Journal indicates first fast meetings were held in temple
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In Eliza R. Snow's journal is the first mention that Latter-day Saints were holding fast meetings, according to Carter E. Grant's book, The Kingdom of God Restored. The meetings she described were held in the Kirtland Temple.
In a revelation received Dec. 27, 1832, the Lord told Joseph Smith, "Also, I give unto you a commandment that ye shall continue in prayer and fasting from this time forth." (D&C 88:76.)In her journal detailing events of the winter of 1836-1837, Eliza R. Snow wrote:
"Besides being devoted to general meetings for worship and celebration of the Lord's supper every first day of the week, the Temple was occupied by crowded assemblies on the first Thursday of each month, that day being observed strictly by the Latter-day Saints as the day of fasting and prayer.
"These meetings were hallowed and interesting beyond the power of language to describe. Many, many were the pentecostal seasons of the outpouring of the Spirit of God on those days, manifesting the gifts of the gospel, and the power of healing, prophesying, speaking in tongues, the interpretation of tongues, etc.
"I have there seen the lame man, on being administered to, throw aside his crutches and walk home perfectly healed; and not only were the lame made to walk, but the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the dumb to speak, and evil spirits to depart." (The Kingdom of God Restored, p. 199; and Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow, pp. 12-13.)
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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
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Information compiled by Gerry Avant
Sources: History of the Church, Vol. 2, by Joseph Smith; The House of the Lord, by James E. Talmage; The Kingdom of God Restored, by Carter E. Grant; The Doctrine and Covenants Speaks, Vol. 2, by Roy W. Doxey; Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, by Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl.
