Lord revealed plan for Kirtland Temple
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The Kirtland Temple was dedicated March 27, 1833. The prayer offered at its dedication constitutes Section 109.
In Section 110 is an account of the appearance of Jehovah to accept the Kirtland Temple as His house (vv. 1-10), and the appearance of Moses and Elias to commit their keys and dispensations (vv. 11-12), and (in vv. 13-16) Elijah's return to commit the keys of his dispensation as promised by Malachi.Of the appearance of Elijah, President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: "It was, I am informed, on the third day of April, 1836, that the Jews, in their homes at the Paschal feast, opened their doors for Elijah to enter. On that very day Elijah did enter - not in the home of the Jews to partake of the Passover with them - but he appeared in the house of the Lord, erected to His name and received by the Lord in Kirtland, and there bestowed his keys to bring to pass the very thing for which these Jews, assembled in their homes, were seeking." (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:101.)
Of this event, Elder Boyd K. Packer wrote: "Now, once again the Lord Himself appears, leaving no doubt as to His identity. `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.'
"What would it be worth to have announced to you, as was announced to Joseph and Oliver on this occasion, `Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice'?
"The rejoicing the Lord referred to was extended beyond those two brethren to His people in the thousands and tens of thousands who would rejoice in consequence of what would be accomplished that Sabbath day." (The Holy Temple, p. 134-35.)
Elder Packer further wrote: "At this time the Lord prophesied that the `fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands.' (D&C 110:10.) That, under the circumstances then existing, was at best improbable. The Church members were but a handful of Saints living and scattered in the rural areas of a new land. But despite the persecution and struggles and trials of those early days, there are congregations now spread literally across the world, and tens of thousands of missionaries bear witness at every door where they are welcome."
