In my blog, I separate posts between resources and my personal thoughts. I may give a short summary or explanation of a resource to help guide study. But I will post my reaction and personal thought about a resource on separate pages. This way you can choose to review items and make your own personal opinion before reading about my thoughts if you choose.
This page concerns my thoughts about the First Vision Accounts in the Gospel Topics section of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website. The basis of the reference page is an argument against detractors who claim the First Vision accounts were fabricated. I never doubted the First Vision because I was taught to believe when I was a young, impressionable child. I have since studied and prayed to know of the truth for myself by the power of the Holy Ghost. So, to me it seems unnecessary to provide an argument to support the truth of these accounts. I know this is a naive perspective since there are detractors.
It is good to consider academic evidence in support of truth, but I know that a spiritual journey is the best way to find truth. I love that there are different accounts from Joseph Smith and his contemporaries. I think that the multiple accounts are good evidence of the reality of the Vision. I can only imagine that the scope and magnitude of impressions and experiences that Joseph received that morning are so immense and deep that they are beyond description. The account could be given a hundred different ways from a hundred different people and still be difficult to explain fully the events that transpired that sacred morning.
I love the first recorded account of Joseph Smith's First Vision because it emphasizes the atonement of Jesus Christ and the sanctifying power of God and his love for us. We are accustomed to think of Joseph coming to God in prayer solely to find answer to which church is true because of what we have written in the Pearl of Great Price account of the First Vision. But the 1832 account emphasizes Joseph's underlying distress. Joseph wrote, he was concerned for "the welfare of [his] immortal soul." He also says, "I became convicted of my sins," when trying to find a church. "I felt to mourn for my own sins and for the sins of the world." When he was visited by the heavenly messengers the Lord stated, “Joseph, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee."
To meet God is to feel his love and concern for us. If you cannot feel the love of God, then look for his hand in your life. Seek Him in humility. It can be helpful to practice gratitude and look for blessings that have been given to you. Even when in a pit of darkness, as it were, if you look up heavenward and seek to find compassion and love from God, you can find peace. I know, because I have been there. Continue to reach up to Christ and he can continue to fill your heart with peace. I pray you feel His love for you as Joseph Smith felt the love of God.
Which account of the First Vision is your favorite? Please comment below about your impressions. When given in the spirit of love, your comments will help lift others.
If you haven't read the account of the First Vision in the Pearl of Great Price in the scriptures, I recommend reading it for yourself in the Joseph Smith History section.
Also, if you haven't seen previous blog posts, please read about President Nelson's invitation on this page and other posts I wrote to help you get started with his invitation.
One thing about the first vision that has always stood out to me is when Joseph says that their was an astonishing influence that bound his tongue but then he exerted all his power to call upon God. To me that was a critical testament of the power of praying out loud. The adversary did everything possible to keep Joseph from opening his mouth and he does the same to us. But, when we speak out loud to God, we obtain great instruction, peace and influence. Whenever I feel distant from the Spirit, I remember this powerful tool and go to a quiet place and pray vocally. When I do, it’s harder to be distracted by an unseen force. It’s…