Transcription
Good morning, or good afternoon, or good evening, wherever you are. Uh, it's time to consider a scripture again. But today I'm in marvelous, beautiful, historic Kirtland, Ohio. One of the most important locations in all the history of the church. And, in that fact, I think in all the history of any dispensation, marvelous little Kirtland, Ohio. It was here in this area, uh, that we received section 76, for example, a life-changing, church-changing, doctrinally refining verse or verses in our canonized scripture that was in Hyram nearby.
And then in Kirtland, I've been reading this morning the dedicatory prayer that, uh, the prophet Joseph gave over the Kirtland Temple. Still moving, still dramatic and beautiful and motivating. And section 110, uh, following 109, in which Joseph describes what they saw when the prophets started to come, uh, Moses and Elijah and Elias and, uh, visitors of all kinds, some named and some not named. When Joseph and Oliver come to the temple, they, uh, are seeking direction from the Lord. But let me read you this description. It can be our verse for this morning in this beautiful Ohio Valley.
It says, "Having performed this service, I retired to the pulpit. The veils were dropped, curtains, and we bowed ourselves in solemn and silent prayer. After rising from prayer, the following vision opened to both of us. The veil was taken from our minds." Notice the play on the veils of the temple and the veils of our mind. "The veil was taken from our minds and the eyes of our understanding were opened. We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, 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.'"
And what unfolds is yet again another magnificent revelation. I am grateful for Kirtland, Ohio. I am grateful for the revelation after revelation that came here. And I bear witness of the divinity of those words, this description, that work, and all that we stand for in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Music]