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The First Visitation ofThe First Visitation of
Joseph Smith the ProphetJoseph Smith the Prophet
Prepared by Douglas Maughan Rel.
541-2
The first visitation to joseph smith1
The first visitation to joseph smith1
William J. Berenstein
♦ This was to be an age of unparalleled scientific discovery and
technological advance, with extraordinary social, political,
economic, and demographic implications. A well known
economic commentator, William J. Berenstein, not a Latter-
day Saint, recently came to a remarkable conclusion:
♦ Beginning around 1820, the pace of economic advance picked
up noticeably, making the world a better place to live in.
What happened? An explosion in technological innovation
the likes of which had never before been seen. The lot of the
average individual, measured as real per capita GDP, did not
change at all during the first millennium after the birth of
Christ. Over the next 500 years, between A.D. 1000 and
1500, things did not get much better. Before 1820, there had
been only minuscule progress from decade to decade and
century to century. After 1820, the world steadily became a
more prosperous place…[The] growth of the global economy
took off, bringing prosperity despite the repeated devastation
of war, civil strife, and revolution. (William J. Berenstein,
The Birth of Plenty, pp 15, 18-19)
William J. Berenstein
♦ We live in a period of history to which that misunderstood
and much overused word, “awesome,” truly applies. This
is the season of fulness and fulfillment. The world has
been linked together as never before. Scientific
understanding has reached ever greater heights and most of
the technical inventions of mankind have occurred since
1820. Most of the per capita wealth of mankind has been
generated since 1820, as have 85% of all the people that
have ever lived. It is hard for a Latter-day Saint to think
that this onrush of knowledge, invention, wealth,
population, and political-economic integration since 1820
is but coincidental. What an exciting time to live, an age in
which prophets and seers of ancient time wished to have
lived!
From the Fredrick G. Williams 1832
Account…
♦ Joseph Smith’s personal awakenings began at the
age of 11-12 and grew over a period of 2-3
years…At first his thoughts turned inward . He
was concerned with the eternal welfare of his own
soul …as he had become “convicted of his sins”
(1832) …and bcame overwhelmed with the
awesomeness of eternity….and no church seemed
to be built up as the Church of Christ in the New
Testament (1832,1842 Account)
♦ Opening the Heavens p.55
Pratt 1840
♦ He began seriously to reflect upon the
necessity of being prepared for a future
state of existence; but how or in what way,
to prepare himself, was a question as yet,
undetermined in his own mind: he
perceived that it was a question of infinite
importance, and that the salvation of his
soul depended upon a correct understanding
of the same.
The First Visitation:
♦ The greatest event that has ever occurred in the
world, since the resurrection of the Son of God
from the tomb and his ascension on high, was the
coming of the Father and the Son to that boy
Joseph Smith. (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine,
p. 495).
The first visitation to joseph smith1
The First Visitation
♦ Once or twice in a thousand years a new door is
opened through which all men must enter if they
are to gain peace in this life and be inheritors of
eternal life in the realms ahead.
♦ Once or twice in a score of generations a new era
dawns: the light from the east begins to drive the
darkness of the earth from the hearts of the
children of men.
The first visitation to joseph smith1
A Moment of Intimacy…
♦ Now and then in a peaceful grove, apart
from the gaze of men, heaven and earth
share a moment of intimacy, and neither are
ever the same. Such a moment occurred on
that beautiful clear morning, in the spring of
1820 in a grove of trees near Palmyra New
York. Man asked and God answered.
Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son.
(Bruce R. McConkie, En. Nov. 1975, p.18)
JSH 1:1-15
♦ 1 OWING to the many reports which have
been put in circulation by evil-disposed and
designing persons, in relation to the rise and
progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, all of which have been
designed by the authors thereof to militate
against its character as a Church and its
progress in the world—I have been induced
to write this history, to disabuse the public
mind, and put all inquirers after truth in
possession of the facts, as they have
transpired,
Birth of Joseph…obscure among
the hero’s…
"A century ago men were
following with bated breath
the march of Napoleon and
waiting with feverish
impatience for news of the
wars. And all the while in
their homes babies were
being born. But who could
think about babies?
Everybody was thinking
about battles.
The first visitation to joseph smith1
A host of hero’s…
"In one year between Trafalgar
and Waterloo there stole into
the world a host of heroes:
Gladstone was born in
Liverpool; Tennyson at the
Somersby Rectory, and Oliver
Wendell Holmes in
Massachusetts. Abraham
Lincoln was born in Kentucky,
and music was enriched by the
advent of Felix Mendelssohn in
Hamburg."
The first visitation to joseph smith1
Birth of Joseph
And we might add, and Joseph
Smith was born in Vermont, four
years earlier.
Quoting Bareham further:
"But nobody thought of babies,
everybody was thinking of battles.
Yet which of the battles of 1809
mattered more than the babies of
1809? We fancy God can manage
his world only with great battalions,
when all the time he is doing it with
beautiful babies.
"When a wrong wants righting, or a
truth wants preaching, or a
continent wants discovering, God
sends a baby into the world to do
it."
The first visitation to joseph smith1
The first visitation to joseph smith1
1805
Dec. 23 Birth of Joseph Smith in Sharon
Township Windsor County Vermont
2 Nephi 3:14-15
If I knew how the little cuss was going to turn out
I’d have smothered the little cuss.”
1811 Joseph Smith Sr. has a series of 7 inspired
dreams
1812-13 Seven year old Joseph suffered from
complications of typhoid And was operated on he
remained on crutches for three years
1813 Joseph went to Salem Massachusetts to
recover
Typhoid fever came into West Lebanon
and “raged tremendously.”
It was part of an epidemic that swept the
upper Connecticut valley leaving six thousand
people dead. One by one the Smith children
fell ill. Sophronia, afflicted for three months,
was near death but began to recover when
Joseph and Lucy beseeched the Lord to
spare her. Seven-year-old Joseph, Jr.,
recovered from his fever after two weeks but
suffered complications that eventually
required four surgeries.
Typhoid Epidemic 1813
Leg Operation (1812- 13)
In 1813, in Amierica surgery was not a medical
specialty. There were no surgeons as we know
them today. Only a few who practiced medicine
had ever attended medical school. Like early
attorney’s and ministers doctors rode many miles
over rough country rodes to their patients bedside.
There was not a single institution in New England
that could be called a hospitol in 1813.
These were also prelisterian days of surgery.
Before appreciation of bacterial infections, before
antisceptic dressings...
Surgical tools from the Early
1800’s
The most serious
complication involved
a swelling and
infection in the tibia of
his left leg, a
condition that today
would be called
osteomyelitis. Joseph
was in
…agony for over two weeks
.Through out the ordeal his
older brother Hyrum showed
him great tenderness. Lucy
recorded: “Hyrum sat beside
him, almost day and night for
some considerable length of
time, holding the affected part
of his leg in his hands and
pressing it between them, so
that
…his afflicted brother might be
enabled to endure the pain.”24 The
first two attempts to reduce the
swelling and drain the infection in
Joseph’s leg failed. The chief
surgeon recommended
amputation, but Lucy
refused and urged the doctors,
“You will not, you must not, take off
his leg,
until you try once more.”25
Providentially, “the only physician in the United
States who aggressively and successfully
operated for osteomyelitis” in that era was Dr.
Nathan Smith, a brilliant physician at Dartmouth
Medical College in Hanover, New Hampshire.26
He was the principal surgeon, or at least the
chief adviser, in Joseph’s case. In his treatment
of the disease, Dr. Smith was generations ahead
of his time. Joseph insisted on enduring the
operation without being bound or drinking
brandy wine to dull his senses. He asked his
mother to leave the room so she would not have
to see him suffer.
She consented, but when the physicians
broke off part of the bone with forceps and
Joseph screamed, she rushed back into
the room. “Oh, mother, go back, go back,”
Joseph cried out. She did, but returned a
second time only to be removed again.27
After the ordeal Joseph went with his
Uncle Jesse Smith to the seaport town of
Salem, Massachusetts,
… hoping that the sea breezes would help
his recovery. Due to the severity of the
operation, his recovery was slow. He
walked with crutches for three years and
sometimes limped slightly thereafter, but
he returned to health and led a robust life.
According to his mother, Joseph’s
operation may have been the only notable
incident in his early boyhood.
What has God taught you from the
disappointments in your life?
Leg operation-Hyrum, Lucy, Joseph Sr.
Mt. Tambora
Financial Challenges
Elder Holland Angels
Mount Tambora
The 1815 eruption is rated 7
on the Volcanic Explosivity
Index, the only such eruption
since the Lake Taupo
eruption in about 180 AD.[6]
With an estimated ejecta
volume of 160 cubic
kilometers, Tambora's 1815
outburst was the largest
volcanic eruption in recorded
history. The explosion was
heard on Sumatra island
(more than 2,000 km (1,200
mi) away).
