I have a question regarding Joseph Smiths vision. Whats the answer to the differant versions of Joseph Smiths vision which have been written? There are several differant accounts that have been controversial. There was one account biography that ive read about Joseph Smith being 16 years old when he prayed to the Lord and repented and ask for forgiveness. I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet and I have a strong testimony by the Holy Ghost that the gospel is true. I know from the top of my head that to my heart that Joseph Smith had this vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ appear to him. But how do I reconcile what I know to be true verses external contradictions of evidence? I have always leaned to the emotional side of feelings and impressions intuively and subjectively more then I have with outward external sciencetific eveidence. I always knew the Bible was true and the word of God without going into sciencetific external evidence even though there is external evidence of the Bible that harmonizes with testimony. So how do I reconcile the two?
4 Responses to “I have a question regarding Joseph Smiths vision. Whats the …”
Daniel Paz
2011-04-18 06:41:22
Joseph Smith was the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He received a message from God to restore Christs ancient church in modern times.
Hi friend. In fact, Joseph Smith often described his first vision, as you can imagine. We are currently aware of eight versions. The various versions do not contradict themselves in the important details. The few contradictions are related to dates, not surprising given that the prophet grew up in poverty without much secular learning, was never very good at math, and did not always know how to calculate the dates of important events in his life. As Elder Orson Pratt, the prophet's friend, once explained, Joseph had a "very limited understanding of the basic rules of arithmetic. "
It was only little by little that Joseph became comfortable telling the story of his first vision. In the beginning, it seems he considered the vision to be very private, something that did not necessarily need to be shared with the world. As time passed, however, he began to realize the importance of the vision and recognized that the world needed to know the events that initiated the restoration of Christ's ancient church in our days. It's probably for this reason that the version Joseph related in 1838, the one in the Pearl of Great Price, is more complete than the version told in 1832.
For example, in 1832 Joseph emphasized that he had seen Jesus Christ, but he only mentioned God the Father indirectly, apparently considering this part of the vision to be too sacred to share. In 1835, he said he had seen two personages, but emphasized more that he had seen angels, again not wanting to touch too much on the more sacred part of the vision. On the other hand, in 1838, 1842, and 1843, Joseph openly explained that the two personages were the Father and the Son. By this time he understood that the vision had universal value that needed to me made known to the whole world.
Analyzing the divine message Joseph reported over time, we also see that in the beginning he considered the vision to be personal, not public. In the 1832 and 1835 versions, Joseph emphasized the part of the message that was private when he said that his sins were forgiven. On the other hand, in the 1838, 1842, and 1843 versions, Joseph emphasized the part of the divine message that was universal, since by that time he understood that the vision had universal importance. In these versions, Joseph explained that he also received a Revelation that Christ's ancient church had been lost, and that it needed to be restored.
Many members of the church can understand Joseph's situation. I, like many, have had experiences so sacred that I don't speak of them with others. Furthermore, on the rare occasions when I do talk about them, I don't enter into many details because the details are personal. Even if I did feel comfortable talking about my most profound religious experiences with others, I'd emphasize different details depending on my audience. Furthermore, my understanding of some of the religious experiences I had in my youth has matured with the passing of time, thanks to additional personal revelations that I've had. All these factors certainly played a role in Joseph's experience as well.
You can find additional information about this topic on the FAIR wiki, in case you're interested.
I hope this answer helps, friend. Best of luck to you.
Shalon
2011-04-22 01:12:50
To say what's been said in my own special way... Have you ever told a story about your life to someone? And then told someone else the same basic story but with different emphasis? I do this all the time. When I'm in church and telling about the days when I was homeless I might mention that I was borne up in the Spirit and kept safe from harm. But if I'm talking to a kid who thinks it's cool to run away from home I might tell him/her more about the time someone tried to steal the shoes off my feet or the time I barely escaped getting raped. If I'm chatting with a friend I might mention it in passing as a prelude to some funny part. It depends on where I am, who all is in the room, and why the subject came up.
I believe it must have been the same for Joseph Smith. Keep going with your Gut. It leads to heaven.
Grandpa Chet
2011-04-18 14:53:47
Besides the strong answer given you by our favorite El Gringo, there also remains the fact that Joseph told these versions to different people, who were at different places in their understanding. For instance, he downplayed the appearance of Jesus Christ when he related it to a Jewish friend of his. (If I remember correctly, that friend was also a teacher of his, during the Nauvoo period. Correct me if I'm wrong about when this was.)
Daniel Paz: Hi friend. Perhaps you are referring to Joshua Seixas?
Rebecca
2011-04-19 14:18:48
Are you referring to Alexander Neighbaur as the Jewish teacher? He was a dentist and spoke many languages and was teaching Joseph. He was the dentist who repaired Joseph's broken tooth and made the dentures for Brigham Young. At least that is what I've heard in my family history. :)
It was only little by little that Joseph became comfortable telling the story of his first vision. In the beginning, it seems he considered the vision to be very private, something that did not necessarily need to be shared with the world. As time passed, however, he began to realize the importance of the vision and recognized that the world needed to know the events that initiated the restoration of Christ's ancient church in our days. It's probably for this reason that the version Joseph related in 1838, the one in the Pearl of Great Price, is more complete than the version told in 1832.
For example, in 1832 Joseph emphasized that he had seen Jesus Christ, but he only mentioned God the Father indirectly, apparently considering this part of the vision to be too sacred to share. In 1835, he said he had seen two personages, but emphasized more that he had seen angels, again not wanting to touch too much on the more sacred part of the vision. On the other hand, in 1838, 1842, and 1843, Joseph openly explained that the two personages were the Father and the Son. By this time he understood that the vision had universal value that needed to me made known to the whole world.
Analyzing the divine message Joseph reported over time, we also see that in the beginning he considered the vision to be personal, not public. In the 1832 and 1835 versions, Joseph emphasized the part of the message that was private when he said that his sins were forgiven. On the other hand, in the 1838, 1842, and 1843 versions, Joseph emphasized the part of the divine message that was universal, since by that time he understood that the vision had universal importance. In these versions, Joseph explained that he also received a Revelation that Christ's ancient church had been lost, and that it needed to be restored.
Many members of the church can understand Joseph's situation. I, like many, have had experiences so sacred that I don't speak of them with others. Furthermore, on the rare occasions when I do talk about them, I don't enter into many details because the details are personal. Even if I did feel comfortable talking about my most profound religious experiences with others, I'd emphasize different details depending on my audience. Furthermore, my understanding of some of the religious experiences I had in my youth has matured with the passing of time, thanks to additional personal revelations that I've had. All these factors certainly played a role in Joseph's experience as well.
You can find additional information about this topic on the FAIR wiki, in case you're interested.
I hope this answer helps, friend. Best of luck to you.
I believe it must have been the same for Joseph Smith. Keep going with your Gut. It leads to heaven.
Daniel Paz: Hi friend. Perhaps you are referring to Joshua Seixas?