Articles of Faith: Is Joseph Smith a True Prophet of God?

As I continue my series on the Articles of Faith, I feel that I must share information about Joseph Smith. As Joseph Smith was the writer of the Articles of Faith, it is good to know something about the author.

As a disclaimer, I must clearly state that I am an ardent supporter of Joseph Smith. I know that he was and still is a prophet of God because the Holy Ghost bore a strong witness to me.

In his book titled Articles of Faith, Elder James E. Talmage listed three classes of evidence to show the authenticity of Joseph Smith’s mission.

1. Fulfilment of Prophecy, wrought through the lifework of Joseph Smith, is abundantly attested. John the Revelator, from his prophetic vision of the latter-day dispensation, understood and predicted that the Gospel would be again sent from the heavens, and be restored to the earth through the direct ministration of an angel in the latter-days: “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”  A partial fulfilment of this prediction appears in the coming of the angel Moroni to Joseph Smith, …, whereby the restoration of the Gospel was announced, and the speedy realization of other ancient prophecies was promised; and a record, described in part as containing “the fulness of the everlasting Gospel” as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants of the western continent was committed to his care for translation and publication amongst all nations, kindred, and tongues. A further fulfilment was realized in the personal visitations of resurrected beings, who had ministered as bearers of the Holy Priesthood during their time of mortality, this Priesthood comprising divine authority and appointment to preach the Gospel and administer the ordinances thereof….

2. Joseph Smith’s Authority was conferred upon him by direct ministrations of heavenly beings, each of whom had once exercised the same power upon the earth. We have already seen how the angel Moroni, formerly a mortal prophet among the Nephites, transmitted to Joseph the appointment to bring forth the record which he, Moroni, had buried in the earth over fourteen hundred years before. We learn further, that on the 15^th of May, 1829, the lesser or Aaronic Priesthood was conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery under the hands of John the Baptist, who came in his immortalized state with that particular order of Priesthood, which comprises the keys of the ministration of angels, the doctrine of repentance and of baptism for the remission of sins…. In delivering his message John the Baptist stated that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, apostles of the Lord, in whose hands reposed the keys of the higher or Melchizedek Priesthood, which in time would also be given. This promise was fulfilled a month or so later, when the apostles named visited in person Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, ordaining them to the apostleship, which comprises all the offices of the higher order of Priesthood and which carries authority to minister in all the established ordinances of the Gospel….

[After the Church of Jesus Christ was organized, other ancient prophets visited Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to give other authority: Moses (gathering of Israel), Elijah (work for the living and the dead, sealing families together), and Elias (dispensation of Abraham, blessing succeeding generations.]

3. Joseph Smith was a true Prophet –In the days of ancient Israel an effective method of testing the claims of a professed prophet was prescribed. “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follows not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” Conversely, if the words of the prophet are verified by fulfilment there is at least proof presumptive of his divine calling….

4. The Doctrines Taught by Joseph Smith, and by the Church today, are true and scriptural. To sustain this statement, we must examine the principal teachings of the Church in separate order. [Following this statement, Talmage launched into his writings on the Articles of Faith.] (Articles of Faith, 1913, 16-17, 22, 23, 28)

Talmage is not the only Apostle to author a book about the Articles of Faith. In his book titled A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, Elder Bruce R. McConkie discussed how the Articles of Faith are the fruits of Joseph Smith.

As it is with belief in Christ; as it is with accepting him as the Son of God, whose atoning sacrifice makes salvation possible; as it is with believing all that the prophets and apostles have taught in days gone by – so it is with accepting Joseph Smith as the prophet of the latter days. All spiritual things must be accepted by faith. But in the process of gaining faith, those who are wise will taste the fruits of those who profess prophetic insight. Those who partake of the fruits of true prophets will find them sweet, full of flavor, delicious to the taste, and desirable to the soul, while those who seek nourishment from the fruits of false prophets will remain unrefreshed spiritually. The fruit they eat will be bitter to the taste; it will be as wormwood in their bellies, and from it they will gain none of the sustenance needed for the long journey back to the presence of the Lord.

