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====1835–36==== | ====1835–36==== | ||
− | :Around 9 August 1835 Joseph Young (Brigham Young’s brother) was serving as a missionary with Burr Riggs and they were teaching the First Vision story.{{ | + | :Around 9 August 1835 Joseph Young (Brigham Young’s brother) was serving as a missionary with Burr Riggs and they were teaching the First Vision story.<ref>See {{YWJ|vol=18|num=12|date=December 1907|start=537|end=539}}; Samuel W. Richards, Journal Book 2 of Travels To Nauvoo, BYU Special Collections, Writings of Early Latter-day Saints, 26; {{LDSBioEncy1|vol=1|start=187}}</ref> In the Summer of 1836 Joseph Young and Brigham Young were serving together as missionaries.<ref>{{LDSBioEncy1|vol=1|start=115}}</ref> |
====1838==== | ====1838==== | ||
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* Brigham Young, June 23, 1850, Bowery. Deseret News 1. 3, (June 29, 1850) [following sermon by Reverend G.B. Day]: “[sin and darkness] makes it necessary for the Lord to speak from the heavens, send his angels to converse with men, and cause his servants to testify of the things of God” | * Brigham Young, June 23, 1850, Bowery. Deseret News 1. 3, (June 29, 1850) [following sermon by Reverend G.B. Day]: “[sin and darkness] makes it necessary for the Lord to speak from the heavens, send his angels to converse with men, and cause his servants to testify of the things of God” | ||
− | *On 1 November 1850 Lorenzo Snow wrote a letter to Brigham Young and informed him that he had produced a tract called ''The Voice of Joseph'' which included information on “visions of Joseph Smith.” This tract talks about the Prophet’s First Vision experience. {{ | + | *On 1 November 1850 Lorenzo Snow wrote a letter to Brigham Young and informed him that he had produced a tract called ''The Voice of Joseph'' which included information on “visions of Joseph Smith.” This tract talks about the Prophet’s First Vision experience. <ref>Lorenzo Snow, ''The Italian Mission'' (London: W. Aubrey, 1851), 13; also in {{BioLS|start=127|end=128}}</ref> |
====1853==== | ====1853==== | ||
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====1854==== | ====1854==== | ||
− | * The Lucy Mack Smith autobiography called ''Biographical Sketches'' became available in Utah. Since Brigham Young protested vigorously against some of this book’s content he was more than likely aware of the 1838 Church history First Vision material printed within it. {{ | + | * The Lucy Mack Smith autobiography called ''Biographical Sketches'' became available in Utah. Since Brigham Young protested vigorously against some of this book’s content he was more than likely aware of the 1838 Church history First Vision material printed within it. <ref>{{Biosketch1|start=75}}; {{LucyMackSmith-Proctor1| start=editor's introduction }}</ref> |
* Brigham Young, March 31, 1854, letter to editor of the Freeport, Illinois Bulletin, June 1, 1854. Reprinted New York Times June 7, 1854, page 3. “….After the administration of baptism, we believe in laying hands upon the candidate for his confirmation as a member of the Church, and for his reception of the Holy Ghost; and we believe that these, and all other ordinances pertaining to salvation, should be administered by persons actually clothed with the priesthood, as again restored to the earth through the ministration of angels to the Prophet JOSEPH SMITH…. Trusting that this reply, though brief, will be satisfactory on the points of your inquiry” I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant, BRIGHAM YOUNG, | * Brigham Young, March 31, 1854, letter to editor of the Freeport, Illinois Bulletin, June 1, 1854. Reprinted New York Times June 7, 1854, page 3. “….After the administration of baptism, we believe in laying hands upon the candidate for his confirmation as a member of the Church, and for his reception of the Holy Ghost; and we believe that these, and all other ordinances pertaining to salvation, should be administered by persons actually clothed with the priesthood, as again restored to the earth through the ministration of angels to the Prophet JOSEPH SMITH…. Trusting that this reply, though brief, will be satisfactory on the points of your inquiry” I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant, BRIGHAM YOUNG, | ||
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:*John Jaques, ''Catechism for Children'' | :*John Jaques, ''Catechism for Children'' | ||
:*''Millennial Star'', vol. 14 supplement | :*''Millennial Star'', vol. 14 supplement | ||
− | :*''Millennial Star'', vol. 3{{ | + | :*''Millennial Star'', vol. 3<ref>Brigham Young Journal, 13 August 1857, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; {{WWJ|vol=5|pages=76-77}}</ref> |
====1858==== | ====1858==== | ||
