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I saw the Lord: Joseph's First Vision Combines from Nine Accounts
Joseph Smith's First Vision is the best documented vision of God in the history of the world. Yet, because the details of the vision are spread over nine different accounts that vary in emphasis and some finer points, many people do not know all they could about this remarkable and world-changing experience.
Kerry Muhlestein, professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University, presents a faithful, harmonized version of the First Vision story to show how each of the various accounts might share select aspects of the vision yet all be consistent with the actual event experienced by Jospeh Smith. As the Prophet recorded or shared his remarkable vision, he emphasized different details depending on the audience and circumstances at the time. All nine accounts—four firsthand and five secondhand—are combined into one compelling story in this retelling of Joseph Smith's incomparable vision. Also included are the original accounts in their entirety so that readers can feel for themselves the powerful witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Strengthen your testimony of this singular, foundational event that would lead to the Restoration of Christ's Church upon the earth.
Kerry Muhlestein, professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University, presents a faithful, harmonized version of the First Vision story to show how each of the various accounts might share select aspects of the vision yet all be consistent with the actual event experienced by Jospeh Smith. As the Prophet recorded or shared his remarkable vision, he emphasized different details depending on the audience and circumstances at the time. All nine accounts—four firsthand and five secondhand—are combined into one compelling story in this retelling of Joseph Smith's incomparable vision. Also included are the original accounts in their entirety so that readers can feel for themselves the powerful witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Strengthen your testimony of this singular, foundational event that would lead to the Restoration of Christ's Church upon the earth.
87 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 3, 2020
A lovely summary and collaboration between all of Joseph Smith’s accounts of the first vision.
I gained a lot of insight into his experience. I also felt some communication between me and God through studying about how he came to his decision to pray as well as the event itself.
Definitely recommend to anyone who would like to know more about Joseph Smith and his experience in seeing God.
I gained a lot of insight into his experience. I also felt some communication between me and God through studying about how he came to his decision to pray as well as the event itself.
Definitely recommend to anyone who would like to know more about Joseph Smith and his experience in seeing God.
April 21, 2020
A quick read but contains lots of info on the first vision and the multiple accounts. It was a good book, I would recommend it to others, especially those who struggle with the differences between the accounts. It explains the differences, the context of each account and how to approach the validity of new details some accounts might bring forward. Its hard to say what my favorite part was: the appendix A was great because it contains the details of each account but the rest of the book is also good because it helped me to put the details of the first vision into context and helped the whole thing to become even more real to me.
March 1, 2020
This book came along at a perfect time--I was feeling the crunch of April's General Conference being less than 40 days away and knowing that I needed to be studying the restoration of the gospel and the first vision with more planning and mindfulness.
This book takes 9 different accounts of the first vision and weaves all of the accounts into one story. I listened to the audio version, narrated by the author. It's short. If you don't listen to the appendixes, it's less than an hour.
There were a few details that seemed newer or more thought-provoking to me. I'll probably listen to it several more times to see if different things pop out to me at different times. Great way to start to prepare our hearts and minds for General Conference.
This book takes 9 different accounts of the first vision and weaves all of the accounts into one story. I listened to the audio version, narrated by the author. It's short. If you don't listen to the appendixes, it's less than an hour.
There were a few details that seemed newer or more thought-provoking to me. I'll probably listen to it several more times to see if different things pop out to me at different times. Great way to start to prepare our hearts and minds for General Conference.
September 13, 2020
This is a great and succinct synopsis of nine accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision. Here are some favorite quotes:
"He was likely looking for more information to come from a relative, because his father had said that 'it has been borne in upon my soul that one of my descendants will promulgate a work to revolutionize the world or religious faith (p. 10).'"
"Joseph's mother wanted him to join any church to be saved, and his father felt it best to not join the wrong church but instead to serve and love God (p 11)."
"It is remarkable that young Joseph, even at the age of twelve or thirteen, would not fabricate religious experiences. He was too sincere, too full of integrity. He desperately wanted to have the Spirit manifest to him. He wanted to 'get religion' and know that he was doing things the right way and with the right church. But Joseph did not have those feelings come to him, and he was not going to pretend that he had (p. 12)."
"How could it be right to join whatever church struck your fancy when they differed on so many important points of doctrine?... He believed he needed to join a church, but he did not want to join the wrong one, and no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't figure out which one was right (p. 13)."
"Joseph was 'much less inclined to the perusal of books than any of the rest of our children, but far more given to meditation and deep study (p. 14).'"
"The more he went to meetings in different churches, the more he became convinced that many of their teachings and behaviors did not measure up to what he was learning in the Bible (p. 15)."
"He began to fear that he would be damned. Eternal consequences were on the line, and Joseph was desperate to find the right answer, 'considering it to be of the first importance that I should be right, in matter that involved eternal consequences.'... He did not feel experienced enough to see through smooth and eloquent opinions, and he could find no one to rely on. His family had different opinions, his neighbors had different opinions, and he did not trust his ability to see the way through the thicket of ideas bombarding him (p. 16)."
"Was salvation limited or abundantly available? How was salvation available, and what must be done to receive it? His ability to recognize these issues and to form questions about them actually led to more confusion, not less, since his attempts to answer these questions only highlighted the inability of the churches around him to do so (p. 19)."
"Joseph was convinced that one of the churches must be the right one. He believed that God was not the author of confusion, while the differing opinions could not all be of God, one of them had to be, he reasoned (p. 20)."
"He turned his pondering and searching upon this question: Which church practiced the doctrines of God the way God intended, which church was God's (p. 21)?"
"He was losing confidence in being able to use the Bible to determine which church was correct because he heard different ministers interpret the same scriptures so differently (p. 21)."
"'I cried unto the Lord for mercy, for there was none else to whom I could go.' The answers from the world around him were failing him. He was coming to realize that only God could answer his questions (p. 22)."
"He had not been reading from James for long before he had an intense religious experiences like he had never had before, despite longing to have one for some time... When Joseph read this verse, the Holy Ghost carried it deeply into his heart, searing in both his mind and his feelings that this was exactly what he needed to do (p. 23)."