The prophetic fruits of Joseph Smith are many and varied. All are as delicious as manna and as overflowing with goodness as the fruits of Eden. Volumes have been and will yet be written about them. They have not grown in secret nor been harvested in the night. In this work, however, it will be our purpose, in large measure, to feast upon but one of his prophetic fruits – the doctrines he taught relative to the basic beliefs of true Christians as these are summarized in the Articles of Faith.

In his now famous Wentworth Letter, written in March 1842, the Prophet Joseph Smith gave an account “of the rise, progress, persecution, and faith of the Latter-day Saints,” of which he had “the honor, under God, of being the founder.” (HC 4:535.) As the climax of this inspired historical account, he uttered these prophetic words: “No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” He then listed the thirteen Articles of Faith in almost the verbatim language they now contain. (HC 4:540-41.)

“These Articles of Faith were not produced by the labored efforts and harmonized contentions of scholastics, but were struck off by one inspired mind at a single effort to make a declaration of that which is most assuredly believed by the Church…. The combined directness, perspicuity, simplicity and comprehensiveness of this statement of the principles of our religion may be relied upon as robust evidence of a divine inspiration resting upon the Prophet, Joseph Smith.” (HC 4:535n.) The Articles of Faith are part of an eternal fulness of everlasting truth that was then and is now in process of being revealed by the Lord to his people. They did not, when first given, mention all of the basic doctrines then known, and since then added light and knowledge have been revealed relative to many things, as the Articles of Faith themselves said would be the case. (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 14-16)

If you are sincere in your desire to know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God, I will give you the procedure that I followed. First, I studied every single book in my house about Joseph Smith (lots of them). Then the Holy Ghost gave this prompting, “If you want to know if Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, study the Book of Mormon.” I embarked on a study of the suggested book, sincerely and prayerfully studying it.

I suggest that you start by reading Moroni 10:4-5 in the last chapter of the book. As you study, ask God if what you are reading is true. If you are honest and sincere in your studies, you will receive an answer from God. I know because I received an answer when I met the requirements of study, humility, sincerity, and prayer.

 

Who Was the Seer of the Latter Days?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Genesis 42-50 in a lesson titled “God Meant It unto Good.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

It had been about 22 years since Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Joseph had suffered many trials, including false accusations and imprisonment. When he finally saw his brothers again, Joseph was the governor of all Egypt, second only to the pharaoh. He could easily have taken revenge on his brothers, and considering what they had done to Joseph, that might seem understandable. And yet Joseph forgave them. Not only that, but he helped them see divine purpose in his suffering. “God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50:20), he told them, because it put him in a position to save “all his father’s household” (Genesis 47:12) from famine.

In many ways, Joseph was like Jesus Christ. Even though our sins caused Jesus great suffering, He offers forgiveness, delivering all of us from a fate far worse than famine. Whether we need to receive forgiveness or extend it—at some point we all need to do both—Joseph’s example points us to the Savior, the true source of healing and reconciliation.

This scripture block taught numerous principles, including (1) “God sent me before you to preserve you” (Genesis 45:5-7; 47:12); (2) Forgiveness brings healing (Genesis 45; 50:15-21); (3) Jacob gave his family prophetic blessings (Genesis 49); (4) God can help me find meaning in my trials (Genesis 50:19-21); (5) “A seer shall the Lord my God raise up” (Genesis 50:24-25).

All the principles are worthy of discussion and extremely interesting. However, this essay will discuss the last principle about a seer being raised up. The scripture verses are as follow, the first set from Genesis 50:24-25, and the second set from Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 50:24-38.

24 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

25 And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.

26 So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

 

24 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die, and go unto my fathers; and I go down to my grave with joy. The God of my father Jacob be with you, to deliver you out of affliction in the days of your bondage; for the Lord hath visited me, and I have obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of my loins, the Lord God will raise up a righteous branch out of my loins; and unto thee, whom my father Jacob hath named Israel, a prophet; (not the Messiah who is called Shilo;) and this prophet shall deliver my people out of Egypt in the days of thy bondage.

