As I walked into the Kirtland temple, the rich history and magnificence of the edifice was apparent. As the tour guide ushered us through the building and briefly spoke of its history, I was filled with wonder. But one thing was quite minimal in the setting: the presence of the Spirit.
We continued our journey through Kirtland and went to the Visitor's Center in the LDS owned portion of the town. The second I stepped through the door, anticlimatic though it may have been, the Spirit's influence was palpable. This exquisite feeling of peace and joy that filled my heart was intensified within the small room of the School of the Prophets. It was there that we learned of visitations of both the Father and the Son in that humble setting. Upon learning of that fact, I determined that I should research it further to find another witness of it, seeing as how I had not heard of another appearance of God the Father to men on Earth after the First Vision. While searching LDS.org, I came across the following:
"Other Saints in Kirtland also witnessed visits of heavenly beings. Zebedee Coltrin, who had attended the School of the Prophets in Kirtland, later recalled that on 23 January 1833, during one of their meetings, those in attendance experienced a similar manifestation:
'A personage walked through the room from east to west, and Joseph asked if we saw him. I saw him and suppose the others did, and Joseph answered, ‘That is Jesus, the Son of God, our elder brother!’ Afterwards Joseph told us to resume our former position in prayer; which we did. Another person came through; He was surrounded as with a flame of fire. [We] experienced a sensation that it might destroy the tabernacle as it was a consuming fire of great brightness. The Prophet Joseph said this was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I saw Him.'"
The beautiful city of Kirtland still holds the Spirit of God within its sacred places. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to experience it.
