A Pillar of Light A Pillar of Light in a World of in a World of

DarknessDarkness

The First Vision & The First Vision & Joseph SmithJoseph Smith’’s Early Yearss Early Years

Cody B. LovelandCody B. Loveland

2 Thessalonians 2:12 Thessalonians 2:1--331 NOW we beseech you, brethren, by the coming 1 NOW we beseech you, brethren, by the coming

of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, and byby our gathering our gathering together unto him,together unto him,

2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.hand.

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that that day shall not come,day shall not come, except there come a falling except there come a falling away first.away first.

Elder Thomas S. MonsonElder Thomas S. MonsonEnsign,Ensign, May 1975, 15May 1975, 15--1717

““Crucified was the Lord, Crucified was the Lord, slain were the apostles, slain were the apostles, rejected was the truth. The rejected was the truth. The bright daylight of enlightenment bright daylight of enlightenment slipped away, and the slipped away, and the lengthening shadows of a lengthening shadows of a black night enshrouded the black night enshrouded the earth.earth.

One word and one word alone describes the One word and one word alone describes the dismal state that prevailed: apostasy.dismal state that prevailed: apostasy.””

Roger Williams, (Roger Williams, (c.1603c.1603––1683)1683)

““There is no regularlyThere is no regularly--constituted church on earth, constituted church on earth, nor any person authorized to nor any person authorized to administer any Church administer any Church ordinance: nor could there be ordinance: nor could there be until, new apostles are sent by until, new apostles are sent by the great Head of the Church, the great Head of the Church, for whose coming, [I am] for whose coming, [I am] seeking." seeking." (from (from Picturesque America, or the Picturesque America, or the Land We Live In, William C. Bryant, ed. NY: Land We Live In, William C. Bryant, ed. NY: Appleton Co, 1872, v. 1, p. 502.)Appleton Co, 1872, v. 1, p. 502.)

Thomas Jefferson (1743Thomas Jefferson (1743--1826)1826)

““I trust with you that the I trust with you that the genuine and simple religion of genuine and simple religion of Jesus will one day be restored; Jesus will one day be restored; such as it was preached and such as it was preached and practiced by himselfpracticed by himself……I hope I hope that that day of restoration is to that that day of restoration is to come.come.”” (Thomas Jefferson to Francis A. van (Thomas Jefferson to Francis A. van derder Kemp, July 9, 1820, Kemp, July 9, 1820, The Thomas Jefferson The Thomas Jefferson PapersPapers, http://, http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.htmlmemory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html))

Elder Thomas S. MonsonElder Thomas S. MonsonEnsign,Ensign, May 1975, 15May 1975, 15--1717

““Honest men with yearning hearts, Honest men with yearning hearts, at the peril of their very lives, at the peril of their very lives, attempted to establish points of attempted to establish points of reference, that they might find the true reference, that they might find the true way. ... The reformers were like way. ... The reformers were like pioneers blazing wilderness trails in a pioneers blazing wilderness trails in a desperate search for those lost points desperate search for those lost points of reference which, they felt, when of reference which, they felt, when found would lead mankind back to the found would lead mankind back to the truth Jesus taught.truth Jesus taught.

John Wycliffe, John Wycliffe, ……Martin Luther, Martin Luther, ……John John HussHuss, , …… [Ulrich] Zwingli of [Ulrich] Zwingli of Switzerland, Switzerland, …… John Calvin, John Calvin, …… [and] [and] William William TyndaleTyndale ……

Their deeds were heroic, their Their deeds were heroic, their contributions many, their sacrifices contributions many, their sacrifices greatgreat——but they did not restore the but they did not restore the gospel of Jesus Christ.gospel of Jesus Christ.””

The Preparation of a ProphetThe Preparation of a Prophet

Joseph Smith, Jr., Born, 23 Joseph Smith, Jr., Born, 23 December 1805, Sharon, December 1805, Sharon, Vermont. Vermont. (5(5thth of 11 Children of of 11 Children of Joseph Smith, Sr., & Lucy Mack)Joseph Smith, Sr., & Lucy Mack)

His Father Joseph Smith, Sr. His Father Joseph Smith, Sr. Was A Visionary Man.Was A Visionary Man.7 Visions, 18117 Visions, 1811--18191819

