In two previous posts, I’ve been exploring Joseph Smith’s first vision, and already examined the evidence for where JS prayed in 1820 and what kind of setting that was. But now we get to the crux of why the First Vision has mattered to people for so long — the encounter between JS and God. We often depict the event as an external visitation of God the Father and Jesus Christ, as though a secondary observer walking through the Smith homestead on that early spring morning in 1820 would have seen what JS reported seeing. I have misgivings about reading JS’s accounts this way, which I hope to explain here.
Appearance in the Accounts
Variations between the accounts have given many believers and critics heartburn. Steven Harper does as excellent a job as any in arguing that variations in memory and in the accounts do not constitute deception or contrivance; I’ll leave it to his book to lay out the particulars of the debates surrounding the reliability of the First Vision accounts. For my part, the accounts are what they are, and we’re left to interpret them regardless, so before we go discrediting JS’s narrations, we should really establish what is even being said in the first place. Narrative elements that are well-attested across the accounts deserve special attention.
When it comes to the moment of vision/visitation, a few elements are consistently reported across time and occasion in the suviving accounts:
- JS was in the middle of prayer when the vision/visitation suddenly happened. (1832, 1835, 1838, Times and Seasons, Pratt, Hyde, White, Neibaur)
- JS saw (a pillar of) fire (1832, 1835, Neibaur); a (pillar of) light (1838); a (brilliant) light (Times and Seasons, Pratt, White).
- The heavens were opened. (1832, Pratt, Hyde)
- JS’s mind was carried away from natural world. (Times and Seasons, Pratt)
- Implied that JS saw with his mind or had an out-of-body experience. (1838, Pratt, Hyde, White, Neibaur)
Together, the sources present JS narrating his experience in terms of a mental albeit intensely spiritual event. This isn’t a speculative notion, like bees humming and music ringing through the grove; JS being caught up in a heavenly vision, his mind being carried away from his natural surroundings — this is directly manifest in multiple accounts and as well-attested as the fact that he saw personages bathed in light. JS goes so far as to describe himself being “uncommonly feeble,” his strength sapped, “laying” and “sprawled” on his back, his mind left with peace after the vision ended. This effect of being physically drained by an intense spiritual encounter occurred again in later visions, enough for JS to instruct others about discerning spiritual gifts by how much your body feels weakened after a spiritual experience. That he employs this element in his narrative further emphasizes how he presented the vision as an out-of-body encounter.
All of this is to say that it’s JS who delivers a narrative of extracorporeal vision, of an active mental encounter of perceiving God. The visitation, in JS’s own terms, occurred beyond the domain of the natural in a heavenly state. We could delve further into JS’s intricacies of “quickening” and how no unclean thing can dwell in God’s presence and how the work of the Holy Spirit can alter a human body to endure God’s glory, etc. All of this bears on JS’s theological context when he composed or recited his story of the First Vision; JS very likely already had these concepts of pneumatology by the time he wrote his 1832 account, and he certainly was actively teaching them by his 1835 journal. It’s rather clear that he had no problem presenting the vision as an internal, subjective encounter with God.
So, let’s be cautious depicting the First Vision as an external event, something hypothetically observable by a third-party. I’m quite assured that were I to have strolled through the clearing of the grove when young JS was praying, I would have probably witnessed him sweat and struggle through that prayer, and probably gaze up at the trees and the sky, and maybe even speak to the air, before falling on his back and looking entranced by something beyond my sight.
This isn’t far-fetched — in February 1832 when JS and Sidney Rigdon had a shared vision of God and Jesus Christ, others reported that the two stared up at the upper corner of the room and periodically spoke to each other as though they were both watching something. People came in and out of the room over the course of the two-hour vision. And one observer noted how Rigdon felt more exhausted than JS after the vision ended. But the several third-party observers never saw what JS and Rigdon saw; they only noted two men entranced by something seemingly outside the walls of the room. For what JS and Rigdon experienced, on the other hand, we have a much fuller account than JS’s First Vision — all of D&C 76 with its rich detail. And we also have two men and observers who were in the room as it happened, a date, and an exact location for the event, elements we don’t have for the First Vision.
The Accounts
Here are all the extant accounts of the moment of God’s appearance to JS in 1820. I have made some mild edits to remove transcription marks for readability. For a complete transcription of all extant primary sources relating JS’s vision, download my handy PDF.
