Mormonism and Wikipedia/First Vision/Story of the vision

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An analysis of the Wikipedia article "First Vision"

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Story of the vision  Updated 9/17/2011

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Joseph Smith wrote or dictated several versions of his vision story, and told the story to others who later published what they remember hearing. Taken together, these accounts set forth the following details: Smith said that when he was about twelve (c. 1817-18), he became interested in religion and distressed about his sins.

Author's sources: *Smith (1832) , pp. 1–2.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

He studied the Bible and attended church, but the accounts differ as to whether he determined on his own that there was no existing religion built upon the true teachings of Jesus

Author's sources: *Smith (1832) , p. 2.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

or whether the idea that all churches were false had not "entered his heart" until he experienced the vision.

Author's sources: *Smith (1838) , p. 3.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

During this period of religious concern, he determined to turn to God in prayer. An early account says the purpose of this prayer was to ask God for mercy for his sins

Author's sources: *Smith (1832) , p. 2.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

while later accounts emphasize his desire to know which church he should join.

Author's sources: *Smith (1838) , p. 3; Waite (1843) ; Neibaur (1844) .

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Therefore, as his mother had done years before when concerned about an important religious question,

Author's sources: *Smith (1853) , p. 54; Bushman (2005) , p. 26.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Smith said he went one spring morning to a secluded grove near his home to pray.

Author's sources: *Smith (1842b) , p. 728.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

He said he went to a stump in a clearing where he had left his axe the day before

Author's sources: *Waite (1843) .

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

and began to offer his first audible prayer.

Author's sources: *Smith (1842b) , p. 727.

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He said his prayer was interrupted by a "being from the unseen world" more powerful than any he had previously encountered.

Author's sources: *Smith (1842c) , p. 748; Pratt (1840) , p. 5.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Smith said the spirit caused his tongue to swell in his mouth so that he could not speak,

Author's sources: *Smith (1835) , p. 23. Smith (1842c) , p. 748.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

One account said he heard a noise behind him like someone walking towards him

Author's sources: *Smith (1835) , p. 23.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

and then, when he tried to pray again, the noise grew louder, causing him to spring to his feet and look around, but he saw no one.

Author's sources: *Smith (1835) , p. 23.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

In some of the accounts, he described being covered with a thick darkness and thinking that he would be destroyed.

Author's sources: *Smith (1842c) , p. 748.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

At his darkest moment, he knelt a third time to pray

Author's sources: *Smith (1835) , p. 23.

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and, as he summoned all his power to pray, he felt ready to sink into oblivion.

Author's sources: *Smith (1842c) , p. 748

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

At that moment, he said his tongue was loosed and he saw a vision.

Author's sources: *Smith (1835) , p. 23; Smith (1842c) , p. 748

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Smith said he saw a pillar of light brighter than the noonday sun that slowly descended on him,

Author's sources: *Smith (1832) , p. 3;Smith (1842c) , p. 748.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

growing in brightness as it descended and lighting the entire area for some distance.

Author's sources: *Pratt (1840) , p. 5.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

As the light reached the tree tops, Smith feared the trees might catch fire.

Author's sources: *Pratt (1840) , p. 5; 1835 , p. 24.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

But when it reached the ground and enveloped him, it produced a "peculiar sensation."

Author's sources: *Pratt (1840) , p. 5

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

"[H]is mind was caught away from the natural objects with which he was surrounded; and he was enwrapped in a heavenly vision."

Author's sources: *Pratt (1840) , p. 5; Smith (1842a) , p. 706.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

While experiencing the vision, he said he saw one or more "personages," described differently in Smith's accounts. In one, Smith said he "saw the Lord."

Author's sources: *Smith (1832) , p. 3.

FAIR's Response

{{IndexClaimItemShort |title=Check link or content |claim= In diary entries, he said he saw a "visitation of Angels" |authorsources=

• Smith (1835) , p. 37.

|response=

• {{WikipediaCorrect)
• Joseph's 9 November 1835 diary entry states,

a pillar of fire appeared above my head, it presently rested down upon me head, and filled me with Joy unspeakable, a personage appeard in the midst of this pillar of flame which was spread all around, and yet nothing consumed, another personage soon appeard like unto the first, he said unto me thy sins are forgiven thee, he testified unto me that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; and I saw many angels in this vision... (emphasis added)

• The second entry, recorded only five days later on 14 November 1835, mentions "angels,"

I received the first visitation of Angels which was when I was about 14. years old...

• For a detailed response, see: First Vision/Accounts/1835 and First Vision/Accounts/1835/Mentions "Angels"

}}

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

or a "vision of angels" that included "a personage," and then "another personage" who testified that "Jesus Christ is the Son of God," as well as "many angels".

Author's sources: *Smith (1835) , p. 24.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

In later accounts, Smith consistently said that he had seen two personages who appeared one after the other.

Author's sources: *Neibaur (1844) ; Waite (1843) .

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

These personages "exactly resembled each other in their features or likeness."

Author's sources: *Pratt (1840) , p. 5; Smith (1842a) , p. 707.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

The first personage had "light complexion, blue eyes, a piece of white cloth drawn over his shoulders, his right arm bare."

Author's sources: *Neibaur (1844)

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

In later accounts, one of the personages called Smith by name "and said, (pointing to the other), 'This is my beloved Son, hear him.'"

Author's sources: *Smith (1842c) , p. 748.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Although Smith left their identity unexplicit, most Latter Day Saints infer that these personages were God the Father and Jesus.

Author's sources: *Taylor (1879) , p. 161. Taylor, who stated he had heard the story from Smith himself, said the personages were "the Lord" and "his Son Jesus."

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

In two accounts, Smith said that the Lord told him his sins were forgiven, that he should obey the commandments, that the world was corrupt, and that the Second Coming was approaching.

