"Shall We Not Go On in So Great a Cause?"
Del Parson, Christ Appears to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple. In 1833 the Latter-day Saints (nicknamed Mormons) experienced great trials and hardships in Ohio and Missouri but chose to sacrifice their time and money the build the house of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio. In 1836 Joseph Smith Jr. prayed mightily to dedicate the temple as a place for the Son of Man "to manifest himself to his people" (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:5). He prayed that the Saints might be armed with power and blessed by angels (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:22). Many there testified that they experienced divine manifestations, including a vision of the Savior Jesus Christ and appearance of several angels who restored priesthood keys (see Doctrine and Covenants section 110). Historian Keith W. Perkins has written here about the construction, dedication, and miraculous events. Historian Steven C. Harper detailed the historical context here . After the Saints relucta...