
tabernacle, or cathedral; it is no place of common assembly even for
purposes of congregational worship, but an edifice sacred to the
ordinances of the Holy Priesthood--distinctively and essentially a House
of the Lord. The temple at Kirtland stands today, a substantial and
stately building; but it is no longer in possession of the people who
reared it by unmeasured sacrifice of time, substance, and effort
extending through years of self-denial and suffering. Its corner-stones
were laid July 23, 1833, and the completed structure was dedicated March
27, 1836. The dedicatory service was made ever memorable by a
Pentecostal outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord accompanied by the
visible presence of angels. In the evening of the same day the several
quorums of priesthood assembled in the house, and a yet greater
manifestation of divine power and glory was witnessed. On the succeeding
Sunday--April 3, 1836--after a service of solemn worship, including the
administration of the Lord's Supper, the prophet Joseph and his
counselor, Oliver Cowdery, retired for prayer within the veils enclosing
the platform and pulpit reserved for the presiding authorities of the
Melchizedek Priesthood. They bear this solemn testimony to the personal
appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ at that time and place:

"The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our
understanding were opened. We saw the Lord standing upon the
breast work of the pulpit, before us, and under his feet was a
paved work of pure gold in color like amber. His eyes were as a
flame of fire, the hair of his head was white like the pure
snow, his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun, and
his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even
the voice of Jehovah, saying--I am the first and the last, I am
he who liveth, I am he who was slain, I am your advocate with
the Father. Behold, your sins are forgiven you, you are clean
before me, therefore lift up your heads and rejoice, let the
hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my
people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to
my name. For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name
shall be here, and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy
in this house, Yea,