"Those scriptures had given Joseph the idea that he could bypass everything and everyone else and find out from God Himself what God would have Joseph do. What a liberating thought! Perhaps Joseph really could find out how to be saved (p. 24)."
"For the first time in a long time he could see the way to go, or at least the way to learn how to press on (p. 25)."
"The Spirit seemingly led him to believe that it was time for him to make a serious effort at vocal prayer, earnestly asking God which church had the answers he needed and the ability to guide him toward salvation (p. 25)."
"Though in that grove there may have been birds singing, being surrounded by trees also created a feeling of privacy, and the trees absorbed other sounds. To Joseph... it was quiet. It was peaceful. He looked around and was sure he was alone (p. 26)."
"As Joseph opened his mother to pray... other forces began to move against him. At first he thought he heard noises behind him, as if someone were sneaking up on him... Joseph redoubled his efforts but found another obstacle being imposed upon him. As he began again to try praying aloud, he found his tongue felt swollen, and it seemed to stick in his mouth (p. 27)."
"This was more than the fear that accompanies being startled, this was a fear imposed upon him by an outside source. Joseph was overcome with doubt. The feeling of shadow increased, growing stronger and stronger... He soon understood that he was under a real attack, and that being of whom he could not see was assaulting him (p. 28)."
"The boy-turning-prophet was learning firsthand that one of Satan's greatest tools is a black feeling of despair. Despair rips into hope and faith and eats away at the desire to approach God (p. 29)."
"Joseph was beginning to fear that there was no way to endure this assault. Yet he was determined to try, and he kept attempting to pray. He must have continued to pray within his heart, but he also kept trying to pray aloud... It was as if another merciful power gave him just enough strength to survive, to continue to push forward in prayer. And so he prayed, feeling as if his life depended on it (p. 30)."
"He pled for deliverance, and deliverance came. It first took the form of light (p. 31)."
"As God has promised so often, prayer is what gives us power to withstand Satan and come off conqueror... Joseph Smith found this to be true... 'I was filled with the Spirit of God, and the Lord opened the heavens upon me.'... He had been rescued by the power of God (p. 31)."
"Joseph saw in the sky far above him such a blaze of light that he didn't now how to describe it. In later years he alternately compared it to the light of fire or of the sun, the two greatest sources of light he had ever experiences... It was, literally, unworldly. It was so different from anything he had experienced that throughout his life he found himself unable to fully describe it to others (p. 32)."
"With the light had come a great sense of hope and comforting peace (p. 33)."
"The light was that bright, that powerful; it seemed unthinkable that the trees would not burn. How could he survive such a raging fire? There was a part of Joseph that feared that having been delivered from the darkness, he would be consumed by the light (p. 34)."
"When he saw that the trees did not burst into flames as they were touched by the light, Joseph was greatly encouraged, for it seemed, then, that he might survive as well.. He was fully engulfed in a sensation he could only describe as the 'spirit of God (p. 35).'"
"Joseph was about to come into the presence of God the Father Himself, a being whose purity and glory were beyond Joseph's ability to withstand. Yet with God all things are possible, and Joseph's nature was temporarily changed to a higher state. This is what happened to Moses when he experienced God's presence... Joseph was catching just a glimpse of what it felt to be Christlike (p. 36)."
"The wording also suggests the possibility that as the light rested upon him and he began to see the things of God and the heavenly world, he was so focused on those things that he no longer saw or noticed the things of this world (p. 37)."
"This was God the Father, whom very, very few have seen since the Fall (p. 38)."
"'Joseph, this is My Beloved Son, hear Him!' At last Joseph knew the identities of the beings that stood before him. Now he knew he was in the presence of Deity, that he stood before God the Father and God the Son. And God had called Joseph by name!... After this the Son spoke. The first thing He said was, 'Joseph, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee.' Oh, how much this statement must have meant to the boy who had gone to the grove (p. 40)."
"What comfort and joy it must have been for him to hear that his sins were forgiven! He must have been much more able to listen to everything else God would tell him that day once this overarching burden was removed. Joseph Smith, at that moment, did not have to worry about his worthiness or his sinfulness. He was forgiven (p. 41)!"
"The Savior bore testimony of Himself to the boy prophet... What a rare blessing. Undoubtedly the Holy Ghost also testified of the truth of what Joseph was hearing. Thus Joseph received a witness of Christ from every member of the Godhead (p. 42)."
"He knew that God still answered prayers and was still intimately involved in the lives of His children (p. 43)."
"God brought feelings of indescribable love and delivered immeasurable peace (p. 43)."
"While he may not have consciously thought through each new piece of information, before he had spoken a word to ask a question, Joseph Smith had learned several profound eternal truths (p. 44)."
"The Savior quoted His own prophets, saying that the religious leaders of the day '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' (Isaiah 29:13) (p. 47)."
"The Savior again told Joseph to join none of the churches... though he had received the answer to his pressing question, he had learned so much more. We will probably never know how much (p. 48)."
"Of course the experience was also exhausting. Something about having your nature changed or transfigured so that it can withstand the presence of God must be greatly taxing to a mortal, telestial body (p. 49)."
"His experience has been both energizing and exhausting at the same time (p. 50)."
"We all can, and should, thrill as we read Joseph's accounts of this vision, and in our minds hear him say, 'I saw the Lord (p. 50).'"
"1832 Account...
Most of it was dictated to a scribe, but the account... is in Joseph's own handwriting... Joseph was concerned for the welfare of his soul at twelve years old (p. 52)."
"1835 Account...
Joseph saw a person in the middle of this fire. The fire... didn't burn anything it touched... The Son testified that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Joseph saw many angels (p. 53)."
"1838 Account...
After the apostasy of several leading brethren, including some who had kept the history of the Church, Joseph Smith started anew to record his history. This became the official history of the Church (p. 54)."
"1843 Account...
Joseph found a clash in the religious denominations around him (p. 56)."
"1840 Orson Pratt Account...
