The Holy Ghost Burns in Joseph Hovey's Bosom at His Ordination — His First Witness of the Spirit

At the general conference held at Nauvoo in October 1839, Joseph Hovey was among a group called to receive the priesthood. He rose to speak, expressing his sense of unworthiness and inadequacy for such a calling. Then something happened that he described as unprecedented in his experience:

'I, Joseph, arose to speak of my illiteracy and incompetency for the high and exalted calling. God saw fit to pour out his Holy Spirit upon me. I can truly say that this was the first time I had the testimony of the Holy Ghost for I, Joseph, was uplifted by the power thereof and my bosom did burn within exceedingly.'

He was ordained an elder under the hands of Brothers Burnce and Cutler. This burning testimony of the Spirit — received precisely as he was confessing his weakness — remained a defining spiritual experience throughout his life.