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Joseph Smith, Jr.'s First Vision is a vital part of Latter Day Saint (or Mormon) belief. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is called "The First Vision".

Background

An area of upstate and western New York frequently experienced religious revivals, which would later lead to its being termed the Burned-over district. One such religious movement that originated in the Burned-over district was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As a boy living in Palmyra, New York, Joseph Smith, Jr., who would later found the Latter-day Saints movement, reported he was considering which of the various religious sects he should join. His father's family had converted to the Presbyterian faith, and four had joined the local church. He was considering joining the Methodist church when he claims the following events happened.

Summary of Joseph Smith, Jr.'s Official Account of The First Vision

In the spring of 1820, at the age of fourteen years old, Smith reported he was reading the Bible when he came across the following verse in the first chapter of the Epistle of James:

James 1:5 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Smith felt deeply impressed by this particular scripture, believing he needed guidance in choosing the proper church to join.

One morning, he went into a grove of trees (now known by Latter-day Saint members as the sacred grove) behind the family's farm, knelt down, and began his first vocal prayer.

Almost immediately after starting his prayer, Smith reported a confrontation with a power he regarded as evil or malign. He reported the force completely inhibited his speech. He felt darkness gather about him, and believed that he would soon be totally destroyed. He continued his prayer non-verbally, asking for God's aid. Smith claimed he felt hopeless and resigned to destruction. At this moment, he reported a light brighter than the sun descended towards him. With the arrival of the light, Smith reported the malign power vanished.

In the light, Smith "saw two personages standing in the air" in front of him. One being pointed to the other and stated that this was his "Beloved Son." (Smith reported that the two beings were God the Father and Jesus.) As Smith again could speak, he asked to know which religious sect he should join. Smith claimed he was told that all existing religions had been corrupted from Jesus Christ's teachings. (See Great Apostasy.)

In the years following this First Vision, Smith claims to have received more instructions from God, some of which were given through messengers such as angels. Eventually, Smith and five others incorporated what would become known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Criticisms of the First Vision

There are a number of records depicting Smith's First Vision, some of which were made second-hand. Smith participated in the recording of at least four accounts of the First Vision, but did not record any details of it until 1831 or 1832 after the Church of Christ was officially organized in 1830. A detailed account was not published until the April 1, 1841 issue of The Times and Seasons, the church's official paper.

Critics charge that the various records are inconsistent. They argue that Smith's earliest version of his experience states only that an angel visited him—rather than God the Father and Jesus Christ—and that Smith changed his story over time embellishing it. Besides the inconsistencies critics claim that:

• Joseph tried joining the Methodist church in June of 1828
• Joseph prayed to know “if a Supreme being did exist?” preceding his 1823 vision of the Angle Moroni
• Differences between the “official” version and Joseph Smith’s 1832 handwritten testimony are contradictory
• Lack of mention of the first vision by some founding members; including Brigham Young and John Taylor implies a fabrication (however it is included in Lucy Mack Smith's history)

Apologists counter that each record was tailored to a different audience, highlighting different aspects of the vision. Additionally, they point to evidence that Smith called Jesus Christ an angel or a heavenly messenger.

External links

• Excerpts from Joseph Smith, Jr.'s official testimony and history
• An official account
• Various Accounts of The First Vision
• Questions about Joseph Smith's First Vision Accounts on jefflindsay.com
• No Compromising Joseph Smith's First Vision