First Vision

The First Vision is an important part of the Mormon faith. The version later recorded in the official history of the Church in the book Pearl of Great Price describes how the the Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith, then 14 years later founder of the Church of Jesus Christ in a forest near his home in Palmyra, New York in 1820 two people, God and Jesus Christ, had appeared.

Smith, the vision in the context of his search for the true religion and wants to have received the message that all existing denominations have corrupts the Gospel of Christ. He should join any religion.

The interpretations of the First Vision differ among the various currents within the Mormon movement. The central assumption is that the first vision of the beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ LDS was because Smith was asked is to seek the true faith, and restore with the help of further revelations of the lost doctrines of early Christianity. This would allow the " great apostasy " ended.

Versions of the First Vision

The official version in the history of the church dates from 1838. It refers to the year 1820 and speaks of a faith awakening with missionaries of all denominations, who has made the young Joseph attention to the diversity of religions. Smith also reported that he had been for his decision to join no church, criticized and persecuted and would have had another vision three years later. Therein, the discovery of the Golden plates with engraved written revelations he had been announced.

This version has been criticized for a faith awakening for the region, although in previous years and the year 1824 is detected, but not for 1820. Moreover, the rejection of all the churches, contrary to his statement have not had a particular influence on Smith's family, his mother and other members many years later Presbyterians were still active and he has proven yet participated in a course of the Presbyterian Church several years after the official date of the First Vision.

Further, in some cases substantially deviating versions are obtained from the years 1827 and 1830, which were, however, much later published as memoirs of family members and early chroniclers Smiths. The first version of Smith's own hand, dates from 1832 and was first published in 1965: This is where the vision occurred in 1821 (Smith was already 15), he had occupied himself with reading the Bible for years and was for himself the conclusion that all confessions had deviated from true Christianity. He appeared here only Jesus Christ and forgave sins. From a revelation of the truth of the confessions is no question. The second vision with the announcement of the Golden plates was therefore held two years later.

1859 reported a temporary companion near Smiths in an interview his memories. Then the vision until 1827 had taken place (Smith was then already 21 years old ) and they would have been in connection with the treasure hunt, the Smith would also have led to the Golden Plates. This version does almost entirely consistent with the above earliest reports.