We can place a great deal of trust in this account because Joseph quoted from it several times in his own 1842 retelling of the vision... Joseph tried even harder to call upon God in faith. Joseph saw a light far away, and saw it descending slowly... Joseph felt a sensation throughout his body... Joseph was told that in the future, the fullness of the gospel would be given to him. After his vision, Joseph left in a state of peace and calm (p. 57)."
"1842 Orson Hyde Account...
Joseph was losing hope of finding the one true doctrine... The natural world receded from his view... Joseph was commanded to wait patiently until the fullness of the gospel would be revealed to him. Peace and calm filled Joseph's mind (p. 59)."
"1843 Levi Richards Account...
All churches were wrong, and the everlasting covenant was broken. Earth and hell had opposed and tried to destroy Joseph, but they did not and could not (p. 61)."
"1843 Interview...
Joseph went to a clearing in the woods with a stump with an ax in it (p. 62)."
"1844 Alexander Neibaur Account...
Probably the last time Joseph Smith ever told someone the story of the First Vision was just one month before his death, to Alexander Neibaur. The German Jewish convert went home and wrote the story in his journal... This personage had fair complexion, blue eyes, and a piece of white cloth drawn over his shoulders. His right arm was bare (p. 63)."
"'At about the age of twelve years my mind become seriously imprest with regard to the all important concerns for the wellfare of my immortal Soul which led me to searching the scriptures believeing as I was taught, that they contained the word of God (p. 66).'"
"'A piller of light about the brightness of the sun at noon day come down from above above and rested upon me and I was filled with the spirit of god and the Lord opened the heavens upon me and I saw the Lord and he spake unto me... I could rejoice with great Joy and the Lord was with me but could find none that would believe the hevnly vision nevertheless I pondered these things in my heart (p. 68).'"
"'I heard a noise behind me like some person walking towards me, I stove again to pray, but could not, the noise of walking seemed to draw nearer, I sprung up on my feet and looked around, but saw no person or thing that was calculated to produce the noise of walking. I kneeled again my mouth was open and my toung liberated, and I called on the Lord in mighty prayer (p. 69).'"
"'Considering that all could not be right; and that God could not be the author of so much confusion I determined to investigate the subject more fully, believing that if God had a church it would not be split up into fractions, and that if he taught one society to worship one way, and administer in one set of ordinances, he would not teach another principles which were diametrically opposed (p. 77).'"
"'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. He saw, that if he understood not the way, it would be impossible to walk in it, except by chance; and the thought of resting his hopes of eternal life upon chance, or uncertainties, was more than he could endure (p. 78).'"
"'The only alternative, that seemed to be left him, was to read the Scriptures, and endeavour to follow their directions... He expected to have seen the leaves and boughs of the trees consumed, as soon as the light came in contact with them; but, perceiving that it did not produce that effect, he was encouraged with the hopes of being able to endure its presence... He was informed, that his sins were forgiven. He was also informed upon the subjects, which had for some time previously agitated his mind (p. 80).'"
"'Nature had endowed him with a keen critical intellect and so he looked through the lens of reason and common sense and with pity and contempt upon those systems of religion (p. 83).'"
"'The Lord does reveal himself to me. I know it (p. 85).'"
"He was likely looking for more information to come from a relative, because his father had said that 'it has been borne in upon my soul that one of my descendants will promulgate a work to revolutionize the world or religious faith (p. 10).'"
"Joseph's mother wanted him to join any church to be saved, and his father felt it best to not join the wrong church but instead to serve and love God (p 11)."
"It is remarkable that young Joseph, even at the age of twelve or thirteen, would not fabricate religious experiences. He was too sincere, too full of integrity. He desperately wanted to have the Spirit manifest to him. He wanted to 'get religion' and know that he was doing things the right way and with the right church. But Joseph did not have those feelings come to him, and he was not going to pretend that he had (p. 12)."
"How could it be right to join whatever church struck your fancy when they differed on so many important points of doctrine?... He believed he needed to join a church, but he did not want to join the wrong one, and no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't figure out which one was right (p. 13)."
"Joseph was 'much less inclined to the perusal of books than any of the rest of our children, but far more given to meditation and deep study (p. 14).'"
"The more he went to meetings in different churches, the more he became convinced that many of their teachings and behaviors did not measure up to what he was learning in the Bible (p. 15)."
"He began to fear that he would be damned. Eternal consequences were on the line, and Joseph was desperate to find the right answer, 'considering it to be of the first importance that I should be right, in matter that involved eternal consequences.'... He did not feel experienced enough to see through smooth and eloquent opinions, and he could find no one to rely on. His family had different opinions, his neighbors had different opinions, and he did not trust his ability to see the way through the thicket of ideas bombarding him (p. 16)."
"Was salvation limited or abundantly available? How was salvation available, and what must be done to receive it? His ability to recognize these issues and to form questions about them actually led to more confusion, not less, since his attempts to answer these questions only highlighted the inability of the churches around him to do so (p. 19)."
"Joseph was convinced that one of the churches must be the right one. He believed that God was not the author of confusion, while the differing opinions could not all be of God, one of them had to be, he reasoned (p. 20)."
"He turned his pondering and searching upon this question: Which church practiced the doctrines of God the way God intended, which church was God's (p. 21)?"
"He was losing confidence in being able to use the Bible to determine which church was correct because he heard different ministers interpret the same scriptures so differently (p. 21)."
"'I cried unto the Lord for mercy, for there was none else to whom I could go.' The answers from the world around him were failing him. He was coming to realize that only God could answer his questions (p. 22)."
"He had not been reading from James for long before he had an intense religious experiences like he had never had before, despite longing to have one for some time... When Joseph read this verse, the Holy Ghost carried it deeply into his heart, searing in both his mind and his feelings that this was exactly what he needed to do (p. 23)."
"Those scriptures had given Joseph the idea that he could bypass everything and everyone else and find out from God Himself what God would have Joseph do. What a liberating thought! Perhaps Joseph really could find out how to be saved (p. 24)."
"For the first time in a long time he could see the way to go, or at least the way to learn how to press on (p. 25)."
"The Spirit seemingly led him to believe that it was time for him to make a serious effort at vocal prayer, earnestly asking God which church had the answers he needed and the ability to guide him toward salvation (p. 25)."