Mount Tambora
The death toll was at least 71,000 people (the
most deadly eruption in recorded history), of
whom 11,000–12,000 were killed directly by
the eruption;[6]
the often-cited figure of 92,000
people killed is believed to be overestimated.[7]
The eruption created global climate anomalies
that included the phenomenon known as
"volcanic winter": 1816 became known as the
"Year Without a Summer" because of the
effect on North American and European
weather.
Mt. Tambora…
Agricultural crops failed and livestock died in much of
the Northern Hemisphere, resulting in the worst faminethe worst famine
of the 19th centuryof the 19th century
Sometime in 1816, Joseph Smith Sr., like many
other New Englanders of the period, traveled west
in search of a new beginning. He arrived in
Palmyra village, New York, a few weeks after his
departure from Vermont. He left His family in
Vermont. to settle accounts and to prepare for their
journey west to a new home. By 1818, he had
accumulated enough money for a down payment
on a hundred acre woodland area in the area of
Farmington township. During the first year, he and
his sons cleared 30 acres of heavy timber,
prepared the ground for cultivation and planted
wheat.
1816 Smith’s moved from Norwich Vermont to
Palmyra NY Joseph walked 40 miles a day in
snow with his bad leg
1818 Smith’s purchased a farm in Farmington
township
1819 Revivals intensified in Palmyra vicinity
1819 Joseph Smith Sr. has his last visit from the
messenger of his dreams and tells him he has one
thing in his life that is still needful for Salvation
(Ordinances)
Visions of Joseph Sr. and Lucy (Joel 2:28;
Amos 3:7)
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I
will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and
your sons and daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams, and your
young men shall see visions:
The first visitation to joseph smith1
What do we know about the Smith
Family?Foreordained
Visionary Family (Joel 2:29-30)
Patriotic-Solomon Mack
Indentured-servant-poverty to wealth-Poverty …
conversion
Large family 11 children
United
Persecuted
Poor and Industrious…
Clearing the forests
Maple syrup
Oil Clothes
Bake Goods
Building Wells
♦ in relation both to myself and the Church, so far as
I have such facts in my possession.
♦ 2 In this history I shall present the various events
in relation to this Church, in truth and
righteousness, as they have transpired, or as they at
present exist, being now [1838] the eighth year
since the organization of the said Church.
♦ 3 I was born in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and five, on the twenty-third day of
December, in the town of Sharon, Windsor county,
State of Vermont . . . My father, Joseph Smith,
Sen., left the State of Vermont, and moved to
Palmyra, Ontario (now Wayne) county, in the State
of New York, when I was in my tenth year, or
thereabouts. In about four years after my father's
arrival in Palmyra, he moved with his family into
Manchester in the same county of Ontario—
♦ 4 His family consisting of eleven souls, namely,
my father, Joseph Smith; my mother, Lucy Smith
(whose name, previous to her marriage, was Mack,
daughter of Solomon Mack); my brothers, Alvin
(who died November 19th, 1823, in the 26th year
of his age), Hyrum, myself, Samuel Harrison,
William, Don Carlos; and my sisters, Sophronia,
Catherine, and Lucy.
♦ 5 Some time in the second year after our removal
to Manchester, there was in the place where we
lived an unusual excitement on the subject of
religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but
soon became general among all the sects in that
region of country. Indeed, the whole district of
country seemed affected by it, and great multitudes
united themselves to the different religious parties,
which created no small stir and division amongst
the people, some crying, "Lo, here!" and others,
"Lo, there!" Some were contending for the
Methodist faith, some for the Presbyterian, and
some for the Baptist.
♦ 6 For, notwithstanding the great love which the
converts to these different faiths expressed at the
time of their conversion, and the great zeal
manifested by the respective clergy, who were
active in getting up and promoting this
extraordinary scene of religious feeling, in order to
have everybody converted, as they were pleased to
call it, let them join what sect they pleased; yet
when the converts began to file off, some to one
party and some to another,
JSH 1:6
♦ … it was seen that the seemingly good
feelings of both the priests and the converts
were more pretended than real; for a scene
of great confusion and bad feeling ensued—
priest contending against priest, and convert
against convert; so that all their good
feelings one for another, if they ever had
any, were entirely lost in a strife of words
and a contest about opinions.
♦ 7 I was at this time in my fifteenth year. My
father's family was proselyted to the Presbyterian
faith, and four of them joined that church, namely,
my mother, Lucy; my brothers Hyrum and Samuel
Harrison; and my sister Sophronia.
♦ 8 During this time of great excitement my mind
was called up to serious reflection and great
uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and
often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all
these parties, though I attended their several
meetings as often as occasion would permit. In
process of time my mind became somewhat partial
to the Methodist sect,
JSH 1:8
♦ …and I felt some desire to be united with
them; but so great were the confusion and
strife among the different denominations,
that it was impossible for a person young as
I was, and so unacquainted with men and
things, to come to any certain conclusion
who was right and who was wrong.
♦ 9 My mind at times was greatly excited, the cry
and tumult were so great and incessant. The
Presbyterians were most decided against the
Baptists and Methodists, and used all the powers of
both reason and sophistry to prove their errors, or,
at least, to make the people think they were in
error. On the other hand, the Baptists and
Methodists in their turn were equally zealous in
endeavoring to establish their own tenets and
disprove all others.
♦ 10 In the midst of this war of words and tumult of
opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be
done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are
♦ 13 At length I came to the conclusion that I must
either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I
must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at
length came to the determination to "ask of God,"
concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that
lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not
upbraid, I might venture.
♦ 14 So, in accordance with this, my determination
to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the
attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear
day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and
twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had
made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I
♦ 15 After I had retired to the place where I had
previously designed to go, having looked around
me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and
began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I
had scarcely done so, when immediately I was
seized upon by some power which entirely
overcame me, and had such an astonishing
influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I
could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around
me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were
doomed to sudden destruction.
JSH 1:15
(Orson Hyde 1842 account)
♦ The adversary made
several strenuous
attempts to cool the
passion of [my] soul.
He clouded [my] mind
with dougts, and
brought to my mind all
sorts of improper
images to prevent [me]
from attaining the
object of [my]
endeavors;
James 1:5
1835 Recital of --Warren
Cowdrey recorded
♦ I called on the Lord...My tongue seemed
swollen in my mouth, so that I could not utter,
I heard a noise behind me like someone
walking towards me. I strove again to pray,
but could not; the noise walking seemed to
draw nearer, I sprang to my feet and looked
around, but saw no person or thing that was
calculated to produce the noise of walking. I
kneeled down again, my mouth was opened
and my tongue was loosed; I called on the
Lord in mighty prayer.
♦ 15 After I had retired to the place where I had
previously designed to go, having looked around
me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and
began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I
had scarcely done so, when immediately I was
seized upon by some power which entirely
overcame me, and had such an astonishing
influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I
could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around
me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were
doomed to sudden destruction.
♦ (Pearl of Great Price | JS-History 1:15 - 16)
♦ 16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon
God to deliver me out of the power of this
enemy which had seized upon me, and at
the very moment when I was ready to sink
into despair and abandon myself to
destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but
to the power of some actual being from the
unseen world, who had such marvelous
power as I had never before felt in any
being—just at this moment of great alarm,
Joseph Recorded in his Journal of Nov. 9,14 1835
That he told Robert Matthias and Erastus Holmes…
♦ …there were “many angels in this vision”..
♦ … “the first visitation of angels was when I
was about 14 years old…”
Moses 1:12-23
The Nature of the Satan
♦ JSH 1:14-15
♦ Gen. 15:12-13
♦ 2 Thes.2:3, 4
♦ Rev. 20:3
♦ Rev. 12:7-12
♦ Isa. 14:12-17
♦ DC 76:26-29
The Nature of Lucifer
♦ 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer,
son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the
ground, which didst weaken the nations!
♦ 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend
into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars
of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the
congregation, in the sides of the north:
♦ 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I
will be like the most High.
♦ 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the
sides of the pit.
♦ 16 They that see thee shall narrowly look
upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this
the man that made the earth to tremble, that
did shake kingdoms;
♦ 17 That made the world as a wilderness,
and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened
not the house of his prisoners?
♦ (Old Testament | Isaiah 14:12 - 17)
The Nature of Lucifer
♦ 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that
day shall not come, except there come a falling
away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son
of perdition;
♦ 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all
that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he
as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing
himself that he is God.
♦ (New Testament | 2 Thessalonians 2:3 - 4)
♦ 7. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work,
and he it is who now worketh, and Christ suffereth
him to work, until the time is fulfilled that he shall
be taken out of the way.
♦ 8. And then shall that wicked one be revealed,
whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of
his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of
his coming.
♦ 9. Yea, the Lord, even Jesus, whose coming is not
until after there cometh a falling away, by the
working of Satan with all power, and signs and
lying wonders,
♦ (JST | 2 Thessalonians 2:7 - 9)
During the Millennium
Revelation 20:1-3
(X-ref) 1 Nephi 22:24-26
“When Satan is bound in a single home—
when Satan is bound in a single life—the
Millennium has already begun in that home,
in that life!” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.172)
Joseph Fielding Smith
♦ I maintain that had there
been no restoration of the
gospel, and no
organization of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints, there would
have been no radio; there
would have been no
airplane, and there would
not have been the
wonderul discoveries in
medicine, chemistry,
electricity, and the many
other things wherein the
world has been benefited
by such discoveries.
