Manifestation of the Spirit in the Kirtland Temple

On March 27, 1836, Joseph Smith met with Priesthood quorums in the Kirtland Temple. After he exhorted them to exercise the spirit of prophecy, George A. Smith began to prophesy. Subsequently, a sound like a rushing mighty wind filled the Temple, the congregation was moved by an invisible power, many spoke in tongues, prophesied, and saw visions, and the Prophet declared that the Temple was filled with angels. The incident was also observed by people in the neighborhood who saw a light like a pillar of fire on the building.

Benjamin Brown, an eyewitness present at the dedication meetings, recorded that the Pentecostal manifestations continued into the evening of March 27. He described seeing 'cloven tongues of fire' sit upon many of those present, and noted that 'perhaps there were forty speaking at once' in tongues. Brown also recorded that others present saw three personages hovering in the room holding keys and a bright chain, while a pillar or cloud of light, described as bright as gold when the sun shines on a cloud, rested upon the house.