The Blessings of Heaven Truly Fell

The blessings of heaven truly fell
Upon those drawing close to the Lord
They having been proven faithful
Found what only faith could afford

The Olive Leaf plucked from the tree of paradise
Brought them many messages of peace
Heavenly beings appeared before their eyes
And revelation did naught but increase

The day of Pentecost was found
A pillar of fire opened
The holy spirit poured down
Mightily with rushing wind

Midst the Kirtland dedication
Angels and visions were sent
As spiritual manifestations
Went about with astonishment

But... one day's bright testimony
Can all too soon fall
As fades the memory
Of what comes to hallowed halls

Because of much seen and heard
Who could possibly be overthrown?
But, as opposition gathered
Many walked from all they'd known

Afraid, some lost sight of God
And what was there's to harvest
They forgot to hold to the rod
And endured not what proved hardest

Ever hold on a little longer
Brighter days are in store
Let your faith become stronger
And remember the reason we're here for...

Let the brightness of certainty
Shine before you from day to day
And open your eyes to what's heavenly
As windows are opened but through faith

1 Corinthians 2:9 eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him... and wait for Him



Hold on a Little Longer
President Uchtdorf
Ensign, January 2010, 4

D&C 88 preface
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet at Kirtland, Ohio, December 27, 1832. HC 1: 302–312. It was designated by the Prophet as the “olive leaf . . . plucked from the Tree of Paradise, the Lord’s message of peace to us.” It appears from the historical records that portions of this revelation were received on December 27 and 28, 1832, and January 3, 1833.

:63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.


Perhaps the culmination of these spiritual manifestations occurred during the dedication of the Kirtland Temple on March 27, 1836. One of those present was 28-year-old William Draper, who described the day as a “day of Pentecost.” He wrote: “There was such a time of the outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord, that my pen is inadequate to write it in full or my tongue to express it. But I will here say that the Spirit was poured out and came like a mighty rushing wind and filled the house, that many that were present spoke in tongues and had visions and saw angels and prophesied, and had a general time of rejoicing such as had not been known in this generation.”3

These spiritual manifestations were not limited only to those inside the temple, for “the people of the neighborhood came running together (hearing an unusual sound within, and seeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the Temple), and were astonished at what was taking place.”4

Lorenzo Snow (1814–1901), later to be President of the Church, was living in Kirtland during this blessed period. He observed, “One would have imagined that after receiving these wonderful manifestations no temptation could have overthrown the Saints.”5

But, of course, great spiritual experiences do not make us exempt from opposition and trials. Just a few months after the temple dedication, a widespread economic crisis shook the United States, and Kirtland felt the effects deeply. Banks failed, leaving many in difficult financial straits. To make matters worse, many of the Saints who were immigrating to Kirtland came with very few material possessions, not knowing what they would do once they arrived or how they would survive.

Before long, persecutions arose and mobs formed against the Saints. Members of the Church—even some of those closest to the Prophet, many of whom were present at the dedication of the temple—apostatized and condemned Joseph as a fallen prophet.