− | :On 20 January 1858 apostles Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith appended a statement to the published Church history stating that “since the death of the Prophet Joseph, the history has been carefully revised under the strict inspection of President Brigham Young, and approved of by him.” This history contains the 1838 First Vision account. | + | :On 20 January 1858 apostles Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith appended a statement to the published Church history stating that “since the death of the Prophet Joseph, the history has been carefully revised under the strict inspection of President Brigham Young, and approved of by him.” This history contains the 1838 First Vision account.<ref>''Deseret News'', 7/46 (20 January 1858): 363.</ref> |
====1859==== | ====1859==== | ||
− | :In the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City on 1 September 1859 Brigham Young referred to Joseph Smith’s published 1838 First Vision account. He asked, “[H]ave I yet lived to the state of perfection that I can commune in person with the Father and the Son at my will and pleasure? No . . . . [three sentences later] Joseph Smith in his youth had revelations from God. He saw and understood for himself. Are you acquainted with his life? '''You can read the history of it'''. I was acquainted with him during many years. He had heavenly visions; angels administered to him. The vision of his mind was opened to see and understand heavenly things. He revealed the will of the Lord to the people, and yet but few were really acquainted with brother Joseph.” {{ | + | :In the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City on 1 September 1859 Brigham Young referred to Joseph Smith’s published 1838 First Vision account. He asked, “[H]ave I yet lived to the state of perfection that I can commune in person with the Father and the Son at my will and pleasure? No . . . . [three sentences later] Joseph Smith in his youth had revelations from God. He saw and understood for himself. Are you acquainted with his life? '''You can read the history of it'''. I was acquainted with him during many years. He had heavenly visions; angels administered to him. The vision of his mind was opened to see and understand heavenly things. He revealed the will of the Lord to the people, and yet but few were really acquainted with brother Joseph.” <ref>{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|vol=7|disc=37|start=243|end=244, {{ea}}}}</ref> |
====1860==== | ====1860==== | ||
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====1861==== | ====1861==== | ||
− | * In the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City on 3 March 1861 Brigham Young said: “The Lord chose Joseph Smith, called upon him at fourteen years of age, gave him visions, and led him along, guided and directed him in his obscurity until he brought forth the plates and translated them, and Martin Harris was prevailed upon to sustain the printing of the Book of Mormon. All this was done in the depths of poverty, obscurity, and weakness."{{ | + | * In the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City on 3 March 1861 Brigham Young said: “The Lord chose Joseph Smith, called upon him at fourteen years of age, gave him visions, and led him along, guided and directed him in his obscurity until he brought forth the plates and translated them, and Martin Harris was prevailed upon to sustain the printing of the Book of Mormon. All this was done in the depths of poverty, obscurity, and weakness."<ref>{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|vol=8|start=354|disc=86}}</ref> |
− | * Brigham Young 6 April 1861 | + | * Brigham Young 6 April 1861: |
− | ::The Book of Mormon was translated near where we [BY and HCK] then resided, as we might say, in our own neighbourhood. It was translated about as far from where brother Kimball then lived as it is from here to Little Cottonwood; and where Joseph first discovered the plates was about as far from where I then lived as it is from here to Provo. Here we would have considered the discoverer of those plates and the translator of the Book of Mormon as [p.2] one of our neighbours. We are in the habit here of travelling more frequently and further than we were there. From the time that Joseph had his first revelation, in the neighbourhood where brother Kimball and I then lived, appears but a few days. Since then this people have passed through, experienced, and learned a great deal. | + | ::The Book of Mormon was translated near where we [BY and HCK] then resided, as we might say, in our own neighbourhood. It was translated about as far from where brother Kimball then lived as it is from here to Little Cottonwood; and where Joseph first discovered the plates was about as far from where I then lived as it is from here to Provo. Here we would have considered the discoverer of those plates and the translator of the Book of Mormon as [p.2] one of our neighbours. We are in the habit here of travelling more frequently and further than we were there. From the time that Joseph had his first revelation, in the neighbourhood where brother Kimball and I then lived, appears but a few days. Since then this people have passed through, experienced, and learned a great deal.<ref>{{JDmini|vol=9|pages=1-2|date=6 April 1861}}</ref> |