"Though in that grove there may have been birds singing, being surrounded by trees also created a feeling of privacy, and the trees absorbed other sounds. To Joseph... it was quiet. It was peaceful. He looked around and was sure he was alone (p. 26)."
"As Joseph opened his mother to pray... other forces began to move against him. At first he thought he heard noises behind him, as if someone were sneaking up on him... Joseph redoubled his efforts but found another obstacle being imposed upon him. As he began again to try praying aloud, he found his tongue felt swollen, and it seemed to stick in his mouth (p. 27)."
"This was more than the fear that accompanies being startled, this was a fear imposed upon him by an outside source. Joseph was overcome with doubt. The feeling of shadow increased, growing stronger and stronger... He soon understood that he was under a real attack, and that being of whom he could not see was assaulting him (p. 28)."
"The boy-turning-prophet was learning firsthand that one of Satan's greatest tools is a black feeling of despair. Despair rips into hope and faith and eats away at the desire to approach God (p. 29)."
"Joseph was beginning to fear that there was no way to endure this assault. Yet he was determined to try, and he kept attempting to pray. He must have continued to pray within his heart, but he also kept trying to pray aloud... It was as if another merciful power gave him just enough strength to survive, to continue to push forward in prayer. And so he prayed, feeling as if his life depended on it (p. 30)."
"He pled for deliverance, and deliverance came. It first took the form of light (p. 31)."
"As God has promised so often, prayer is what gives us power to withstand Satan and come off conqueror... Joseph Smith found this to be true... 'I was filled with the Spirit of God, and the Lord opened the heavens upon me.'... He had been rescued by the power of God (p. 31)."
"Joseph saw in the sky far above him such a blaze of light that he didn't now how to describe it. In later years he alternately compared it to the light of fire or of the sun, the two greatest sources of light he had ever experiences... It was, literally, unworldly. It was so different from anything he had experienced that throughout his life he found himself unable to fully describe it to others (p. 32)."
"With the light had come a great sense of hope and comforting peace (p. 33)."
"The light was that bright, that powerful; it seemed unthinkable that the trees would not burn. How could he survive such a raging fire? There was a part of Joseph that feared that having been delivered from the darkness, he would be consumed by the light (p. 34)."
"When he saw that the trees did not burst into flames as they were touched by the light, Joseph was greatly encouraged, for it seemed, then, that he might survive as well.. He was fully engulfed in a sensation he could only describe as the 'spirit of God (p. 35).'"
"Joseph was about to come into the presence of God the Father Himself, a being whose purity and glory were beyond Joseph's ability to withstand. Yet with God all things are possible, and Joseph's nature was temporarily changed to a higher state. This is what happened to Moses when he experienced God's presence... Joseph was catching just a glimpse of what it felt to be Christlike (p. 36)."
"The wording also suggests the possibility that as the light rested upon him and he began to see the things of God and the heavenly world, he was so focused on those things that he no longer saw or noticed the things of this world (p. 37)."
"This was God the Father, whom very, very few have seen since the Fall (p. 38)."
"'Joseph, this is My Beloved Son, hear Him!' At last Joseph knew the identities of the beings that stood before him. Now he knew he was in the presence of Deity, that he stood before God the Father and God the Son. And God had called Joseph by name!... After this the Son spoke. The first thing He said was, 'Joseph, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee.' Oh, how much this statement must have meant to the boy who had gone to the grove (p. 40)."
"What comfort and joy it must have been for him to hear that his sins were forgiven! He must have been much more able to listen to everything else God would tell him that day once this overarching burden was removed. Joseph Smith, at that moment, did not have to worry about his worthiness or his sinfulness. He was forgiven (p. 41)!"
"The Savior bore testimony of Himself to the boy prophet... What a rare blessing. Undoubtedly the Holy Ghost also testified of the truth of what Joseph was hearing. Thus Joseph received a witness of Christ from every member of the Godhead (p. 42)."
"He knew that God still answered prayers and was still intimately involved in the lives of His children (p. 43)."
"God brought feelings of indescribable love and delivered immeasurable peace (p. 43)."
"While he may not have consciously thought through each new piece of information, before he had spoken a word to ask a question, Joseph Smith had learned several profound eternal truths (p. 44)."
"The Savior quoted His own prophets, saying that the religious leaders of the day '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' (Isaiah 29:13) (p. 47)."
"The Savior again told Joseph to join none of the churches... though he had received the answer to his pressing question, he had learned so much more. We will probably never know how much (p. 48)."
"Of course the experience was also exhausting. Something about having your nature changed or transfigured so that it can withstand the presence of God must be greatly taxing to a mortal, telestial body (p. 49)."
"His experience has been both energizing and exhausting at the same time (p. 50)."
"We all can, and should, thrill as we read Joseph's accounts of this vision, and in our minds hear him say, 'I saw the Lord (p. 50).'"
"1832 Account...
Most of it was dictated to a scribe, but the account... is in Joseph's own handwriting... Joseph was concerned for the welfare of his soul at twelve years old (p. 52)."
"1835 Account...
Joseph saw a person in the middle of this fire. The fire... didn't burn anything it touched... The Son testified that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Joseph saw many angels (p. 53)."
"1838 Account...
After the apostasy of several leading brethren, including some who had kept the history of the Church, Joseph Smith started anew to record his history. This became the official history of the Church (p. 54)."
"1843 Account...
Joseph found a clash in the religious denominations around him (p. 56)."
"1840 Orson Pratt Account...
We can place a great deal of trust in this account because Joseph quoted from it several times in his own 1842 retelling of the vision... Joseph tried even harder to call upon God in faith. Joseph saw a light far away, and saw it descending slowly... Joseph felt a sensation throughout his body... Joseph was told that in the future, the fullness of the gospel would be given to him. After his vision, Joseph left in a state of peace and calm (p. 57)."
"1842 Orson Hyde Account...
Joseph was losing hope of finding the one true doctrine... The natural world receded from his view... Joseph was commanded to wait patiently until the fullness of the gospel would be revealed to him. Peace and calm filled Joseph's mind (p. 59)."
