On Easter Sunday 183 years ago (April 3, 1836), Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias and Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple. The keys of the priesthood restored at that time provided the power whereby eternal families could be established in these the latter days.

The importance of eternal families and other teachings were originally taught to Joseph about 13 years earlier.  On the evening of September 21, 1823, Moroni appeared to Joseph three times and repeated the same message, including: “And he [Elijah] shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.” (JSH 1:39)

This promise was fulfilled on that historic day in Kirtland. First, our Savior, who atoned for our sins and provided the way for us to be resurrected and live after death appeared. He accepted the Kirtland Temple as his house and proclaimed “Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house” (D&C 110:9). Afterward, three prophets appeared to restore priesthood keys to the earth which would enable the blessing of eternal families.

Moses appeared and committed unto Joseph and Oliver the keys of the gathering of Israel. This included the responsibility of missionary work to take the gospel to all the world and bring people into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by baptism and conversion.

Then, Elias appeared and “committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.” (D&C 110:12) This included temple ordinances which give us the promise of eternal life based on obedience to these priesthood laws and ordinances. “…all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.” (Abraham 2:11)

Finally, Elijah appeared and bestowed the power to seal families together forever whereby we could “…turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers…”  (Malachi 4:6) Although we often reference this scripture when we talk about ordinances for the dead, we know these sealing keys provide saving ordinances for us the living and for our ancestors as we act as proxy on their behalf.

At this Easter time, isn’t it humbling and wonderful to ponder the multitude of temple blessings we can claim for ourselves and our ancestors?  Because of these priesthood keys restored back in 1836, we know that our families throughout generations truly can be together forever.  –Debbie Brady

(Reference: Deseret News, April 3, 2016, 180 years ago today in the Kirtland Temple)