Joseph Smith History

The Doctrinal and Historical Significance of the First

Vision

Events leading up to 1st Vision• Joseph’s life preserved in miraculous way• Fertile soil, heavily wooded land, and completion of Erie Canal

bolstered population growth (EC 1 block from Palmyra main street).

• “Unchurched” settlers became concern of Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian ministers. Only 7% of all Americans belonged to a Church in 1800. It increased to 11% by 1820.

• This area became known as “burned over” district because of the “fire” of impassioned preachers.

• Age 12-14, Joseph attended as many meetings as possible and sought answers in the Bible.

In 1820, the Joseph Smith Sr. family actually lived in the Manchester Township, as opposed to the Manchester Village. A village was a small community, whereas a “township” was comparable to what we could call a “county.” Notice most townships also had villages within them of the same name. (Backman, Joseph Smith’s First Vision)

Variances in Protestant Christianity

• Mode of Baptism: immersion and adults (Baptists)

• Calvinism (Depraved man, unable to change, either elect or not—if not, no access to atonement)-P, CB, C

• God’s word limited to Bible-All protestants

• Eternal punishment-All protestants• Trinitarians—All Protestants• Authority-“priesthood of all

believers”--All Protestants

• Mode of Baptism: sprinkling and Infants (M, P, C, E)

• Arminianism (Fallen man can change, agency, atonement accessible to all)- M, Q, FB, E

• Modern Revelation superior to Bible—Quakers

• Universal Salvation—Universalists• Arianism (Godhead consists of 3

persons)--none• Authority—need keys—E

(Quakers—None)

Key: M=Methodist; P=Presbyterians; C=Congregationalists; E=Episcopalians; CB=Calvinist Baptists; FB=Freewill Baptists; Quakers

“War of Words”: Role of Churches• Catholic Traditions:1. Salvation was possible for all

men, upon certain conditions2. The authority to administer

salvation was available through:1. The Church (only)2. Those ordained to the

priesthood by those holding keys (traced back to Peter)

3. Ordinances (called Sacraments)

• Protestant Traditions:1. Salvation possible through faith

in Jesus and his Grace.2. Church organization, priesthood

and sacraments (ordinances) not necessary for salvation.

3. Church served the purpose of housing the body of saints, preaching, and enjoying sacraments of baptism and communion.

Published Testimony of the Godhead Chronology

• Spring 1820: First Vision experienced, shared but rejected (JSH 1:21-25) and not recorded or published.

• February 1832: D&C 76:20-24 received and recorded, agreeing with Acts 7:55-56.• July 1832: D&C 76:20-24 published in The Evening and Morning Star. Saints share “The

Vision” far and wide.• August 1832: First Vision recorded for the first time by Joseph Smith, but not published.• November 1835: First Vision recorded two more times by J.S. scribes, but not published.• 1838-1839: First Vision recorded again (either before or after Liberty Jail) by J.S. and his

scribes but not published until 1842 in the United States in the Times and Seasons (Pof GP account).

• There are a total of ten (10) versions of the written and published accounts of the First Vision. One was written by him, others by scribes, friends, and associates who heard it from him.

Source: Opening the Heavens, ed. John W. Welch, pp. 56-68)

Source: Opening the Heavens, ed. John W. Welch, pp. 56-68)

Source: Opening the Heavens, 2nd edition, ed. John W. Welch, p. 77)

Gospel Doctrines restored through the First Vision

• The reality and power of Satan (2 N. 28:22)• The Devil and his angels were with us pre-mortally

and know us and our mission.• The “Sacred Grove” Principle• God truly is no respecter of persons• Prayer and Scripture study are effective ways to

overcome the power of the adversary• Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have distinct and

separate bodies• “Truly, man is nothing”

• 15-16• 15, 20

• 15-16• 23• 11, 12;

16• 17• 20,

Moses 1:10, etc.

