1832 — Earliest known
attempt at an ‘official’ recounting of the ‘First Vision,
from History, 1832, Joseph Smith Letterbook 1,
pp.2,3, in the handwriting of Joseph Smith (See An
American Prophet’s Record, edited by Scott Faulring,
Signature Books, 1989, p.5; The Personal Writings of
Joseph Smith, compiled by Dean Jessee, Deseret Book,
1984, pp. 5-6; Early Mormon Documents, vol.1,
compiled by Dan Vogel, Signature Books, 1996, pp. 26-31)
Historical note: During the time this account was being
written, Joseph Smith was in the middle of challenges to his
authority. Vogel notes in Early Mormon Documents,
vol. 1, p. 26, regarding this account, “It is therefore not
simply an autobiographical sketch, but an apology setting
forth Smith’s credentials as leader of the church. The
History [of Joseph’s life] therefore contains the earliest
account of what is known as his “first vision” and earliest
mention of angelic priesthood ordinations.” It is here that
we note a switch in context from Joseph as a money-digger,
to Joseph as a spiritual seeker, and see him incorporating a
Christian experience of seeking forgiveness and receiving a
divine pronouncement of same.
Principle elements of account:
- Smith started serious study of the scriptures at age
12
- Felt convicted of sins
- Determined all churches were wrong
- No mention of a revival
- Omits money-digging context
- Age 15 (in his 16th year)
- Location not clear
- Vision of the Savior – Jesus Christ (has a
“Christian experience”)
- Told his sins were forgiven. Fell back into
transgression.
- At age 17 he again prayed and an angel appeared
telling him about the plates and announced again he was
forgiven of his sins.
- About this time Smith dictated Sec. 84 of the D.&C. stating that no man can see the face of God without the priesthood and live [vs. 22].
The Account
Scans:
Typescript from handwritten
manuscript of Joseph's 1832 History, p. 1
Typescript of Joseph's 1832 History, p. 2
Typescript of Joseph's 1832 History, p. 3
Typescript of Joseph's 1832 History, p. 4
… thus from the age of twelve years to fifteen I pondered
many things in my heart concerning the situation of the
world of mankind the contentions and divi[si]ons the
wicke[d]ness and abominations and the darkness which
pervaded the of the minds of mankind my mind become
exceedingly distressed for I become convicted of my sins and
by searching the scriptures I found that <mankind> did not
come unto the Lord but that they had apostatised from the
true and living faith and there was no society or
denomination that built upon the gospel of Jesus Christ …
marvilous even in the likeness of him who created him (them)
and when I considered upon these things my heart exclaimed
well hath the wise man said the (it is a) fool (that) saith
in his heart there is no God my heart exclaimed all all
these bear testimony and bespeak an omnipotant and
omnipreasant power a being who makith Laws and decreeeth and
bindeth all things in their bounds who filleth Eternity who
was and is and will be from all Eternity to Eternity and
when I considered all these things and that (that) being
seeketh such to worship him as worship him in spirit and in
truth therefore I cried unto the Lord for mercy for there
was none else to whom I could go and to obtain mercy and the
Lord heard my cry in the wilderness and while in (the)
attitude of calling upon the Lord (in the 16th year of my
age) a piller of fire light above the brightness of the sun
at noon day come down from above and rested upon me and I
was filled with the spirit of god and the (Lord) opened the
heavens upon me and I saw the Lord and he spake unto me
saying Joseph (my son) thy sins are forgiven thee. go thy
(way) walk in my statutes and keep my commandments behold I
am the Lord of glory I was crucifyed for the world that all
those who believe on my name may have Eternal life (behold)
the world lieth in sin and at this time and none doeth good
no not one they have turned asside from the gospel and keep
not (my) commandments they draw near to me with their lips
while their hearts are far from me and mine anger is
kindling against the inhabitants of the earth to visit them
acording to th[e]ir ungodliness and to bring to pass that
which (hath) been spoken by the mouth of the prophets and
Ap[o]stles behold and lo I come quickly as it [is] written
of me in the cloud (clothed) in the glory of my Father and
my soul was filled with love and for many days I could
rejoice with great Joy and the Lord was with me but [I]
could find none that would believe the hevnly vision
nevertheless I pondered these things in my heart …
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