Accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision/1835 (Erastus Holmes account)

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The Erastus Holmes 1835 account of the First Vision

Summary: Erastus Holmes account Deseret News 2.15 (May 29, 1852); also in Millennial Star 15. 27 (July 2, 1853): 424; Jessee, The Papers of Joseph Smith, 2: 79-80; cf. Dan Vogel (editor), Early Mormon Documents (Salt Lake City, Signature Books, 1996–2003), 5 vols, 1:207.; DHC 2. 312.

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Source

Deseret News 2.15 (May 29, 1852); also in Millennial Star 15. 27 (July 2, 1853): 424; Jessee, The Papers of Joseph Smith, 2: 79-80; cf. Vogel, Early Mormon Documents I: 207; DHC 2. 312. 14th [Nov., 1835].

Source text

“A Gentleman called this afternoon by name of Erastus Holmes of Newbury, Ohio, he called to make enquiry about the establishment of the church of the latter-day Saints and to be instructed more perfectly in our doctrine & I commenced and gave him a brief relation of my experience while in my juvenile years, say from six years old up to the time I received the first visitation of angels, which was when I was about fourteen years old and also the revelations that I received afterwards, concerning the book of Mormon, and a short account of the rise and progress of the church, up to this, date he listened very attentively, and seemed highly gratified, and intends to unite with the church... [Holmes went to church with Joseph Smith the next day; listened to Sidney Rigdon preach on “the subject of men’s being called to preach the gospel and their qualifications &c…. Mr. Holmes was well satisfied…. Said Holmes has been a member of the Methodist Church, and was excommunicated for receiving, the Elders of the church of the latter-day Saints into his house”