Joseph Fielding Smith
♦ Under such conditions
these blessings would
have been withheld, for
they belong to the
Dispensation of the
Fulness of Times of which
the restoration of the
gospel and the
organization of the Church
constitute the central
point, from which radiates
the Spirit of the Lord
throughout the world.
RestorationRestoration
♦ … Now let me say briefly that I do
not believe for one moment that these
discoveries have come by chance, or
that they have come because of
superior intelligence possessed by
men today over those who lived in
ages that are past. They have come
and are coming because the time is
ripe, because the Lord has willed it,
and because he has poured out his
Spirit on all flesh.
♦ Elder Joseph Fielding Smith (October 1926)
The first visitation to joseph smith1
JSH 1:16JSH 1:16
♦ I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above
the brightness of the sun, which descended
gradually until it fell upon me.
♦ 17 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!
1844 May 24 --Alexander Neibaur’s
Recording of Joseph Smith’s Testimony
♦ ...saw a fire toward heaven came near and nearer;
saw a personage in the fore , light complexion,
blue eyes, a piece of white clothe drawn over his
shoulders his right arm bare after awhile a other
person came to the side of the first. Mr. Smith then
asked, must I join the Methodist church. No, they
are not my people, have gone astray there is none
that doeth good not one, but this is my beloved
son hear Him, the fire drew nigher, rested upon
the tree, enveloped him, comforted, I endeavored
to rise but felt uncommon feable...
(Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 1:6)
♦ 6 And it came to pass as he prayed unto the
Lord, there came a pillar of firepillar of fire and dwelt
upon a rock before him; and he saw and
heard much; and because of the things
which he saw and heard he did quake and
tremble exceedingly.
Shechinah. The Presence
A word used by the later Jews (and borrowed
from them by the Christians) to denote the
cloud of brightness and glory that marked the
presence of the Lord, as spoken of in Ex. 3:1–6;
24:16; 1 Kgs. 8:10; Isa. 6:1–3; Matt. 17:5; Acts
7:55. The Prophet Joseph Smith described this
phenomenon in connection with his first vision,
as a "light ... above the brightness of the sun,"
and said that he saw two Personages whose
"brightness and glory defy all description,"
standing "in the light" (JS-H 1:16–18).
♦ (Bible Dictionary | S Shechinah:Entry)
The first visitation to joseph smith1
1843 September 23--Nonmember editor
account in Pittsburgh Gazette
I immediately went out into the woods
where my father had a clearing, and went to
the stump where I had stuck my axe when I
had quit work, and kneeled down and
prayed, saying oh Lord, what church shall I
join? Directly I saw a light, and then a
glorious personage in light, and then
another personage, the first said to the
second, behold my beloved Son, Hear
Him...
John Alger
John Alger
♦ [February 2, 1893] Brother
John Alger said while speaking
of the Prophet Joseph Smith,
that when he, John, was a small
boy he heard the Prophet
Joseph relate his vision of
seeing the Father and the Son,
[and] that God touched his eyes
with his finger and said
"Joseph, this is my Beloved
Son, hear Him." As soon as the
Lord had touched his eyes with
his finger he immediately saw
the Savior.
John Alger as recorded by Charles
Walker in 1893
♦ After meeting, a few of us
questioned him about the matter and
he told us at the bottom of the
meeting house steps that he was in
the house of Father Smith in Kirtland
when Joseph made this declaration,
and that Joseph while speaking of it
put his finger to his right eye, suiting
the action with the words so as to
illustrate and at the same time
impress the occurrence on the minds
of those unto whom he was
speaking. We enjoyed the
conversation very much, as it was
something that we had never seen in
church history or heard of before. Heard
Joseph testify of the First Vision, saying God the Father appeared first and touched his eye,
enabling him to see the Son. (A. Karl Larson and Katharine Miles Larson, Diary of Charles Lowell Walker, 2 vols.
(Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1980), 2:540.
““As tangible as man’s…”As tangible as man’s…”
♦ 22 The Father has a22 The Father has a
body of flesh and bonesbody of flesh and bones
as tangible as man's; theas tangible as man's; the
Son also…Son also…
♦ (Doctrine and(Doctrine and
Covenants | SectionCovenants | Section
130:22)130:22)
The first visitation to joseph smith1
1835 Recital: Monday Nov. 9th.
♦ A pillar of fire appeared above my head; which
presently rested down upon me, and filled mefilled me
with unspeakable joy.with unspeakable joy. A personage appeared in
the midst of this pillar of flame, which was spread
all around and yet nothing consumed. Another
personage appeared soon appeared like the first;
he said unto me thy sins are forgiven thee. He
testified also unto me that Jesus Christ is the son
of God. I saw many angels in this vision. I was
about 14 years old when I recieved this first
communication.
Said President Brigham Young: “There is no spirit but
what was pure and holy when it came here from the
celestial world. … He is the Father of our spirits; and if
we could know, understand, and do His will, every soul
would be prepared to return back into His presence.
And when they get there, they would see that they had
formerly lived there for ages, that they had previously
been acquainted with every nook and corner, with the
palaces, walks, and gardens; and they would embrace
their Father, and He would embrace them and say, ‘My
son, my daughter, I have you again;’ and the child
would say, ‘O my Father, my Father, I am here again’ ”
(in Journal of Discourses, 4:268). Bishop Keith B. McMullin,
Welcome Home, Ensign (CR), May 1999, p.79
The first visitation to joseph smith1
Abba - Father
♦ Gal. 4: 6 - 7
♦ And because ye are sons, God hath sent
forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts,
crying Abba, Father
The first visitation to joseph smith1
Three things necessary toThree things necessary to
Exercise faith unto life and salvationExercise faith unto life and salvation
1.A Correct Knowledge of the existence of God1.A Correct Knowledge of the existence of God
2. A correct understanding of the character, person2. A correct understanding of the character, person
and perfections of God.and perfections of God.
3.A knowledge that our course in life is in harmony3.A knowledge that our course in life is in harmony
Gods plan for usGods plan for us
Pre-mortal LifePre-mortal Life
Living with GodLiving with God
Earth LifeEarth Life
Becoming Like GodBecoming Like God
Being Like God
Character of God Our FatherCharacter of God Our Father
Glorified Perfected BodyGlorified Perfected Body
Eternal Marriage &FamilyEternal Marriage &Family
OmnipotentOmnipotent
OmnipresentOmnipresent
OmniscientOmniscient
Divine NatureDivine Nature
KindnessKindness
LoveLove
JusticeJustice
MercyMercy
MeeknessMeekness
ForgivingForgiving
PatientPatient
Long SufferingLong Suffering
CreatorCreator
HappyHappy
The VeilThe Veil
Satan &1/3 Cast outSatan &1/3 Cast out
Gifts of the SpiritGifts of the Spirit
Revelation/VisionsRevelation/Visions
VisitationsVisitations
ProphetsProphets
ScriptureScripture
BlessingsBlessings
Divine NatureDivine Nature
Covenants OrdinancesCovenants Ordinances
BaptismBaptism
Holy GhostHoly Ghost
SacramentSacrament
PriesthoodPriesthood
Temple CovenantsTemple Covenants
Home FamilyHome Family
In a Fallen WorldIn a Fallen World
Judgment and resurrectionJudgment and resurrection
MosesMoses
1:331:33
Abr.Abr.
3:22-243:22-24
AlmaAlma
13:313:3
Celestial
Terrestrial
Telestial
2. Pride and Wickedness2. Pride and Wickedness
( Helaman 3:33-36;4:11-12; 6:16-17
3 Nephi 6:13-18)
1. Blessings and Prosperity1. Blessings and Prosperity
Helaman 3:25-26,32
Helaman 11:20-21; 3 Nephi 6:1-9
3. Destruction and Suffering3. Destruction and Suffering
Helaman 4:1-2, 11, 13
11:1-6; 3 Nephi 9:1-12
ObedienceObedience
♦Righteous ActionRighteous Action
(John 7:17; Ether 12:6, 27)
EvidenceEvidence
(Alma 32:21; D&C 6:21-24
Hebrews 11:1)
AssuranceAssurance
D&C 123:17; 1 Thes.1:5; Alma 58:11;D&C 123:17; 1 Thes.1:5; Alma 58:11;
1 John 3:19;D&C 106:81 John 3:19;D&C 106:8
HumilityHumility
Helaman 3:35Alma 7:22-23;Helaman 3:35Alma 7:22-23;
Alma 13:28-29Alma 13:28-29
Alma 27:18; Alma 32:13-16Alma 27:18; Alma 32:13-16
Jesus was showing us the Father…
John 8:28,38
The first visitation to joseph smith1
♦ We have now clearly set forth how it is, and
how it was, that God became an object of faith
for rational beings; and also upon what
foundation the testimony was based which
excited the inquiry and diligent search of the
ancient saints to seek after and obtain a
knowledge of the glory of God; and we have
seen that it was human testimony, and human
testimony only, that excited this inquiry, in the
first instance, in their minds. It was the
credence they gave to the testimony of their
fathers, this testimony having aroused their
minds to inquire after the knowledge of God;
the inquiry frequently terminated when rightly
pursued, in the most glorious discoveries and
eternal certainty.