25 And it shall come to pass that they shall be scattered again; and a branch shall be broken off, and shall be carried into a far country; nevertheless they shall be remembered in the covenants of the Lord, when the Messiah cometh; for he shall be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the Spirit of power; and shall bring them out of darkness into light; out of hidden darkness, and out of captivity unto freedom.

26 A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins.

27 Thus saith the Lord God of my fathers unto me, A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins, and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren.

28 And he shall bring them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers; and he shall do whatsoever work I shall command him.

29 And I will make him great in mine eyes, for he shall do my work; and he shall be great like unto him whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel, out of the land of Egypt; for a seer will I raise up to deliver my people out of the land of Egypt; and he shall be called Moses. And by this name he shall know that he is of thy house; for he shall be nursed by the king’s daughter, and shall be called her son.

30 And again, a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins, and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins; and not to the bringing forth of my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them in the last days;

31 Wherefore the fruit of thy loins shall write, and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together unto the confounding of false doctrines, and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to a knowledge of their fathers in the latter days; and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.

32 And out of weakness shall he be made strong, in that day when my work shall go forth among all my people, which shall restore them, who are of the house of Israel, in the last days.

33 And that seer will I bless, and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise I give unto you; for I will remember you from generation to generation; and his name shall be called Joseph, and it shall be after the name of his father; and he shall be like unto you; for the thing which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand shall bring my people unto salvation.

34 And the Lord sware unto Joseph that he would preserve his seed forever, saying, I will raise up Moses, and a rod shall be in his hand, and he shall gather together my people, and he shall lead them as a flock, and he shall smite the waters of the Red Sea with his rod.

35 And he shall have judgment, and shall write the word of the Lord. And he shall not speak many words, for I will write unto him my law by the finger of mine own hand. And I will make a spokesman for him, and his name shall be called Aaron.

36 And it shall be done unto thee in the last days also, even as I have sworn. Therefore, Joseph said unto his brethren, God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land, unto the land which he sware unto Abraham, and unto Isaac, and to Jacob.

37 And Joseph confirmed many other things unto his brethren, and took an oath of the children of Israel, saying unto them, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.

38 So Joseph died when he was an hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and they put him in a coffin in Egypt; and he was kept from burial by the children of Israel, that he might be carried up and laid in the sepulchre with his father. And thus they remembered the oath which they sware unto him. [Emphasis added.]

In his article “Two Josephs Across the Centuries: The Strong Prophetic Ties between Joseph of Israel and Joseph Smith,” published at Latter-Day Saint Magazine, Paul Bishop shared the symmetry in sacred history. 

Sacred history sometimes unfolds with a symmetry inviting to careful attention. One such pattern appears in the prophetic link between Joseph of Egypt and Joseph Smith. Latter day Saint scripture presents this relationship not as coincidence but as part of a divine design reaching across millennia. The idea emerges in the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 50 and receives powerful reinforcement in the Book of Mormon, particularly in 2 Nephi 3. When the passages are read together, they present a compelling vision of prophecy fulfilled through lineage, revelation, and the restoration of sacred records. 

Joseph of Egypt already stands as one of the great figures of the Old Testament. His story carries the drama of betrayal, endurance, and eventual deliverance. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, he rose through years of hardship to become a trusted leader in Egypt. Through revelation and wisdom he prepared the land for famine and preserved the family of Jacob during a time of desperate need.

However, Latter day Saint scripture adds another dimension to Joseph’s prophetic role. According to the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 50, Joseph did not look only to the immediate future of his people. He also saw far down the corridors of time. In this vision he spoke of a latter-day seer who would arise from among his own descendants. That seer would bear Joseph’s name. His mission would involve bringing forth the word of God and helping restore truth obscured over the centuries.

The prophecy becomes even more specific. The future seer’s father would also be named Joseph. The Lord would raise him up to perform a work of great value for the house of Israel. His words would bring people to the knowledge of the covenants made with their fathers. Those familiar with the life of Joseph Smith cannot miss the striking parallels.

The Book of Mormon strengthens this prophetic connection in a remarkable way. In 2 Nephi 3, the prophet Lehi gathers his sons and speaks directly to his youngest son, who is also named Joseph. In this intimate setting Lehi recalls the prophecy of Joseph of Egypt. The ancient patriarch, Lehi explains, foresaw a latter-day seer among his descendants. This seer would bring forth long hidden sacred records.

