| 16 suited to the occasion, and closed the services of the evening by prayer."-Millennial Star, vol. 15, pp. 596, 597.
On the evening of the 21st of January, 1836, the First Presidency met in the west schoolroom of the Kirtland Temple, at which time they ordained Joseph Smith, Sr., Patriarch of the church, and also received their patriarchal blessings under his hands. Joseph states concerning this meeting and other matters as follows:-
"The heavens were opened upon us, and I beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof, whether in the body or out I cannot tell. I saw the transcendent beauty of the gate through which the heirs of that kingdom will enter, which was like unto circling flames of fire; also the blazing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son. I saw the beautiful streets of that kingdom, which had the appearance of being paved with gold. I saw Fathers Adam and Abraham, and my father and mother, my brother Alvin, that has long since slept, and marveled how it was that he had obtained an inheritance in that kingdom, seeing that he had departed this life before the Lord had set his hand to gather Israel the second time, and had not been baptized for the remission of sins.
"Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying:-
"'All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom, for I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.'
"And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability, are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven. . . .
"Many of my brethren who received the ordinance with me saw glorious visions also. Angels ministered unto them as well as myself, and the power of the Highest rested upon us, the house was filled with the glory of God, and we shouted, Hosanna to God and the Lamb.
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