♦ Lectures on Faith –Joseph Smith Second lecture p.24,
Quote 56
♦
What is my Heavenly Father
like?
♦ God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man,
and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great
secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who
holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all the worlds
and all things by his power, was to make himself visible,--I
say if you were to see Him today, you would see him like a
man in form --like yourselves in all the person, image, and
very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very
fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction
from, and walked , talked and conversed with Him, as one
man talks and communes with another.
♦ (The King Follet Discourse-Times and Seasons Aug. 15, 1844--
Joseph Smith)
♦ “During the winter of 1833 we had a number of prayer
meetings in the Prophet’s chamber. In one of those
meetings the Prophet told us, if we could humble ourselves
before God, and exercise strong faith, we should see the
face of the Lord. And about midday, the visions of my mind
were opened, and the eyes of my understanding were
enlightened, and I saw the form of a man, most lovely. The
visage of his face was sound and fair as the sun. His hair a
bright silver gray, curled in most majestic form, His eyes a
keen penetrating blue, and the skin of his neck a most
beautiful white. And He was covered from neck to the feet
with a loose garment, pure white, whiter than any garment I
have ever before seen. His countenance was most
penetrating, and yet most lovely...And while I was
endeavoring to comprehend the whole personage from head
to feet, it slipped from me. But it left on my mind the
impression of love, for months, that I never felt before to
Is Heavenly Father Happy?
♦ I am perfectly satisfied that my Father and my
God is a cheerful, pleasant, lively and good-
natured being. Why? Because I am cheerful
pleasant, lively and good natured when I have His
spirit . That is one reason why I know and another
is – the Lord said through the prophet Joseph
Smith, I delight in a glad heart and a cheerful
countenance. That arises from the perfection of his
attributes. (Heber C. Kimball, JD 4:222; 3 Ne.
28:10; Moses 7:28-32)
The first visitation to joseph smith1
How long did I live in His house?
♦ ....Man as a spirit, was begotten and born of
Heavenly Parents, and reared to maturity in the
eternal mansions of the Father; that man is the
offspring of celestial parentage; and that all men
and women are in the similitude of the universal
Father and Mother, and are literally the sons and
daughters of deity.
♦ (First Presidency 1909, quoted in the Relief
Society Magazine, Dec. 1970, p.884)
♦ 18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was
to know which of all the sects was right, that I
might know which to join. No sooner, therefore,
did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to
speak, than I asked the Personages who stood
above me in the light, which of all the sects was
right (for at this time it had never entered into my
heart that all were wrong)—and which I should
join.
♦ 19 I was answered that I must join none of them,
for they were all wrong; and the Personage who
addressed me said that all their creeds were an
abomination in his sight; that those professors
were all corrupt; that: "they draw near to me with
their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they
teach for doctrines the commandments of men,
having a form of godliness, but they deny the
power thereof."
♦ 20 He again forbade me to join with any of them;
and many other things did he say unto me,many other things did he say unto me,
which I cannot write at this timewhich I cannot write at this time. When I came
to myself again, I found myself lying on my back,
looking up into heaven. When the light had
departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in
some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to
the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was.
The first visitation to joseph smith1
Joseph’s 1835 account of the
First Vision reads:
♦ A pillar of fire appeared above my head; which
presently rested down upon me, and filled me with
unspeakable joy. 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. f
♦ (The Doctrine of Divine Embodiment:
Restoration, Judeo-Christian, and Philosophical
Perspectives, BYU Studies, vol. 35 (1995),
Number 3--1996 .)
What Joseph Smith Heard…
♦ 1. The Reality of
Christ-(1838) “This is
my beloved son Hear
Him”
– The Savior Himself
Declared “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”
2. He learned that the
Father and the Son
knew him personally,
and called him
intimately by name,
“Joseph<my son>”and
told him “thy sins are
forgiven thee” (1832,
Nov. 9 1835)
What Joseph Smith Heard
3. Young Joseph was encouraged to go his
way and keep the commandments
4.Joseph asked his question, “Which of all the
sects was right ?(1838). According to
Neibaur account Joseph asked, “Must I join
the Methodist church?” He was told to join
none of them for they were all wrong and
none was doing good…
What Joseph Heard?
5. The Lord bore witness to Joseph of the
Apostasy and the current state of nominal
Christianity. “the world lieth in sin and at
this time and none doeth good no not one
they have turned aside from my gospel and
keep not my commandments they draw near
to me with their lips while their hearts are
far from me”(1832) God looketh on the
heart.
What Joseph Heard?
6. He was expressly commanded again not to
join with the false churches, apostasy was
found in sin, corruption and the teaching of
false doctrines.(1838,1840)their
“creeds”(1838) were an
“abomination”(1842)
7. God was not the author of the confusion
and contention on the earth
What Joseph Heard and learned…
8. he learned that God was not pleased with
the situation of the world…the Lord said,
“mine anger is kindling against the
inhabitants of the earth” (1832)
9. Joseph learned that the second coming of
the Lord was close at hand. “And lo I come
quickly as it is written of me in the
cloud<clothed> in the glory of the
Father”(1832)
What Joseph Heard and learned…
10. Joseph Received a promise that the “fulness of
the gospel should at some future time be made
known unto me (Wentworth Letter 1842). Elder
Hyde stated, “ He was further commanded, to wait
patiently until some future time, when the true
doctrine of Christ and the complete truth of the
gospel would be revealed to him. (Hyde 1842)
Joseph also said he was told many other things
that he was unable to write. (1838)
The first visitation to joseph smith1
Jehovah in the Kirtland Temple
♦ 1 THE veil was taken from our minds, and the
eyes of our understanding were opened.
♦ 2 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork
of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a
paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.
♦ 3 His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his
head was white like the pure snow; his
countenance shone above the brightness of the
sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing
of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
♦ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 110:1 - 3)
The first visitation to joseph smith1
The first visitation to joseph smith1
John 17:3
The first visitation to joseph smith1
Selections from the Writings of
Edward Stevenson
♦ One of the early converts who heard Joseph Smith bear his
testimony concerning the appearance of the Father and Son
and who listened to the three witnesses preach that an
angel showed to them the plates from which the Book of
Mormon was translated was Edward Stevenson. The
following two accounts were recorded by Stevenson in the
early 1890's. The first appeared in his manuscript, "The
Life and History, Elder Edward Stevenson," 19-23, located
in the Church Historian's Office; and the second reference
is quoted from his Reminiscences of Joseph, The Prophet,
and the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon (Salt Lake
City, 1893), 4.
Selections from the Writings of
Edward Stevenson
♦ The following year after the
organization of the Pontiac [Michigan]
Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ
of L. D. Saints, in 1834, we had the
pleasure of having a visit from the
Prophet Joseph Smith: a plain but
noble looking man, of large
frame and about 6 feet
high. With him was his
Father, Joseph Smith, and
Oliver Cowdery, David
Whitmer and Martin
Harris, whose sister Sophia
Kellog lived in our
settlement. A great stir was
made in this settlement at
so distinguished visitors.
♦ The meetings held were crowded to see
and hear the testimonies given which were
very powerful. I will here relate my own
experience on the occasion of a meeting in
our log School House. The Prophet stood at
a table for the pulpit where he began
relating his vision and before he got through
he was in the midst of the congregation with
up lifted hand. I do not believe that there
was not one person present who did at the
time being, or who was not convicted of the
truth of his vision,
Selections from the Writings of
Edward Stevenson
♦ of an Angel to him his count-ance seemed to me to
assume heavenly whiteness, and his voice was so peirseing
and forcible for my part it so impressed me as to become
indellibly imprinted on my mind … In those meetings, the
Prophet said the gifts and signs should follow believers
now as they did the ancient Saints in the days of our
Saviours administration, and said he by this shall ye prove
me to be a true Prophet … The 3 witnesses bore their
testamonies as to seeing the Angle, and hearing his voice.
Their were many who were baptized ... The visit of this
man of God to our house and the testimonies of the 3
witnesses left a lasting remembrance with us and will stand
as a witness against those who were so favoured above
many.
♦ 14 So, in accordance with this, my determination
to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the
attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful,
clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred
and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I
had made such an attempt, for amidst all my
anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to
pray vocally.
♦ 15 After I had retired to the place where I had
previously designed to go, having looked around
me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and
began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I
had scarcely done so, when immediately I was
seized upon by some power which entirely
overcame me, and had such an astonishing
influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I
could not speak.
♦ Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed
to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden
destruction.
♦ 16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God
to deliver me out of the power of this enemy
which had seized upon me, and at the very
moment when I was ready to sink into despair and
abandon myself to destruction—not to an
imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual
being from the unseen world, who had such
marvelous power as I had never before felt in any
being—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 gradually
until it fell upon me.
