I cannot tell how long I remained in the full flow of the blissful enjoyment and divine enlightenment, but it was several minutes before the celestial element which filled and surrounded me began gradually to withdraw. On arising from my kneeling posture, with my heart swelling with gratitude to God, beyond the power of expression, I felt--I _knew_ that He had conferred on me what only an omnipotent being can confer--that which is of greater value than all the wealth and honors worlds can bestow. That night, as I retired to rest, the same wonderful manifestations were repeated, and continued to be for several successive nights. The sweet remembrance of those glorious experiences, from that time to the present, bring them fresh before me, imparting an inspiring influence which pervades my whole being, and I trust will to the close of my earthly existence. Chapter II. A Blessing Meeting.--Lorenzo's Opinion of the Patriarch.--The Patriarch's Marvelous Prediction.--Lorenzo is Puzzled.--Explained to him by Revelation.--Lorenzo in Kirtland.--Fast-day Meetings.--Outpouring of the Spirit.--Gifts Manifested.--Lorenzo's First Speech from the Pulpit.--Description of the Temple.--Fast Meetings.--A Striking Incident.--Effect of the Meetings on Lorenzo's Mind.--Wants to Preach.--Is Ordained an Elder. Being present at a "Blessing Meeting," in the Temple, previous to his baptism into the Church; after listening to several patriarchal blessings pronounced upon the heads of different individuals with whose history he was acquainted, and of whom he knew the Patriarch was entirely ignorant; he was struck with astonishment to hear the peculiarities of those persons positively and plainly referred to in their blessings. And, as he afterwards expressed, he was convinced that an influence, superior to human prescience, dictated the words of the one who officiated. The Patriarch was the father of Joseph, the Prophet. That was the first time Lorenzo had met him. After the services, they were introduced, and Father Smith said to my brother that he would soon be convinced of the truth of the latter-day work, and be baptized; and he said: "You will become as great as you can possibly wish--EVEN AS GREAT AS GOD, and you cannot wish to be greater." Unenlightened as his mind was at the time, the foregoing saying of the Patriarch was a puzzle which my brother could not comprehend, as will be seen by the following expression from his journal: