Today I want to tell you about what I saw happening in Joseph’s life when he was 12 to 14 years of age before he had his First Vision, and then I want to go on to this glorious Vision that he had. These were the years of the Religious Revivals and Joseph attended meetings along with the rest of the family as often as occasion would permit. 3 I know his mind was troubled about religion trying to determine which sect was God’s true church.
Joseph wanted to know the correct path to follow his Savior and he could not rest his eternal life on chance. He had to know the way or he could not endure. 4, 6
Joseph turned to the Bible for his answers. Joseph was less inclined to the pursual of books than our other children. He loved the Bible even though he hadn’t read it all the way through. After reading the scriptures he would ponder or meditate on what he had read. Joseph was a deep studier and thinker. 13
Joseph was very sensitive. I knew of the sorrow and grief that came to his soul in Revival Meetings when the minister had given a sermon of love and then turned and became angry with malice and hatred toward a convert who decided not to join his church or when religious leaders and converts would contend over their viewpoints on religion. 1, 3 This distressed Joseph and caused extreme difficulties for him. 3
Joseph mourned over this behavior; by those who professed to be Christians. He mourned over the sins of all mankind and he mourned for his own sins because he looked inward and became convicted of his own sins. 1 Joseph prayed to have his sins forgiven and yearned to know his standing before God.
Our family did not all make the same decisions on religion. Hyrum, Sophronia, Samuel and I joined the Presbyterian Church. Joseph was inclined to the Methodist faith but he did not join the Methodists. 3 My husband Joseph Sr. and our son Alvin didn’t join any church either. My husband was waiting for the prophecy of his father Asael Smith to be fulfilled. Father Asael said” It has been born upon my soul that one of my descendants will promulgate a work to revolutionize the world of religious faith.” 12 My husband was waiting and looking for one of his family members to restore the truth. Also, my husband had dreams or visions that had given him knowledge of what to look for and expect when the truth came forth. Joseph had pressure I am sure of knowing whether the position I had taken along with 3 of his siblings was correct or the position that his father and Alvin had taken was right.
Joseph in going to the meetings saw some of his family members and others “get religion”. They stood up after receiving a testimony of the spirit. They bore this testimony to the congregation with great enthusiasm. Joseph said, “I wanted to get religion and I too wanted to feel and shout like the rest but I could feel nothing.” 8 Joseph wanted his own spiritual experiences and he did not feign a witness of the spirit when he did not have one. 12
Joseph continued to study the Bible. He found that none of the churches were like Christ’s church in the New Testament. Joseph learned from the scriptures that God is the same yesterday, today and forever… 1 It also occurred to his mind that God was the author of but one doctrine and could only acknowledge one denomination …4 and there was only one truth and that those who would understand it correctly would understand it in the same manner. 6 The great question to be decided in his mind was – if anyone of these denominations be the Church of Christ which one was it? He could not rest and be content until he knew! 4
One day, in the midst of laboring to know the truth, he read the following passage from the Epistle of James, first chapter and the fifth verse, which reads – “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.” This passage of scripture entered into my son’s heart with great power and force. 3 This was cheering information to him and gave him great joy. It was like a light in a dark place which showed him the path that he should walk. 4 He reflected on it again and again. 3 God would not scold him or find fault with him. God would accept him and give him the righteous desires of his heart according to his faith.
Joseph became certain and full of faith that God would answer the questions that were burning in his soul and he would obtain the knowledge of which he sought. With great determination Joseph decided to go out into the woods to pray where he could be alone with God where no one could hear his prayer or disturb him. 3
After hearing Joseph tell of his experience of the First Vision many times, I have pieced them all together in my mind and I would like to tell you what I know of the First Vision as if Joseph were talking to you.
