JOSEPH SMITH the Mormon Prophet - The First Vision

          The Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith was only fourteen years old when he experienced what few boys or men have. Known as the first vision, where young Joseph Smith was visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ, there has never been an event more glorious or controversial. It has been described as possibly being the most singular event to ever occur on the earth since the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is hard to believe for some and it is hard for some to explain. However, the events that have happened since that year in 1820 to this young boy of fourteen, is astounding.

Joseph Smith being only fourteen years of age, lived in Palmyra, New York with his family. At this time in history, there was much excitement regarding the subject of religion. All were wanting to know the truth, wanting to find the truth themselves, and Joseph was no different. As he pondered these questions he read in the Bible, James 1:5-6; "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering; For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

Joseph Smith was compelled to pray and ask for help knowing that from reading this scripture, the Lord encouraged those to ask. Young Joseph went to a beautiful grove not far from his home. As he began to pray he was "violently seized by the power of some actual being from the unseen world."1 Knowing that this was an evil power, Joseph called upon God more fervently, and for deliverance from this evil power. At this moment, Joseph said, "Just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy, which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other – This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" 2

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ stood before Joseph and explained that the full truth of the gospel was not upon the earth and he should not join any of these religions. Needless to say, the young Joseph was overwhelmed by the experience and the instructions that he received. Joseph said, "I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet is was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision…I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."3

To Mormons the First Vision verifies the fact that there are three separate Beings: God the Father, Jesus the Christ and the Holy Ghost, by whose spirit, we may know the truth of all things.

Mormons believe that there are eight important things that can be learned from the First Vision: 1) that the existence of God our Father as a personal being, and proof that man was made in the image of God; 2) that Jesus is a personage, separate and distinct from the Father; 3) that Jesus Christ is declared by the Father to be his Son; 4) that Jesus was the conveyer of revelation as taught in the Bible; 5) the promise of James to ask of God for wisdom was fulfilled; 6) the reality of an actual being from an unseen world who tried to destroy Joseph Smith; 7) that there was a falling away from the Church established by Jesus Christ; Joseph was told not to join any of the sects, for they taught the doctrines of men, and 8) Joseph Smith became a witness for God and his Son, Jesus Christ.4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

1 "Book of Mormon", Joseph Smith-History 1:16

2 "Book of Mormon", Joseph Smith-History 1:16-17

3 "Book of Mormon", Joseph Smith-History 1:25