− | * Brigham Young, April 7, 1861 | + | * Brigham Young, April 7, 1861: |
+ | |||
+ | ::We are not able to print a book for want of paper. Now we are prepared to go to work and make our own paper. As I have remarked, we have most excellent machinery; we also have good paper-makers; and what hinders our making the best of paper, and all the paper we want to use? Then we can print, in book form, the History of Joseph Smith, and do it in a respectable manner. Then we can print the Church History for ourselves and for the world, and every book we need.<ref>''Deseret News'' 11/13 (29 May 1861): 97-8; Reprinted in {{JDmini|vol=9|pages=31-40|date=7 April 1961}}</ref> | ||
====1864==== | ====1864==== | ||
− | * On 1 September 1864 Brigham Young signed and dated a copy of the ''Pearl of Great Price'' and donated it to Harvard university. This volume contains Joseph Smith’s 1838 First Vision account.{{ | + | * On 1 September 1864 Brigham Young signed and dated a copy of the ''Pearl of Great Price'' and donated it to Harvard university. This volume contains Joseph Smith’s 1838 First Vision account.<ref>{{RegionalStudiesBritishIsles1| author= Rodney Turner |article= Franklin D. Richards and the Pearl of Great Price |start=184}}</ref> |
− | * Brigham Young 4 June 1864 {{JDmini|vol=10 | + | * Brigham Young 4 June 1864 {{JDmini|vol=10|pages=303: The Lord had not spoken to the inhabitants of this earth for a long time, until He spoke to Joseph Smith, committed to him the plates on which the Book of Mormon was engraved, and gave him a Urim and Thummim to translate a portion of them, and told him to print the Book of Mormon, which he did, and sent it to the world, according to the word of the Lord….. it was first organized on the 6th of April, 1830. This was a slow business, but at last he organized the Church, for the Lord had revealed to him the Aaronic priesthood upon which the Church was first organized; after that he received the Melchisedec priesthood, when the Church was more fully organized, and a few more believed, and then a few more and a few more. |
− | * Brigham Young 13 November 1864 {{JDmini|vol=10 | + | * Brigham Young 13 November 1864 {{JDmini|vol=10|pages=363-365 The first act that Joseph Smith was called to do by the angel of God, was, to get the plates from the hill Cumorah, and then translate them, and he got Martin Harris and Oliver Cowdery to write for him. He would read the plates, by the aid of the Urim and Thummim, and they would write. |
====1866==== | ====1866==== | ||
− | * Brigham Young 17 June 1866 Journal of Discourses 11 | + | * Brigham Young 17 June 1866 Journal of Discourses 11|pages=253 He called upon his servant Joseph Smith, jun., when he was but a boy, to lay the foundation of his kingdom for the last time. Why did he call upon Joseph Smith to do it? because he was disposed to do it. Was Joseph Smith the only person on earth who could have done this work? No doubt there were many others who, under the direction of the Lord, could have done that work; but the Lord selected the one that pleased him, and that is sufficient. |
====1867==== | ====1867==== | ||
− | :Brigham Young, June 23rd, 1867 {{JDmini|vol=12 | + | :Brigham Young, June 23rd, 1867 {{JDmini|vol=12|pages=67, 70, When the Lord called upon Joseph he was but a boy--a child, only about fourteen years of age. He was not filled with traditions; his mind was not made up to this, that, or the other. I very well recollect the reformation which took place in the country among the various denominations of Christians--the Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and others--when Joseph was a boy. Joseph's mother, one of his brothers, and one, if not two, of his sisters were members of the Presbyterian Church, and on this account the Presbyterians hung to the family with great tenacity. And in the midst of these revivals among the religious bodies, the invitation, "Come and join our church," was often extended to Joseph, but more particularly from the Presbyterians. Joseph was naturally inclined to be religious, and being young, and surrounded with this excitement, no wonder that he became seriously impressed with the necessity of serving the Lord. But as the cry on every hand was, "Lo, here is Christ," and "Lo, there!" Said he, "Lord, teach me, that I may know for myself, who among these are right." And what was the answer? "They are all out of the way; they have gone astray, and there is none that doeth good, no not one." When he found out that none were right, he began to inquire of the Lord what was right, and he learned for himself. Was he aware of what was going to be done? By no means. He did not know what the Lord was going to do with him, although He had informed him that the Christian churches were all wrong, because they had not the Holy Priesthood, and had strayed from the holy commandments of the Lord, precisely as the children of Israel did. …[70] When the Lord called upon His servant Joseph, after leading him along for years until he got the plates, from a portion of which the Book of Mormon was translated…. The Lord sent John to ordain Joseph to the Aaronic Priesthood, and when he commenced to baptize people he sent a greater power—Peter; James, and John, who ordained him to the apostleship, which is the highest office pertaining to the Kingdom of God that any man can possess on the face of the earth, for it holds the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven{{ref|fn10}} |
