Description
I Saw the Lord
In the summer of 1832, Joseph Smith, with the assistance of Frederick G. Williams, began writing the history of the Church of Jesus Christ. As far as we have record it was the first time Joseph ever wrote of what would later be called his “First Vision.” Altogether there would come numerous accounts of that vision in the ensuing years—no two saying exactly the same thing. Please consider the following words as Joseph wrote them, and especially consider what the Vision meant to him personally.
“At about the age of twelve years my mind become seriously impressed with regard to the all-important concerns for the welfare of my immortal soul which led me to searching the scriptures.
“My mind become exceedingly distressed for I become convicted of my sins and by searching the scriptures I found that mankind did not come unto the Lord but that they had apostatized from the true and living faith. And there was no society or denomination that built upon the gospel of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament. And I felt to mourn for my own sins and for the sins of the world.
“I cried unto the Lord for mercy, for there was none else to whom I could go and obtain mercy, and the Lord heard my cry in the wilderness. And while in the attitude of calling upon the Lord, in the 16th year of my age, a pillar of light above the brightness of the sun at noon day come down from above and rested upon me. And I was filled with the spirit of God and 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 crucified for the world that all those who believe on my name may have eternal life. Behold the world lieth in sin, at this time, and none doeth good, no not one. They have turned aside from the gospel and keep not my commandments. They draw near to me with their lips while their hearts are far from me. And mine anger is kindling against the inhabitants of the earth to visit them according to their ungodliness, and to bring to pass that which hath been spoken by the mouth of the prophets and Apostles. Behold and lo I come quickly, as it is written of me in the cloud, clothed in the glory of my Father.’
“My soul was filled with love and for many days I could rejoice with great joy and the Lord was with me but could find none that would believe the heavenly vision.”
Whatever else it means, this account of the First Vision reveals that it was a very personal conversion experience for Joseph. He sought diligently the forgiveness of his sins and imagine his joy when that blessing was received. Considering that Joseph was by nature careful in speaking of sacred things, is it possible that he here shared only one perspective on a rich multi-faceted theophany—and that, only as much as we needed to know? Could he have said even more than all the combined accounts share? Yes, of course! He never shared all that He saw and heard.
I have laid all the accounts of the First Vision side by side and studied them. They do not contradict, but weave together like the strands of a tapestry to tell a beautiful story, only a portion of which we are allowed to know.
Ultimately, it is not by Joseph’s written words to all the world that we know he spoke truth, but God’s revealed words to us personally. Go—and ask Him. It is absolutely vital to know that answer.
Source:
The Joseph Smith Papers
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-circa-summer-1832/3
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-circa-summer-1832/1
Quotation was edited for readability, though the words remain the same.
Copyright Glenn Rawson 2022
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