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*He both marveled and grieved that his acquaintances who belonged to various Christian denominations did not act in accordance with what was found on the pages of the Bible. | *He both marveled and grieved that his acquaintances who belonged to various Christian denominations did not act in accordance with what was found on the pages of the Bible. | ||
*His study of the New Testament led him to the conclusion that all the Christian denominations with which he was acquainted had apostatized from the true gospel of Jesus Christ. | *His study of the New Testament led him to the conclusion that all the Christian denominations with which he was acquainted had apostatized from the true gospel of Jesus Christ. | ||
− | *Joseph pondered the darkness that pervaded the minds of mankind its resultant wickedness and abominations - and he mourned for the sins of the world. | + | *Joseph pondered the darkness that pervaded the minds of mankind and its resultant wickedness and abominations - and he mourned for the sins of the world. |
*He also thought about the "contentions and division" among men [see - revival mentioned in the 1832 text]. | *He also thought about the "contentions and division" among men [see - revival mentioned in the 1832 text]. | ||
*Joseph believed from his personal observation of created objects and entities that God did indeed exist. | *Joseph believed from his personal observation of created objects and entities that God did indeed exist. | ||
− | *He also believed the scriptures that taught God was an eternal Being who was all powerful and everywhere present, who was no respecter of persons, who was a God of law | + | *He also believed the scriptures that taught God was an eternal Being who was all powerful and everywhere present, who was no respecter of persons, who was a God of law and did not change over time, and wanted mankind to worship Him in truth. |
*When Joseph Smith "'''considered all these things'''" he prayed to the Lord and received his First Vision. | *When Joseph Smith "'''considered all these things'''" he prayed to the Lord and received his First Vision. | ||
+ | |||
+ | It is clear from the 1832 text itself that Joseph Smith's desire to be forgiven of his personal sins was NOT the only motivation for his prayer. He prayed because of "all" of the things he mentioned - including the desire to worship God in truth and according to His laws (which Joseph did not believe was the case among any of the Christians denominations that he knew of). | ||
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In the 1832 First Vision account Joseph Smith is not motivated to seek the Lord in prayer because of the Apostasy, but only because of sorrow for his own sins and the fallen state of mankind (this is his ‘cry for mercy’ in the text).
Grant Palmer, An Insider's View of Mormon Origins (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2002), ---.
The words that precede the point at which Joseph Smith offers his prayer in the 1832 historical text demonstrate that the anti-Mormon claim about his motivation is not sustainable. They read as follows (standardized for readability):
SUMMARY
It is clear from the 1832 text itself that Joseph Smith's desire to be forgiven of his personal sins was NOT the only motivation for his prayer. He prayed because of "all" of the things he mentioned - including the desire to worship God in truth and according to His laws (which Joseph did not believe was the case among any of the Christians denominations that he knew of).
None
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