Satan brought his knowledge with him-

• Elder LeGrand Richards taught: "It should be remembered that the devil and his angels, when cast down to this earth, were not deprived of the knowledge they had while in the [pre-earth life].... Because the spirits cast out of heaven with Satan have retained their knowledge and recollection of what happened there before they were cast out, they knew Jesus and the power given to him.... The

• same was true with respect to the mission of Joseph Smith.... Many other boys of that age had prayed without Satan's molesting them.... Therefore, except for Satan's knowledge and acquaintance that he brought with him from the spirit world, he would not have known that Joseph Smith was different from any other young boy, but he knew who "the noble and great" spirits were (A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, pp. 282-84)."

Satan brought his knowledge with him-

• Elder McConkie taught in relation to this: "Knowledge can be obtained and used in unrighteousness; Satan gains his power on this principle.... The devil has tremendous power and influence because of his knowledge (Mormon Doctrine, p. 86)."

Satan brought his knowledge with him-

“Sacred Grove” Principle

• Joseph Smith did not receive a vision of the Father and the Son without some serious opposition from the adversary first. In his own words, he writes that as he attempted to pray, according to his previous determination, “immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me… I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head (JSH 1:15-16).” Moses had a similar experience with the adversary recorded in Moses 1:12-22.

“Sacred Grove” Principle

• Most if not all of us have our own encounters with the opposition of the adversary immediately after we receive an impression or even a confirmation to do something good and right and true. It is because Satan does not want what follows to happen to us. It is important, then, that we remember this principle: If you receive a revelation from the Lord, pursue it until He stops you. You might run into discouragement, despair, and opposition along the way. But that does not mean that you didn’t receive a revelation, or that the revelation wasn’t “right.” It might mean, and perhaps will always mean, the Lord wants something very meaningful and wonderful for you that the Adversary does not want.

Gospel Doctrines restored through the First Vision

• Man can converse with God, can exist in God’s presence if need be, and will be answered by God if he asks in faith.

• The modern professors of religion deny the power of God and teach incorrect doctrines—the creeds

• The Son is our advocate with the Father; Heavenly Father works through his Son Jesus Christ to bring to pass the salvation of mankind.

• Contention is of the Devil and he is the father of confusion

• 17-19

• 19, 21-23, 26

• 17• 5-10; 3

Nephi 11:29-30; D&C 38:27

Doctrinal importance of 1st Vision• "This glorious First Vision … was the

parting of the curtain to open this, the dispensation of the fullness of times. Nothing on which we base our doctrine, nothing we teach, nothing we live by is of greater importance than this initial declaration…. This is the hinge on which turns the gate that leads to the path of salvation and eternal life."

• I submit that if Joseph Smith talked with God the Father and His Beloved Son, then all else of which he spoke is true. (President Hinckley)

Joseph F. Smith said: “Having accepted this truth, I find it easy to accept of every other truth that he enunciated and declared during his mission of fourteen years in the world.”

The First Vision and You!• 1. A person goes to the Lord in heartfelt prayer• 2. The glory of the Lord rests upon him.• 3. He sees the Lord• 4. He is completely overcome by the Spirit

(physically)• 5. He receives a book, which he is asked to read; or

write the things he sees and hears in a book• 6. He goes out among the people and shares the

things in the vision/book

The First Vision and You!• Who is this person?• 1. Joseph Smith • 2. Lehi (1 Nephi 1)• 3. The Brother of Jared (Ether 3)• 4. Moses (Moses 1)• 5. Abraham (Abraham 1-3)• 6. Many converts in the Book of Mormon• 7. You?

The First Vision and You!• D&C 46:13-14• Numbers 11:24-30• Revelation 19:10• “If you do not receive this assurance, this testimony, it

is your fault. The Lord is most anxious to give it to you through the Holy Ghost when you have really humbled yourself and paid the price in reaching, fasting, praying, studying, pondering, and cleansing and purging.” (Teachings of President Spencer W. Kimball, p. 64).