Roger Orton Sees a Mighty Angel on a Horse of Fire at the Kirtland Temple

Roger Orton was among the Saints present at the extraordinary pentecostal outpouring that accompanied the dedication and dedication-related meetings at the Kirtland Temple in 1836. During one of these sacred gatherings, he witnessed one of the most dramatic angelic manifestations recorded in Church history.

Joseph Smith personally recorded the account: 'Elder Roger Orton saw a mighty angel riding upon a horse of fire, with a flaming sword in his hand, followed by five others, encircle the house and protect the Saints, even the Lord's anointed.'

Two eyewitness accounts confirm this: Heber C. Kimball's record states that 'Roger Orton saw a flaming mighty Angel riding upon a horse of fire with a flaming sword in his hand followed by five others—encircle the house & protect the saints.' Multiple other witnesses confirmed they saw Orton receive this vision.

This vision was part of an extraordinary season of heavenly manifestations in Kirtland. The Prophet declared it 'a Pentecost and an endowment indeed.' During this same period, the Savior appeared in at least eight different visions, angels were seen on the four corners of the temple, voices were heard, speaking in tongues occurred, and pillars of fire rested upon the temple roof.

Roger Orton’s vision of the angelic hosts encircling the temple confirmed to the Saints that despite their poverty and persecution, the Lord's hand was protecting His house and His people.