View source for Question: Why does Joseph Smith's 9 November 1835 account of the First Vision mention "many angels?"

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==Question: Why does Joseph Smith's 9 November 1835 account of the First Vision mention "many angels?"==
===Criticisms related to Joseph Smith's 9 November 1835 account of the First Vision===
The capitalized word "Angels" in Joseph Smith's diary entry for 14 November 1835 has given rise to two distinct criticisms by detractors of the faith, and one misguided conclusion by some Latter-day Saints.
:'''Criticism #1''' - Critics note that this word is plainly used in reference to the First Vision and thus assume that Joseph Smith did not consistently claim to see Deity during this manifestation and that he therefore contradicted himself. 
:'''Criticism #2''' - Critics conclude that the official ''History of the Church'' was "falsified" when this reference was changed without any notation.
:'''Misguided Conclusion''' - Some conclude that since the word "Angels" is capitalized in the text Joseph Smith must have been applying this title to Deity.

===Both the two personages and "many angels" are mentioned===
The mention of "many angels" in the November 9, 1835 diary entry is a clarifying detail. The appearance of the Father and Son are clearly referenced separately from the mention of the "many angels." Since the visit of the Father and Son are acknowledged in the diary entry for the 9th the change from "first visitation of Angels" to "the First Vision" in the ''History of the Church'' entry is not a "falsification" of information. 
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{{endnotes sources}}
[[Category:Letter to a CES Director]]
[[Category:The Changing World of Mormonism]]
[[Category:MormonThink]]

[[es:Pregunta: ¿Por qué el 09 de noviembre 1835 debido a la Primera Visión de José Smith mencionó "muchos ángeles?"]]
[[pt:Pergunta: Por que o 09 de novembro de 1835 relato de Joseph Smith da Primeira Visão mencionar "muitos anjos?"]]
[[Category:Questions]]