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Kirtland was a beginning––a beginning of a practical and realistic program to
endow Zion with the glory and power of God in the latter days, and to bring the Saints to
commune with Christ and other holy beings who reside above the veil in the midst of
glory. In the Kirtland Temple, the Spirit or glory of God was manifested to a miraculous
degree. Cloven tongues of fire rested upon the Elders, the supernatural gifts of the Holy
Spirit were enjoyed, heavenly messengers appeared, visions were seen, and the building
was lighted up by the glory of God for a period of several hours. These divine
manifestations were but the beginning of the endowment which was to rest upon the
Saints when Zion was established upon the full law of the Lord in the last days. The Lord
said of the Kirtland manifestations as He appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery
in the temple which they had just dedicated: "This is the beginning of the blessings which
shall be poured out upon the heads of my people.” Joseph Smith therefore exclaimed:
"Hosanna. Hosanna, hosanna to Almighty God, that rays of light begin to burst forth upon
us even now." Having reminded the Saints that they were "called to hold the keys of the
mysteries," he observed a few months after the Kirtland blessings had been received:
"Some the ..[missing text].. earth."