Source:George A. Smith:1855:Deseret News:5 September 5 1855:he beheld two glorious Beings wrapped in a brilliant and glorious light

George A. Smith (1855): "he beheld two glorious Beings wrapped in a brilliant and glorious light"

George A. Smith (1855): "he beheld two glorious Beings wrapped in a brilliant and glorious light"

In 1855 Brigham Young was asked to prepare an article for publication in an eastern newspaper on the rise of the Church. He turned the assignment over to George A. Smith, who was Church Historian; Elder Smith wrote the article. Although it was not published in the anticipated work, it was published in the Church newspaper:

Joseph Smith, jun., was born in Sharon, Windsor county, Vermont, 23d December, 1805; moved with his father to Ontario county, New York, and in the year 1819 settled in Manchester; he was by occupation a farmer, and his advantages of education were limited. At the age of 15 he began to reflect seriously on the necessity of being prepared for a future state of existence. He went among the different denominations that existed in that state and his mind became perplexed with the clashing and contention which existed among those who professed the name of Christ.

Disgusted with the confusion which his researches disclosed, and encouraged by the promise of Saint James: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth unto all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him," he retired to a grove, and in earnest prayer besought the Lord to reveal the way of salvation; and while thus engaged he beheld two glorious Beings wrapped in a brilliant and glorious light, who informed him that all the religious sects of the present age had departed from the ancient gospel of Jesus Christ and his apostles, with gifts and priesthood, which should be made known to him in due season: many glorious things were shown to him in this vision.