Mormon Miscellaneous Worldwide Talk Show

First Vision Accounts 2

I continued the subject from last week, specifically assessing the argument that Joseph Smith changed his story of the First Vision to fit his developing view of the Godhead.This argument claims that in 1832, the year of the first written account, Joseph Smith believed that there is only one person who is God, who manifests himself as the Father at times, and as the Son at other times. Jesus is thus, the Father and the Son, and so according to his 1832 theology, there is only one Divine person, not two. This argument insists that his theology evolved to a belief in two Divine beings.As a result, subsequent accounts of his First Vision fit this new view of God and nine of the other ten accounts, from 1832-1844 declare the appearance of two persons.I presented and discussed several relevant sources dating to 1830-1832 which have been overlooked by those who promote this view. These sources support the position that, prior to 1832, Joseph Smith believed that God has appeared on occasion, that He appears to introduce his Son and that Jesus has a Father who is a separate, distinct personage, concepts consistent with that found in his 1838 account, the one printed in the Pearl of Great Price.Several listeners joined in the discussion, while others took the discussion down another path.

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First Vision Accounts

In this talk show I discuss the early accounts of Joseph Smith’s First Vision - those recorded during his lifetime, 1830 to 1844. One was written by Joseph Smith in 1832, two others were dictated by him in 1835 and 1838, and another was written by him for publication in 1842. The other six are second hand accounts. Five of the accounts had not been published until after 1969.

I am specifically interested in the allegation that an examination of these accounts demonstrates that Joseph Smith fabricated the First Vision and changed it to fit new circumstances and his developing views about God. I approach the topic by resorting to common sense and comparing some variations in the several accounts. I discuss the publication history of several of the accounts and the remarkable fact that it seems Joseph Smith was reluctant to publish an account of his First Vision until 1842. I responded to several callers and email on the topic, and to one caller, who would not affirm or deny that he is an American, but who startlingly encourages that Mormons be wiped of the earth by any means possible.

Podcast address: www.mormonmisc.podbean.com Talk Show Blog: www.mormonmiscellaneous.com/radioprogramblog

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Mormon History with Mormon History Association President

My guests were Ron Esplin and Larry King. Ron is the current president of the Mormon History Association and also the Managing Editor of the Joseph Smith Papers Project. Continue Reading »

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