Autobiography Volume 1 circa 1842-1865
On I went up to the House of the Lord at an
early hour in the morning to spend the day in prayer and fasting
with the Saints in Kirtland as this was a day set apart for that
purpose. Immediately after en^t^ering the House in company
^with^ of several other Elders I went within the veil and we bowed
before the Lord in the Aronic Stand and offerred up our morning
sacrifice. The Spirit rested upon us with joy to our souls.
I was then called upon by Father Joseph to read
a chapter in the Book of Mormon and I read a chapter from the
Book of Jacob which contains the parable of the tame olive tree
likened unto the house of Israel as was spoken by the Prophet
Zenos. The same God that touched Isaiah's lips with hallowed
^fire^ gave Zenos great wisdom in setting forth this parable.
When I had made some brief remarks upon the
subject the congregation took their seats for the service of the
day in the following order:
The house being divided into four parts by veils the
females occupied two parts and the males the others. Some of the
Presidency presided in each appartment
The time was taken up during the day in singing
exhortation and prayer. Some had a tongue others an interpretation
and all was done in order. The power of God rested upon the
congregation. Upon some the gifts were poured out while others
had the administration of angles and the image of God sat upon
the countenances of the Saints.
At four o'clock in the afternoon the veils were all rolled
up together which brought the whole congregation in full view of
each other and while the presence of the Lord filled the house the
congregation of Saints fell upon their knees and all as with one accord
vocally poured forth rejoicing supplication and prayer before the God of
Israel. This closed the service of the day after contributing for
the support of the poor.