Author's sources: *1832 , p. 3.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Later accounts say that when the personages appeared, Smith asked them "O Lord, what church shall I join?"

Author's sources: *Waite 1843

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

or "Must I join the Methodist Church?"

Author's sources: *Neibaur 1844

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

In answer, he was told that "all religious denominations were believing in incorrect doctrines, and that none of them was acknowledged of God as his church and kingdom."

Author's sources: *Smith (1842a) , p. 707; Pratt (1840) , p. 5.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

All churches and their professors were "corrupt",

Author's sources: *Waite (1843) Smith (1842c) , p. 748.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

and "all their creeds were an abomination in his sight."

Author's sources: *Smith (1842c) , p. 748

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Smith was told not to join any of the churches, but that the "fulness of the gospel" would be known to him at a later time.

Author's sources: *Smith (1842a) , p. 707; Pratt (1840) , p. 5. One account also said that "many other things did [the personage] say unto me which I cannot write at this time." Smith (1842c) , p. 748.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

After the vision withdrew, Smith said he "came to myself" and found himself sprawled on his back.

Author's sources: *Waite (1843) ; Smith (1842c) , p. 748.

References

Wikipedia references for "First Vision"

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• Allen, James B., (1980), Emergence of a Fundamental: The Expanding Role of Joseph Smith's First Vision in Mormon Religious Thought off-site .
• Allen, James B., (1966), The Significance of Joseph Smith's First Vision in Mormon Thought off-site .
• Anderson, Richard Lloyd, Joseph Smith’s Testimony of the First Vision off-site .
• Anderson, Richard Lloyd, (1969), Circumstantial Confirmation Of the first Vision Through Reminiscences off-site .
• Backman, Milton V., Jr., (1969), Awakenings in the Burned-over District: New Light on the Historical Setting of the first Vision off-site .
• Berge, Dale L., Archaeological Work at the Smith Log House off-site .
• Bauder, Peter, Vogel, Dan (editor) (1834), Early Mormon Documents , Salt Lake City: Signature Books .
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• Bushman, Richard Lyman, (2005), Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling , New York: Knopf .
• Cowdery, Oliver, Far West Record: Minutes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830–1844 , Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company .
• Cowdery, Oliver, (1834), Letter III off-site .
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• Flake, Kathleen, (2004), The Politics of American Religious Identity: The Seating of Senator Reed Smoot, Mormon Apostle University of North Carolina Press .
• Hill, Marvin S., (1980), The First Vision Controversy: A Critique and Reconciliation .
• Howard, Richard P., (1980), Joseph Smith's First Vision: The RLDS Tradition off-site .
• Howe, Eber Dudley, ed., The Mormon Creed off-site .
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• Jessee, Dean C., (1969), Early Accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision .
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• Neibaur, Alexander, (1841–48), Journal of Alexander Neibaur off-site .
• Palmer, Grant H., (2002), An Insider's View of Mormon Origins Signature Books .
• Phelps, W.W., ed., (1833), A Book of Commandments, for the Government of the Church of Christ , Zion: William Wines Phelps & Co. off-site .
• Porter, Larry C., (1969), Reverend George Lane—Good "Gifts", Much "Grace", and Marked "Usefulness" off-site .
• Pratt, Orson, (1840), A Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions, and of the Late Discovery of Ancient American Records , Edinburgh: Ballantyne and Hughes off-site .
• Quinn, D. Michael, (1998), Early Mormonism and the Magic World View Signature Books .
• Ray, Craig N., (2002), Joseph Smith's History Confirmed Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research off-site .
• Riley, I. Woodbridge, (1903), The Founder of Mormonism: A Psychological Study of Joseph Smith, Jr. , New York: Dodd, Mead & Co. off-site
• Roberts, B. H. (editor) (1902), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints LDS Church off-site .
• Smith, Joseph, Jr., Jessee, Dean C (editor) (1832), Personal Writings of Joseph Smith , Salt Lake City: Deseret Book off-site .
• Smith, Joseph, Jr., Jessee, Dean C (editor) (1835), Personal Writings of Joseph Smith , Salt Lake City: Deseret Book off-site .
• Smith, Joseph, Jr., (1838), History of the Church , copied to Jessee, Dean C (editor) (1839–1843), Personal Writings of Joseph Smith Deseret Book .
• Smith, Joseph, Jr., (1842a), Church History [Wentworth Letter] off-site .
• Smith, Joseph, Jr., (1842b), History of Joseph Smith off-site .
• Smith, Joseph, Jr., (1842c), History of Joseph Smith off-site .
• Smith, Lucy Mack, (1853), Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and His Progenitors for Many Generations , Liverpool: S.W. Richards off-site .
• Smith, William, (1883), William Smith on Mormonism: A True Account of the Origin of the Book of Mormon , Lamoni, Iowa: RLDS Church off-site .
• Smith, William, (1884), The Old Soldier's Testimony off-site .
• Tanner, Jerald and Sandra (1987 (5th ed)), Mormonism: Shadow or Reality? {{{pages}}}
• Taylor, John, How a Knowledge of God is Obtained—The Gospel to the Dead—Various Dispensations of the Most High to Mankind—Power of the Priesthood—Restoration of the Gospel Through Joseph Smith—Failings of the Saints—Corruptions of the Wicked off-site .
• Tucker, Pomeroy, (1867), Origin, Rise and Progress of Mormonism , New York: D. Appleton off-site .
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• Vogel, Dan (editor) (1996), Early Mormon Documents , Salt Lake City: Signature Books .
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• Waite, David Nye, Sr., The Prairies, Nauvoo, Joseph Smith, the Temple, the Mormons &c off-site .

Further reading

Mormonism and Wikipedia

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