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I was asked if Joseph Smith saw more than two personages in his First Vision. In the account written in 1835 Joseph stated: "I saw many angels in this vision."
The account in the Pearl of Great Price (written in 1838) omits any mention of this detail.
I'm glad that Joseph wrote the "official version" in the late 1830s. What he put in it was what was pertinent for the world to know. I often wonder how much some of our Apostles and Prophets have been shown and told to stand down, because the world isn't ready for the information, truths, visions, visitations etc that they have just received.
The 1832 recital of the First Vision as dictated by Joseph Smith to Frederick G. Williams. See Dean C Jessee, The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1984), 3-8; Milton V Backman, Joseph Smith's First Vision (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1971), Appendix A; cf. Dean C Jessee, ed., "The Early Accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision," BYUS 9 (1969):280
Hugh Nibley wrote, "The oldest and best testimony to Joseph Smith's first vision has received no attention whatever by the Latter-day Saints since its discovery in 1969..." CWHN 12:396,428 f44
I'm glad that Joseph wrote the "official version" in the late 1830s.
ReplyDeleteWhat he put in it was what was pertinent for the world to know. I often wonder how much some of our Apostles and Prophets have been shown and told to stand down, because the world isn't ready for the information, truths, visions, visitations etc that they have just received.
Where can we find a copy of the 1830s version?
ReplyDeleteThe 1832 recital of the First Vision as dictated by Joseph Smith to Frederick G. Williams. See Dean C Jessee, The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1984), 3-8; Milton V Backman, Joseph Smith's First Vision (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1971), Appendix A; cf. Dean C Jessee, ed., "The Early Accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision," BYUS 9 (1969):280
ReplyDeleteHugh Nibley wrote, "The oldest and best testimony to Joseph Smith's first vision has received no attention whatever by the Latter-day Saints since its discovery in 1969..." CWHN 12:396,428 f44