o
aid the Twelve in their work. So in our day, twelve men could not do all
the work of spreading the gospel, so it was necessary to call other men. In
this body of men seventy form a quorum. The first quorum was organized from
the brethren who were members of Zion's Camp.

It is the special duty of the Seventies to travel and preach the gospel
under the direction of the Twelve.

As early as May, 1833, the Lord told Joseph that the Saints should build a
house to his name. July 23, the foundation was laid. The Saints in Kirtland
were not many, neither were they rich, and it was therefore a great task
for them to build such a house as the temple. However, they gave donations
of what they had and worked willingly with all their might, until at last
it was finished and dedicated to the Lord on Sunday, March 27, 1836.

[Illustration: THE KIRTLAND TEMPLE.]

During the meetings many glorious blessings were received. Angels were seen
by many of the Saints, Brigham Young spoke in tongues, others prophesied,
and many saw glorious visions. At the evening meeting George A. Smith arose
and prophesied, when a noise was heard like the sound of a mighty wind
which filled the temple. All the people arose at once and the Prophet
Joseph told the Saints that the temple was filled with angels, as he could
see them. The people living near the temple, seeing a bright light resting
on the building and hearing a strange sound within, came rushing up to see
what was the matter.

Nearly every day there were meetings held in the temple. The next Sunday
after the dedication, Joseph and Oliver were praying in the sacred house
when the Lord Jesus Christ appeared unto them. He stood on the breastwork
of the pulpit, and Joseph describes Him as a most glorious personage. Jesus
told them that He had accepted the temple and promised them great blessings
if they would continue to keep his commandments.

After this vision had closed, Moses, Elias, and Elijah appeared unto them
and each of them gave to Joseph and Oliver many blessings concerning the
gospel.

You would think that after all these blessings from the Lord the Saints
would never turn away from the truth; but sad to say this was not the case.
During the years 1837 and 1838 many of the brethren in Kirtland began to
buy and sell land and set up stores and banks for the purpose of making
money. Now, there would have been nothing wrong in all this if they had
done all their business honestly; bu