I call it the “Kirtland House of the Lord” because this is what the Lord and what Joseph Smith called it. They never called it a “temple”. The first reference to building “a temple” was with reference to the temple in Jackson County.
D&C 57:3 And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the court-house.
Joseph Smith Never Mentioned a Visit from Elijah in the Kirtland Temple
Rob Fotheringham gives an excellent summary in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGuaHkvsJzM
Section 110 From Vision to Canonization
Rob refers to this document, which you can download here: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3119&context=etd#:~:text=Doctrine%20and%20Covenants%20110%20came,recorded%20but%20never%20publicly%20taught.
Section 110
Visions manifested to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the House of the Lord (temple) at Kirtland, Ohio, April 3, 1836. The occasion was that of a Sabbath day meeting. Joseph Smith’s history states: “In the afternoon, I assisted the other Presidents in distributing the Lord’s Supper to the Church, receiving it from the Twelve, whose privilege it was to officiate at the sacred desk this day. After having performed this service to my brethren, I retired to the pulpit, the veils being dropped, and bowed myself, with Oliver Cowdery, in solemn and silent prayer. After rising from prayer, the following vision was opened to both of us.”
Meetings held during this week:
- Sunday March 27, 1836—the temple is dedicated and during an evening meeting a noise like the sound of rushing wind enters the temple, the Brethren prophesy and speak in tongues and angels fill the temple.
- Tuesday March 29, 1836—the Prophet administers the ordinance of the washing of feet to the leading brethren.
- Wednesday March 30, 1836—Again the brethren attend to the ordinance of washing the feet and the sacrament followed by another Pentecostal outpouring in which many prophecies, others speak in tongues, angels appear, and some of the brethren see the Savior.
- Thursday March 31, 1836—A second Temple Dedication meeting is held for those who could not get in the preceding Sabbath. (See History of the Church, 2:410-432)
- Sunday April 3, 1836—Joseph records he “attended meeting in the Lord’s House, and assisted the other Presidents of the Church in seating the congregation, and then became an attentive listener to the preaching from the stand. Thomas B. Marsh and David W. Patten spoke in the forenoon to an attentive audience of about one thousand persons. In the afternoon, I assisted the other Presidents in distributing the Lord’s Supper to the Church, receiving it from the Twelve, whose privilege it was to officiate at the sacred desk this day. After having performed this service to my brethren, I retired to the pulpit, the veils being dropped, and bowed myself, with Oliver Cowdery, in solemn and silent prayer. After rising from prayer, the following vision was opened to both of us…” (History of the Church, 2:434-435)
Historical Background and Mission of Elijah
This vision was never published or discussed in lifetimes of either Joseph Smith or Oliver Cowdery. Joseph Smith never personally recorded this event; he did have it recorded in his journal by his scribe Warren Cowdery (Oliver’s brother). Doctrine and Covenants 110 came from this journal entry. This vision occurred in 1836, but did not become recognized as canonized scripture until 1880. No source yet found shows that Joseph Smith taught in a public setting that the 1836 vision occurred. It was recorded but never publicly taught.
So far as it is known, Oliver Cowdery never made a public statement concerning the vision or that he even discussed the vision privately. Even in his last written testimony before his death, which he wrote on January 13, 1849, Cowdery testified of the validity of the visitation of Moroni, John the Baptist, Peter, James, and John, without mentioning the 1836 vision.
Joseph Smith not only had day-to-day events recorded in his journal, but also revelations he said he had received from the Lord. In 1836, there were only two revelations that he recorded in his journal that occurred in Kirtland. Both were in relation to the newly completed Kirtland Temple. Section 109 was the first revelation recorded in 1836. It contains the dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland Temple, which Joseph Smith taught was given to him by the Lord through revelation. Joseph Smith read the dedicatory prayer and dedicated the temple on March 27, 1836 [Shabbat HaGadol, a high sabbath, the sabbath before Passover]. One week later, on Easter Sunday [Passover], April 3, the revelation known as Doctrine and Covenants Section 110 occurred and was recorded in his journal. This was the last revelation recorded in his Kirtland journal for the year 1836.
