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"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...

• What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith was a pure, innocent boy.
• What the history/facts tell us: Joseph used a "magical peep stone" to help people find buried treasure.

I was left to all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God.

"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...

• What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith turned down alcohol in surgery
• What the history/facts tell us: Joseph drank beer and wine as an adult (his own journal)

• It is true that the story of Joseph's leg operation should not be used as a lesson on the Word of Wisdom.

"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...

• What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus
• What the history/facts tell us: First vision has multiple, and varied accounts (Pres. Hinckley)

I am not worried that the Prophet Joseph Smith gave a number of versions of the first vision anymore than I am worried that there are four different writers of the gospels in the New Testament, each with his own perceptions, each telling the events to meet his own purpose for writing at the time. I am more concerned with the fact that God has revealed in this dispensation a great and marvelous and beautiful plan that motivates men and women to love their Creator and their Redeemer, to appreciate and serve one another, to walk in faith on the road that leads to immortality and eternal life.
—“God Hath Not Given Us the Spirit of Fear,” Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Oct 1984, 2 off-site

Things to think about

• Joseph did see God and Jesus.
• Joseph's 1832 journal account of the First Vision is the only one that does not mention a second personage. The remainder of the "multiple, varied accounts" all claim that Joseph saw two personages.

Quotes to think about

During a 10-year period (1832–42), Joseph Smith wrote or dictated at least four accounts of the First Vision. These accounts are similar in many ways, but they include some differences in emphasis and detail. These differences are complementary. Together, his accounts provide a more complete record of what occurred. The 1838 account found in the Pearl of Great Price is the primary source referred to in the Church.
—Accounts of the First Vision, Gospel Study, Study by Topic, located on lds.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Additional information

• Joseph's accounts of the First Vision—Joseph Smith gave several accounts of the First Vision. Critics charge that differences in the accounts show that he changed and embellished his story over time, and that he therefore had no such vision. (Link)

• Primary sources: First Vision accounts—We provide the text of all known accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision. (Link)

"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...

• What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon using the "Urim and Thummim"
• What the history/facts tell us:The same "peep stone" was used to translate the Book of Mormon—Stone in the hat, plates not in sight (Russell M. Nelson)

"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...
What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith had one wife—Emma

• What the history/facts tell us: Joseph had 30 wives, some of them married to other men, several teenagers (familysearch.org)

"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...

• What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith was falsely accused and persecuted
• What the history/facts tell us: [Joseph's use of a "magical peep stone"] was the reason for some of the early "trials" and court cases involving Joseph (Court records) Joseph denied polygamy publicly (Oaks)

"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...

• What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith went to the jail in Carthage like a "Lamb to the Slaughter"
• What the history/facts tell us: Exposure of polygamy and destruction of printing press led to martyrdom.

"Why People Leave the LDS Church" by John Dehlin says...

• What I learned growing up in the Church: Joseph Smith was 2nd to Jesus in Righteousness (no man has done more for the salvation of others except Jesus Christ)