Dating the First Vision
Posted: Sun May 09, 2021 8:22 pm
The following is an abbreviated excerpt from William Smith's history of his brother Joseph written in 1883. At the time, I believe William was affiliated with the reorganized church and claims no connection whatsoever with the Utah church.
The interesting things are the dates and age of Joseph regarding the religious upheaval and his first vision. Special attention should be given to William's description of the "angel" who visited with Joseph in the Grove. This description matches much more closely with Joseph's early renderings of his first vision experience.
William Smith:
"In 1822 and 1823, the people in our neighborhood were very much stirred up with regard to religious matters by the preaching of a Mr. Lane, an Elder of the Methodist Church, and celebrated throughout the country as a "great revival preacher".
Joseph, then about seventeen years of age, had become seriously inclined, though not "brought out," as the phrase was, began to reflect and inquire, which of all these sects was right....
All this however was beneficial to him, as it urged him forward, and strengthened him in the determination to know for himself of the certainty and reality of pure and holy religion. He continued in secret to call upon the Lord for a full manifestation of his will, the assurance that he was accepted of him, and that he might have an understanding of the path of obedience.
At length he determined to call upon the Lord until he should get a manifestation from him. He accordingly went out into the woods and falling upon his knees called for a long time upon the Lord for wisdom and knowledge. While engaged in prayer a light appeared in the heavens, and descended until it rested upon the trees where he was. It appeared like fire. But to his great astonishment, did not burn the trees. An angel then appeared to him and conversed with him upon many things. He told him that none of the sects were right; but that if he was faithful in keeping the commandments he should receive, the true way should be made known to him; that his sins were forgiven, etc. A more elaborate and accurate description of his vision, however, will be found in his own history....
The next day I was at work in the field together with Joseph and my eldest brother Alvin. Joseph looked pale and unwell, so that Alvin told him if he was sick he need not work; he then went and sat down by the fence, when the angel again appeared to him, and told him to call his father's house together and communicate to them the visions he had received....."
Although William does mention that a more elaborate description of Joseph's first vision could be found in his own history, I doubt that such significant differences would be found considering how long William had been aquatinted with the story. It seems the canonized version looks to be more and more the evolved oddity than the truth.
http://www.olivercowdery.com/smithhome/1883Wilm.htm
The interesting things are the dates and age of Joseph regarding the religious upheaval and his first vision. Special attention should be given to William's description of the "angel" who visited with Joseph in the Grove. This description matches much more closely with Joseph's early renderings of his first vision experience.
William Smith:
"In 1822 and 1823, the people in our neighborhood were very much stirred up with regard to religious matters by the preaching of a Mr. Lane, an Elder of the Methodist Church, and celebrated throughout the country as a "great revival preacher".
Joseph, then about seventeen years of age, had become seriously inclined, though not "brought out," as the phrase was, began to reflect and inquire, which of all these sects was right....
All this however was beneficial to him, as it urged him forward, and strengthened him in the determination to know for himself of the certainty and reality of pure and holy religion. He continued in secret to call upon the Lord for a full manifestation of his will, the assurance that he was accepted of him, and that he might have an understanding of the path of obedience.
At length he determined to call upon the Lord until he should get a manifestation from him. He accordingly went out into the woods and falling upon his knees called for a long time upon the Lord for wisdom and knowledge. While engaged in prayer a light appeared in the heavens, and descended until it rested upon the trees where he was. It appeared like fire. But to his great astonishment, did not burn the trees. An angel then appeared to him and conversed with him upon many things. He told him that none of the sects were right; but that if he was faithful in keeping the commandments he should receive, the true way should be made known to him; that his sins were forgiven, etc. A more elaborate and accurate description of his vision, however, will be found in his own history....
The next day I was at work in the field together with Joseph and my eldest brother Alvin. Joseph looked pale and unwell, so that Alvin told him if he was sick he need not work; he then went and sat down by the fence, when the angel again appeared to him, and told him to call his father's house together and communicate to them the visions he had received....."
Although William does mention that a more elaborate description of Joseph's first vision could be found in his own history, I doubt that such significant differences would be found considering how long William had been aquatinted with the story. It seems the canonized version looks to be more and more the evolved oddity than the truth.
http://www.olivercowdery.com/smithhome/1883Wilm.htm