At
the conclusion of his speech, Oliver Cowdery arose and said . . .
I testify to you that while I was alone with Joseph the Prophet, in the
attitude of prayer, a light descended from heaven, the glory of which far
exceeded the noonday sun, and in the midst of which a personage appeared who
told us his name was John, formerly called John the Baptist. He ordained us to
the Aaronic Priesthood, and according to his instructions, after baptizing each
other, we ordained each other. But as we had not received the Holy Ghost, or
authority to confer the same upon us, we concluded to go into the forest, and
cleared a space in the center of which was a stump, and there we kneeled down
and took turns in calling upon the Lord, until a glorious light encircled us;
and as we arose on account of the light, addressing us, said: 'My name is
Peter, and (pointing to the others) these are James and John. We have come here
according to command from the Almighty, to confer upon you the Apostleship to
which we have been ordained.' Whereupon they ordained us. (Arthur Winter
collection, 1883-1940, Journal,
volume 4, 1892 January-1899 December, p. 267)