"I have learned for myself…”"I have learned for myself…”
♦ I replied, "Never mind, all is well—I am well
enough off." I then said to my mother, "I have"I have
learned for myselflearned for myself that Presbyterianism is not
true." It seems as though the adversary was
aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was
destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his
kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness
combine against me? Why the opposition and
persecution that arose against me, almost in my
infancy?
♦ (Pearl of Great Price | JS-History 1:14 - 20)
♦ He seemed to be just as familiar with the
Spirit World, and as well acquainted
with the other side, as he was here.” ( The
words of William Taylor, brother to
President John Taylor, Joseph smith the
Prophet, Young Woman’s Journal, Jan. 17,
1906, p.548)
♦ “He learned by communication from the heavens,
from time to time, of the great events that should
transpire in the latter days. He understood things
that were past, and comprehended the various
dispensations and the designs of those
dispensations. He not only had the principles
developed, but he was conversant with the parties
who officiated as the leading men of those
dispensations, and from a number of them he
received authority and keys and priesthood and
power for the carrying out of the great purposes of
the Lord in the last days, who were sent and
commissioned specially by the Almighty to confer
upon him those keys and this authority.” ( John
Taylor in JD 20:174-5)
♦
♦ You don’t know me; you never knew my heart, no
man knows my history, I cannot tell it; I shall
never undertake it. I don’t blame any one for not
believing my history. If I had not experienced
what I have, I would not have believed it myself.
I never did harm any man since I was born in the
world. My voice is always for peace.
♦ I cannot lie down until all my work is finished. I
never think any evil, nor do anything to the harm
of my fellow-man. When I am called by the
trump of the archangel and weighed in the
balance, you will all know me then. DHC 6:317
♦ 19 Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we
have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of
mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the
earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of
gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings
of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good
things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God
reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the
knowledge of God descend upon them!
♦ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:19)
♦ 20 And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings
from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven,
declaring the fulfilment of the prophets—the book
to be revealed. A voice of the Lord in the
wilderness of Fayette, Seneca county, declaring
the three witnesses to bear record of the book!
The voice of Michael on the banks of the
Susquehanna, detecting the devil when he
appeared as an angel of light! The voice of Peter,
James, and John in the wilderness between
Harmony, Susquehanna county, and Colesville,
Broome county, on the Susquehanna river,
declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the
kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of
times!
♦ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:20)
♦ 21 And again, the voice of God in the chamber of
old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca county,
and at sundry times, and in divers places through
all the travels and tribulations of this Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! And the voice
of Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel,
and of Raphael, and of divers angels, from
Michael or Adam down to the present time, all
declaring their dispensation, their rights, their
keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the
power of their priesthood; giving line upon line,
precept upon precept; here a little, and there a
little; giving us consolation by holding forth that
which is to come, confirming our hope!
♦ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:21)
♦ 22 Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a
cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage,
brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your
hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the
earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak
forth anthems of eternal praise to the King
Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world
was, that which would enable us to redeem them
out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.
♦ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:22)
♦ 23 Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye
valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell
the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers,
and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness.
Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise
the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let
the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing
together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy!
And let the eternal creations declare his name
forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is
the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our
ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and
immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms,
principalities, and powers!
♦ 24 Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand
♦ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:23 - 24)

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The first visitation to joseph smith1

  • 1. The First Visitation ofThe First Visitation of Joseph Smith the ProphetJoseph Smith the Prophet Prepared by Douglas Maughan Rel. 541-2
  • 4. William J. Berenstein ♦ This was to be an age of unparalleled scientific discovery and technological advance, with extraordinary social, political, economic, and demographic implications. A well known economic commentator, William J. Berenstein, not a Latter- day Saint, recently came to a remarkable conclusion: ♦ Beginning around 1820, the pace of economic advance picked up noticeably, making the world a better place to live in. What happened? An explosion in technological innovation the likes of which had never before been seen. The lot of the average individual, measured as real per capita GDP, did not change at all during the first millennium after the birth of Christ. Over the next 500 years, between A.D. 1000 and 1500, things did not get much better. Before 1820, there had been only minuscule progress from decade to decade and century to century. After 1820, the world steadily became a more prosperous place…[The] growth of the global economy took off, bringing prosperity despite the repeated devastation of war, civil strife, and revolution. (William J. Berenstein, The Birth of Plenty, pp 15, 18-19)
  • 5. William J. Berenstein ♦ We live in a period of history to which that misunderstood and much overused word, “awesome,” truly applies. This is the season of fulness and fulfillment. The world has been linked together as never before. Scientific understanding has reached ever greater heights and most of the technical inventions of mankind have occurred since 1820. Most of the per capita wealth of mankind has been generated since 1820, as have 85% of all the people that have ever lived. It is hard for a Latter-day Saint to think that this onrush of knowledge, invention, wealth, population, and political-economic integration since 1820 is but coincidental. What an exciting time to live, an age in which prophets and seers of ancient time wished to have lived!
  • 6. From the Fredrick G. Williams 1832 Account… ♦ Joseph Smith’s personal awakenings began at the age of 11-12 and grew over a period of 2-3 years…At first his thoughts turned inward . He was concerned with the eternal welfare of his own soul …as he had become “convicted of his sins” (1832) …and bcame overwhelmed with the awesomeness of eternity….and no church seemed to be built up as the Church of Christ in the New Testament (1832,1842 Account) ♦ Opening the Heavens p.55
  • 7. Pratt 1840 ♦ He began seriously to reflect upon the necessity of being prepared for a future state of existence; but how or in what way, to prepare himself, was a question as yet, undetermined in his own mind: he perceived that it was a question of infinite importance, and that the salvation of his soul depended upon a correct understanding of the same.
  • 8. The First Visitation: ♦ The greatest event that has ever occurred in the world, since the resurrection of the Son of God from the tomb and his ascension on high, was the coming of the Father and the Son to that boy Joseph Smith. (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 495).
  • 10. The First Visitation ♦ Once or twice in a thousand years a new door is opened through which all men must enter if they are to gain peace in this life and be inheritors of eternal life in the realms ahead. ♦ Once or twice in a score of generations a new era dawns: the light from the east begins to drive the darkness of the earth from the hearts of the children of men.
  • 12. A Moment of Intimacy… ♦ Now and then in a peaceful grove, apart from the gaze of men, heaven and earth share a moment of intimacy, and neither are ever the same. Such a moment occurred on that beautiful clear morning, in the spring of 1820 in a grove of trees near Palmyra New York. Man asked and God answered. Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son. (Bruce R. McConkie, En. Nov. 1975, p.18)
  • 13. JSH 1:1-15 ♦ 1 OWING to the many reports which have been put in circulation by evil-disposed and designing persons, in relation to the rise and progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all of which have been designed by the authors thereof to militate against its character as a Church and its progress in the world—I have been induced to write this history, to disabuse the public mind, and put all inquirers after truth in possession of the facts, as they have transpired,
  • 14. Birth of Joseph…obscure among the hero’s… "A century ago men were following with bated breath the march of Napoleon and waiting with feverish impatience for news of the wars. And all the while in their homes babies were being born. But who could think about babies? Everybody was thinking about battles.
  • 16. A host of hero’s… "In one year between Trafalgar and Waterloo there stole into the world a host of heroes: Gladstone was born in Liverpool; Tennyson at the Somersby Rectory, and Oliver Wendell Holmes in Massachusetts. Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky, and music was enriched by the advent of Felix Mendelssohn in Hamburg."
  • 18. Birth of Joseph And we might add, and Joseph Smith was born in Vermont, four years earlier. Quoting Bareham further: "But nobody thought of babies, everybody was thinking of battles. Yet which of the battles of 1809 mattered more than the babies of 1809? We fancy God can manage his world only with great battalions, when all the time he is doing it with beautiful babies. "When a wrong wants righting, or a truth wants preaching, or a continent wants discovering, God sends a baby into the world to do it."
  • 21. 1805 Dec. 23 Birth of Joseph Smith in Sharon Township Windsor County Vermont 2 Nephi 3:14-15 If I knew how the little cuss was going to turn out I’d have smothered the little cuss.”
  • 22. 1811 Joseph Smith Sr. has a series of 7 inspired dreams 1812-13 Seven year old Joseph suffered from complications of typhoid And was operated on he remained on crutches for three years 1813 Joseph went to Salem Massachusetts to recover
  • 23. Typhoid fever came into West Lebanon and “raged tremendously.” It was part of an epidemic that swept the upper Connecticut valley leaving six thousand people dead. One by one the Smith children fell ill. Sophronia, afflicted for three months, was near death but began to recover when Joseph and Lucy beseeched the Lord to spare her. Seven-year-old Joseph, Jr., recovered from his fever after two weeks but suffered complications that eventually required four surgeries.
  • 24. Typhoid Epidemic 1813 Leg Operation (1812- 13) In 1813, in Amierica surgery was not a medical specialty. There were no surgeons as we know them today. Only a few who practiced medicine had ever attended medical school. Like early attorney’s and ministers doctors rode many miles over rough country rodes to their patients bedside. There was not a single institution in New England that could be called a hospitol in 1813. These were also prelisterian days of surgery. Before appreciation of bacterial infections, before antisceptic dressings...
