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GregSmithBot (talk | contribs) m (Robot: Automated text replacement (-Source(s) of the criticism +{{Criticism source label English}}, -Source(s) of the Criticism +{{Criticism source label English}}, -==Criticism== +=={{Criticism label}}==, -==Response== +=={{Response label}}==, -==Qu) |
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Joseph Smith's motivation for praying to the Lord changes between the first known account of the First Vision (1832) and the official version of it (1838). This counts as evidence that the Prophet's story changed over time and, hence, was simply made up to begin with. | Joseph Smith's motivation for praying to the Lord changes between the first known account of the First Vision (1832) and the official version of it (1838). This counts as evidence that the Prophet's story changed over time and, hence, was simply made up to begin with. | ||
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{{CriticalSources}} | {{CriticalSources}} | ||
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The texts that are employed by critics to justify the charge of 'differing motivations' are as follows: | The texts that are employed by critics to justify the charge of 'differing motivations' are as follows: | ||
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:"[Joseph] began seriously to reflect upon the necessity of being prepared for a future state of existence; but <font color="red">how, or in what way to prepare himself</font>, was a question, as yet, undetermined in his own mind; he perceived that it was a question of infinite importance. . . . [The two personages] told him that his prayers had been answered, and that the Lord had decided to grant him a special blessing." [VEILED REFERENCE TO FORGIVENESS OF SINS? - Remember that Hyde utilized information straight from Pratt's account] | :"[Joseph] began seriously to reflect upon the necessity of being prepared for a future state of existence; but <font color="red">how, or in what way to prepare himself</font>, was a question, as yet, undetermined in his own mind; he perceived that it was a question of infinite importance. . . . [The two personages] told him that his prayers had been answered, and that the Lord had decided to grant him a special blessing." [VEILED REFERENCE TO FORGIVENESS OF SINS? - Remember that Hyde utilized information straight from Pratt's account] | ||
− | ==Conclusion== | + | =={{Conclusion label}}== |
The charge of critics that Joseph Smith's motivation for prayer changes in later tellings of the First Vision event does not pass the test of close examination. The evidence shows, rather, that the story elements remain steady over time. | The charge of critics that Joseph Smith's motivation for prayer changes in later tellings of the First Vision event does not pass the test of close examination. The evidence shows, rather, that the story elements remain steady over time. | ||
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It must be kept in mind that those who report the Prophet's inaugural manifestation in writing do not always spell things out in exactly the same way; sometimes they obscure information by the language they choose to utilize and on occasion they omit story elements altogether (possibly because of audience considerations). | It must be kept in mind that those who report the Prophet's inaugural manifestation in writing do not always spell things out in exactly the same way; sometimes they obscure information by the language they choose to utilize and on occasion they omit story elements altogether (possibly because of audience considerations). | ||
− | ==Endnotes== | + | =={{Endnotes label}}== |
''None'' | ''None'' | ||
− | ==Further reading== | + | =={{Further reading label}}== |
− | ===FAIR wiki articles=== | + | ==={{FAIR wiki articles label}}=== |
{{FirstVisionWiki}} | {{FirstVisionWiki}} | ||
− | ===FAIR web site=== | + | ==={{FAIR web site label}}=== |
{{FirstVisionFAIR}} | {{FirstVisionFAIR}} | ||
− | ===External links=== | + | ==={{External links label}}=== |
{{FirstVisionLinks}} | {{FirstVisionLinks}} | ||
− | ===Printed material=== | + | ==={{Printed material label}}=== |
{{FirstVisionPrint}} | {{FirstVisionPrint}} | ||
[[Category:First Vision]] | [[Category:First Vision]] | ||
[[fr:First Vision/Accounts/1832/Motivation is different]] | [[fr:First Vision/Accounts/1832/Motivation is different]] |
==
Joseph Smith's motivation for praying to the Lord changes between the first known account of the First Vision (1832) and the official version of it (1838). This counts as evidence that the Prophet's story changed over time and, hence, was simply made up to begin with.
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here
====
The texts that are employed by critics to justify the charge of 'differing motivations' are as follows:
1832
1838
The words that precede the point at which Joseph Smith offers his prayer in the 1832 text demonstrate that the anti-Mormon claim about his motivation changing is not sustainable. These words read as follows (standardized for readability):
It is clear from a consultation of the 1832 text that Joseph Smith's desire to be forgiven of his personal sins was NOT the only motivation for his prayer in the wilderness. He prayed (as he explicitly states) because of "all" of the things he mentions - including the desire to worship God in truth; according to His laws (which Joseph did not believe was the case among any of the Christians denominations that he knew of).
The 1832 textual pattern of (1) desire to prepare for eternity / worship God in truth and (2) desire for forgiveness of personal sins can be detected in subsequent First Vision recitals, demonstrating that there is no change in his declared motive over time. The confusion of the critics on this issue arises when they do not see exact matches in themes across documents or insist that every detail of the story be present in every text that relates it.
1832 (Smith)
1834 (Cowdery/Smith)
1835 (Smith)
1838 (Smith)
1840 (Pratt)
1842 (Smith)
1842 (Hyde)
==
The charge of critics that Joseph Smith's motivation for prayer changes in later tellings of the First Vision event does not pass the test of close examination. The evidence shows, rather, that the story elements remain steady over time.
It must be kept in mind that those who report the Prophet's inaugural manifestation in writing do not always spell things out in exactly the same way; sometimes they obscure information by the language they choose to utilize and on occasion they omit story elements altogether (possibly because of audience considerations).
== Notes ==
None
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