====1868==== | ====1868==== | ||
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====1870==== | ====1870==== | ||
− | : Brigham Young, Tabernacle, SLC, July 17, 1870. Deseret News Weekly 19 (August 3, 1870): 303-308 [= {{JDmini|vol=13 | + | : Brigham Young, Tabernacle, SLC, July 17, 1870. Deseret News Weekly 19 (August 3, 1870): 303-308 [= {{JDmini|vol=13|pages=209-220]. Is there any harm in believing in the Lord Jesus Christ? I frequently ask the question for my own satisfaction. Is there a doctrine taught in this book (the Bible), that would ruin or injure man, woman or child on the face of the earth? Not one. Is there a doctrine taught by Jesus and his disciples that would not do good to the people morally, physically, socially, religiously or politically? Not one. Did Joseph Smith ever teach a doctrine that would not elevate the soul, feelings, heart and affections of every individual who would embrace it? Not one. Did he ever teach a doctrine that would lead those who embraced it down to wretchedness, woe and misery, that would give them pain for ease, darkness for light, error for truth? No; but just the reverse. He proffered life and salvation--light for darkness and truth for error. He proffered all that was in the Gospel of the Son of God, and proclaimed that very Gospel that John saw the angel flying through the midst of heaven to restore. That angel delivered the keys of this apostleship and ministry to Joseph Smith and his brethren” (307-8 [{{JDmini|vol=13|pages=216]) |
====1871==== | ====1871==== | ||
− | : Brigham Young, General Conference, April 8, 1871; Deseret News 20. 10 (April 12, 1871): 112; Journal of Discourses 14 | + | : Brigham Young, General Conference, April 8, 1871; Deseret News 20. 10 (April 12, 1871): 112; Journal of Discourses 14|pages=95. Did Joseph Smith ever arrogate to himself this right? Never, never, never; and if God had not sent a messenger to ordain him to the Aaronic Priesthood and then other messengers to ordain him to the Apostleship, and told him to build up his kingdom on the earth, it would have remained in chaos to this day. |
====1872==== | ====1872==== | ||
− | :John Taylor, May 26, 1872 Tabernacle, Ogden Tabernacle, ''Deseret News'' 21 (September 25, 1872): 504-5; synopsis in ''Millennial Star'' 34. 27 (July 2, 1872): 419-20; ''Journal of Discourses'' 15 | + | :John Taylor, May 26, 1872 Tabernacle, Ogden Tabernacle, ''Deseret News'' 21 (September 25, 1872): 504-5; synopsis in ''Millennial Star'' 34. 27 (July 2, 1872): 419-20; ''Journal of Discourses'' 15|pages=169-70. |
====1873==== | ====1873==== | ||
− | * Brigham Young 18 May 1873 {{JDmini|vol=16 | + | * Brigham Young 18 May 1873 {{JDmini|vol=16|pages=42: When Joseph Smith first learned [p.42] from God the principle of baptism for the remission of sins, he undoubtedly thought that he had learned something great and wonderful; so, also, when he received his ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood under the hands of John the Baptist. But he did not fly off at a tangent, and think he had it all, but was willing and anxious to be taught further. After receiving this authority, he baptized his friends. When he organized the Church, he received the higher Priesthood, after the order of Melchisedec, which gave him authority not only to baptize for the remission of sins, but to confirm by the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost. The Aaronic Priesthood holds power to baptize, but not to lay on hands to confer the Holy Ghost. When Joseph Smith received this higher power, he did not throw away the first, but received additions to it. He learned of and administered the Sacrament, then went to preaching a year or two, and received the High Priesthood, which he imparted to others, and then obtained other communications and powers, until he received the full pattern and authority to build up the kingdom of God, preparatory to the coming of the Son of Man, which also he imparted to others. |
* Brigham Young June 29, 1873 Logan Bowery, DNW 22:388 BYA 6. 79 From the time that Joseph obtained a knowledge of the plates in the hill Cumorah he received little by little, a little at a time. When he first obtained a knowledge of these plates I apprehend that he knew nothing, in comparison, of their contents and the design of the Lord in bringing them forth. But he was instructed little by little until he received the Aaronic priesthood, then the privilege of baptism for the remission of sins, then the Melchizedek Priesthood, then organizing a church, &c., | * Brigham Young June 29, 1873 Logan Bowery, DNW 22:388 BYA 6. 79 From the time that Joseph obtained a knowledge of the plates in the hill Cumorah he received little by little, a little at a time. When he first obtained a knowledge of these plates I apprehend that he knew nothing, in comparison, of their contents and the design of the Lord in bringing them forth. But he was instructed little by little until he received the Aaronic priesthood, then the privilege of baptism for the remission of sins, then the Melchizedek Priesthood, then organizing a church, &c., | ||
