I think of all the things Latter-Day Saints believe, Joseph Smith's First Vision is the most distinctive, and the cause for the most questions. Our Heavenly Father had not put prophets or apostles on the earth for almost two thousand years. If this event did in fact occur, it's a game changer.
What was Joseph Smith's first vision, and why did it happen?
As a boy, Joseph Smith Jr. and his family had needed to move a handful of times, in an effort to get a successful business or farm going. One of their many moves landed them in Palmyra New York, where there was a lot of discussion about religion in the local community.
The Question of Religion
Of his circumstances at the time, Joseph Smith Jr. said, "...there was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of country. Indeed, the whole district of country seemed affected by it..." (Joseph Smith History 1:5)
Most of Joseph's family began to attend with the Presbyterians, but Joseph seemed to prefer the Methodists. With all the arguing and contention, young Joseph felt very confused, wondering how he was supposed to figure out which religion he should join.
Describing his feelings, Joseph Smith said:
"During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. In process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to be united with them; but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong... In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?" (Joseph Smith History 1:8-10)
The First Vision
Then, one day as he was reading in the New Testament, young Joseph came into something he felt very strongly was the answer to his problem. Of that moment, Joseph Smith said:
"While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and 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. Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know... At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture." (Joseph Smith History 1:11-13)
On the "morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty", Joseph went into the woods near his home to pray and ask God which of the churches he should join. "Finding [himself] alone" and feeling considerable opposition from dark forces, young Joseph Smith knelt and "began to offer up the desires of [his] heart to God." (Joseph Smith History 1:14-15)
Joseph Smith's own words best describe what happened next:
"...I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me... When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Joseph Smith History 1:14-17)
This young boy asked God the Father and the Son his question about which church to join. Of the response, Joseph Smith said:
"...I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: 'they draw near to 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. He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time..." (Joseph Smith History 1:19-20)
The Savior's answer to young Joseph Smith on that day would begin to fulfill the words of the ancient prophet Isaiah:
"Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder..." (Isaiah 29:13-14)
That day, the resurrected Savior told Joseph Smith that he would be in charge of bringing forth the last dispensation of the fulness of the gospel in the latter days.
Why do I believe, you ask?
Many people in today's world will be inclined to respond to this story with, "How can you possibly, honestly believe that?"
Any person who has not known God and has not experienced the way He communicates to the heart of man cannot logically, sanely react any other way. But those of us who have had God himself teach us truth by the witness of the Holy Ghost know that there is no disbelieving Him, for God does not lie.
Those unacquainted with the LDS Church might want to pull a believer such as myself aside and ask, "Why do you believe this?"
I have had the experience of asking God myself, just as young Joseph did, and feeling both that first witness as well as many gentle reminders since, through the power of the Holy Ghost. I have felt God himself testify to me, deep in my soul, that the events of that spring morning in the year 1820 did in fact occur, and that Joseph Smith did in fact see God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
I've said this many times already, and I'll say it here again: don't take my word for it. It's not enough for me to tell the story and you to hear it. You need to experience your own witness. You need to experience what the Lord was referring to when he praised Peter, saying: "Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 16:17)
How to pray and ask God
How to obtain a spiritual witness
Meet with LDS Missionaries
Get a free copy of the Book of Mormon
Come to church with us! Meetinghouse Locator
What was Joseph Smith's first vision, and why did it happen?
As a boy, Joseph Smith Jr. and his family had needed to move a handful of times, in an effort to get a successful business or farm going. One of their many moves landed them in Palmyra New York, where there was a lot of discussion about religion in the local community.
The Question of Religion
Of his circumstances at the time, Joseph Smith Jr. said, "...there was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of country. Indeed, the whole district of country seemed affected by it..." (Joseph Smith History 1:5)
Most of Joseph's family began to attend with the Presbyterians, but Joseph seemed to prefer the Methodists. With all the arguing and contention, young Joseph felt very confused, wondering how he was supposed to figure out which religion he should join.
Describing his feelings, Joseph Smith said:
"During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. In process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to be united with them; but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong... In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?" (Joseph Smith History 1:8-10)
The First Vision
Then, one day as he was reading in the New Testament, young Joseph came into something he felt very strongly was the answer to his problem. Of that moment, Joseph Smith said:
"While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and 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. Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know... At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture." (Joseph Smith History 1:11-13)
On the "morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty", Joseph went into the woods near his home to pray and ask God which of the churches he should join. "Finding [himself] alone" and feeling considerable opposition from dark forces, young Joseph Smith knelt and "began to offer up the desires of [his] heart to God." (Joseph Smith History 1:14-15)
Joseph Smith's own words best describe what happened next:
"...I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me... When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Joseph Smith History 1:14-17)
This young boy asked God the Father and the Son his question about which church to join. Of the response, Joseph Smith said:
"...I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: 'they draw near to 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. He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time..." (Joseph Smith History 1:19-20)
The Savior's answer to young Joseph Smith on that day would begin to fulfill the words of the ancient prophet Isaiah:
"Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder..." (Isaiah 29:13-14)
That day, the resurrected Savior told Joseph Smith that he would be in charge of bringing forth the last dispensation of the fulness of the gospel in the latter days.
Why do I believe, you ask?
Many people in today's world will be inclined to respond to this story with, "How can you possibly, honestly believe that?"
Any person who has not known God and has not experienced the way He communicates to the heart of man cannot logically, sanely react any other way. But those of us who have had God himself teach us truth by the witness of the Holy Ghost know that there is no disbelieving Him, for God does not lie.
Those unacquainted with the LDS Church might want to pull a believer such as myself aside and ask, "Why do you believe this?"
I have had the experience of asking God myself, just as young Joseph did, and feeling both that first witness as well as many gentle reminders since, through the power of the Holy Ghost. I have felt God himself testify to me, deep in my soul, that the events of that spring morning in the year 1820 did in fact occur, and that Joseph Smith did in fact see God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
I've said this many times already, and I'll say it here again: don't take my word for it. It's not enough for me to tell the story and you to hear it. You need to experience your own witness. You need to experience what the Lord was referring to when he praised Peter, saying: "Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 16:17)
How to pray and ask God
How to obtain a spiritual witness
Meet with LDS Missionaries
Get a free copy of the Book of Mormon
Come to church with us! Meetinghouse Locator
Absolutely beautiful. I couldn't have said it better. Most sane people (including me) would NEVER believe that Joseph saw God the Father and his Son. In fact I still can't believe that I believe! But there is one thing that Trent said that is oh so true: God doesn't lie. HE has testified to me through his Holy Ghost and has touched my heart MANY times throughout my life regarding this LDS church and Joseph Smith. It's just too much. First of all "The First Vision" and then Golden plates!? Come on! Who could possibly believe in such things? Well I do. I also believe that Joseph did receive gold plates from an Angel and that he translated them. God has also let me know that and I can't deny it!!! I would be in trouble if I did!
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