Providential PlacementProvidential Placement

Moved 7 times in 14 Moved 7 times in 14 years: years: ((TunbridgeTunbridge, Vermont; , Vermont; Royalton, Vermont; West Royalton, Vermont; West Lebanon, New Hampshire; Lebanon, New Hampshire; Salem, Massachusetts (with Salem, Massachusetts (with Uncle); Norwich, Vermont; Uncle); Norwich, Vermont; Palmyra, New York & Palmyra, New York & Manchester, New York)Manchester, New York)

CHURCH HISTORY MAP 1CHURCH HISTORY MAP 1

West Lebanon, New HampshireWest Lebanon, New Hampshire

7 Yrs Old, Typhoid Fever7 Yrs Old, Typhoid FeverComplications = 4 SurgeriesComplications = 4 SurgeriesBone Infection: Bone Infection: OsteomyelitisOsteomyelitisDr. Nathan Smith, Dartmouth Dr. Nathan Smith, Dartmouth Medical College in New Medical College in New Hampshire.Hampshire.

Move to Palmyra, New YorkMove to Palmyra, New York

1816 Move to Palmyra1816 Move to Palmyra1818 Manchester, NY1818 Manchester, NY100 Acre Farm, $800100 Acre Farm, $8002020’’ X 30X 30’’ ““snug log snug log househouse””Assassination AttemptAssassination Attempt

PalmyraPalmyra’’s Religious Revivals Religious Revival

4 Corners, 4 Churches 4 Corners, 4 Churches (Methodist, Episcopalian, (Methodist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, & Baptist.)Presbyterian, & Baptist.)

22ndnd Great Spiritual Great Spiritual Awakening.Awakening.Rev. George LaneRev. George Lane

First Vision AccountsFirst Vision Accounts

1832 Draft History1832 Draft History1835 JS Journal1835 JS Journal1838 JS1838 JS——HH1840 Orson Pratt1840 Orson Pratt1842 Wentworth Letter1842 Wentworth Letter1843 1843 Pittsburg GazettePittsburg Gazette1844 1844 NeibaurNeibaur JournalJournal

Kent P. Jackson, From Apostasy to Restoration [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1996], 66 - 79.) Milton V. Backman, Jr., Joseph Smith's First Vision: Confirming Evidences and Contemporary Accounts, [1980], 170.Dean C. Jessee, "Early Accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision," BYU Studies, Vol. 9 (Spring, 1969), 277-278.James B. Allen, Improvement Era, April 1970, 4-13

Kent P. Jackson, Kent P. Jackson, From Apostasy to RestorationFrom Apostasy to Restoration 76 76 -- 77.77.

““The Prophet seems to have been selective The Prophet seems to have been selective regarding what he made known of the sacred regarding what he made known of the sacred event in his event in his …… known accounts of the vision. We known accounts of the vision. We have no idea, for example, how long it lasted, have no idea, for example, how long it lasted, and he wrote that the Lord told him "many other and he wrote that the Lord told him "many other things" that he was not at liberty to share with things" that he was not at liberty to share with others. others. …… We respect the confidentiality of what We respect the confidentiality of what the Lord has chosen not to make public and the Lord has chosen not to make public and acknowledge that we are greatly blessed to acknowledge that we are greatly blessed to learn all that he allowed his prophet to tell us.learn all that he allowed his prophet to tell us.””

1832 Draft History1832 Draft History

Written by Joseph Smith, Frederick G. Written by Joseph Smith, Frederick G. Williams, scribe.Williams, scribe.““a pillar of light above the brightness of the a pillar of light above the brightness of the sun at noon day came down from above sun at noon day came down from above and rested upon me, and I was filled with and rested upon me, and I was filled with the Spirit of God.the Spirit of God.””““my soul was filled with love, and for many my soul was filled with love, and for many days I could rejoice with great joydays I could rejoice with great joy””

1835 Joseph Smith Journal1835 Joseph Smith Journal

Related to Robert Mathews, Related to Robert Mathews, ““Joshua the Jewish Joshua the Jewish MinisterMinister””; or ; or ““MatthiasMatthias”” written by a scribe written by a scribe Warren Parrish.Warren Parrish.““My tongue seemed to be swollen in my mouth, My tongue seemed to be swollen in my mouth, so that I could not utter. I heard a noise behind so that I could not utter. I heard a noise behind me like some person walking towards me. I me like some person walking towards me. I strove again to pray but could not. The noise of strove again to pray but could not. The noise of walking seemed to draw nearer. I sprang up on walking seemed to draw nearer. I sprang up on my feet and looked around but saw no person or my feet and looked around but saw no person or thing that was calculated to produce the noise of thing that was calculated to produce the noise of walking.walking.””