The passage then moves from prediction to purpose. The records brought forth by this latter-day Joseph would work together with the Bible to establish the truth of God’s word. They would restore plain and precious lost teachings. They would also help convince scattered Israel of the covenants made with their fathers. This is not a vague forecast. The prophecy identifies lineage, mission, and even name. It describes a seer whose work would center on scripture, revelation, and the gathering of Israel.

Joseph Smith’s life aligns closely with this description. Born in 1805 to Joseph Smith Sr., he emerged from a family line identified in Latter-day Saint patriarchal blessings with the tribe of Ephraim, the son of Joseph of Egypt. Through divine guidance he translated the Book of Mormon from ancient plates and published it in 1830. Latter-day Saints view this moment as the opening chapter of the Restoration.

The connection between the two Josephs becomes even more meaningful when their roles are considered side by side. Joseph of Egypt preserved physical life during a season of famine. By preparing the storehouses of Egypt, he ensured his family and many others survived a devastating crisis.

Joseph Smith entered a different kind of famine. The spiritual landscape of the nineteenth century included deep religious yearning but also widespread confusion about doctrine, authority, and revelation. Through the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the restoration of priesthood authority, Joseph Smith helped reopen channels of revelation we see as essential to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Another shared element in their stories involves adversity. Joseph of Egypt endured betrayal by those closest to him. He faced slavery, false accusation, and imprisonment before his calling became widely known. Joseph Smith encountered relentless opposition during his ministry. Mobs drove him and his followers from their homes more than once. The hardships of his life formed part of the larger narrative surrounding the Restoration. These parallels do not suggest identical experiences. But they do reveal a pattern in which God prepares chosen servants through trial before placing them in positions of sacred responsibility.

The prophecy in 2 Nephi 3 also emphasizes the gathering of Israel. Joseph of Egypt preserved the house of Jacob in his generation. Joseph Smith taught extensively about the gathering of Israel in the latter days. Missionary work, temple covenants, and renewed attention to the promises made to Abraham have all become central elements of Latter- day Saint belief and practice.

Seen through this lens, the prophecy concerning the latter-day Joseph forms more than an interesting historical detail. It places the Restoration within a much longer sacred narrative. The covenant promises made to the ancient patriarchs continue to unfold in later generations.

For Latter day Saints, the connection between Joseph of Egypt and Joseph Smith illustrates how prophecy and fulfillment can span vast stretches of time. A patriarch in ancient Egypt looked forward to a future servant who would help restore God’s word. Centuries later, a young man in rural New York stepped into the role and began a work which continues to shape the faith of millions.

This prophetic thread invites a deeper appreciation for the unity of scripture. The Old Testament, the Book of Mormon, and modern revelation do not stand as isolated witnesses. They join together in telling a single unfolding story of covenant and redemption.

When those passages are read together, the voice of Joseph of Egypt reaches across the centuries with quiet certainty. The Lord would raise up a seer named Joseph. Through him sacred records would come forth and the knowledge of God’s covenants would expand again among His people.

History has now provided the name that prophecy anticipated.

Did Isaiah Describe Joseph Smith?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Doctrine and Covenants 111-114 in a lesson titled “I Will Order All Things for Your Good.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

Have you ever had a spiritual experience that made you feel confident and secure in your faith in Christ—but then life’s afflictions tried your faith, and you found yourself struggling to recover the peace you felt before? Something similar happened to the Saints in Kirtland. Less than a year after the spiritual outpourings connected with the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, troubles arose. A financial crisis, conflict in the Quorum of the Twelve, and other trials caused some Saints to waver in their faith despite their earlier experiences.

We can’t avoid trials, so how can we keep them from threatening our faith and testimony? Maybe part of the answer can be found in the Lord’s counsel in Doctrine and Covenants 112, given while adversity in Kirtland was swelling. The Lord said, “Purify your hearts before me” (verse 28), “Rebel not” (verse 15), “Gird up thy loins for the work” (verse 7), and “Be thou humble” (verse 10). As we follow this counsel, the Lord will “lead [us] by the hand” through adversity and into healing and peace (see verses 10, 13).

