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Difference between revisions of "Joseph Smith's First Vision/Prophet's mother said First Vision was of an "angel""
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The full text of the letter in question (written on 6 January 1831 in Waterloo, New York to Lucy's siblings) can be found in Benjamin E. Rich, ed., ''Scrapbook of Mormon Literature'' (Chicago: Henry C. Etten and Co., 1913), 1:543–46. | The full text of the letter in question (written on 6 January 1831 in Waterloo, New York to Lucy's siblings) can be found in Benjamin E. Rich, ed., ''Scrapbook of Mormon Literature'' (Chicago: Henry C. Etten and Co., 1913), 1:543–46. | ||
| − | Anyone who reads the full text of this letter will soon discover that its stated purpose is to introduce the Book of Mormon to Lucy's siblings, to prepare them to receive a copy of it when it is presented to them, to explain that it represents the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, and to summarize how it came forth in their day. It says absolutely nothing about | + | Anyone who reads the full text of this letter will soon discover that its stated purpose is to introduce the Book of Mormon to Lucy's siblings, to prepare them to receive a copy of it when it is presented to them, to explain that it represents the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, and to summarize how it came forth in their day. It says absolutely nothing about Joseph's encounter with the Book of Mormon "angel" being his FIRST spiritual manifestation. |
| − | Critics fail to mention that Lucy's 1831 letter not only contains a distinct First Vision storyline theme ("the churches have all become corrupted ... the Lord hath spoken it") but it also closely paraphrases a section of the Articles and Covenants of the Church (D&C 20 - written down by April 1830 and presented to a Church conference on 9 June 1830). | + | Critics fail to mention that Lucy's 1831 letter not only contains a distinct First Vision storyline theme ("the churches have all become corrupted ... the Lord hath spoken it") but it also closely paraphrases a section of the Articles and Covenants of the Church (D&C 20 - written down by April 1830 and presented to a Church conference on 9 June 1830). This is very significant because she is citing the exact portion of the Article and Covenants/D&C 20 that is recognized by LDS scholars as the earliest published reference to the First Vision experience. |
*LUCY'S LETTER | *LUCY'S LETTER | ||
| − | :Joseph, after repenting of his sins [direct reference to the D&C 20:5 First Vision fragment] and humbling himself before God, was visited by an holy angel whose countenance was as lightning and whose garments were white above all whiteness, who gave unto him commandments which inspired him from on high; and who gave unto him, by the means of which was before prepared, that he should translate this book. | + | :'''Joseph, after repenting of his sins''' [direct reference to the D&C 20:5 First Vision fragment] and humbling himself before God, was visited by an holy angel whose countenance was as lightning and whose garments were white above all whiteness, who gave unto him commandments which inspired him from on high; and who gave unto him, by the means of which was before prepared, that he should translate this book. |
*D&C 20:5-8 | *D&C 20:5-8 | ||
| − | 5 After it was truly manifested unto this first elder that he had received a remission of his sins, he was entangled again in the vanities of the world; | + | :5 '''After it was truly manifested unto this first elder that he had received a remission of his sins''', he was entangled again in the vanities of the world; 6 But after repenting, and humbling himself sincerely, through faith, God ministered unto him by an holy angel, whose countenance was as lightning, and whose garments were pure and white above all other whiteness; 7 And gave unto him commandments which inspired him; 8 And gave him power from on high, by the means which were before prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon |
| − | 6 But after repenting, and humbling himself sincerely, through faith, God ministered unto him by an holy angel, whose countenance was as lightning, and whose garments were pure and white above all other whiteness; | ||
| − | 7 And gave unto him commandments which inspired him; | ||
| − | 8 And gave him power from on high, by the means which were before prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon | ||
| − | Critics also fail to point out that almost exactly two months before Lucy Mack Smith wrote her letter, four LDS missionaries (Oliver Cowdery, Orson Pratt, Peter Whitmer Jr. and Ziba Peterson) were publicly teaching that Joseph Smith had seen God "personally" and had received a commission from Him to preach true religion | + | Critics also fail to point out that almost exactly two months before Lucy Mack Smith wrote her letter, four LDS missionaries (Oliver Cowdery, Orson Pratt, Peter Whitmer Jr. and Ziba Peterson) were publicly teaching that Joseph Smith had seen God "personally" and had received a commission from Him to preach true religion (''The Reflector'', vol. 2, no. 13, 14 February 1831 [Palmyra, New York]. It is specifically stated in this article that the missionaries made their comments about 1 November 1830). |
==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||
Revision as of 13:30, 29 December 2006
This article is a draft. FairMormon editors are currently editing it. We welcome your suggestions on improving the content.
Contents
Criticism
The Prophet's mother - Lucy Mack Smith - wrote a letter in 1831 which indicates that her son's First Vision consisted of seeing an "angel" instead of Deity. This documentary evidence demonstrates that the Prophet's story evolved over time.
Source(s) of the criticism
Richard Abanes, Becoming Gods: A Closer Look at 21st Century Mormonism (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2004), 32, 34.
Response
The full text of the letter in question (written on 6 January 1831 in Waterloo, New York to Lucy's siblings) can be found in Benjamin E. Rich, ed., Scrapbook of Mormon Literature (Chicago: Henry C. Etten and Co., 1913), 1:543–46.
Anyone who reads the full text of this letter will soon discover that its stated purpose is to introduce the Book of Mormon to Lucy's siblings, to prepare them to receive a copy of it when it is presented to them, to explain that it represents the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, and to summarize how it came forth in their day. It says absolutely nothing about Joseph's encounter with the Book of Mormon "angel" being his FIRST spiritual manifestation.
Critics fail to mention that Lucy's 1831 letter not only contains a distinct First Vision storyline theme ("the churches have all become corrupted ... the Lord hath spoken it") but it also closely paraphrases a section of the Articles and Covenants of the Church (D&C 20 - written down by April 1830 and presented to a Church conference on 9 June 1830). This is very significant because she is citing the exact portion of the Article and Covenants/D&C 20 that is recognized by LDS scholars as the earliest published reference to the First Vision experience.
- LUCY'S LETTER
- Joseph, after repenting of his sins [direct reference to the D&C 20:5 First Vision fragment] and humbling himself before God, was visited by an holy angel whose countenance was as lightning and whose garments were white above all whiteness, who gave unto him commandments which inspired him from on high; and who gave unto him, by the means of which was before prepared, that he should translate this book.
- D&C 20:5-8
- 5 After it was truly manifested unto this first elder that he had received a remission of his sins, he was entangled again in the vanities of the world; 6 But after repenting, and humbling himself sincerely, through faith, God ministered unto him by an holy angel, whose countenance was as lightning, and whose garments were pure and white above all other whiteness; 7 And gave unto him commandments which inspired him; 8 And gave him power from on high, by the means which were before prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon
Critics also fail to point out that almost exactly two months before Lucy Mack Smith wrote her letter, four LDS missionaries (Oliver Cowdery, Orson Pratt, Peter Whitmer Jr. and Ziba Peterson) were publicly teaching that Joseph Smith had seen God "personally" and had received a commission from Him to preach true religion (The Reflector, vol. 2, no. 13, 14 February 1831 [Palmyra, New York]. It is specifically stated in this article that the missionaries made their comments about 1 November 1830).
Conclusion
Endnotes
None
Further reading
FAIR wiki articles
FAIR web site
- FAIR Topical Guide: