A Pillar of Light: The History and Message of the First Vision

by Matthew B. Brown

In the spring of 1820 Joseph Smith Jr. emerged from a grove of trees with a message that would change the world and convert millions to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. This mere boy not only claimed that he had seen the God of heaven and the Savior of mankind, but he also said that they had told him the Christian faith was in dire need of renewal. As the foundation upon which Mormonism is built, Joseph Smith’s First Vision is canonized as scripture, taught to children, preached by missionaries, and frequently repeated in sermons by LDS Church leaders. President Gordon B. Hinckley explained the vital role of this historical narrative when he said that “our entire case as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rests on the validity of this glorious First Vision.”

Genres: Religion, Lds, Church

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Matthew B. Brown (1964–2011) was an author and historian whose emphasis was on the history and doctrine of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. He wrote several books published by Covenant Communications, and also published articles for the Neal A. Maxwell Institute of Religious Scholarship at BYU and FAIR (now FairMormon).

source: about the author in "Ancient Temple Worship"

Reviews

[Larsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is evidence in this book that Joseph Smith could not possibly have authored The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Chapter 7 is "a detailed analysis of the 1832 First Vision text. ...the only known account of the [First Vision] manifestation in Joseph's own handwriting, ...the earliest available full account of the experience" (Introduction, p. xi) reproduced in Appendix 1 in its "original, unedited format." This example of Joseph's academic performance is convincing evidence that divine help was necessary to produce The Book of Mornmon and to accomplish all else that he did.
The general message to me from this book is that the First Vision was so unusually miraculous and profoundly significant that it was not easy for a teen-aged boy, or for that matter, for Joseph and other contemporary adults to share it effectively. The First Vision is something that should seriously change one's life, or it may easily be scoffed at. Individual agency granted to all of us makes communication of the First Vision reality a personal spiritual matter.
I must say, however, that this book is more of a work book to study than it is a book to read. I have labored over it intermittently for months to be able to honestly say that I have read all the pages. On the second page of the Introduction the author explains that the "book is divided into three main sections." The first main section is five chapters devoted respectively to five questions, four of which seem trivial to me. Much of the other two sections are very detailed, meticulous responses to criticisms and questions, some of which seem quite insignificant.

[Mike Emett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard of "different accounts" of the First Vision growing up and during my mission but paid no attention to them. This book struck interest in me so I obtained and finally read it. Though oft times dull to read, it is fascinating as Brown goes through not only account drawn up by Joseph Smith but also all his contemporaries (both LDS and non-LDS). He analyzes and and connects them; with the two crucial ingredients that critics, even supporters, forget: historical context and background (not of just the writer but of the time, place and situation). I had to re-read and ponder over much of the information and conclusions offered many times. In the end, no one can really argue, and argue well, that the First Vision was 1) made up 2)evolved and had info added 3) contradicts and 4) having different accounts show Joseph Smith as a fraud. Added with the God given advice of prayer, this book offers so much information, facts, etc etc etc, that one can only conclude that all accounts say the same thing: In a time of religious confusion, Joseph Smith read the Bible, applied and saw both God the Father and Jesus Christ thus opening up the last dispensation and the restoration of Christ's Church and Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet of God. A must read, and should emphasize that a slow ponderous reading should be done, by members, members wavering in the their, former members and non-members.

[Lon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book acknowledges the existence of and differences among Joseph Smith's four published accounts of his first vision. Members of the LDS church are typically familiar only with the 1838 account, which has been canonized in the Pearl of Great Price. It's an inconvenient truth that the other accounts describe the event differently--from trivial differences of how old he was to more significant differences that could have theological implications. Brown presents easy answers for these differences, and is explanations for the differences do, in fact, seem sound and solid. I think the book could be taken more seriously if he at least explored some of the competing explanations for those differences. The book is so concerned with being "faith-promoting" that it doesn't give the reader credit for being able to process some of the differences responsibly. Probably a fine line to cross, and considering this may be the first time some readers even learn about the differing accounts, Brown should be commended for even addressing the differences at all.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

My three-star review doesn't have anything to do with the message of Brown's book; the first vision is the ultimate 10-star event. Brown just did a 3-star job of relating the details. His methodology was to gather all extant accounts or mentions of the experience, bring them together chronologically, and resolve discrepancies in the details. It all came down to "you have to look at each statement in context." There just didn't seem to be anything profound or new, and in honesty "The Pillar of Light" just wasn't that readable. The book's most useful feature was the appendix containing all the written accounts - I can see that someone studying the first vision would be glad to find the sources together and accessible.

[Laurie Dewberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first five chapters flowed nicely and offered valuable insight into the First Vision. I didn’t enjoy the rest of the book as much. I was given the book as a gift and didn’t realize I would be reading every derivative account of the event. While I applaud the author for trying to protect the authenticity of Joseph’s account, the writing came across as overly defensive at times. I believe Jospeh’s account stand for itself. People are always going to interpret things differently, and no two historical accounts will be the same.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

President Hinckley said, "Our entire case as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rests on the validity of this glorious first vision. Nothing on which we base our doctrine, nothing we teach, nothing we live by is of greater importance than this initial declaration."
This book has truly strengthened my testimony of the first vision. Joseph Smith truly saw the Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I loved this book!

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for members of the LDS faith that are not familiar with the several accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision. If you are familiar with them, this may not be the book for you. I was personally disappointed as I was hoping for new ideas and material. However, it was still a good book and I recommend it.

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was interesting and well-done, just wasn't what I was hoping for. I would have appreciated it more from the point of view of a support of the First Vision. Instead it was approached as a rebuttal to all nay-Sayers. I felt that I would have to go read all of the ant-literature in order to truly appreciate the points made in the book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks at the First Vision, comparing different recitations and views. I'm not a big fan of non-fiction but this is an interesting subject and Brown writes in such a way that I found I wanted to keep reading.

[Chad Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, though it was fairly dry and tough to get through. The additional insights about the first vision (the various versions, extra sources, and the impact that it had on surrounding people) is really cool.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good review of the first vision in its various versions. Very useful. I learned many things about the first vision I had not known.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first part was interesting, but the latter half of the book felt very tedious.

[Stacie · Rating 1 out of 5]

BORING!!!! SNOOZEFEST CENTRAL!

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked how Matthew B. Brown examines the accounts of the first vision of Joseph Smith. Some of the quotes he used I had never before read.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like me some matt brown. Here's the gist of his research: did the 1st vision really happen? Indeed!
The proof is in the pudding-I mean reading.

[Daryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I enjoyed the research that was done on this book of the many different versions of the First vision. I learned a lot.

[Ssgustafsongmail.Com]

burned under church

[Jason Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting look into the First Vision!

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a great book to use as a reference regarding the arguments by detractors of The First Vision, Matt Brown’s book will do the trick!