"1843 Levi Richards Account...
All churches were wrong, and the everlasting covenant was broken. Earth and hell had opposed and tried to destroy Joseph, but they did not and could not (p. 61)."
"1843 Interview...
Joseph went to a clearing in the woods with a stump with an ax in it (p. 62)."
"1844 Alexander Neibaur Account...
Probably the last time Joseph Smith ever told someone the story of the First Vision was just one month before his death, to Alexander Neibaur. The German Jewish convert went home and wrote the story in his journal... This personage had fair complexion, blue eyes, and a piece of white cloth drawn over his shoulders. His right arm was bare (p. 63)."
"'At about the age of twelve years my mind become seriously imprest with regard to the all important concerns for the wellfare of my immortal Soul which led me to searching the scriptures believeing as I was taught, that they contained the word of God (p. 66).'"
"'A piller of light about the brightness of the sun at noon day come down from above above and rested upon me and I was filled with the spirit of god and the Lord opened the heavens upon me and I saw the Lord and he spake unto me... I could rejoice with great Joy and the Lord was with me but could find none that would believe the hevnly vision nevertheless I pondered these things in my heart (p. 68).'"
"'I heard a noise behind me like some person walking towards me, I stove again to pray, but could not, the noise of walking seemed to draw nearer, I sprung up on my feet and looked around, but saw no person or thing that was calculated to produce the noise of walking. I kneeled again my mouth was open and my toung liberated, and I called on the Lord in mighty prayer (p. 69).'"
"'Considering that all could not be right; and that God could not be the author of so much confusion I determined to investigate the subject more fully, believing that if God had a church it would not be split up into fractions, and that if he taught one society to worship one way, and administer in one set of ordinances, he would not teach another principles which were diametrically opposed (p. 77).'"
"'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. He saw, that if he understood not the way, it would be impossible to walk in it, except by chance; and the thought of resting his hopes of eternal life upon chance, or uncertainties, was more than he could endure (p. 78).'"
"'The only alternative, that seemed to be left him, was to read the Scriptures, and endeavour to follow their directions... He expected to have seen the leaves and boughs of the trees consumed, as soon as the light came in contact with them; but, perceiving that it did not produce that effect, he was encouraged with the hopes of being able to endure its presence... He was informed, that his sins were forgiven. He was also informed upon the subjects, which had for some time previously agitated his mind (p. 80).'"
"'Nature had endowed him with a keen critical intellect and so he looked through the lens of reason and common sense and with pity and contempt upon those systems of religion (p. 83).'"
"'The Lord does reveal himself to me. I know it (p. 85).'"
June 22, 2020
An excellent reference material. Insightful to have all the accounts in one place.
July 5, 2020
Well researched and well written book comparing 9 different accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision.
Lots of good information. I highly recommend it.
Lots of good information. I highly recommend it.
August 31, 2020
I had a few new insights as I read the first vision accounts in this combined manner.
April 2, 2020
Short book but contains a lot of great information.
February 22, 2020
This was a very interesting book and had a great approach to reconciling the different accounts of the First Vision. However, I liked the approach of the Joseph Smith Papers podcast better and would recommend that as a first source for exploring the various accounts of the First Vision.
October 13, 2023
Today, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has a membership of more than 17 million people. It is truly a global church; most of its members live outside the United States. But it hasn’t always been like that. This is the story of how everything started, and it all began when a 14-year-old farm boy in upstate New York sought the privacy of a dense grove of trees near his home and prayed for forgiveness. He was genuinely worried that his soul would be damned. Admittedly, that’s not the normal thought processes of a teenage boy. But Joseph Smith and his family lived during the swirl of the burned-over district—an historical circumstance in New York wherein preachers of a variety of faiths fiercely competed for converts.
Joseph’s mother and other family members felt the Calvinistic Presbyterians were right; his dad dreamed years earlier that a member of his family would revolutionize the world of religion, and he taught his family to love God, but he was unenthusiastic about the religions who shrilly sought his attention and that of his family.
Young Joseph was confused by all the wrangling and division, and during the winter of 1820, he spent many nights paging through the scriptures hoping he would find an answer about the status of his soul and how to gain forgiveness for what he was certain was his sinful life. As he sought forgiveness, he yearned to know which of the churches striving for his membership he should join.
This is the first book I’ve ever read where the author spends so much time talking about Joseph the seeker—the young guy who desperately wanted answers. If you read this, you’ll understand that the teenager didn’t just yawn, stretch, and shrug while deciding to wander into the woods and offer a hasty half-hearted prayer. You get a well-written close-up view of the process that likely occurred that culminated in that now-famous walk into a private place to pour out a troubled heart in prayer. That was a glorious chapter because it gave you glimpses into what may have been the thought processes of the young man as he poured over his scriptures by candlelight until he found a particular verse that galvanized him. If you read this, you’ll learn what that verse is and why it mattered.
Other chapters in the book use the nine accounts of Joseph Snith’s First Vision to describe what he saw and how he felt. These are singularly beautifully written chapters that will draw even the casual reader into the experience. I’ve heard the story all my life, but Muhlestein writes so well that he captivated me anew, and I almost felt I was hearing it for the first time. The book holds tightly to its mission of describing and summarizing Joseph Smith’s vision from the nine accounts available. Muhlestein amalgamates these with a kind of literary grace that surely involved personal inspiration on his part as to how to best put it together.
This is a highly sympathetic book regarding Joseph Smith and his sacred experience. If you hesitate to trust Kerry Muehlstein’s amalgamation of the nine accounts, keep reading. The appendixes include a summary of the accounts then all nine accounts from Joseph smith’s papers. As to why there were nine accounts, he often provided greater emphasis on the details depending on his audience. These multiple accounts aren’t without precedent. The New Testament includes several retellings by Paul of his conversion experience while on the road to Damascus.
This is a short book that’s long on great writing and thoughtful prose. I read it in the extreme early morning hours of a sleep-deprived night, and it proved a magnificent way to start my day.