  • 25. Surgical tools from the Early 1800’s
  • 26. The most serious complication involved a swelling and infection in the tibia of his left leg, a condition that today would be called osteomyelitis. Joseph was in
  • 27. …agony for over two weeks .Through out the ordeal his older brother Hyrum showed him great tenderness. Lucy recorded: “Hyrum sat beside him, almost day and night for some considerable length of time, holding the affected part of his leg in his hands and pressing it between them, so that
  • 28. …his afflicted brother might be enabled to endure the pain.”24 The first two attempts to reduce the swelling and drain the infection in Joseph’s leg failed. The chief surgeon recommended amputation, but Lucy refused and urged the doctors, “You will not, you must not, take off his leg, until you try once more.”25
  • 29. Providentially, “the only physician in the United States who aggressively and successfully operated for osteomyelitis” in that era was Dr. Nathan Smith, a brilliant physician at Dartmouth Medical College in Hanover, New Hampshire.26 He was the principal surgeon, or at least the chief adviser, in Joseph’s case. In his treatment of the disease, Dr. Smith was generations ahead of his time. Joseph insisted on enduring the operation without being bound or drinking brandy wine to dull his senses. He asked his mother to leave the room so she would not have to see him suffer.
  • 30. She consented, but when the physicians broke off part of the bone with forceps and Joseph screamed, she rushed back into the room. “Oh, mother, go back, go back,” Joseph cried out. She did, but returned a second time only to be removed again.27 After the ordeal Joseph went with his Uncle Jesse Smith to the seaport town of Salem, Massachusetts,
  • 31. … hoping that the sea breezes would help his recovery. Due to the severity of the operation, his recovery was slow. He walked with crutches for three years and sometimes limped slightly thereafter, but he returned to health and led a robust life. According to his mother, Joseph’s operation may have been the only notable incident in his early boyhood.
  • 32. What has God taught you from the disappointments in your life? Leg operation-Hyrum, Lucy, Joseph Sr. Mt. Tambora Financial Challenges Elder Holland Angels
  • 33. Mount Tambora The 1815 eruption is rated 7 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index, the only such eruption since the Lake Taupo eruption in about 180 AD.[6] With an estimated ejecta volume of 160 cubic kilometers, Tambora's 1815 outburst was the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history. The explosion was heard on Sumatra island (more than 2,000 km (1,200 mi) away).
  • 34. Mount Tambora The death toll was at least 71,000 people (the most deadly eruption in recorded history), of whom 11,000–12,000 were killed directly by the eruption;[6] the often-cited figure of 92,000 people killed is believed to be overestimated.[7] The eruption created global climate anomalies that included the phenomenon known as "volcanic winter": 1816 became known as the "Year Without a Summer" because of the effect on North American and European weather.
  • 35. Mt. Tambora… Agricultural crops failed and livestock died in much of the Northern Hemisphere, resulting in the worst faminethe worst famine of the 19th centuryof the 19th century
  • 36. Sometime in 1816, Joseph Smith Sr., like many other New Englanders of the period, traveled west in search of a new beginning. He arrived in Palmyra village, New York, a few weeks after his departure from Vermont. He left His family in Vermont. to settle accounts and to prepare for their journey west to a new home. By 1818, he had accumulated enough money for a down payment on a hundred acre woodland area in the area of Farmington township. During the first year, he and his sons cleared 30 acres of heavy timber, prepared the ground for cultivation and planted wheat.
  • 37. 1816 Smith’s moved from Norwich Vermont to Palmyra NY Joseph walked 40 miles a day in snow with his bad leg 1818 Smith’s purchased a farm in Farmington township 1819 Revivals intensified in Palmyra vicinity 1819 Joseph Smith Sr. has his last visit from the messenger of his dreams and tells him he has one thing in his life that is still needful for Salvation (Ordinances)
  • 38. Visions of Joseph Sr. and Lucy (Joel 2:28; Amos 3:7) And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions:
  • 40. What do we know about the Smith Family?Foreordained Visionary Family (Joel 2:29-30) Patriotic-Solomon Mack Indentured-servant-poverty to wealth-Poverty … conversion Large family 11 children United Persecuted Poor and Industrious… Clearing the forests Maple syrup Oil Clothes Bake Goods Building Wells
  • 41. ♦ in relation both to myself and the Church, so far as I have such facts in my possession. ♦ 2 In this history I shall present the various events in relation to this Church, in truth and righteousness, as they have transpired, or as they at present exist, being now [1838] the eighth year since the organization of the said Church.
  • 42. ♦ 3 I was born in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five, on the twenty-third day of December, in the town of Sharon, Windsor county, State of Vermont . . . My father, Joseph Smith, Sen., left the State of Vermont, and moved to Palmyra, Ontario (now Wayne) county, in the State of New York, when I was in my tenth year, or thereabouts. In about four years after my father's arrival in Palmyra, he moved with his family into Manchester in the same county of Ontario—
  • 43. ♦ 4 His family consisting of eleven souls, namely, my father, Joseph Smith; my mother, Lucy Smith (whose name, previous to her marriage, was Mack, daughter of Solomon Mack); my brothers, Alvin (who died November 19th, 1823, in the 26th year of his age), Hyrum, myself, Samuel Harrison, William, Don Carlos; and my sisters, Sophronia, Catherine, and Lucy.
  • 44. ♦ 5 Some time in the second year after our removal to Manchester, there was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of country. Indeed, the whole district of country seemed affected by it, and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir and division amongst the people, some crying, "Lo, here!" and others, "Lo, there!" Some were contending for the Methodist faith, some for the Presbyterian, and some for the Baptist.
  • 45. ♦ 6 For, notwithstanding the great love which the converts to these different faiths expressed at the time of their conversion, and the great zeal manifested by the respective clergy, who were active in getting up and promoting this extraordinary scene of religious feeling, in order to have everybody converted, as they were pleased to call it, let them join what sect they pleased; yet when the converts began to file off, some to one party and some to another,
  • 46. JSH 1:6 ♦ … it was seen that the seemingly good feelings of both the priests and the converts were more pretended than real; for a scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensued— priest contending against priest, and convert against convert; so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions.
  • 47. ♦ 7 I was at this time in my fifteenth year. My father's family was proselyted to the Presbyterian faith, and four of them joined that church, namely, my mother, Lucy; my brothers Hyrum and Samuel Harrison; and my sister Sophronia.
  • 48. ♦ 8 During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. In process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect,
  • 49. JSH 1:8 ♦ …and I felt some desire to be united with them; but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong.
  • 50. ♦ 9 My mind at times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult were so great and incessant. The Presbyterians were most decided against the Baptists and Methodists, and used all the powers of both reason and sophistry to prove their errors, or, at least, to make the people think they were in error. On the other hand, the Baptists and Methodists in their turn were equally zealous in endeavoring to establish their own tenets and disprove all others. ♦ 10 In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are
  • 51. ♦ 13 At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to "ask of God," concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture. ♦ 14 So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I
  • 52. ♦ 15 After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.
  • 53. JSH 1:15 (Orson Hyde 1842 account) ♦ The adversary made several strenuous attempts to cool the passion of [my] soul. He clouded [my] mind with dougts, and brought to my mind all sorts of improper images to prevent [me] from attaining the object of [my] endeavors;
  • 55. 1835 Recital of --Warren Cowdrey recorded ♦ I called on the Lord...My tongue seemed swollen in my mouth, so that I could not utter, I heard a noise behind me like someone walking towards me. I strove again to pray, but could not; the noise walking seemed to draw nearer, I sprang to my feet and looked around, but saw no person or thing that was calculated to produce the noise of walking. I kneeled down again, my mouth was opened and my tongue was loosed; I called on the Lord in mighty prayer.
  • 56. ♦ 15 After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. ♦ (Pearl of Great Price | JS-History 1:15 - 16)
  • 57. ♦ 16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm,
  • 58. Joseph Recorded in his Journal of Nov. 9,14 1835 That he told Robert Matthias and Erastus Holmes… ♦ …there were “many angels in this vision”.. ♦ … “the first visitation of angels was when I was about 14 years old…”
  • 59. Moses 1:12-23 The Nature of the Satan ♦ JSH 1:14-15 ♦ Gen. 15:12-13 ♦ 2 Thes.2:3, 4 ♦ Rev. 20:3 ♦ Rev. 12:7-12 ♦ Isa. 14:12-17 ♦ DC 76:26-29
  • 60. The Nature of Lucifer ♦ 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! ♦ 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: ♦ 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. ♦ 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
  • 61. ♦ 16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; ♦ 17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? ♦ (Old Testament | Isaiah 14:12 - 17)
  • 62. The Nature of Lucifer ♦ 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; ♦ 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. ♦ (New Testament | 2 Thessalonians 2:3 - 4)
  • 63. ♦ 7. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work, and he it is who now worketh, and Christ suffereth him to work, until the time is fulfilled that he shall be taken out of the way. ♦ 8. And then shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. ♦ 9. Yea, the Lord, even Jesus, whose coming is not until after there cometh a falling away, by the working of Satan with all power, and signs and lying wonders, ♦ (JST | 2 Thessalonians 2:7 - 9)
  • 64. During the Millennium Revelation 20:1-3 (X-ref) 1 Nephi 22:24-26 “When Satan is bound in a single home— when Satan is bound in a single life—the Millennium has already begun in that home, in that life!” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.172)
  • 65. Joseph Fielding Smith ♦ I maintain that had there been no restoration of the gospel, and no organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, there would have been no radio; there would have been no airplane, and there would not have been the wonderul discoveries in medicine, chemistry, electricity, and the many other things wherein the world has been benefited by such discoveries.
