After the administering of the Sacrament in the temple at the meeting held Sunday, April 3, 1836, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery retired to the pulpit, the veils[9] being dropped, and there bowed in silent prayer. After rising from their knees the Savior appeared to them standing on the breast-work of the pulpit and blessed them, accepting the building in his name. After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened, and Moses appeared committing to them the keys of the gathering of Israel; Elias, who lived in the days of Abraham, then appeared, and committed to them the keys of the dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham. Then another glorious vision burst upon them and Elijah appeared and committed to them the keys, in fulfilment of the prediction of Malachi, of the turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, which was to be done before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.[10] The Elders Prepared to Teach In the revelation given on Fishing River (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 105) the Lord had said the elders must be endowed with power from on high before they would be fully prepared to go forth to build up the Church and "prune" his vineyard. This endowment having now been received, and the various keys of different dispensations having now been restored, the elders were prepared for their ministry among the nations of the earth. Following these blessings they began to go forth spreading abroad in all parts of the land, preaching the word in power as they had never experienced it before, and many received their testimony and were numbered among the people of the Lord. Notes 1. The record which gives an account of this ordination has this to say: "The office of Assistant President is to assist in presiding over the whole Church, and to officiate in the absence of the President, according to his rank and appointment, viz.; President Cowdery, first; President Rigdon, second, and President Williams, third, as they were severally called. The office of this Priesthood is also to act as spokesman, taking Aaron for an example. The virtue of the above Priesthood is to hold, the keys of the kingdom of heaven or the Church militant" (_MS. History of the Church_ Book A, Chapter 1). The account of Oliver's ordination is given in the same record as follows: "After addressing the throne of mercy, President Smith laid hands upon High Counselor Cowdery, and ordained him to the Presidency of the High Priesthood in the Church, saying: 'Brother, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who was crucified for the sins of the world, that we through the virtue of his blood might come to the Father, I lay my hands upon thy head, and ordain thee a President of the High and Holy Priesthood, to assist in presiding over the Church, and bearing the keys of this kingdom--which Priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek--which is after the order of the Son of God.'"