These dates are not accidents. There are many events in the Restoration that coincide with Jewish holidays.
The 1836 vision was recorded in the Deseret News on November 6, 1852, as part of the “Life of Joseph Smith” series.
The reclamation of Section 110 established precedence and prepared the way for other Revelations to be lifted from pages of written history and placed in the Doctrine and Covenants. Sections 137 and 138 are two primary examples of sections that became part of the Doctrine and Covenants which followed the pattern established with Section 110. There are other examples as well: notably, Sections 130, 131, and 132. This vision was added to the 1876 edition of the Doctrine & Covenants as Section 110. Brigham Young directed Elder Orson Pratt to oversee the publication of the 1876 edition. Pratt divided the various revelations into verses, arranged them in order as to when they were received, and also included twenty-six additional revelations. In October of 1880, George Q. Cannon presented the new edition of the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price to the membership of the Church and the Saints unanimously voted to accept the new version of the Doctrine and Covenants as canonized scripture.
Elijah is said to have transferred the sealing power to Joseph and Oliver inside the Kirtland Temple (D&C 110). The sealing power of Elijah has two primary components; God’s power to control the elements for the protection of the righteous, and the power to “seal” family lines together past, present and future, through and to “the fathers” – and finally to God, the Great Father of us all. These “fathers” (like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Enoch, Joseph Smith, etc.) helped provide salvation for those they served while on the earth, in connection with the Lord. The Prophet Joseph Smith’s statement in 1840 indicates a future delivery of keys held by Elijah, possibly at Adam-ondi-Ahman or in a temple. This is seen in his words, “will, before the last dispensation”—potentially meaning before this last dispensation is complete, he will “restore the authority and deliver the keys of the Priesthood, in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness.”
“Elijah was the last Prophet that held the keys of the Priesthood, and who will, before the last dispensation [after that of Joseph Smith], restore the authority and deliver the keys of the Priesthood, in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness” (TPJS, p. 172).
“The dispensation of the fulness of times will bring to light the things that have been revealed in all former dispensations, also other things that have not been before revealed. He shall [future tense] send Elijah the prophet &c., and restore all things in Christ [Ha Mashiyach].” The Words of Joseph Smith, 3 October 1841 (Sunday Morning), p.79, also Times and Seasons, 2:577-78, 15 October 1841 [comments in brackets]
On April 28, 1842, Joseph Smith stated that, “the church is not now organized in its proper order, and cannot be until the Temple is completed.” Nauvoo Relief Society Minutes, Ehat, p. 115
Section 128 was taken from a letter written by the hand of Joseph Smith when he was in hiding, during the Nauvoo period. According to this letter, nothing was committed to Joseph and Oliver. The messengers [angels] simply declared their rights, etc., holding forth that which is to come.
D&C 128:21 And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca county, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! And the voice of Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time, all declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little; giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our hope!
Section 110 – Comment and Analysis
D&C 110:1 The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.
[This is a description of a vision. The Lord first appeared. They did not ascend into the Presence of the Lord, like Moses. They saw with their spiritual eyes]
D&C 110:2 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.
D&C 110:3 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:
[Some people who have spoken face to face with the Lord describe his eyes being deep blue. The Lord can appear any way he wants and with any degree of glory that we can tolerate. When Moses ascended to the Presence of the Lord, it was necessary for him to receive a baptism of Fire and to be translated.]
D&C 110:4 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.
D&C 110:5 Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.
D&C 110:6 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.
D&C 110:7 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.
D&C 110:8 Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.
D&C 110:9 Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house.
[Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have already been endowed and shall hereafter be endowed This phrase present in the JS journal, but was omitted from the D&C. ] in this house have been endowed in this house]
[He doesn’t say He will speak exclusively to the prophet. Many members reported seeing the Savior at various meetings held in this house.
“Wednesday, [March 30, 1836]. — At eight o’clock, according to appointment, the Presidency, the Twelve, the Seventies, the High Council, the Bishops and their entire quorums, the Elders and all the official members in this stake of Zion, amounting to about three hundred, met in the Temple of the Lord to attend to the ordinance of washing of feet. . . .
“Tubs, water, and towels were prepared, and I called the house to order, and the Presidency proceeded to wash the feet of the Twelve, pronouncing many prophecies and blessings upon them in the name of the Lord Jesus; and then the Twelve proceeded to wash the feet of the Presidents of the several quorums. The brethren began to prophesy upon each other’s heads, and upon the enemies of Christ, who inhabited Jackson County, Missouri; and continued prophesying, and blessing, and sealing them with hosanna and amen, until nearly seven o’clock in the evening.” (History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 2:430, 431)]
D&C 110:10 And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people. Even so. Amen.
D&C 110:11 After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.
[Keys are not exclusive rights or privileges. Keys are knowledge. Real knowledge in this sense is not information or even wisdom. It is a degree of intimacy with the divine that unlocks the powers of Heaven. Moses was acting as an Elias. The gathering of Israel takes place on a Telestial level, commensurate with the then current spiritual level of the church.]
[“Another striking statement pointing to the fact that these people are now in a body in preparation for their return is the statement by the Prophet Joseph Smith at the conference held in Kirtland, June 3 to 6, 1831. At this conference the Prophet said: “John the Revelator was then among the ten tribes of Israel who had been led away by Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, to prepare them for their return from their long dispersion.” The Savior also bore witness that these tribes were in a body like the Nephites and he would visit them. (“3 Ne. 15:203 Nephi 15:20 and 16:1-4.)” (Signs of the Times [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1952], 159.)]
D&C 110:12 After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.
[We do not really know, specifically who this “Elias” is. But an “Elias” is a calling or an office to prepare the way for a greater revelation of Priesthood. This Elias could have been Noah, Abraham, someone living at the time of Abraham. There are other Eliases who will come forth — for example: John the Beloved, John the Baptist, and Elijah. One characteristic of an Elias, he will never overstep the bounds of his calling and office. Even if he possesses greater Priesthood, he will never go beyond his specific calling.]
D&C 110:13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:
D&C 110:14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi–testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come–
D&C 110:15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten [strike, slay, hit] with a curse [utterly destroyed] —
[These are the actual meanings of the Hebrew translation. Joseph Smith was right. He could have rendered a plainer translation.
JS 1:38. And again, he quoted the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood [Reveal the covenants between God and Man, both on earth and in the heavens.], by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
JS 1:39. And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. [reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the Fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers] If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming. [Moroni quoted this passage with a plainer translation.]
“How shall God come to the rescue of this generation? He will send Elijah the prophet. The law revealed to Moses in Horeb never was revealed to the children of Israel as a nation.
“Elijah shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers.
“The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure.” DHC 5:554-5
“The spirit of Elias is first, Elijah second, and Messiah last. Elias is a forerunner to prepare the way, and the spirit and power of Elijah are to come after, holding the Keys of Power, building the Temple to the capstone, placing the seals of the Melchizedek Priesthood [The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected, and made sure.] upon the house of Israel, and making all things ready; then Messiah comes to His temple,
“Elijah [the office or calling] was to come and prepare the way and build up the kingdom before the coming of the great day of the Lord, although the spirit of Elias might begin it.” (Given March 10, 1844, Comp. p. 283; TPJS 34-35; HC 6:249).
Seven years later, Joseph said Elijah would come at a future date. “History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844],” p. 1708, The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed October 25, 2020, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1838-1856-volume-e-1-1-july-1843-30-april-1844/80]
D&C 110:16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.
[As stated above, the keys of Elijah were not committed to Joseph and Oliver. Joseph taught publicly that Elijah was yet to come. Elijah here was referring to the keys of the preparatory Gospel of Abraham. The church was under condemnation at this time, and was not worthy of anything beyond telestial keys and Priesthood.]
John144 