Many Brethren See a Heavenly Vision of the Saviour and Angels

On March 18, 1833, in the School of the Prophets in Kirtland, Ohio, an assembly of high priests met and were organized by solemn prayer. During the meeting, Sidney Rigdon requested that he and Frederick G. Williams be ordained as presidents of the high priesthood to serve as counselors to Joseph Smith, consistent with a revelation received on March 8, 1833, stating they were to be equal in holding the keys of the kingdom. Joseph Smith proceeded to ordain them by the laying on of hands. Following the ordinations, Joseph Smith provided instructions and exhorted the brethren to faithfulness and obedience to the commandments of God. He promised that the pure in heart present would be privileged to see a heavenly vision. After a period of secret, silent prayer, the brethren partook of the sacrament of bread and wine, a practice frequently observed at these school meetings. Following the sacrament, the promise was fulfilled as many of the brethren had the eyes of their understandings opened; they witnessed a heavenly vision of the Saviour and concourses of angels, along with other spiritual manifestations, of which many of those present kept individual records.

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

At one of these meetings after the organization of the school, (the school being organized on the 23rd of January, 1833) when we were all together, Joseph having given instructions, and while engaged in silent prayer, kneeling, with our hands uplifted each one praying in silence, no one whispered above his breath, a personage walked through the room from the east to the west, and Joseph said, 'That is Jesus, the Son of God, he is our elder brother.' Afterwards another personage passed through, dressed in clothing like unto a white frock that reached to his feet and wrists, and Joseph said, 'That is Father Adam.' Before this had passed away, I saw the representations of many personages, my eyes were opened, and I saw them. I saw a great many of them. A personage walked through the house from east to west, and Brother Joseph said, 'That is Jesus, the Son of God; he is our elder brother.' Afterward another personage passed through, dressed in clothing like unto a white frock that reached to his feet and wrists, and Joseph said, 'That is Father Adam.' I saw him as plainly as I see you now. It was a very beautiful sight. The room was illuminated by a pillar of light, and it was a very glorious scene.