As usual, this scripture block taught numerous principles, including (1) The Lord can “order all things for [my] good” (Doctrine and Covenants 111), (2) The Lord will lead me as I humbly seek His will (Doctrine and Covenants 112:3-15, 22), (3) Those who are truly converted come to know Jesus Christ (Doctrine and Covenants 112:12-26, 28, 33-34), and (4) Joseph Smith was “a servant in the hands of Christ” (Doctrine and Covenants 113). This essay will discuss principle #4 about Joseph Smith being a servant of Jesus Christ.

The prophet Isaiah referred to one of Jesse’s descendants as a “rod” and a “root” (Isaiah 11:1, 10). In section 113, the Lord explained that this descendant, a servant of Christ, would be instrumental in gathering the Lord’s people in the last days (see Doctrine and Covenants 113:4, 6). This prophecy describes the Prophet Joseph Smith quite well.

In answer to a question about the “root of Jesse” (Doctrine and Covenants 113:5-6), Joseph Fielding McConkie proffered the following:

There can be no question that [the ‘root’] is describing the Prophet Joseph Smith. By way of revelation he was told that he held the right to the priesthood (see D&C 86:8-9). That the keys of the kingdom had been given to him is a matter of record; that his labors were to stand as an ‘ensign’ to which the nations of the earth will gather is also a matter of scriptural promise (D&C 29:4, 7-8; 35:25; 38:33; 39:11; 45:9, 28) (“Joseph Smith as Found in Ancient Manuscripts,” 18).

What Happened When Joseph Smith Saw God and Jesus Christ?

For my Come Follow Me studies this week, I studied the experience of Joseph Smith when he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I was asked to speak in sacrament meeting tomorrow about the First Vision, and I feel prompted to share this draft of my talk with my readers.

My mother died on May 5, 1979, nearly 46 years ago when I was only 34 years old. My family and I were living in the Anchorage Sixth Ward in the Jewel Lake area at that time. Her death had an interesting effect on me that I can only explain in this way: I felt like a young child who had lost their security blanket.

I took my four small children (ages 7 years to 17 months) and traveled to Salt Lake City for my mother’s funeral. I gained comfort and strength by being with my father and eleven siblings, but my siblings went home or back to their lives once the funeral was over. I stayed with my father for another week or so before traveling back to Alaska.

I was still deep in my grief and fighting depression when I attended sacrament meeting on my first Sunday back in Alaska. My family and I were sitting on the back row of the center section of pews in the Brayton building, and I was doing okay until we started to sing the closing hymn.

I sang, “Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care And bids me at my Father’s throne Make all my wants and wishes known.” (“Sweet Hour of Prayer,” Hymns, 142).

That was as far as I could go in singing that hymn because I started to cry. At that time the Holy Ghost taught me a lesson in a language that I could understand. When I sang “And bids me at my Father’s throne Make all my wants and wishes known,” my mind went back to those days following my mother’s death, particularly the last evening that we were all together.

Soon after her death, my father had a dream about my mother standing by a gate waiting for him, and he assumed that he would soon follow her in death. Therefore, he decided to give away everything in the house except those things that he would need for his daily life. This meant that he was giving away everything that belonged to my mother, any extra furniture, any family heirlooms, and such. In reality, my father lived another 16 years, but he did not yet know how long his life would be.

Dad wanted each of his children to make a list of those items that we would like to have and then give the lists to him. So, we each went around the house, made our lists, and handed them to Dad. As it turned out, most of us had some of the same things on our lists. Dad took the lists and studied them to make his decisions.

 

We met together with Dad on that last evening before everyone went their separate ways. I can still picture him sitting in his living room with his twelve children surrounding him – granting as many of our wishes and wants as he could.

That picture came back to me during that sacrament meeting on that first Sunday back in Alaska. The message that came from the Holy Ghost at the same time is that my Heavenly Father loves me even more than my earthly father loves me. This heavenly message took only a few seconds to be delivered, but its impact on my life was huge.