(1832 History)
and while in the attitude of calling upon the Lord a pillar of fire light above the brightness of the sun at noon day came 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
(1835 Journal)
I kneeled again. My mouth was opened and my tongue liberated, and I called on the Lord in mighty prayer. A pillar of fire appeared above my head. It presently rested down upon me and filled me with joy unspeakable. A personage appeared in the midst of this pillar of flame, which was spread all around and yet nothing consumed. Another personage soon appeared like unto the first. He said unto me, “Thy sins are forgiven thee.” He testified unto me that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
(1838 History)
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 gracefully 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.” … When I came to myself again I found myself laying on my back looking up into heaven.
(Times and Seasons Account)
I retired to a secret place in a grove and began to call upon the Lord, while fervently engaged in supplication my mind was taken away from the objects with which I was surrounded, and I was enwrapped in a heavenly vision and saw two glorious personages who exactly resembled each other in features, and likeness, surrounded with a brilliant light which eclipsed the sun at noon-day. They told me that all religious denominations were believing in incorrect doctrines, and that none of them was acknowledged of God as his church and kingdom.
(Pratt Account)
He, therefore, retired to a secret place, in a grove, but a short distance from his father’s house, and knelt down, and began to call upon the Lord. At first, he was severely tempted by the powers of darkness, which endeavoured to overcome him; but he continued to seek for deliverance, until darkness gave way from his mind; and he was enabled to pray, in fervency of the spirit, and in faith. And, while thus pouring out his soul, anxiously desiring an answer from God, he, at length, saw a very bright and glorious light in the heavens above; which, at first, seemed to be at a considerable distance. He continued praying, while the light appeared to be gradually descending towards him; and, as it drew nearer, it increased in brightness, and magnitude, so that, by the time that it reached the tops of the trees, the whole wilderness, for some distance around, was illuminated in a most glorious and brilliant manner. He expected to have seen the leaves and boughs of the trees consumed, as soon as the light came in contact with them; but, perceiving that it did not produce that effect, he was encouraged with the hopes of being able to endure its presence. It continued descending, slowly, until it rested upon the earth, and he was enveloped in the midst of it. When it first came upon him, it produced a peculiar sensation throughout his whole system; and, immediately, his mind was caught away, from the natural objects with which he was surrounded; and he was enwrapped in a heavenly vision, and saw two glorious personages, who exactly resembled each other in their features or likeness. He was informed, that his sins were forgiven. … after which, the vision withdrew, leaving his mind in a state of calmness and peace, indescribable.
(Hyde Account)
On one occasion, he went to a small grove of trees near his father’s home and knelt down before God in solemn prayer. The adversary then made several strenuous efforts to cool his ardent soul. He filled his mind with doubts and brought to mind all manner of inappropriate images to prevent him from obtaining the object of his endeavors; but the overflowing mercy of God came to buoy him up and gave new impetus to his failing strength. However, the dark cloud soon parted and light and peace filled his frightened heart. Once again he called upon the Lord with faith and fervency of spirit. At this sacred moment, the natural world around him was excluded from his view, so that he would be open to the presentation of heavenly and spiritual things. Two glorious heavenly personages stood before him, resembling each other exactly in features and stature. They told him that his prayers had been answered and that the Lord had decided to grant him a special blessing. … The vision closed and peace and calm filled his mind.
(Richards Journal)
saying that when he was a youth he began to think about these things but could not find out which of all the sects were right. He went into the grove and inquired of the Lord which of all the sects were right; received for answer that none of them were right, that they were all wrong, and that the everlasting covenant was broken.
(White Interview)
I kneeled down, and prayed, saying, ‘O Lord, what Church shall I join?’ Directly I saw a light, and then a glorious personage in the light, and then another personage, and the first personage said to the second, ‘Behold my beloved son, hear him.’ I then addressed this second person, saying, ‘O Lord, what Church shall I join?’ He replied, ‘don’t join any of them, they are all corrupt.’ The vision then vanished, and when I came to myself, I was sprawling on my back; and it was sometime before my strength returned.
(Neibaur Journal)
went into the wood to pray; knelt himself down; his tongue was closed, cleaved to his roof, could not utter a word; felt easier after awhile; saw a fire towards heaven, came near and nearer; saw a personage in the fire; light complexion, blue eyes, a piece of white cloth drawn over his shoulders, his right arm bare; after awhile another person came to the side of the first. Mr. Smith then asked, “Must I join the Methodist Church?” “No, they are not my people; all have gone astray; there is none that doeth good, no not one. But this is my Beloved Son; hearken ye him.” The fire drew nigher, rested upon the tree, enveloped him. Comforted. Endeavored to arise but felt uncommonly feeble.