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THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SAINTS.
spirit-manifestations will credit the thousand spectators and witnesses at the dedication with having had a "wonderful experience."[1]
- ↑ There is a great diversity of statement respecting the source of the endowment and the character of its manifestations. The orthodox Mormons claim that the angels and the Holy Spirit gave the endowments, and that, though the company had been together eight hours, everything was conducted with the greatest solemnity and the best of order preserved. Two Mormons present on the occasion,—William E. McLellin and John Corrill—the former an apostle, and the latter a high priest, publish very different statements. McLellin says: "As to the endowment in Kirtland, I state positively, it was no endowment from God. Not only myself was not endowed, but no other man of the five hundred who was present—except it was with wine!"—"True Latter-Day Saints' Herald," vol. 19, p. 437
Corrill says: "The ceremony was first performed upon the first presidency, together with the bishops and their counsellors; after which the elders in their turn attended to the ceremony, and it was alike upon all occasions. They were to purify their bodies by washing them entirely with pure water, after which they were to wash each other's feet, and anoint each other with oil, pronouncing mutual blessings during the performance. The sacrament was then administered, in which they partook of the bread and wine freely, and a report went abroad that some of them got drunk; as to that, every man must answer for himself."
Since that endowment, "bread and wine," anointings and prophesyings have often cheered the hearts of the elders.