1835 Joseph Smith Journal1835 Joseph Smith Journal

““A pillar of fire appeared above my head. It A pillar of fire appeared above my head. It presently rested down upon me and filled presently rested down upon me and filled me with joy unspeakable. A personage me with joy unspeakable. A personage appeared in the midst of this pillar of appeared in the midst of this pillar of flame, which was spread all around and flame, which was spread all around and yet nothing consumed. Another personage yet nothing consumed. Another personage soon appeared like unto the first.soon appeared like unto the first.””““I saw many angels in this vision.I saw many angels in this vision.””

1840 Orson Pratt1840 Orson Pratt11stst published account written by Orson Pratt as a published account written by Orson Pratt as a missionary tract missionary tract ““A Interesting Account of A Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions, and of the Late Several Remarkable Visions, and of the Late Discovery of Ancient American Records.Discovery of Ancient American Records.””““He at length, saw a very bright and glorious He at length, saw a very bright and glorious light in the heavens above; which, at first, light in the heavens above; which, at first, seemed to be a considerable distance. He seemed to be a considerable distance. He continued praying, while the light appeared to be continued praying, while the light appeared to be gradually descending towards him; and as it gradually descending towards him; and as it drew nearer, it increased in brightness and drew nearer, it increased in brightness and magnitude, so that, by the time that it reached magnitude, so that, by the time that it reached the tops of the trees, the whole wilderness, for the tops of the trees, the whole wilderness, for some distance around was illuminated in a most some distance around was illuminated in a most glorious and brilliant manner. glorious and brilliant manner.

1840 Orson Pratt1840 Orson PrattHe expected to have seen the leaves and boughs of the He expected to have seen the leaves and boughs of the trees consumed, as soon as the light came in contact trees consumed, as soon as the light came in contact with them; but perceiving that it did not produce that with them; but perceiving that it did not produce that effect, he was encouraged with the hope of being able to effect, he was encouraged with the hope of being able to endure its presence. It continued descending slowly, endure its presence. It continued descending slowly, until it rested upon the earth, and he was enveloped in until it rested upon the earth, and he was enveloped in the midst of it. When it first came upon him, it produced a the midst of it. When it first came upon him, it produced a peculiar sensation throughout his whole system; and peculiar sensation throughout his whole system; and immediately, his mind was caught away, from the natural immediately, his mind was caught away, from the natural objects with which he was surrounded; and he was objects with which he was surrounded; and he was enwappedenwapped in a heavenly vision, and saw two glorious in a heavenly vision, and saw two glorious personages, who exactly resembled each other in their personages, who exactly resembled each other in their features or likeness.features or likeness.””

1842 Wentworth Letter1842 Wentworth Letter

John Wentworth, John Wentworth, Chicago DemocratChicago Democrat““Believing the word of God, I had Believing the word of God, I had confidence in the declaration of Jamesconfidence in the declaration of James””““I was enwrapped in a heavenly vision and I was enwrapped in a heavenly vision and saw two glorious personages who exactly saw two glorious personages who exactly resembled each other in features and resembled each other in features and likeness, surrounded with a brilliant light likeness, surrounded with a brilliant light which eclipsed the sun at noonday.which eclipsed the sun at noonday.””

1843 1843 Pittsburg GazettePittsburg Gazette

Pittsburg Weekly GazettePittsburg Weekly Gazette, "The Prairies, , "The Prairies, Nauvoo, Joe Smith, the Temple, the Nauvoo, Joe Smith, the Temple, the Mormons, etc.," News Paper ArticleMormons, etc.," News Paper Article““I immediately went out into the woods I immediately went out into the woods where my father had a clearing and went where my father had a clearing and went to the stump where I had stuck my axe to the stump where I had stuck my axe when I had quit work.when I had quit work.””““Directly I saw a light, and then a glorious Directly I saw a light, and then a glorious personage in the light, and then another personage in the light, and then another personage.personage.””

