For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house. (D&C 84:5)
Many LDS commentators (correctly, IMO) argue that this passage is not speaking of a temple in Independence (cf. vv.3-4, 31) but more generally of "a" temple in the generation the revelation was given that would have God's glory rest upon it, and such as fulfilled in the Kirtland Temple. In the dedicatory prayer, this seems to be the case (note the theme "glory" associated with the Kirtland Temple)
Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God . . . That thy glory may rest down upon thy people, and upon this thy house, which we now dedicate to thee, that it may be sanctified and consecrated to be holy, and that thy holy presence may be continually in this house; . . . And that this house may be a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of glory and of God, even thy house; . . . And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them; and from this place they may bear exceedingly great and glorious tidings, in truth, unto the ends of the earth, that they may know that this is why work, and that thou hast put forth thy hand, to fulfil that which thou hast spoken by the mouths of the prophets, concerning the last days . . . And let thy house be filled, as with a rushing mighty wind, with thy glory . . . and be adorned as a bride for that day when thou shalt unveil the heavens, and cause the mountains to flow down at thy presence, and the valleys to be exalted, the rough places made smooth; that thy glory may fill the earth . . . That our garments may be pure, that we may be clothed upon with robes of righteousness, with palms in our hands, and crowns of glory upon our heads, and reap eternal joy for all our sufferings. O Lord God Almighty, hear us in these our petitions, and answer us from heaven, thy holy habitation, where thou sittest enthroned, with glory, honor, power, majesty, might, dominion, truth, justice, judgment, mercy, and an infinity of fulness, from everlasting to everlasting. (D&C 109:8, 12, 16, 22-23, 37, 74, 76-77)
Indeed, as recorded in D&C 110, various figures, including Jesus Himself, appeared in the Kirtland Temple to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, furthering strengthening this proposal.
LDS historian Elden Watson wrote the following which agrees with this assessment:
LDS historian Elden Watson wrote the following which agrees with this assessment:
Verses 4 and 5, which contain the actual prophecy are the problematic verses, and they begin a new thought. As published in the Book of Commandments, they begin a new paragraph:
4 Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation.
5 For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house. (Doctrine and Covenants 84:5.)
I point out that the place of the temple spoken of in verse 4 is “this place.” Verse 31 only says “upon the consecrated spot.” The location of “this place” has been confusing because the first two verses of the revelation spoke of the New Jerusalem and the temple which will be built in Jackson county as well as the temple lot which was dedicated there. Now the revelation shifts by saying that the New Jerusalem spoken of will be begun by the gathering of the saints at “this place, even the place of the temple.” I suggest that “this place” has reference to the geographical location of Joseph Smith when the revelation was received. And where was he? He was in Kirtland, Ohio. This would suggest the possibility that the temple which “shall be reared in this generation” was the Kirtland temple. If the Lord had intended to mean that the temple would be built in Jackson county Mo., he would more appropriately have said “at that place,” because Joseph was in Kirtland, not in Missouri.
That the temple was to be built by the “gathering of the saints, beginning at this place,” also points to Kirtland as that was the specified location where the gathering of the saints began. As early as January 1831 the Lord had commanded the saints to gather to the Ohio at which place they would receive an endowment from on high.
31 And that ye might escape the power of the enemy, and be gathered unto me a righteous people, without spot and blameless—
32 Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high; (Doctrine and Covenants 38:31-32.)
And did the Kirtland temple fulfil the rest of the requirements? The revelation goes on to say that “an house” shall be built and “a cloud” will rest upon it, and the glory of the Lord will “fill the house.”
Oliver Cowdery testified of that cloud which was the glory of the Lord as recorded in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism:
Oliver's Church career peaked from 1834 to 1836. Minutes and letters picture him as a highly effective preacher, writer, and administrator. His 1836 journal survives, showing his devotion to religion and family, his political activities, his study of Hebrew, and the spiritual power he shared at the completion of the Kirtland Temple. Cowdery's last entry in this journal, penned the day of the temple dedication, says of the evening meeting: "I saw the glory of God, like a great cloud, come down and rest upon the house…. I also saw cloven tongues like as of fire rest upon many…while they spake with other tongues and prophesied" (Arrington, p. 426). (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 1-4 vols., edited by Daniel H. Ludlow (New York: Macmillan, 1992), 1:338)
It should be noted that when the Kirtland temple was dedicated in 1836, the Lord appeared personally in that temple and accepted it.
7 For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house. (Doctrine and Covenants 110:7.)
For more on D& 84, see:
