Multiple accounts of the First Vision/1832/Only one Personage appears

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Criticism

In the 1832 account of the First Vision - which is in the handwriting of Joseph Smith himself - it only says that Jesus Christ made an appearance in the wilderness; the Father is missing from the text. Since this is the earliest known written account of the First Vision story, it provides evidence that the Prophet's story became more elaborate and impressive over time.

Response

The theophany portion of the 1832 account does seem to indicate that only Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. The relevant text reads as follows:

"the <Lord> opened the heavens upon me and I saw the Lord and he spake unto me saying Joseph <my son> thy sins are forgiven thee. go thy <way> walk in my statutes and keep my commandments behold I am the Lord of glory I was crucifyed for the world." (Dean C. Jessee, ed., Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, rev. ed. [Salt Lake City; Deseret Book, 2002], ----).

Even though the Savior is quoted as making a reference to the Father later on in this text, there is no indication in the theophany portion which would indicate that God Almighty made an appearance on this occasion. However, critics have failedto notice a significant phrase found in the introductory remarks of the Prophet's 1832 historical narrative. He says that this document is -

"A History of the life of Joseph Smith Jr. an account of his marvilous experience and of all the mighty acts which he doeth in the name of Jesus Ch[r]ist the son of the living God of whom he beareth record and also an account of the rise of the church of Christ in the eve of time according as the Lord brough <it> forth and established by his hand <firstly> he receiving the testamony from on high seccondly the ministering of Angels thirdly the reception of the holy Priesthood by the ministring of Aangels to adminster the letter of the Gospel—<—the Law and commandments as they were given unto him—>and the ordinencs, forthly a confirmation and reception of the high Priesthood after the holy order of the son of the living God."

This paragraph outlines four major events of the Restoration in chronological order.

• FIRST: Reception of "the testimony from on high" - First Vision
• SECOND: The "ministering of angels" - Moroni visitations
• THIRD: Reception of the Holy Priesthood to administer the letter of the gospel - Aaronic
• FOURTH: Reception of the High Priesthood after the order of the Son - Melchizedek

1832 ACCOUNT “firstly . . . receiving the testimony from on high”

1835 ACCOUNT “He testified unto me that Jesus Christ is the Son of God”

1838 ACCOUNT “This is my beloved Son”

Endnotes

None

Further reading

FAIR web site

• FAIR Topical Guide: