Saints Without Halos: A Mormon History Website

Mormon History 1830-1844

Orson Pratt's 1840 Account of the First Vision

At age 14 or 15, Joseph, concerned about the salvation of his soul, and desiring to know which church is true, goes to a grove of trees to pray. He is tempted by the powers of darkness, but continues to pray until a bright light appears in the heavens. It gradually descends, his mind is "caught away," and he is "enwrapped in heavenly vision." He sees two personages and is told that his sins are forgiven, that all churches wrong, he is not to join any, and the fullness of gospel will be made known to him later.
This first published account of the vision appears in Orson's A [sic] Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions, and of the late Discovery of Ancient American Records, printed in late September or early October 1840 in Scotland.
Joseph's birth	Mr. Joseph Smith, jun. who made the following important discovery, was born in the town of Sharon, Windsor county, Vermont, on the 23d December, A.D. 1805.
Move to Palmyra, Manchester	When ten years old, his parents, with their family, moved to Palmyra, New York; in the vicinity of which he resided for about eleven years, the latter part in the town of Manchester.
Farmed	Cultivating the earth for a livelihood was his occupation, in which he employed the most of his time.
Literate, but uneducated	His advantages for acquiring literary knowledge, were exceedingly small; hence, his education was limited to a slight acquaintance, with two or three of the common branches of learning. He could read without much difficulty, and write a very imperfect hand; and had a very limited understanding of the ground rules of arithmetic. These were his highest and only attainments; while the rest of those branches, so universally taught in the common schools, throughout the United States, were entirely unknown to him.	¶ Joseph's 1832 History
14 or 15 years old Concern for salvation	When somewhere about fourteen or fifteen years old, 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.	Joseph's first account: refelcts 12–15 yrs old. ¶ Joseph's 1832 History Vision in 16th year (15). ¶ Joseph's 1832 History 14 in both Joseph's 1835 Accounts of the First Vision.
	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.	¶ Joseph's 1832 History
	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.
Denominations disagree	If he went to the religious denominations to seek information, each one pointed to its particular tenets, saying—"This is the way, walk ye in it;" while, at the same time, the doctrines of each were in many respects, in direct opposition to one another.
One God, one doctrine	It also occurred to his mind that God was the author of but one doctrine, and therefore could acknowledge but one denomination as his church, and that such denomination must be a people who believe and teach that one doctrine, (whatever it may be,) and build upon the same.
Which church is true?	He then reflected upon the immense number of doctrines, now in the world, which had given rise to many hundreds of different denominations. The great question to be decided in his mind, was—if any one of these denominations be the Church of Christ, which one is it? Until he could become satisfied in relations to this question, he could not rest contented.
How to know	To trust to the decisions of fallible man, and build his hopes upon the same, without any certainty, and knowledge of his own, would not satisfy the anxious desires that pervaded his breast. To decide, without any positive and definite evidence, on which he could rely, upon a subject involving the future welfare of his soul, was revolting to his feelings.
Scriptures	The only alternative, that seemed to be left him was to read the Scriptures, and endeavor to follow their directions. He, accordingly commenced persuing the sacred pages of the Bible, with sincerity, believing the things that he read.
James 1:5	His mind soon caught hold of the following passage:—"If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."—James 1:5.	Not mentioned in 1832 history.
Ask and receive	From this promise he learned, that it was the privilege of all men to ask God for wisdom, with the sure and certain expectation of receiving liberally; without being upbraided for so doing. This was cheering information to him; tidings that gave him great joy. It was like a light shinning forth in a dark place, to guide him to the path in which he should walk.
	He now saw that if he inquired of God, there was not only a possibility, but a probability; yea, more, a certainty, that he should obtain a knowledge, which, of all the doctrines, was the doctrine of Christ; and, which of all the churches, was the church of Christ.
Prays in grove	He therefore, retired to a secret place in a grove, but a short distance from his father's house, and knelt down, and began to call upon the Lord.
Tempted by powers of darkness	At first, he was severely tempted by the powers of darkness, which endeavored to overcome him; but he continued to seek for deliverance, until darkness gave way from his mind,	Not in 1832 history.
Enabled to pray	and he was enabled to pray in feverency of the spirit, and in faith. And while thus pouring out his soul, anxiously desiring an answer from God,
Bright light gradually descends	he at length, saw a very bright and glorious light in the heavens above; which, at first, seemed to be a considerable distance. He continued praying, while the light appeared to be gradually descending towards him; and as it drew nearer, it increased in brightness and magnitude, so that, by the time that it reached the tops of the trees, the whole wilderness, for some distance around was illuminated in a most glorious and brilliant manner.	¶ Joseph's 1832 History
Expected trees to burn	He expected to have seen the leaves and boughs of the trees consumed, as soon as the light came in contact with them;
Encouraged when they don't	but perceiving that it did not produce that effect, he was encouraged with the hope of being able to endure its presence. It continued descending slowly, until it rested upon the earth, and he was enveloped in the midst of it.
Peculiar sensation Caught away from natural objects Heavenly vision	When it first came upon him, it produced a peculiar sensation throughout his whole system; and immediately, his mind was caught away, from the natural objects with which he was surrounded; and he was enwapped in a heavenly vision,
Two identical personages	and saw two glorious personages, who exactly resembled each other in their features or likeness.	¶ Joseph's 1832 History: only the Lord mentioned ¶ Joseph's 1835 Accounts of the First Vision: one personage, then another ¶ 1835 Accounts of the First Vision: only angels
Sins forgiven	He was informed that his sins were forgiven.	¶ Joseph's 1832 History
	He was also informed upon the subjects, which had for some time previously agitated his mind,
Churches teach false doctrines None acknowledge God Do not join	viz.—that all the religious denominations were believing in incorrect doctrines; and consequently, that none of them was acknowledged of God, as his church and kingdom. And he was expressly commanded, to go not after them;	Not in 1832 history.
Fullness of the gospel to be revealed to him later	and he received a promise that the true doctrine the fulness of the gospel, should, at some future time, be made known to him;
Calm and peaceful	after which, the vision withdrew, leaving his mind in a state of calmness and peace, indescribable.	¶ Joseph's 1832 History
	First Vision Accounts Visions