  • 66. Joseph Fielding Smith ♦ Under such conditions these blessings would have been withheld, for they belong to the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times of which the restoration of the gospel and the organization of the Church constitute the central point, from which radiates the Spirit of the Lord throughout the world.
  • 67. RestorationRestoration ♦ … Now let me say briefly that I do not believe for one moment that these discoveries have come by chance, or that they have come because of superior intelligence possessed by men today over those who lived in ages that are past. They have come and are coming because the time is ripe, because the Lord has willed it, and because he has poured out his Spirit on all flesh. ♦ Elder Joseph Fielding Smith (October 1926)
  • 69. JSH 1:16JSH 1:16 ♦ I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
  • 70. ♦ 17 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!
  • 71. 1844 May 24 --Alexander Neibaur’s Recording of Joseph Smith’s Testimony ♦ ...saw a fire toward heaven came near and nearer; saw a personage in the fore , light complexion, blue eyes, a piece of white clothe drawn over his shoulders his right arm bare after awhile a other person came to the side of the first. Mr. Smith then asked, must I join the Methodist church. No, they are not my people, have gone astray there is none that doeth good not one, but this is my beloved son hear Him, the fire drew nigher, rested upon the tree, enveloped him, comforted, I endeavored to rise but felt uncommon feable...
  • 72. (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 1:6) ♦ 6 And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of firepillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly.
  • 73. Shechinah. The Presence A word used by the later Jews (and borrowed from them by the Christians) to denote the cloud of brightness and glory that marked the presence of the Lord, as spoken of in Ex. 3:1–6; 24:16; 1 Kgs. 8:10; Isa. 6:1–3; Matt. 17:5; Acts 7:55. The Prophet Joseph Smith described this phenomenon in connection with his first vision, as a "light ... above the brightness of the sun," and said that he saw two Personages whose "brightness and glory defy all description," standing "in the light" (JS-H 1:16–18). ♦ (Bible Dictionary | S Shechinah:Entry)
  • 75. 1843 September 23--Nonmember editor account in Pittsburgh Gazette I immediately went out into the woods where my father had a clearing, and went to the stump where I had stuck my axe when I had quit work, and kneeled down and prayed, saying oh Lord, what church shall I join? Directly I saw a light, and then a glorious personage in light, and then another personage, the first said to the second, behold my beloved Son, Hear Him...
  • 77. John Alger ♦ [February 2, 1893] Brother John Alger said while speaking of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that when he, John, was a small boy he heard the Prophet Joseph relate his vision of seeing the Father and the Son, [and] that God touched his eyes with his finger and said "Joseph, this is my Beloved Son, hear Him." As soon as the Lord had touched his eyes with his finger he immediately saw the Savior.
  • 78. John Alger as recorded by Charles Walker in 1893 ♦ After meeting, a few of us questioned him about the matter and he told us at the bottom of the meeting house steps that he was in the house of Father Smith in Kirtland when Joseph made this declaration, and that Joseph while speaking of it put his finger to his right eye, suiting the action with the words so as to illustrate and at the same time impress the occurrence on the minds of those unto whom he was speaking. We enjoyed the conversation very much, as it was something that we had never seen in church history or heard of before. Heard Joseph testify of the First Vision, saying God the Father appeared first and touched his eye, enabling him to see the Son. (A. Karl Larson and Katharine Miles Larson, Diary of Charles Lowell Walker, 2 vols. (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1980), 2:540.
  • 79. ““As tangible as man’s…”As tangible as man’s…” ♦ 22 The Father has a22 The Father has a body of flesh and bonesbody of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; theas tangible as man's; the Son also…Son also… ♦ (Doctrine and(Doctrine and Covenants | SectionCovenants | Section 130:22)130:22)
  • 81. 1835 Recital: Monday Nov. 9th. ♦ A pillar of fire appeared above my head; which presently rested down upon me, and filled mefilled me with unspeakable joy.with unspeakable joy. A personage appeared in the midst of this pillar of flame, which was spread all around and yet nothing consumed. Another personage appeared soon appeared like the first; he said unto me thy sins are forgiven thee. He testified also unto me that Jesus Christ is the son of God. I saw many angels in this vision. I was about 14 years old when I recieved this first communication.
  • 82. Said President Brigham Young: “There is no spirit but what was pure and holy when it came here from the celestial world. … He is the Father of our spirits; and if we could know, understand, and do His will, every soul would be prepared to return back into His presence. And when they get there, they would see that they had formerly lived there for ages, that they had previously been acquainted with every nook and corner, with the palaces, walks, and gardens; and they would embrace their Father, and He would embrace them and say, ‘My son, my daughter, I have you again;’ and the child would say, ‘O my Father, my Father, I am here again’ ” (in Journal of Discourses, 4:268). Bishop Keith B. McMullin, Welcome Home, Ensign (CR), May 1999, p.79
  • 84. Abba - Father ♦ Gal. 4: 6 - 7 ♦ And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father
  • 86. Three things necessary toThree things necessary to Exercise faith unto life and salvationExercise faith unto life and salvation 1.A Correct Knowledge of the existence of God1.A Correct Knowledge of the existence of God 2. A correct understanding of the character, person2. A correct understanding of the character, person and perfections of God.and perfections of God. 3.A knowledge that our course in life is in harmony3.A knowledge that our course in life is in harmony Gods plan for usGods plan for us Pre-mortal LifePre-mortal Life Living with GodLiving with God Earth LifeEarth Life Becoming Like GodBecoming Like God Being Like God Character of God Our FatherCharacter of God Our Father Glorified Perfected BodyGlorified Perfected Body Eternal Marriage &FamilyEternal Marriage &Family OmnipotentOmnipotent OmnipresentOmnipresent OmniscientOmniscient Divine NatureDivine Nature KindnessKindness LoveLove JusticeJustice MercyMercy MeeknessMeekness ForgivingForgiving PatientPatient Long SufferingLong Suffering CreatorCreator HappyHappy The VeilThe Veil Satan &1/3 Cast outSatan &1/3 Cast out Gifts of the SpiritGifts of the Spirit Revelation/VisionsRevelation/Visions VisitationsVisitations ProphetsProphets ScriptureScripture BlessingsBlessings Divine NatureDivine Nature Covenants OrdinancesCovenants Ordinances BaptismBaptism Holy GhostHoly Ghost SacramentSacrament PriesthoodPriesthood Temple CovenantsTemple Covenants Home FamilyHome Family In a Fallen WorldIn a Fallen World Judgment and resurrectionJudgment and resurrection MosesMoses 1:331:33 Abr.Abr. 3:22-243:22-24 AlmaAlma 13:313:3 Celestial Terrestrial Telestial 2. Pride and Wickedness2. Pride and Wickedness ( Helaman 3:33-36;4:11-12; 6:16-17 3 Nephi 6:13-18) 1. Blessings and Prosperity1. Blessings and Prosperity Helaman 3:25-26,32 Helaman 11:20-21; 3 Nephi 6:1-9 3. Destruction and Suffering3. Destruction and Suffering Helaman 4:1-2, 11, 13 11:1-6; 3 Nephi 9:1-12 ObedienceObedience ♦Righteous ActionRighteous Action (John 7:17; Ether 12:6, 27) EvidenceEvidence (Alma 32:21; D&C 6:21-24 Hebrews 11:1) AssuranceAssurance D&C 123:17; 1 Thes.1:5; Alma 58:11;D&C 123:17; 1 Thes.1:5; Alma 58:11; 1 John 3:19;D&C 106:81 John 3:19;D&C 106:8 HumilityHumility Helaman 3:35Alma 7:22-23;Helaman 3:35Alma 7:22-23; Alma 13:28-29Alma 13:28-29 Alma 27:18; Alma 32:13-16Alma 27:18; Alma 32:13-16
  • 87. Jesus was showing us the Father… John 8:28,38
  • 89. ♦ We have now clearly set forth how it is, and how it was, that God became an object of faith for rational beings; and also upon what foundation the testimony was based which excited the inquiry and diligent search of the ancient saints to seek after and obtain a knowledge of the glory of God; and we have seen that it was human testimony, and human testimony only, that excited this inquiry, in the first instance, in their minds. It was the credence they gave to the testimony of their fathers, this testimony having aroused their minds to inquire after the knowledge of God; the inquiry frequently terminated when rightly pursued, in the most glorious discoveries and eternal certainty. ♦ Lectures on Faith –Joseph Smith Second lecture p.24, Quote 56 ♦
  • 90. What is my Heavenly Father like? ♦ God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all the worlds and all things by his power, was to make himself visible,--I say if you were to see Him today, you would see him like a man in form --like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked , talked and conversed with Him, as one man talks and communes with another. ♦ (The King Follet Discourse-Times and Seasons Aug. 15, 1844-- Joseph Smith)
  • 91. ♦ “During the winter of 1833 we had a number of prayer meetings in the Prophet’s chamber. In one of those meetings the Prophet told us, if we could humble ourselves before God, and exercise strong faith, we should see the face of the Lord. And about midday, the visions of my mind were opened, and the eyes of my understanding were enlightened, and I saw the form of a man, most lovely. The visage of his face was sound and fair as the sun. His hair a bright silver gray, curled in most majestic form, His eyes a keen penetrating blue, and the skin of his neck a most beautiful white. And He was covered from neck to the feet with a loose garment, pure white, whiter than any garment I have ever before seen. His countenance was most penetrating, and yet most lovely...And while I was endeavoring to comprehend the whole personage from head to feet, it slipped from me. But it left on my mind the impression of love, for months, that I never felt before to
  • 92. Is Heavenly Father Happy? ♦ I am perfectly satisfied that my Father and my God is a cheerful, pleasant, lively and good- natured being. Why? Because I am cheerful pleasant, lively and good natured when I have His spirit . That is one reason why I know and another is – the Lord said through the prophet Joseph Smith, I delight in a glad heart and a cheerful countenance. That arises from the perfection of his attributes. (Heber C. Kimball, JD 4:222; 3 Ne. 28:10; Moses 7:28-32)
  • 94. How long did I live in His house? ♦ ....Man as a spirit, was begotten and born of Heavenly Parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father; that man is the offspring of celestial parentage; and that all men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother, and are literally the sons and daughters of deity. ♦ (First Presidency 1909, quoted in the Relief Society Magazine, Dec. 1970, p.884)
  • 95. ♦ 18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
  • 96. ♦ 19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof." ♦ 20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me,many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this timewhich I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was.
