![FairMormon Logo](https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021_fair_logo_primary.png)
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.
MatthewBrown (talk | contribs) |
m |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
− | {{ | + | {{FirstVisionPortal}} |
==Criticism== | ==Criticism== | ||
− | Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision grew more detailed and more colorful after he first recorded it in 1832. | + | Some claim that Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision grew more detailed and more colorful after he first recorded it in 1832. |
− | |||
===Source(s) of the criticism=== | ===Source(s) of the criticism=== | ||
− | PBS documentary on “The Mormons” | + | * PBS documentary on “The Mormons” |
− | |||
==Response== | ==Response== | ||
Line 16: | Line 14: | ||
The 24 missing story elements from the 1832 recital are as follows: | The 24 missing story elements from the 1832 recital are as follows: | ||
− | |||
* Concern for personal salvation began at age 12 | * Concern for personal salvation began at age 12 | ||
Line 42: | Line 39: | ||
* Punishment for the ungodly | * Punishment for the ungodly | ||
* Joseph Smith was filled with love for many days | * Joseph Smith was filled with love for many days | ||
− | |||
The same type of thing happens with the 9 November 1835 recital of the story. There are several story elements presented that do not show up in subsequent retellings. The later recitals are, therefore, LESS detailed. | The same type of thing happens with the 9 November 1835 recital of the story. There are several story elements presented that do not show up in subsequent retellings. The later recitals are, therefore, LESS detailed. | ||
The missing 1835 elements are: | The missing 1835 elements are: | ||
− | |||
* Reference to scripture - "seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened" | * Reference to scripture - "seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened" | ||
Line 54: | Line 49: | ||
* Many angels were seen during the vision | * Many angels were seen during the vision | ||
− | + | A comparison of the Prophet's 1838 and 1842 recitals yields the same result. The following details from the 1838 recounting do not show up in the 1842—Wentworth Letter—rehearsal: | |
− | A comparison of the Prophet's 1838 and 1842 recitals yields the same result. The following details from the 1838 recounting do not show up in the 1842 | ||
− | |||
* An unusual excitement on the subject of religion took place around Manchester, New York | * An unusual excitement on the subject of religion took place around Manchester, New York | ||
Line 72: | Line 65: | ||
* Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof | * Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof | ||
* Contempt and persecution for telling the story | * Contempt and persecution for telling the story | ||
− | |||
Again, it is apparent that the Prophet's later tellings of the First Vision story were LESS detailed than his earlier ones. | Again, it is apparent that the Prophet's later tellings of the First Vision story were LESS detailed than his earlier ones. | ||
− | |||
==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||
− | Even though some of Joseph Smith's critics believe that the First Vision story changing over time is evidence that it was fabricated to begin with, the documents provide for a different explanation. The core elements of the First Vision story do not change as time passes - they are simply being clarified by the addition of details. The Prophet did not seem too concerned about which explanatory notes were being presented to his audience at any particular time because the really important parts | + | Even though some of Joseph Smith's critics believe that the First Vision story changing over time is evidence that it was fabricated to begin with, the documents provide for a different explanation. The core elements of the First Vision story do not change as time passes - they are simply being clarified by the addition of details. The Prophet did not seem too concerned about which explanatory notes were being presented to his audience at any particular time because the really important parts—the core elements—never changed. |
− | |||
==Endnotes== | ==Endnotes== | ||
''None'' | ''None'' | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
===FAIR wiki articles=== | ===FAIR wiki articles=== | ||
− | + | {{FirstVisionWiki}} | |
===FAIR web site=== | ===FAIR web site=== | ||
− | + | {{FirstVisionFAIR}} | |
===External links=== | ===External links=== | ||
− | + | * {{DialogueP | author=D. Michael Quinn | article=Joseph Smith's Experience of a Methodist 'Camp-Meeting'|date=12 July 2006|num=3|pdf=http://www.dialoguejournal.com/excerpts/e3.pdf}} | |
+ | {{FirstVisionLinks}} | ||
===Printed material=== | ===Printed material=== | ||
+ | {{FirstVisionPrint}} |
Some claim that Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision grew more detailed and more colorful after he first recorded it in 1832.
The above claim is not accurate simply because 24 story elements found in the 1832 account do not show up again in later recitals. In other words, the story actually becomes significantly LESS detailed over time because it does not include all of the elements that were initially rehearsed.
The 24 missing story elements from the 1832 recital are as follows:
The same type of thing happens with the 9 November 1835 recital of the story. There are several story elements presented that do not show up in subsequent retellings. The later recitals are, therefore, LESS detailed.
The missing 1835 elements are:
A comparison of the Prophet's 1838 and 1842 recitals yields the same result. The following details from the 1838 recounting do not show up in the 1842—Wentworth Letter—rehearsal:
Again, it is apparent that the Prophet's later tellings of the First Vision story were LESS detailed than his earlier ones.
Even though some of Joseph Smith's critics believe that the First Vision story changing over time is evidence that it was fabricated to begin with, the documents provide for a different explanation. The core elements of the First Vision story do not change as time passes - they are simply being clarified by the addition of details. The Prophet did not seem too concerned about which explanatory notes were being presented to his audience at any particular time because the really important parts—the core elements—never changed.
None
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.
We are a volunteer organization. We invite you to give back.
Donate Now