Joseph’s mother and other family members felt the Calvinistic Presbyterians were right; his dad dreamed years earlier that a member of his family would revolutionize the world of religion, and he taught his family to love God, but he was unenthusiastic about the religions who shrilly sought his attention and that of his family.
Young Joseph was confused by all the wrangling and division, and during the winter of 1820, he spent many nights paging through the scriptures hoping he would find an answer about the status of his soul and how to gain forgiveness for what he was certain was his sinful life. As he sought forgiveness, he yearned to know which of the churches striving for his membership he should join.
This is the first book I’ve ever read where the author spends so much time talking about Joseph the seeker—the young guy who desperately wanted answers. If you read this, you’ll understand that the teenager didn’t just yawn, stretch, and shrug while deciding to wander into the woods and offer a hasty half-hearted prayer. You get a well-written close-up view of the process that likely occurred that culminated in that now-famous walk into a private place to pour out a troubled heart in prayer. That was a glorious chapter because it gave you glimpses into what may have been the thought processes of the young man as he poured over his scriptures by candlelight until he found a particular verse that galvanized him. If you read this, you’ll learn what that verse is and why it mattered.
Other chapters in the book use the nine accounts of Joseph Snith’s First Vision to describe what he saw and how he felt. These are singularly beautifully written chapters that will draw even the casual reader into the experience. I’ve heard the story all my life, but Muhlestein writes so well that he captivated me anew, and I almost felt I was hearing it for the first time. The book holds tightly to its mission of describing and summarizing Joseph Smith’s vision from the nine accounts available. Muhlestein amalgamates these with a kind of literary grace that surely involved personal inspiration on his part as to how to best put it together.
This is a highly sympathetic book regarding Joseph Smith and his sacred experience. If you hesitate to trust Kerry Muehlstein’s amalgamation of the nine accounts, keep reading. The appendixes include a summary of the accounts then all nine accounts from Joseph smith’s papers. As to why there were nine accounts, he often provided greater emphasis on the details depending on his audience. These multiple accounts aren’t without precedent. The New Testament includes several retellings by Paul of his conversion experience while on the road to Damascus.
This is a short book that’s long on great writing and thoughtful prose. I read it in the extreme early morning hours of a sleep-deprived night, and it proved a magnificent way to start my day.
July 7, 2020
This is a compilation of all the sound recordings of Joseph Smith's first vision. In the appendix Muhlestein goes over very clearly what is in each of the recordings and things that differ. This is a perfect book to go to if ever you are wanting to see all the recordings of the First Vision in one place.
I loved when Muhlestein points out in Chapter 2 the encounter Joseph Smith had with Satan prior to the first vision. "He did not seem to be able to talk, he was even losing the ability to even think. He was beginning to believe that he would not make it through the attack. That the being that was assaulting him was too powerful and too malevolent. The boy, turning prophet was learning first hand that one of Satan's greatest tools is a black feeling of despair. Despair rips into hope and faith and eats away at the desire to approach God. Feelings of despair can come from many sources and in many ways. But if they remain for any length of time they always tear away at the foundations of the feelings of love, hope and faith that lead toward God. They often seem to mute the ability to feel the spirit. This is a tool Satan delights in employing and it was the main weapon from his arsonal that he aimed at Joseph Smith at this crucial juncture. He unleashed upon the boy prophet an unrelenting wave of dark feelings, attempting to crush Joseph's young spirit beneath the feelings of hopelessness and doubt and fear."
"He prayed, feeling as his life depended upon it...and with just an inkling of hope forming within, as he continued to pray his tongue was loosed and he found his mouth delivered... He plead for deliverance, and it came, at first, in the form of light! ...At the blazing burst of light, the darkness fled. Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space."
"Joseph's nature was temporarily changed to a higher state. This is what happened to Moses when God spoke to him. It would seem then that at least part of the sensation the young Joseph experienced as the light fell upon him, was the feeling of being transfigured, becoming a being of a higher realm, even if only temporarily, must have changed him for that time to a being that felt greater love, joy and peace. Joseph was catching just a glimpse of what it felt like to be Christ like. He was becoming for a moment, a being that was compatible with the presence of a celestial being."
"It seems that the strongest sensation occurred when the light rested upon Joseph himself. This seems to be when he experienced such a feeling of joy that he could not describe it. It also appeared that this was accompanied by ak peculiar sensation, which was likely the effect of transfiguration. As noted above this transfiguration probably increased Joseph's ability to feel joy, peace and love, which are all fruits of the spirit which he most certainly was being infused with."
I loved when Muhlestein points out in Chapter 2 the encounter Joseph Smith had with Satan prior to the first vision. "He did not seem to be able to talk, he was even losing the ability to even think. He was beginning to believe that he would not make it through the attack. That the being that was assaulting him was too powerful and too malevolent. The boy, turning prophet was learning first hand that one of Satan's greatest tools is a black feeling of despair. Despair rips into hope and faith and eats away at the desire to approach God. Feelings of despair can come from many sources and in many ways. But if they remain for any length of time they always tear away at the foundations of the feelings of love, hope and faith that lead toward God. They often seem to mute the ability to feel the spirit. This is a tool Satan delights in employing and it was the main weapon from his arsonal that he aimed at Joseph Smith at this crucial juncture. He unleashed upon the boy prophet an unrelenting wave of dark feelings, attempting to crush Joseph's young spirit beneath the feelings of hopelessness and doubt and fear."
"He prayed, feeling as his life depended upon it...and with just an inkling of hope forming within, as he continued to pray his tongue was loosed and he found his mouth delivered... He plead for deliverance, and it came, at first, in the form of light! ...At the blazing burst of light, the darkness fled. Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space."
"Joseph's nature was temporarily changed to a higher state. This is what happened to Moses when God spoke to him. It would seem then that at least part of the sensation the young Joseph experienced as the light fell upon him, was the feeling of being transfigured, becoming a being of a higher realm, even if only temporarily, must have changed him for that time to a being that felt greater love, joy and peace. Joseph was catching just a glimpse of what it felt like to be Christ like. He was becoming for a moment, a being that was compatible with the presence of a celestial being."
