Isaac Morley's Farm: Where the First High Priests Were Ordained and Heaven Was Opened in June 1831

Isaac Morley (1786–1865) was one of the first converts in the Kirtland, Ohio area, baptized on November 30, 1830, by Parley P. Pratt. His 300-acre farm became one of the most sacred sites in early Church history.

Morley had previously led a community of property (a proto-communal living experiment) on his farm, and when the missionaries arrived, he and nearly his entire community joined the Church at once.

In June 1831, at a small log schoolhouse on the Morley farm, one of the most extraordinary conferences in Church history took place. For the first time in this dispensation, the Lord commanded that men be ordained to the office of High Priest. Joseph Smith ordained Lyman Wight first, and then the Spirit fell upon the assembled elders in a powerful Pentecost-like outpouring.

John Whitmer recorded: 'The Spirit fell upon Lyman, and he prophesied concerning the coming of Christ. He saw the heavens opened and the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Father, making intercession for his brethren.'

Joseph then declared: 'I can see God!' Harvey Whitlock was described as being transfigured as he was ordained. Others saw angels. The Savior was witnessed by multiple individuals.

Isaac Morley himself was ordained a high priest at this conference — seven months after his baptism. He also provided the very land where all of this took place. He later served as a counselor and bishop, and followed the Saints through Missouri, Nauvoo, and to Utah, dying a faithful patriarch at age 79.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in The Many Visits of the Father and the Son in This Dispensation - Meridian Magazine):

In an obscure little log schoolhouse in Northern Ohio (on the Isaac and Lucy Morley Farm in Kirtland) on Friday, June 3, 1831, a number of the brethren gathered for a special priesthood meeting. The gathering was for the ordaining of the first high priests in this Dispensation. Three men, Joseph Smith, Lyman Wight and Harvey Whitlock had a vision of the the Father and the Son. Levi Hancock, who was there, recorded that the Prophet Joseph was speaking to the elders when he “stepped out on the floor and said, ‘I now see God, and Jesus Christ at his right hand, let them kill me, I should not feel death as I am now.” The glory of the Lord shone around. Those who were ordained to the high priesthood at this conference included: Lyman Wight, Sidney Rigdon, John Murdock, Reynolds Cahoon, Harvey Whitlock, Hyrum Smith, Parley P. Pratt, Thomas B.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in The Joseph Smith Papers, 'Morley Farm, Kirtland Township, Ohio'):

The conference was held in a small log schoolhouse on the farm of Isaac Morley. It was a time of great spiritual outpouring. The Spirit of the Lord fell upon the elders in a powerful way. Lyman Wight was the first to be ordained to the office of High Priest. As he was ordained, the Spirit fell upon him, and he prophesied concerning the coming of Christ. He saw the heavens opened and the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Father, making intercession for his brethren. Joseph Smith then declared, 'I can see God!' Harvey Whitlock was described as being transfigured as he was ordained. Others saw angels. The Savior was witnessed by multiple individuals. It was a Pentecost-like experience for those present.