People were making comments about how great this was, etc. With just a few minutes before the end of class, I raised my hand and asked if anyone had read the gospel topics essay on the first vision accounts. Surprise! No one had. I went on to say that I ask that because I was wondering how they reconcile the first account with the later, official version, especially in light of what Hinckley was saying. After some questions, I was able to tell about the earliest written account, and that it doesn't mention both beings, but just 'the Lord," and that he was really praying for a forgiveness of sins.Hinckley wrote:One is led to wonder why it was so important that both the Father and the Son appear. I think it was because They were ushering in the dispensation of the fulness of times, the last and final dispensation of the gospel, when there would be gathered together in one the elements of all previous dispensations. This was to be the final chapter in the long chronicle of God's dealing with men and women upon the earth.
Every claim that we make concerning diving authority, every truth that we offer concerning the validity of this work, all finds its root in the First Vision of the boy prophet. Without it we would not have anything much to say.
Man, that really seemed to rock some people. The thing is that many of them know I don't believe, but of course no one ever asks any questions. I know my comments may be received with some skepticism, so it was great to have the gospel topics essays. One of them looked it up in the app, and said, huh, it's right here in the church history section of the LDS Gospel Library app.
Class ended with some palpable cognitive dissonance. The closing prayer asked for help to answer questions. Quotes like that from Hinckley are the cause of so much cognitive dissonance when historical facts are learned.