* Brigham Young, 10 August 1873, SLC Tabernacle, Deseret News Weekly 22:441; Millennial Star 35. 36 (September 9, 1873):563-4: The condition of the nations of the earth, politically, socially and religiously, was next dwelt upon, and, in concluding, President Young bore a powerful testimony to the gospel of Christ as revealed in this age of the [564] world, through Joseph Smith, the prophet. [Elden Watson, Brigham Young Addresses 6. 82] | * Brigham Young, 10 August 1873, SLC Tabernacle, Deseret News Weekly 22:441; Millennial Star 35. 36 (September 9, 1873):563-4: The condition of the nations of the earth, politically, socially and religiously, was next dwelt upon, and, in concluding, President Young bore a powerful testimony to the gospel of Christ as revealed in this age of the [564] world, through Joseph Smith, the prophet. [Elden Watson, Brigham Young Addresses 6. 82] | ||
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::JOSEPH SMITH. It is true that the angel, commissioned to restore, in this our day, the fullness of the everlasting Gospel, found Joseph but a youth and comparatively unlearned, he having had but limited opportunities for education in the then wilds of Western New York; but, from that date, until so foully massacred with his brother Hyrum in Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois, on the 27th June, 1844, in the 39th year of his age, he assiduously applied himself to studying the English, German, Hebrew and other languages, and gaining all information of worth from every available source, especially through revelation from Heaven, the fountain of all light and knowledge. (5) | ::JOSEPH SMITH. It is true that the angel, commissioned to restore, in this our day, the fullness of the everlasting Gospel, found Joseph but a youth and comparatively unlearned, he having had but limited opportunities for education in the then wilds of Western New York; but, from that date, until so foully massacred with his brother Hyrum in Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois, on the 27th June, 1844, in the 39th year of his age, he assiduously applied himself to studying the English, German, Hebrew and other languages, and gaining all information of worth from every available source, especially through revelation from Heaven, the fountain of all light and knowledge. (5) | ||
− | *Brigham Young 21 June 1874 {{JDmini|vol=18 | + | *Brigham Young 21 June 1874 {{JDmini|vol=18|pages=239-40 |
::We have passed from one thing to another, and I may say from one degree of knowledge to another. When Joseph first received the knowledge of the plates that were in the hill Cumorah, he did not then receive the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood, he merely received the knowledge that the plates were there, and that the Lord would bring them forth, and that they contained the history of the aborigines of this country. He received the knowledge that they were once in possession of the Gospel, and from that time he went on, step by step, until he obtained the plates, and the Urim and Thummim, and had power to translate them.[p.240] This did not make him an Apostle, it did not give to him the keys of the kingdom, nor make him an Elder in Israel. He was a Prophet, and had the spirit of prophecy, and had received all this before the Lord ordained him….. He received the Aaronic Priesthood, and then he received the keys of the Melchisedek Priesthood, and organized the Church. He first received the power to baptise, and still did not know that he was to receive any more until the Lord told him there was more for him. Then he received the keys of the Melchisedek Priesthood, and had power to confirm after he had baptized, which he had not before. He would have stood precisely as John the Baptist stood, had not the Lord sent his other messengers, Peter, James and John, to ordain Joseph to the Melchisedek Priesthood. … | ::We have passed from one thing to another, and I may say from one degree of knowledge to another. When Joseph first received the knowledge of the plates that were in the hill Cumorah, he did not then receive the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood, he merely received the knowledge that the plates were there, and that the Lord would bring them forth, and that they contained the history of the aborigines of this country. He received the knowledge that they were once in possession of the Gospel, and from that time he went on, step by step, until he obtained the plates, and the Urim and Thummim, and had power to translate them.[p.240] This did not make him an Apostle, it did not give to him the keys of the kingdom, nor make him an Elder in Israel. He was a Prophet, and had the spirit of prophecy, and had received all this before the Lord ordained him….. He received the Aaronic Priesthood, and then he received the keys of the Melchisedek Priesthood, and organized the Church. He first received the power to baptise, and still did not know that he was to receive any more until the Lord told him there was more for him. Then he received the keys of the Melchisedek Priesthood, and had power to confirm after he had baptized, which he had not before. He would have stood precisely as John the Baptist stood, had not the Lord sent his other messengers, Peter, James and John, to ordain Joseph to the Melchisedek Priesthood. … |