I had previously known with my mind that Heavenly Father loves me. I had sung “I Am a Child of God” from the time that I was a Primary child. However, this message of love sunk deep into my heart, and I knew with every fiber of my being that Heavenly Father loves me. I knew that I was no longer alone because Heavenly Father loves me. Although I continued to mourn for my mother, I also grew stronger with each day. Where I had previously been battling depression, I could see sunshine again in my life.

I am sharing this story with you because the Holy Ghost brought it back to my mind early one morning about 10 days ago as I studied the scriptures, and He indicated that I should start this talk with it.

The message from God that came to me 46 years ago had such an impact on my life that it still brings tears to my eyes whenever I think about it. If those few seconds of the presence of the Holy Ghost had such a huge impact on my life, imagine the impact that the First Vision had on fourteen-year-old Joseph Smith.

Joseph saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They knew his name, and They spoke to him in a language that he could understand. They answered his questions and gave him other information. The impact on him was so strong that it changed his life, and it changed the lives of millions of other people.

So what are the lessons to be learned from the First Vision of Joseph Smith. Here are some of them as found in Joseph Smith – History 1:15-20.

1. Satan is real, he is powerful, he works in darkness, and he opposes the work of God. Joseph wrote that an unseen being bound his tongue so he could not speak. Darkness surrounded him, and he thought that he would be destroyed. Satan tried to stop the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ at its very beginning, and he will do everything in his power to stop its restoration in our lives.

2. The power of Satan can be overcome through prayer. Joseph exerted all his power to call upon God for help, and God delivered him from the power of Satan. Like Joseph, prayer can deliver us from the power of Satan. Brigham Young taught, “If we do not feel like [praying], we should pray till we do” (DBY, 44).

3. The light and glory emanating from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ dispelled the darkness and delivered Joseph Smith from the enemy who held him bound. The light of the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring answers to our questions and solutions to our problems - questions and problems that keep us from gaining or strengthening our testimonies and conversions.

4. Joseph Smith “saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description.” They were standing in the air above him. One of them called Joseph by name, pointed to the other one, and said, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”

The First Vision showed Joseph Smith that God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ were two separate Beings – something that was the exact opposite of what was being taught in the churches of his day. The Nicene Creed states: “We believe in one God in three Persons. We do not believe in three gods.” The Nicene Creed: Explained! - Catholic-Link Even today, people claim that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not real Christians because we believe in a different kind of Jesus.

On April 2, 1843, at Ramus, Illinois, Joseph Smith gave some “Items of instruction,” and these instructions now comprise D&C 130. In verse 22, Joseph taught the following:

22 The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.

Joseph used the word tangible instead of physical. Tangible is defined as “perceptible by touch.” We know that there are physical things, such as wind, that cannot be touched – although it sometimes touches us in powerful ways.

As far as I know, we do not know how Joseph Smith received this knowledge about tangible bodies. Did he learn it during the First Vision or later? He said that the two Personages stood above him in the air. Did they stay in the air, or did they come down to touch him? We do not know, but we accept that both the Father and the Son have tangible bodies of flesh and bones, while the Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit.

5. We learn that all the churches on earth at that time were wrong. They had a form of godliness, but they did not have proper authority from Jesus Christ.

6. We learn that Jesus Christ shared “many other things” that Joseph could not write at that time.

In the Lectures on Faith, we are taught that there are three things that are necessary for any of us to exercise enough faith in God to obtain salvation. The three things are: (1) the idea that God actually exists, (2) a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes, and (3) an actual knowledge that our life – the way we are living -- is acceptable to God.

 

When God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith, They showed him that his life was acceptable to Them. We do not need to have visits from the Father and/or the Son to know that our lives are acceptable to Them. In the section of the Come Follow Me manual titled “Conversion Is Our Goal,” the last paragraph states the following:

… We should seek after whatever invites the influence of the Spirit and reject whatever drives that influence away—for we know that if we can be worthy of the presence of the Holy Ghost, we can also be worthy to live in the presence of Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

I hope and pray that we will each seek the presence of the Holy Ghost in our lives that we may know of our acceptance to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that They love us, and I know this with every fiber of my being.

