LESSON 3: “I HAD SEEN A VISION”


I’ve always been amused by those who look at the varying early accounts of the First Vision as source material for attacking Joseph Smith and the Church on the grounds of inconsistency.  It would be far more suspect if the accounts agreed in every detail, and the fact that the details are presented differently in some of the versions is to me far more consistent with the nature of oral history and the evolving sensibilities of a boy from the age of 14 to his death at the age of 39.

We should also remember that Joseph’s First Vision was a personal experience.  A young boy retired to the woods to inquire of God regarding his personal worthiness and seek further instruction.  We have institutionalized this intensely personal experience as the foundational event of the Restoration.  While this is understandable, let us not forget its original and personal nature.

Here is a brief synopsis of the eight contemporary accounts of the First Vision.

1832 ACCOUNT --  Dictated by Joseph Smith to Frederick G. Williams in 1832.  His age is given as either 15 or 16 (the second digit is not legible).  He makes no reference to reading James 1:5.  Says, “The Lord,” appeared to him and told him that his sins were forgiven him.  He is told that “none doeth good,” but is not told that the Church would be restores.

1835 ACCOUNT -- 1835 recital to a visitor to Kirtland, recorded by Warren Parrish.   Joseph mentions reading James 1:5.  He mentions the opposition of evil that he encountered in the grove and says that he say 2 personages.  He was told that his sins were forgiven him and he say many angels.  He indicates he was about 14 years old.

1838 ACCOUNT --  Dictated by Joseph Smith to James Mulholland; this is the primary text which is found in the Pearl of Great Price.  He mentions James 1:5 and says he was in his fifteenth year.  He gives the date as Spring of 1820.  He mentions the evil opposition in the grove.  He says that he saw two personages.  He asked which Church to join, but was told that they were all wrong.

1842 ACCOUNT - Published in the Times and Seasons as a reply to John  Wentworth, seeking information for publication in the Chicago Democrat.  Similar to 1838 account.

1840 ACCOUNT - Orson Pratt’s account published in Several Remarkable Visions.  This is the first known printing of an account.   He mentions James 1:5 and the evil opposition. In the grove.  He sees two personages and asks which Church to join.  He is told that all are wrong and is promised a restoration.

1842 ACCOUNT - Orson Hyde’s account published in A Cry From the Wilderness.   Joseph was 14 or 15.  The evil opposition in the grove is mentioned.  Joseph sees two personages who tell him not to join any of the churches.  A restoration is promised.

1843  ACCOUNT- An account written by the editor of the Pittsburg Gazette (David White) who visited Nauvoo in 1843.  Published in the New York Spectator, Sept. 23, 1843.  The brief account says he was about 14 when he saw two personages who told him to join none of the churches.

1844 ACCOUNT - Alexander Neibaur’s journal account of hearing from Joseph Smith his rendition, May 24, 1844.   Mentions the evil opposition in the grove.  Only one personage is mentioned (who has blue eyes), then another personage appears.  Joseph asks if he should join the Methodist Church and is told no, that all are wrong.

1844 - Daniel I. Rupp published in, An Original History of the Religious Denominations at Present Existing in the United States.   Joseph was about 14 when he saw 2 personages.  He is told that all churches are wrong, but is promised a restoration.

For those who may be interested in reading further, I would recommend, Milton V. Backman.  JOSEPH SMITH’S FIRST VISION.  Salt Lake City:  Bookcraft, 1971.