Lyman Wight: First High Priest of This Dispensation Saw the Son of Man at the Right Hand of the Father

Lyman Wight (1796–1858), a veteran of the War of 1812, was living on Isaac Morley's farm in Kirtland, Ohio when he first heard the message of the Restoration. He was baptized in November 1830.

At the extraordinary June 1831 conference at Morley's farm, Joseph Smith called Lyman Wight forward and ordained him to the High Priesthood — making him the first person in this dispensation to receive that office.

As Wight was ordained, Joseph told him that he would see the heavens opened. Immediately after his ordination, it happened.

John Whitmer, the Church historian who was present, 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.'

Lyman Wight then stood and bore this testimony to all assembled. He then ordained Joseph Smith to the same office, and the conference continued in a great outpouring of spiritual power.

Known as 'the Wild Ram of the Mountains' for his fierce and independent personality, Wight was deeply loyal to Joseph Smith and marched with Zion's Camp in 1834. He was ordained an Apostle in 1841. After the martyrdom, he led a group of Saints to Texas rather than following Brigham Young — and was eventually excommunicated — but his vision of the Son of Man at the June 1831 conference remains one of the most powerful single accounts of heavenly vision in early Church history.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in John Whitmer, as quoted in 'The Many Visits of the Father and the Son in This Dispensation', Meridian Magazine):

The spirit of the Lord fell upon Joseph in an unusual manner…He prophesied many…things that I have not written. After he had prophesied he laid his hands upon Lyman Wight [ordained him] to the High Priesthood after the Holy Order of God. And 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, the Saints. He said that God would work a work in these last days that tongue cannot express, and the mind is not capable to conceive. The glory of the Lord shone around.