It was on the morning of a beautiful clear day early in the spring of 1820. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally. 3 I immediately went out to the woods where my father had a clearing … and retired to a secret place in a grove 4,5,6, where I had previously designed to go 3, a short distance from my father’s house 4. I went to the stump where I had stuck my ax when I had quit work 7 and having looked around me and finding myself alone, 3 … I knelt down and offered up the desires of my heart in solemn prayer and prayed …, “O Lord, what Church shall I join?” 3, 6, 7
I had scarcely done so when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me… Thick darkness gathered around me and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. 3 The adversary benighted my mind with doubts and brought to my soul all kinds of improper images (or pictures) and tried to hinder my efforts to accomplish my goal. 6 My tongue seemed to be swollen in my mouth so I could not utter. 2
I heard a noise behind me like someone walking towards me. I strove again to pray but could not; the noise of walking seemed to draw nearer, I sprang upon my feet and looked around, but saw no person or thing calculated to produce the noise of walking. 2
I knelt again exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at that very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being. 3 However, the overflowing mercy of God came to buoy me up and gave me new impulse and momentum to my dwindling strength. Soon the dark clouds disappeared and light and peace filled my frightened heart. 6
My mouth was opened and my tongue loosed. I called on the Lord in mighty prayer 2 in fervency of the Spirit and in faith, and while thus pouring out my soul, anxiously desiring an answer from God, I at length saw a very bright and glorious light 4 a pillar of fire … above my head which eclipsed the brightness of the sun at noon day 1,5 in the heavens above; which at first, seemed a considerable distance. I continued praying, while the light appeared to gradually descend towards me; and as it drew nearer it increased in brightness and magnitude so that by the time it reached the tops of the trees, the whole wilderness for some distance around was illuminated in a most glorious and brilliant manner. I expected to see the leaves and the boughs of the trees to be consumed as soon as the light came in contact with them, but perceiving that it did not produce that effect, I was encouraged with the hope of being able to endure its presence.
The light continued descending slowly, until it rested upon the earth and I was enveloped in the midst of it. 4 I was filled with unspeakable joy. 2
When the light first came upon me, it produced a peculiar sensation throughout my whole system; and immediately my mind was caught away from the natural objects with which I was surrounded and I was enwrapped in a heavenly vision. 4 I was filled with the Spirit of God and the Lord opened the heavens upon me. 1
I saw a personage [God the Father] in the fire [who had] a light complexion, blue eyes, [and] a piece of white cloth drawn over his shoulders [with] his right arm bare 8 standing above me in the air. 3 [This personage] touched my eyes with his finger and as soon as he did so, I could immediately see another personage 10 [at his] side 8 who exactly resembled the first in features, stature and likeness. 5, 6 [Their] brightness and glory defy all description. 3 The First Personage – [ God the Father] said, pointing to the latter [the Savior] 9and calling my name said, “Joseph,3,10 this is my Beloved son. Hear Him!” 3
This Second Personage – [ the Savior] spake unto me saying, “Joseph my son, thy sins are forgiven thee. Go thy way and walk in my statues and keep my commandments. Behold, I am the Lord of glory. I was crucified for the world that all those who believe on my name may have eternal life.” 1 Your prayers have been answered and the Lord has decided to grant unto you a special blessing. 6
My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right and which should I join? 3
I was answered that I should join none of them for they were all wrong; 3 that they had all departed from the right way – that they had forsaken God, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns, broken cisterns, that could not hold water. 9 Behold the world lieth in sin, at this time, and none doeth good, no not one. They have turned aside from the gospel and keep not my commandments … the second personage (the Savior) who addressed me said that “all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that they draw near unto me with their lips but their hearts are far from me; they teach for doctrines the commandments of men; having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.” 3 … mine anger is kindling against the inhabitants of the earth to visit them according to their ungodliness and to bring to pass that which hath been spoken by the mouths of the prophets and the apostles. Behold and lo, I come quickly as it is written of me, in a cloud, clothed in the glory of my Father …” 1
He again forbade me to join any of them, for none of them were acknowledged of God as his Church and Kingdom 5… and that the Everlasting Covenant had been broken. 11
I saw many angels in this vision. 2
There were many things that He did say unto me which I cannot write at this time. 3 …I received a promise that the true doctrine of Christ – the fulness of the gospel – should at some future time be made known to me; 4, 5 I was admonished to wait patiently until that time 6 … after which the vision withdrew, leaving my mind in a state of calmness and peace, indescribable.4, 6
When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength. 3 I endeavored to rise but felt uncommonly feeble 8 and it was some time before my strength returned. 7 But soon, recovering in some degree, I went home. 3
When Joseph came home and he leaned up to the fireplace, I inquired what the matter was. He replied, “Never mind, all is well – I am well enough off.” He then said to me, “Mother, I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” 3 … Joseph later said that his soul was filled with love for many days after his vision. He rejoiced with great joy and the Lord was with him… and he pondered these things in his heart. 1
I bear testimony to you that Joseph’s vision was of God and that he saw and talked with God the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. At this time Joseph became a seer. His eyes were touched by God; he was changed and caught up in a vision to see heaven. Joseph had gone through the veil and his mission had begun to bring the Gospel of Christ and His true church back to the earth.
