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Question: Why does Joseph Smith's 9 November 1835 account of the First Vision mention "many angels?"
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Question: Why does Joseph Smith's 9 November 1835 account of the First Vision mention "many angels?"
The capitalized word "Angels" in Joseph Smith's diary entry for 14 November 1835 has given rise to two distinct criticisms by detractors of the faith, and one misguided conclusion by some Latter-day Saints.
- Criticism #1 - This word is plainly used in reference to the First Vision and thus demonstrates that Joseph Smith did not consistently claim to see Deity during this manifestation; he contradicted himself.
- Criticism #2 - The official History of the Church was "falsified" when this reference was changed without any notation.
- Misguided Conclusion - Since the word "Angels" is capitalized in the text Joseph Smith must have been applying this title to Deity.
Both the two personages and "many angels" are mentioned
The mention of "many angels" in the November 9, 1835 diary entry is a clarifying detail. The appearance of the Father and Son are clearly referenced separately from the mention of the "many angels." Since the visit of the Father and Son are acknowledged in the diary entry for the 9th the change from "first visitation of Angels" to "the First Vision" in the History of the Church entry is not a "falsification" of information.
The capitalized "Angel" may be used to refer to Deity, but not exclusively
The examples of the usage of the words "angel" and "Angel" clearly show that, although the capitalized version of the word can be used to refer to Deity, it is not exclusively used in this manner.
The accounts are not, as one critic states, "all over the place" on this issue:
- 1832 Account by Joseph Smith/Frederic G. Williams—
....I saw the Lord - 1835 Account by Joseph Smith (9 Nov. 1835)—
....a personage appeard....another personage soon appeard....and I saw many angels in this vision.... - 1835 Account by Joseph Smith (14 Nov. 1835)—(This account is simply a one line summary of the detailed vision written five days earlier)
I received the first visitation of Angels which was when I was about 14. - 1838 Account by Joseph Smith (published in 1842)—
I saw two Personages.... - 1840 Account by Orson Pratt—
....saw two glorious personages.... - 1842 Account by Joseph Smith (Wentworth Letter)—
....saw two glorious personages.... - 1842 Account by Orson Hyde—
Two glorious heavenly personages stood before him.... - 1843 Account by The Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette—
....then a glorious personage in the light, and then another personage.... - 1843 Account by Levi Richards—
....he went into the grove & enquired of the Lord which of all the sects were right.... - 1844 Account by Daniel Rupp—
....saw two glorious personages.... - 1844 Account by Alexander Neibaur—
....saw a personage....a other person came to the side of the first....
Notes