 

Why Are There Various Accounts of the First Vision?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Joseph Smith – History 1:1-26 in a lesson titled “I Saw a Pillar of Light.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

You might say the Doctrine and Covenants is a book of answers to prayers: many of the sacred revelations in this book came in response to questions. The question that began it all—the one that sparked the latter-day outpouring of revelation—was asked by a 14-year-old boy. A “war of words and tumult of opinions” (Joseph Smith – History 1:10) had left Joseph Smith confused about religion and his relationship with God. Perhaps you can relate to that. We find many conflicting ideas and persuasive voices in our day. When we want to sort through these messages and find truth, we can do what Joseph did. We can ask questions, study the scriptures, ponder, and ultimately ask God. In response to Joseph’s prayer, a pillar of light descended from heaven. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared and answered his questions. Joseph’s testimony of that miraculous experience boldly declares that anyone “who [lacks] wisdom might ask of God, and obtain” (Joseph Smith – History 1:26). We can all receive, if not a heavenly vision, at least a clearer vision, illuminated by heavenly light.

The scripture block for this week provided several principles, including the following: (1) Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration (JS-H 1:5-26), (2) How can I receive answers to my prayers? (JS-H 1:5-25), (3) Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ (JS-H 1:15-20), (4) Why are there various accounts of the First Vision? (JS-H 1:15-20), (5) I can remain true to what I know, even if others reject me (JS-H 1:15-20), and (6) I can remain true to what I know, even if others reject me (JS-H 1:21-26).

I have chosen to discuss the fourth principle listed, “Why are there various accounts of the First Vision? (Joseph Smith-History 1:15-20). The short answer is that Joseph Smith recorded his experience in the Sacred Grove at least four times and often used a scribe to do so. In addition, other people wrote several accounts after hearing Joseph speak about his vision.

Although the accounts differ in some details – depending on the author, audience, and setting, they are otherwise consistent. In addition, each account adds details that help us better understand the experience of Joseph Smith, which can be compared to the four New Testament Gospels helping us to better understand the ministry of the Savior.

I pondered the various accounts of the First Vision earlier today when I was recording one of my own spiritual experiences. I have shared my conversion story with my posterity numerous times, and I have used different wording each time. However, I always included the major points. Unless Joseph Smith had the previous accounts sitting in front of him and was quoting from it, it would be almost impossible for him to repeat the experience word for word. However, he always included the most essential point: Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared and spoke to him. The following information comes from thissite. 

The various accounts tell a consistent story, though naturally they differ in emphasis and detail. Some have mistakenly argued that any variation between the descriptions of the First Vision is evidence of fabrication. On the contrary, historians expect that when an individual retells an experience in multiple settings to different audiences over many years, each account will emphasize different aspects of the experience and contain unique details.

The major differences in Joseph Smith’s First Vision accounts are found in the earliest, which was written in 1832. It varies from the other accounts on a few points:

·         In the 1832 account, one of Joseph’s scribes inserted the phrase “in the 16th year of my age.” The other accounts report he was 14 years old. This was most likely the result of a scribal mistake.

·         In the earliest account, Joseph prayed seeking forgiveness for his sins. In the later accounts, he wanted to know which church to join. These two questions were probably very closely related in Joseph’s mind, and both reflected his desire to be saved.

·         The first account states, “The Lord opened the heavens upon me and I saw the Lord and he spake unto me.” In the scriptural account, Joseph explained that the Father introduced the Son, who then proceeded to converse with Joseph. Although the 1832 account does not include this detail, all the accounts emphasize the central role of Jesus Christ in the vision. He is the one who answered Joseph’s questions.

Joseph’s multiple accounts of the First Vision enable us to learn more about this remarkable event than we could if it were less well documented. Latter-day Saints who read them can gain an appreciation for the Prophet’s sincere testimony that God answered his prayer with a remarkable vision.

This morning, I watched a video of the First Vision that draws upon all the accounts. It is titled “Ask of God: Joseph Smith’s First Vision.” I highly recommend it to anyone who seeks to learn more about this vision.