1844 1844 NeibaurNeibaur JournalJournal

Alexander Alexander NeibaurNeibaur, German convert. , German convert. Taught Joseph Smith German and Taught Joseph Smith German and Hebrew.Hebrew.““saw fire towards heaven came nearsaw fire towards heaven came near……saw saw a personage in the firea personage in the fire……blue eyesblue eyes……a a other person came to the side of the firstother person came to the side of the first””

1838 Joseph Smith1838 Joseph Smith——HistoryHistory““It shows every indication It shows every indication of having been written with of having been written with great care. It is the most great care. It is the most deliberate, the most deliberate, the most detailed, and the most detailed, and the most formal of the accounts. It formal of the accounts. It was first published in was first published in Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1842 Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1842 and is now included in the and is now included in the Pearl of Great Price.Pearl of Great Price. Thus Thus it is the only account that it is the only account that has been canonized as has been canonized as scripture.scripture.”” (Jackson, 71)(Jackson, 71)

Doctrines Taught By First VisionDoctrines Taught By First Vision

God ExistsGod ExistsGod answers prayersGod answers prayersGod knows us by nameGod knows us by nameGod has gloryGod has gloryGod has a body (form)God has a body (form)We are created in His We are created in His imageimageChrist is the Son of GodChrist is the Son of God2 Separate Beings2 Separate Beings

Doctrines Taught By First VisionDoctrines Taught By First Vision

Scriptures lead to Scriptures lead to revelationrevelationMan can see GodMan can see GodChrist is our AdvocateChrist is our AdvocateChrist is the WordChrist is the WordSatan is realSatan is realGod has power of SatanGod has power of SatanThere was an apostasyThere was an apostasyGod cares where you go God cares where you go to Churchto Church

Receiving Our Own AnswersReceiving Our Own Answers

““Serious reflectionSerious reflection”” vs. 8vs. 8““Feelings were deepFeelings were deep”” ““PoignantPoignant”” vs. 8vs. 8““In process of timeIn process of time”” vs. 8vs. 8““DesireDesire”” vs. 8vs. 8““What is to be done?What is to be done?”” vs. 10vs. 10““LaboringLaboring”” vs. 11vs. 11““ReadingReading”” vs. 11vs. 11

Receiving Our Own AnswersReceiving Our Own Answers

““Reflected [ponder]Reflected [ponder]”” vs. 12vs. 12““Ask of GodAsk of God”” vs. 14vs. 14““Pray vocallyPray vocally”” vs. 14vs. 14““Kneeled downKneeled down”” vs. 15vs. 15““Exerting all my powersExerting all my powers”” vs. 16vs. 16““I was answeredI was answered”” vs. 19vs. 19““I have learned for myselfI have learned for myself”” vs. 20vs. 20

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.The Charted Course of the Church in Education, p. 1The Charted Course of the Church in Education, p. 1--33

2 Prime Things2 Prime ThingsFirstFirst——that Jesus Christ is the that Jesus Christ is the Son of GodSon of GodSecondSecond …… the Father and the the Father and the Son actually and in truth and very Son actually and in truth and very deed appeared to the Prophet deed appeared to the Prophet Joseph in a vision.Joseph in a vision.““Any individual who does not Any individual who does not accept the fulness of these accept the fulness of these doctrines as to Jesus of Nazareth doctrines as to Jesus of Nazareth or as to the restoration of the or as to the restoration of the gospel and holy priesthood is not gospel and holy priesthood is not a Lattera Latter--day Saint.day Saint.””

President Gordon B. HinckleyPresident Gordon B. HinckleyChurch NewsChurch News, Oct. 28, 1995, Oct. 28, 1995 p,7p,7

““I wish all of you today would sit I wish all of you today would sit down with your family sometime and down with your family sometime and read those words again, that testimony read those words again, that testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith, stated of the Prophet Joseph Smith, stated with simplicity, with honesty. Then ask with simplicity, with honesty. Then ask the Lord to put it into your hearts and the Lord to put it into your hearts and give you the privilege of a testimony of give you the privilege of a testimony of its truth. And whenever you have any its truth. And whenever you have any

doubt of any practice of this Church, you can reflect on that. doubt of any practice of this Church, you can reflect on that. If that opening of the curtain of light and knowledge which If that opening of the curtain of light and knowledge which ushered in this the dispensation of the fulness of times is ushered in this the dispensation of the fulness of times is true then all else which the Prophet taught is true also.''true then all else which the Prophet taught is true also.''