"It seems that the strongest sensation occurred when the light rested upon Joseph himself. This seems to be when he experienced such a feeling of joy that he could not describe it. It also appeared that this was accompanied by ak peculiar sensation, which was likely the effect of transfiguration. As noted above this transfiguration probably increased Joseph's ability to feel joy, peace and love, which are all fruits of the spirit which he most certainly was being infused with."
February 23, 2020
This is a very short, very precise telling of the First Vision which Joseph Smith Jr, the prophet, experienced when God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him to restore the gospel and ultimately Their Church. It takes the various accounts Joseph and others wrote about and combines them into one, almost complete account.
Joseph told his account to several people, over a period of years. As such, and according to his audience, each account was generally the same in meaning, with a few differences as to what he was focusing on at the moment he was sharing that particular account. So it makes sense that each account various slightly, but not in the main gist of the message. It was nice to be able to get "the whole picture" all put together, like a puzzle. Some insights were shared that I had never considered before, but which made sense, especially as the scriptures tell of it - such as there were angels likely present when Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph. The telling of how the adversary tried to stop him from praying in the first place, was also told in greater detail than what I remembered hearing in the past. Overall, it is a very interested, if short read. And I'd say very worth reading if you would like to know more about the prophet Joseph and the glorious First Vision.
Joseph told his account to several people, over a period of years. As such, and according to his audience, each account was generally the same in meaning, with a few differences as to what he was focusing on at the moment he was sharing that particular account. So it makes sense that each account various slightly, but not in the main gist of the message. It was nice to be able to get "the whole picture" all put together, like a puzzle. Some insights were shared that I had never considered before, but which made sense, especially as the scriptures tell of it - such as there were angels likely present when Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph. The telling of how the adversary tried to stop him from praying in the first place, was also told in greater detail than what I remembered hearing in the past. Overall, it is a very interested, if short read. And I'd say very worth reading if you would like to know more about the prophet Joseph and the glorious First Vision.
April 19, 2020
This is a very useful and well-put-together reference for tying together the various accounts of Joseph Smith’s first vision. The four first-hand accounts are included, as well as five second-hand accounts. The appendix includes all the accounts separately, but the main body of this work is a synthesis of all accounts to the extent that they can be harmonized.
Although the sources are all presented accurately, there is no discussion about nor attempt to reconcile the frequent sticking points about the year/age of the event, or the mention of only a single personage in the earliest version. Even so, this is a forthright and valuable resource for laying out all the available evidence about the first vision.
Well, almost. There is one obscure first-hand reference to the first vision that predates any other existing account. It is found in what is now known as D&C 20, dated 1830. D&C 20:5 describes an event prior to the appearance of the angel Moroni as such: “it was truly manifested unto this first elder that he had received a remission of his sins.” Although this does not actually account for vision itself, it does seem to be in line with 1832, 1835, and 1840 accounts that in the vision he was told: “thy sins are forgiven thee.”
This book does not acknowledge this reference as the earliest mention of the event, but most everything else about is covered.
Although the sources are all presented accurately, there is no discussion about nor attempt to reconcile the frequent sticking points about the year/age of the event, or the mention of only a single personage in the earliest version. Even so, this is a forthright and valuable resource for laying out all the available evidence about the first vision.
Well, almost. There is one obscure first-hand reference to the first vision that predates any other existing account. It is found in what is now known as D&C 20, dated 1830. D&C 20:5 describes an event prior to the appearance of the angel Moroni as such: “it was truly manifested unto this first elder that he had received a remission of his sins.” Although this does not actually account for vision itself, it does seem to be in line with 1832, 1835, and 1840 accounts that in the vision he was told: “thy sins are forgiven thee.”
This book does not acknowledge this reference as the earliest mention of the event, but most everything else about is covered.
July 24, 2020
A great resource to have in any home library. This little book is only 87 pages long and easy to carry around for reading on the go. Yes, most of this information contained in the four chapters and appendix can be found on podcasts or online or in the Joseph Smith Papers (specific volumes are not given) but it is good to have it all written down in one place for easy reference.
The author does an amazing job of close reading the extraordinary event that occurred just over 200 years ago and has divided it all up into four easy chapters.
These four short chapters are: Seeking, Asking, Finding, and Learning with the Appendix containing the full accounts of all nine versions (some are very short, just one or two paragraphs) of the First Vision at the very end.
Young Joseph sought answers to deep questions about salvation, forgiveness of sins and how to best follow God. Brought up on family Bible study, reading the inspired scripture in James 1:5 was the catalyst that got him into the woods to offer up what undoubtedly became the most important prayer of his life. He received an answer to that prayer and so much more! When Joseph Smith exited that grove many new and fundamental truths came out with him.
Read this book and rediscover these truths for yourselves.
The author does an amazing job of close reading the extraordinary event that occurred just over 200 years ago and has divided it all up into four easy chapters.
These four short chapters are: Seeking, Asking, Finding, and Learning with the Appendix containing the full accounts of all nine versions (some are very short, just one or two paragraphs) of the First Vision at the very end.
Young Joseph sought answers to deep questions about salvation, forgiveness of sins and how to best follow God. Brought up on family Bible study, reading the inspired scripture in James 1:5 was the catalyst that got him into the woods to offer up what undoubtedly became the most important prayer of his life. He received an answer to that prayer and so much more! When Joseph Smith exited that grove many new and fundamental truths came out with him.
Read this book and rediscover these truths for yourselves.
March 31, 2020
This was a nice, short account of Joseph Smith's first vision combined from nine different accounts. I found it to be a great way to hear the story one time through rather than reading all nine of the different versions. I learned some things that I didn't know before and have found my testimony strengthened of this most important event. One of the things you don't really learn is that Joseph spend a good portion of three years studying and searching for the truth. He also said in one account that God's eyes were a magnificent blue color. His descriptions of the light (fire) that attended the appearance of the Father and the Son and how it didn't burn the trees around him was fascinating to hear. Some people also said that they never saw Joseph more filled with the spirit than when he talked about the first vision. I was also touched when the author mentioned that Joseph's experience with God gave him a kinship that carried him through all the hardships and trials that came thereafter. I'm so blessed to know the veracity of this event. He had a vision. Joseph knew it and he knew that God knew it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2025
When I read the subtitle "Joseph's First Vision Combined from Nine Accounts", I assumed it would be a kind of copy-and-paste type thing. But it's much better than that, which I should have guessed, seeing that Kerry Muhlstein is the author (if you haven't read his "God Will Prevail", drop everything and do that now).