When the Lord called upon Joseph he was but a boy—a child, only about fourteen years of age. He was not filled with traditions; his mind was not made up to this, that, or the other. I very well recollect the reformation which took place in the country among the various denominations of Christians—the Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and others—when Joseph was a boy. Joseph’s mother, one of his brothers, and one, if not two, of his sisters were members of the Presbyterian Church, and on this account the Presbyterians hung to the family with great tenacity. And in the midst of these revivals among the religious bodies, the invitation, ‘Come and join our church,’ was often extended to Joseph, but more particularly from the Presbyterians. Joseph was naturally inclined to be religious, and being young, and surrounded with this excitement, no wonder that he became seriously impressed with the necessity of serving the Lord. But as the cry on every hand was, ‘Lo, here is Christ,’ and ‘Lo, there!’ Said he, ‘Lord, teach me, that I may know for myself, who among these are right.’ And what was the answer? ‘They are all out of the way; they have gone astray, and there is none that doeth good, no not one.’ When he found out that none were right, he began to inquire of the Lord what was right, and he learned for himself. Was he aware of what was going to be done? By no means. He did not know what the Lord was going to do with him, although He had informed him that the Christian churches were all wrong, because they had not the Holy Priesthood, and had strayed from the holy commandments of the Lord, precisely as the children of Israel did.
—Brigham Young, (23 June 1867) Journal of Discourses 12:67-69..
It has been claimed that "Brigham Young never once mentioned the First Vision of God the Father and his Son in his 30 years of preaching as President of the Church."
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here
Note that the same critics also claim that Brigham Young taught only that an angel came: a strange claim to make while insisting that Brigham never spoke of the First Vision at all.
It cannot be denied that Brigham Young was aware of the official version of the First Vision as published by Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, Illinois. And it is almost beyond comprehension to believe that President Young was not aware of numerous First Vision story recitals (both in print and over the pulpit) by high Church authorities such as Orson Pratt, Lorenzo Snow, John E. Page, George Q. Cannon, Orson Hyde, John Taylor, Franklin D. Richards, and George A. Smith.
This charge is not historically accurate. It can be plainly seen in the information provided below that Brigham Young was aware of the First Vision story during his tenure as President of the Church and not only shared it with non-Mormons in written form but also spoke to the Saints about it over the pulpit.
Heber C. Kimball, letter to Millennial Star editor, Nauvoo, July 15, 1841: “On the 4th June I started for home, in company with Elders Young and Taylor.—Elder O. Pratt remained in New York to republish the book he had printed in Edinburgh, Scotland, giving a history of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and of which he intended to publish 5,000 copies…. [78] Elder Orson Pratt arrived here this week…” Mill Star 2 (1841): 77-78. This must refer to Remarkable Visions (Orson Pratt's account of Joseph's first vision and other revelations); nothing else had published by him yet.
Brigham Young, June 25, 1845: we received the priesthood from God through Joseph Smith…. The Twelve Apostles who received the priesthood from Joseph (Manuscript History of Brigham Young, ed. Leland Nelson, 94)
1848 Brigham Young wrote, late December 1848: “Elder Orson Pratt published a series of pamphlets on the first principles, viz., Divine Authority, or the Question, Was Joseph Smith Sent of God…. Kingdom of God parts 1 & 2…. Also reprinted his pamphlet entitled Remarkable Visions 16 pages… All of which were published in Liverpool, England”, Manuscript History of Brigham Young. 1847-1850, edited by William S. Harwell (Salt Lake City, Utah: Collier’s Publishing Co., 1997): 139]
MR. HENRY A. MCAFEE, Freeport, Stephenson Co., Ill.
Notes
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