FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Difference between revisions of "Criticism of Mormonism/Video/Search for the Truth DVD/First Vision"
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When D&C 84:21-22 is analyzed in context, it is apparent that the critics have misread LDS scripture. The pertinent passage says: | When D&C 84:21-22 is analyzed in context, it is apparent that the critics have misread LDS scripture. The pertinent passage says: | ||
− | :And this greater [i.e., Melchizedek] priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, ''the power of godliness'' is manifest. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, ''the power of godliness'' is not manifest unto men in the flesh; For without ''this'' no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live. ({{s|| | + | :And this greater [i.e., Melchizedek] priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, ''the power of godliness'' is manifest. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, ''the power of godliness'' is not manifest unto men in the flesh; For without ''this'' no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live. ({{s||D&C|84|19-22}}) |
− | The word "this" in verse 22 does not refer to the Melchizedek Priesthood, but rather to "the power of godliness." This power becomes available to mortals when they become one with the Spirit of God. As the Lord explained in an 1831 revelation, "no man has seen God at any time in the flesh, except quickened by the Spirit of God" ({{s|| | + | The word "this" in verse 22 does not refer to the Melchizedek Priesthood, but rather to "the power of godliness." This power becomes available to mortals when they become one with the Spirit of God. As the Lord explained in an 1831 revelation, "no man has seen God at any time in the flesh, except quickened by the Spirit of God" ({{s||D&C|67|11}}). Joseph Smith described this quickening in several of his First Vision recitations. He was thereby enabled to see God face to face and live. |
'''To read more:''' | '''To read more:''' | ||
− | * [[D | + | * [[D&C 84 says God not seen without priesthood?]] |
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* The fifth account listed onscreen as 1834 was produced by Oliver Cowdery in 1834 and 1835. The critics do not tell their audience that this two-part narrative began by telling the orthodox First Vision story but then suddenly switched over to the Book of Mormon story because of a written request made by William W. Phelps. When this document is carefully evaluated its usefulness for the anti-Mormon agenda quickly evaporates. {{wikilink|url=Oliver_Cowdery_not_aware_of_First_Vision_in_1834-35}} | * The fifth account listed onscreen as 1834 was produced by Oliver Cowdery in 1834 and 1835. The critics do not tell their audience that this two-part narrative began by telling the orthodox First Vision story but then suddenly switched over to the Book of Mormon story because of a written request made by William W. Phelps. When this document is carefully evaluated its usefulness for the anti-Mormon agenda quickly evaporates. {{wikilink|url=Oliver_Cowdery_not_aware_of_First_Vision_in_1834-35}} | ||
− | * The sixth account is 1835''a''. It could also be labeled as the Robert Mathias interview of November | + | * The sixth account is 1835''a''. It could also be labeled as the Robert Mathias interview of November 9. The two personages who are listed as appearing in this recital are obviously the Father and the Son. This becomes apparent when the text is compared to Joseph Smith's 1832, 1838, and 1842 accounts. |
::1835''a'' - "another personage soon appeared like unto the first" | ::1835''a'' - "another personage soon appeared like unto the first" | ||
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::1832 - "he spake unto me saying, 'Joseph, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee'" | ::1832 - "he spake unto me saying, 'Joseph, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee'" | ||
− | * The seventh account is 1835''b''. It could be referred to as the Erastus Holmes interview of November | + | * The seventh account is 1835''b''. It could be referred to as the Erastus Holmes interview of November 14. The critics cry "inconsistency" when they point out that the Prophet says in this text that when he was fourteen years old he had his "first visitation of angels." But just five days previous—in the 1835''a'' account—the Prophet stated that he saw "many angels" ''in addition to'' the two main personages of the vision. Thus, it is proper to say that Joseph Smith's first visitation of angels occurred during the First Vision experience, but they were not the only heavenly beings who were present. |
− | * The eighth account listed on the DVD is the 1838 recital which was eventually included in the canon of the | + | * The eighth account listed on the DVD is the 1838 recital which was eventually included in the canon of the Church. The two celestial visitants are clearly identifiable in this document as the Father and the Son. |
− | * The ninth account is from an 1844 book on religions in the United States by I. Daniel Rupp. The statement in the DVD that the two personages in this account are "unidentified" is quite pointless since Rupp's book simply reprinted a slightly modified version of the Prophet's 1842 Wentworth Letter. This letter was published in the | + | * The ninth account is from an 1844 book on religions in the United States by I. Daniel Rupp. The statement in the DVD that the two personages in this account are "unidentified" is quite pointless since Rupp's book simply reprinted a slightly modified version of the Prophet's 1842 Wentworth Letter. This letter was published in the Church's newspaper exactly one month before Joseph Smith printed the ''History of the Church'' First Vision recital (initially written down in 1838) which clearly identifies the Father and the Son. |
The DVD fails to mention a substantial number of additional First Vision recitals given during the Prophet's lifetime: | The DVD fails to mention a substantial number of additional First Vision recitals given during the Prophet's lifetime: | ||
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* [[Different age provided in the 1832 text]] | * [[Different age provided in the 1832 text]] | ||
− | * [[1832 account doesn | + | * [[1832 account doesn't mention new dispensation]] |
− | * [[1832 account doesn | + | * [[1832 account doesn't forbid joining a church]] |
− | * [[1832 says wicked will be destroyed but 1838 doesn | + | * [[1832 says wicked will be destroyed but 1838 doesn't]] |
For several detailed charts demonstrating the consistency of the elements contained within Joseph Smith's First Vision recitals see the following: | For several detailed charts demonstrating the consistency of the elements contained within Joseph Smith's First Vision recitals see the following: | ||
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'''To read more:''' | '''To read more:''' | ||
− | *[[Brigham Young said the Lord didn | + | *[[Brigham Young said the Lord didn't appear|Brigham Young said Lord didn't appear?]] |
*[[Brigham Young never mentioned First Vision|Brigham Young never mentioned the First Vision?]] | *[[Brigham Young never mentioned First Vision|Brigham Young never mentioned the First Vision?]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:19, 13 April 2024
Jesus Christ/Joseph Smith or Search for the Truth DVD
Joseph Smith's Character: The First Vision |
Note: Perhaps hoping that repetition can replace evidence, the video returns to these themes again here in less detail.
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