Professor Muhlstein expertly weaves together all the Joseph Smith first vision accounts in a narrative and explanatory style that is simple but powerful. There were times I had to stop to either ponder or dry my eyes. I grew in my understanding and faith over the book's short 87 pages. An appendix at the end also gives all 9 accounts verbatim, which I appreciated.
Anytime I read, hear, or watch something about Joseph Smith's first vision, there is a special, sweet spirit present. I love that.
Professor Muhlstein expertly weaves together all the Joseph Smith first vision accounts in a narrative and explanatory style that is simple but powerful. There were times I had to stop to either ponder or dry my eyes. I grew in my understanding and faith over the book's short 87 pages. An appendix at the end also gives all 9 accounts verbatim, which I appreciated.
Anytime I read, hear, or watch something about Joseph Smith's first vision, there is a special, sweet spirit present. I love that.
February 23, 2020
Great little book that looks at the written accounts of Joseph Smith's first vision. One is written by Joseph, a few are written by scribes for Joseph, and a few are second hand reports. There differences in them depending on the audience, the time, and a few other factors, but they basically affirm the important points of his vision. God and Jesus are separate beings with bodies, Joseph's sins were forgiven, there is a real force at work to thwart God's Plan (Satan), none of the churches on the earth at that time contained the fullness of the gospel.
March 26, 2020
As I have been trying to follow the prophet's council to study Joseph Smith's account again before conference as we celebrate 200 years, this was a great fit. It also fit really well with The Case for the Book of Mormon which I finished right before starting this one. They complemented each other well and both strengthened my testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. (Though one note, I might have enjoyed it more reading than audio, as on audio there were a lot of "quote" and "un-quote" I understand why, but reading you wouldn't get that as you do on audio..)
April 14, 2020
This book is really great for getting a brief and comprehensive comparison between the different accounts Joseph Smith gave of his First Vision. I liked how the author tried to keep his personal feelings out and let you know exactly whenever there was opinion. I like that all the accounts are included in the end. I like the bits of history included about some of the people mentioned. All around, I think it’s a great resource.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Read by Author. Good reader. Good inflection and emotion in the voice. Listened at 1.5x speed
April 17, 2020
I read this in preparation for General Conference in April, 2020. It was really enlightening and educational for me to read several accounts of the first vision that I was unfamiliar with, especially reading them the way this book presents them; one account right after another. I learned several interesting facts that I had not known before! It is well documented and a very quick read, as well as being very thorough as far as the historical accuracy of all known accounts of this sacred experience.
May 25, 2022
This short book combines and synthesizes details from multiple first and secondhand accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision into one flowing cohesive narrative. I really liked it a lot. I was already familiar with most of the first vision accounts that were drawn on to write this book, so there wasn't really a lot of new information that I wasn't already familiar with, but I loved reading such a detailed narrative. It enriches the story so much more than just reading any one account. I highly recommend this book to all humans.
April 10, 2020
This is a beautiful account of the combined records of the first vision. I really enjoyed having all accounts included at the end.
If I was rating this book based on the audio rendition, I would have given it a much lower rating. It was hard to follow. The narrator inserted the words "quote" and "end quote" every single time it happened. I found that distracting and frustrating. I do not recommend the audio.
If I was rating this book based on the audio rendition, I would have given it a much lower rating. It was hard to follow. The narrator inserted the words "quote" and "end quote" every single time it happened. I found that distracting and frustrating. I do not recommend the audio.
May 17, 2021
To be honest, I was a little underwhelmed as I was expecting more content for the price. All the same, I Saw the Lord seemed well-researched and was satisfactory. The most surprising things for me was one second-hand account that had Joseph saying that the Father and the Son had blue eyes. I also didn't realize that in some accounts, the Father showed up first and then the Son was revealed.
February 16, 2020
I greatly enjoyed this short book. I recently read through Joseph's accounts of his first vision and feel this is a fabulous compilation. I never thought about Joseph needing to be transfigured in order to behold the Father, but of course that would be the case! This book is a great testimony to the truthfulness of Joseph Smith Junior'a experience in seeing God and Jesus in vision.
February 17, 2020
A very helpful and instructive format for reading about Joseph's First Vision. The footnotes were just right in helping clarify which account was being quoted. I liked having them all blended into one for a smooth reading. This strengthened my testimony of the Prophet Joseph and the fact that he actually saw God the Father and His Son.
March 8, 2020
Great book!! Very informative and insightful. I had heard about the different versions of the first vision so was excited to read this. With the 200th anniversary this year it was wonderful to read a book like this. It was well put together and strengthened my testimony. It is a short book and well worth the time to read.
January 29, 2021
Great analysis and compilation of the nine accounts of one of the greatest events in human history.
I believe God, the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. This belief comes from both a witness to my soul from the Holy Ghost and from a historical/logical perspective based on research of Joseph's character and life.
I believe God, the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. This belief comes from both a witness to my soul from the Holy Ghost and from a historical/logical perspective based on research of Joseph's character and life.
February 7, 2022
Br. Muhlestein has done a great job here. I bought this book thinking it would be more about the apologetics of the first vision. It is not that. It's much more Brother Muhlestein trying to create a single cohesive story or narrative of the first vision that is well sourced. More like saints, and less like FAIR.
March 2, 2020
I don't really see the point of this book. The first half is the author supposing what Joseph "might have felt" as he gives an introduction to the different accounts. The second half is the different accounts of the first vision that can all be found on the church's website.
March 6, 2020
I learned some great little lessons in this book. It helped me understand the first vision much better. I also loved learning about his parents and their beliefs and how that affected Joseph. But by the end, the repetition lost my interest.
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