  • 98. Joseph’s 1835 account of the First Vision reads: ♦ A pillar of fire appeared above my head; which presently rested down upon me, and filled me with unspeakable joy. 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. f ♦ (The Doctrine of Divine Embodiment: Restoration, Judeo-Christian, and Philosophical Perspectives, BYU Studies, vol. 35 (1995), Number 3--1996 .)
  • 99. What Joseph Smith Heard… ♦ 1. The Reality of Christ-(1838) “This is my beloved son Hear Him” – The Savior Himself Declared “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”
  • 100. 2. He learned that the Father and the Son knew him personally, and called him intimately by name, “Joseph<my son>”and told him “thy sins are forgiven thee” (1832, Nov. 9 1835)
  • 101. What Joseph Smith Heard 3. Young Joseph was encouraged to go his way and keep the commandments 4.Joseph asked his question, “Which of all the sects was right ?(1838). According to Neibaur account Joseph asked, “Must I join the Methodist church?” He was told to join none of them for they were all wrong and none was doing good…
  • 102. What Joseph Heard? 5. The Lord bore witness to Joseph of the Apostasy and the current state of nominal Christianity. “the world lieth in sin and at this time and none doeth good no not one they have turned aside from my gospel and keep not my commandments they draw near to me with their lips while their hearts are far from me”(1832) God looketh on the heart.
  • 103. What Joseph Heard? 6. He was expressly commanded again not to join with the false churches, apostasy was found in sin, corruption and the teaching of false doctrines.(1838,1840)their “creeds”(1838) were an “abomination”(1842) 7. God was not the author of the confusion and contention on the earth
  • 104. What Joseph Heard and learned… 8. he learned that God was not pleased with the situation of the world…the Lord said, “mine anger is kindling against the inhabitants of the earth” (1832) 9. Joseph learned that the second coming of the Lord was close at hand. “And lo I come quickly as it is written of me in the cloud<clothed> in the glory of the Father”(1832)
  • 105. What Joseph Heard and learned… 10. Joseph Received a promise that the “fulness of the gospel should at some future time be made known unto me (Wentworth Letter 1842). Elder Hyde stated, “ He was further commanded, to wait patiently until some future time, when the true doctrine of Christ and the complete truth of the gospel would be revealed to him. (Hyde 1842) Joseph also said he was told many other things that he was unable to write. (1838)
  • 107. Jehovah in the Kirtland Temple ♦ 1 THE veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened. ♦ 2 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber. ♦ 3 His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying: ♦ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 110:1 - 3)
  • 112. Selections from the Writings of Edward Stevenson ♦ One of the early converts who heard Joseph Smith bear his testimony concerning the appearance of the Father and Son and who listened to the three witnesses preach that an angel showed to them the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated was Edward Stevenson. The following two accounts were recorded by Stevenson in the early 1890's. The first appeared in his manuscript, "The Life and History, Elder Edward Stevenson," 19-23, located in the Church Historian's Office; and the second reference is quoted from his Reminiscences of Joseph, The Prophet, and the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon (Salt Lake City, 1893), 4.
  • 113. Selections from the Writings of Edward Stevenson ♦ The following year after the organization of the Pontiac [Michigan] Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of L. D. Saints, in 1834, we had the pleasure of having a visit from the Prophet Joseph Smith: a plain but noble looking man, of large frame and about 6 feet high. With him was his Father, Joseph Smith, and Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, whose sister Sophia Kellog lived in our settlement. A great stir was made in this settlement at so distinguished visitors.
  • 114. ♦ The meetings held were crowded to see and hear the testimonies given which were very powerful. I will here relate my own experience on the occasion of a meeting in our log School House. The Prophet stood at a table for the pulpit where he began relating his vision and before he got through he was in the midst of the congregation with up lifted hand. I do not believe that there was not one person present who did at the time being, or who was not convicted of the truth of his vision,
  • 115. Selections from the Writings of Edward Stevenson ♦ of an Angel to him his count-ance seemed to me to assume heavenly whiteness, and his voice was so peirseing and forcible for my part it so impressed me as to become indellibly imprinted on my mind … In those meetings, the Prophet said the gifts and signs should follow believers now as they did the ancient Saints in the days of our Saviours administration, and said he by this shall ye prove me to be a true Prophet … The 3 witnesses bore their testamonies as to seeing the Angle, and hearing his voice. Their were many who were baptized ... The visit of this man of God to our house and the testimonies of the 3 witnesses left a lasting remembrance with us and will stand as a witness against those who were so favoured above many.
  • 116. ♦ 14 So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally. ♦ 15 After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak.
  • 117. ♦ Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. ♦ 16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—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 gradually until it fell upon me.
  • 118. "I have learned for myself…”"I have learned for myself…” ♦ I replied, "Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off." I then said to my mother, "I have"I have learned for myselflearned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true." It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy? ♦ (Pearl of Great Price | JS-History 1:14 - 20)
  • 119. ♦ He seemed to be just as familiar with the Spirit World, and as well acquainted with the other side, as he was here.” ( The words of William Taylor, brother to President John Taylor, Joseph smith the Prophet, Young Woman’s Journal, Jan. 17, 1906, p.548)
  • 120. ♦ “He learned by communication from the heavens, from time to time, of the great events that should transpire in the latter days. He understood things that were past, and comprehended the various dispensations and the designs of those dispensations. He not only had the principles developed, but he was conversant with the parties who officiated as the leading men of those dispensations, and from a number of them he received authority and keys and priesthood and power for the carrying out of the great purposes of the Lord in the last days, who were sent and commissioned specially by the Almighty to confer upon him those keys and this authority.” ( John Taylor in JD 20:174-5) ♦
  • 121. ♦ You don’t know me; you never knew my heart, no man knows my history, I cannot tell it; I shall never undertake it. I don’t blame any one for not believing my history. If I had not experienced what I have, I would not have believed it myself. I never did harm any man since I was born in the world. My voice is always for peace. ♦ I cannot lie down until all my work is finished. I never think any evil, nor do anything to the harm of my fellow-man. When I am called by the trump of the archangel and weighed in the balance, you will all know me then. DHC 6:317
  • 122. ♦ 19 Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them! ♦ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:19)
  • 123. ♦ 20 And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophets—the book to be revealed. A voice of the Lord in the wilderness of Fayette, Seneca county, declaring the three witnesses to bear record of the book! The voice of Michael on the banks of the Susquehanna, detecting the devil when he appeared as an angel of light! The voice of Peter, James, and John in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna county, and Colesville, Broome county, on the Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of times! ♦ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:20)
  • 124. ♦ 21 And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca county, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! And the voice of Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time, all declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little; giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our hope! ♦ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:21)
  • 125. ♦ 22 Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free. ♦ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:22)
  • 126. ♦ 23 Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers! ♦ 24 Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand ♦ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:23 - 24)