Joseph Smith and Quorums anointed with holy oil in the Kirtland Temple

On January 21, 1836, Joseph Smith and the Church Presidency met in the west school room (or council room) on the third floor of the Kirtland Temple to perform preparatory washings and the ordinance of anointing with holy oil, following the biblical patterns of Moses and Aaron. While the Presidency held this ordinance, the High Councils of Kirtland and Missouri waited in adjoining rooms, spending the time in prayer. Following the instructions to Moses to wash and anoint Aaron, the Presidency first anointed Church Patriarch Joseph Smith Sr. and gave him a blessing. The Patriarch then anointed the members of the Presidency in the order of their ages. When he anointed Joseph Smith, he sealed upon him the blessings of Moses to lead Israel in the latter days. Following this, the remaining members of the Presidency laid their hands upon Joseph Smith and pronounced further blessings and prophecies. As these ordinances concluded, the heavens were opened to the group. Joseph Smith recorded that he beheld the celestial kingdom of God and its glory, including the realization that those who die without a knowledge of the gospel—who would have received it with all their hearts—shall be heirs of that kingdom. He also saw the Twelve Apostles in a vision, weary and suffering, ministering in foreign lands, and witnessed other scenes involving Elders William E. McLellin and Brigham Young. Beyond Joseph’s personal vision, many others present experienced profound spiritual manifestations; some beheld the face of the Savior, while others were ministered unto by holy angels. The room was filled with the glory of God, and the men present shouted 'Hosannah to God and the Lamb.' The following morning, the leaders spent their time rehearsing to one another the glorious scenes they had witnessed.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

At early candle-light I met with the Presidency at the west school room, in the Temple, to attend to the ordinance of anointing our heads with holy oil; also the Councils of Kirtland and Zion, met in the two adjoining rooms, who waited in prayer while we attended to the ordinance. I anointed the head of the Patriarch, and sealed many blessings upon him. The Presidency then in turn laid their hands upon his head, and sealed upon him the blessings of his patriarchal office, to anoint the heads of the Presidency, and he anointed me with the oil, and sealed upon me the blessings of Moses, to lead Israel in the latter days, even as Moses led him forth from Egypt. I then laid my hands upon the head of the Presidency, and the Patriarch anointed the heads of the Presidency, and sealed upon them the blessings of their office, to stand before the Lord, and perform the work of the last days. The heavens were opened upon us, and I beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof, whether in the body or out I cannot tell. I saw the transcendent beauty of the gate through which the heirs of that kingdom will enter, which was like unto circling flames of fire; also the blazing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son. I saw the beautiful streets of that kingdom, which had the appearance of being paved with gold. I saw Father Adam and Abraham; and my father and my mother; my brother Alvin that has long since slept; and saw that some of the quorum of the twelve, in the ancient days, as well as some of the seventy, were there. And I saw that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven. I saw the twelve apostles of the Lamb, who are now upon the earth, who hold the keys of this last ministry, in foreign lands, standing together in a circle, much fatigued, with their clothes tattered and feet swollen, with their eyes cast downward, and Jesus standing in their midst, and they did not behold him. The Savior looked upon them and wept. I also beheld Elder William E. McLellin in the south, standing upon a lot which was about to be made into public squares, and many of the brethren were gathered there. I also saw Elder Brigham Young standing in a strange land, in the far south and west, in a desert place, where he had been sent to preach, and he was surrounded by a vast multitude, and he was preaching to them, and they were astonished at his testimony. I also saw many other things which the tongue cannot express in full.