Title

Joseph Smith and the Kirtland Temple

Kicker
When God called Joseph Smith and the early Church members to build the Kirtland Temple,
they obeyed and left us a legacy of temple work.
[Highlights of the source article]
Joseph Smith [https://www.lds.org/topics/joseph-smith/testimony?lang=eng] knelt down in
prayer when he was only a 14-year-old farm boy, hoping to receive forgiveness for personal sins
and to receive some direction for his life. He didnt expect to see God and Jesus Christ, and he
certainly didnt expect to be visited by an angel later onbut thats exactly what happened. Not
only did the angel Moroni appear to 17-year-old Joseph, but he also instructed Joseph and taught
him from the scriptures.
In one of his visits to Joseph, Moroni quoted Malachi 4:56
[https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/mal/4?lang=eng#], which talks about the priesthood and the
prophet Elijah. Moroni stressed the point that without temple blessings the whole earth would
be utterly wasted at [the Lords] coming (D&C 2:13). [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dctestament/dc/2?lang=eng] In an article published by BYUs Religious Study Center
[https://rsc.byu.edu/], titled Joseph Smith and the Kirtland Temple, 1836,
[https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/joseph-smith-prophet-and-seer/joseph-smith-and-kirtland-temple1836] Steven C. Harper, a BYU professor and an editor of the Joseph Smith Papers
[https://rsc.byu.edu/authors/harper-steven-c], explains how important this particular verse would
be in Josephs life because he would later receive priesthood keys from Elijah the prophet.
Receiving priesthood keys meant that many important ordinances, or covenants and
performances of devotion, would be restored and performed once again. In a revelation
received by Joseph in 1832 (D&C 88), [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dctestament/dc/88?lang=eng] some of these ordinances are mentioned. In this revelation, the Lord
commanded Joseph to build the first temple of this dispensation. This commandment was also
directed to the Saints, and through their efforts the Kirtland Temple was built.
Beginning with the construction and dedication of the temple, more revelations regarding Gods
plan for us have been revealed. These revelations can be fully understood and appreciated only
by performing temple work.
An important and marvelous work has started in these last days before Christs Second Coming.
It was not easy for the Saints to build the temple, but Joseph made sure to complete all that God
asked him to do. Harper concludes his article with these encouraging words: We are the heirs of
Josephs legacy. Let us spend our lives gathering, endowing, and sealing the living and the
dead. As Joseph once said, Shall we not go on in so great a cause? (Doctrine and Covenants
128:22). [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/128?lang=eng]
Read Steven Harpers article, Joseph Smith and the Kirtland Temple, 1836.
[https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/joseph-smith-prophet-and-seer/joseph-smith-and-kirtland-temple1836]

Source: BYU Religious Studies Center [https://rsc.byu.edu/]

[Byline]
Annalisa Olivieri, Mormon Insights
Find more insights
Watch this video on the sealing power of the priesthood.
[https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-121-the-sealing-power?lang=eng]
Watch this video of President Monson talking about temples and their importance in our
lives. [https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-04-4060-president-thomas-smonson?category=topics/temples&lang=eng]
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