Eleven Accounts of the First Vision
1.1832 Version – Joseph Smith dictated The First Vision to Frederick G. Williams between the summer of 1832 and the end of November of that year.
2. 1835 Version – Joseph Smith related The First Vision to a man named Matthias and it was recorded by Warren Cowdery.
3. 1838 -1839 Version – Joseph Smith. This rendition appears in the Pearl of Great Price. It was dictated in 1838 and is in the handwriting of James Mullholland who was Joseph’s scribe in 1839.
4. 1840 – Orson Pratt’s Account of the First Vision. This is the first know publication of the First Vision in a pamphlet entitled “An Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions.”
5. 1842 Extract from the Wentworth Letter – Joseph Smith wrote this letter to John Wentworth, editor and owner of the Chicago Democrat at his request to give the history and beliefs of the Mormons which was prepared for non-Mormons. It was published March 1, 1842, in the “Times and Seasons” in Nauvoo, Illinois.
6. 1842 – Orson Hyde’s Account of the First Vision. A selection from a pamphlet entitled “A Cry from the Wilderness, A Voice from the Dust of the Earth” published in German in Frankfurt, Germany in 1842. It was translated into English in 1960 by Justus Ernst.
7. 1843 – A Non – Mormon’s account of the First Vision “New York Spectator” Sept. 23, 1843. Interview with Joseph Smith by the editor of the Pittsburg Gazette who visited Nauvoo in 1843.
8. 1844 – Alexander Neibaur’s Journal May 24, 1844. Neibaur heard Joseph testimony of the First Vision and recorded in his journal his impressions of what Joseph said on that occasion.
9. John Taylor’s Testimony of Joseph Smith’s Visions – Discourse given on December 7, 1879, recorded by John Irvine and printed in the Journal of Discourses Vol. 21: pgs. 161 – 163.
10. 2019 Fair Conference – Don Bradley, “Joseph Smith’s First Vision as Endowment and Epitome of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (or Why I Came Back to the Church)” John Alger Account of the First Vision given by Joseph Smith in Joseph Smith Sr’s. home in Kirtland recorded by Charles Lowell Walker in his Journal- Thursday Feb. 2, 1893, from a Fast-Meeting talk given by John Alger the same day.
11. 2019 Fair Conference – Don Bradley, “Joseph Smith’s First Vision as Endowment and Epitome of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (or Why I Came Back to the Church)” Levi Richards Diary Account on the First Vision given by Joseph Smith on Sunday, June 11, 1843, in Nauvoo.
Other Sources
12. “I Saw The Lord” by Kerry Muhlestein, 2020, pg. 10 Father Asael’s Prophecy “Joseph Smith and the Restoration” by Barrett pg. 22.
13.“History of Joseph Smith by His Mother Lucy Mack Smith”
14.“The Revised and Enhanced History Of Joseph Smith By His Mother” Edited by Scot Facer Proctor and Maurine Jensen Proctor, 1996